Like A Loving Parent, God Teaches and Guides Us. We Should Listen to Him Because Peace and Righteousness Come to Us as We Obey His Word.

¹²Listen to me, my people, my chosen ones! I alone am God. I am the First; I am the Last. ¹³It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth; the palm of my right hand spread out the heavens above; I spoke, and they came into being.

¹⁴Come, all of you, and listen. Among all your idols, which one has ever told you this: “The Lord loves Cyrus. He will use him to put an end to the empire of Babylonia. He will utterly rout the armies of the Chaldeans”? ¹⁵But I am saying it. I have called Cyrus; I have sent him on this errand, and I will prosper him.

¹⁶Come closer and listen. I have always told you plainly what would happen so that you could clearly understand. And now the Lord God and his Spirit have sent me (with this message):

¹⁷The Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: I am the Lord your God, who punishes you for your own good and leads you along the paths that you should follow.

¹⁸Oh, that you had listened to my laws! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and great waves of righteousness. ¹⁹Then you would have become as numerous as the sands along the seashores of the world, too many to count, and there would have been no need for your destruction.

²⁰Yet even now, be free from your captivity! Leave Babylon, singing as you go; shout to the ends of the earth that the Lord has redeemed his servants, the Jews. ²¹They were not thirsty when he led them through the deserts; he divided the rock, and water gushed out for them to drink. ²²But there is no peace, says the Lord, for the wicked.^[1] (Isaiah48:12–22)

 

God’s Plan:

He Worked & Controlled All Events in Order to Redeem His People 

God revealed His plan to redeem His people. He declared that He would work through human events, controlling them to save and free His people. As seen throughout these verses, the Lord Himself is the Redeemer (v. 17), the Lord God of the universe who liberated His people from captivity and rescued them from their enemies. He is the Redeemer who led His people back to the promised land from the land of their captivity. What follows is an excellent study on redemption, showing exactly how God saves and rescues His people: 

a. God Himself Is the Surety of Redemption, The Assurance That His People Will Be Rescued from Their Captivity (vv. 12–13). Two facts about the Lord guarantee redemption.

First, the Lord’s Person—Who He Is—assures the believer that God will redeem him and deliver him from all the bondages and enslaving powers of this earth. “I am He” means that the Lord alone is God. He is the “First and the Last,” signifying that God is sovereign and eternal, spanning all of time. In the beginning of the universe, He was there; and when this present universe ends, He will still exist as the eternal, sovereign Lord over all. Because He is the living and true God, His people can be confident about their redemption. The Lord will save them from the enslavements of this life and from the enemies who hold them captive, such as the Babylonians. 

Second, God’s Power that Created the Universe assures redemption for the genuine believer (v. 13). It was God’s hand that laid the foundation of the earth on which people live. And it was His right hand that stretched out the heavens, filling the vast expanse with billions of stars and planets. When God spoke the Word to call all things into being, they appeared (40:21–22; 42:5; 44:24; 45:12, 18; 51:13; Ps. 102:25). Since God has this infinite and matchless power, His people can rest assured that He has the power to redeem them. The Lord will deliver His people from their captivity and will walk with them through whatever hardships they endure. 

b. God’s Plan Was the Promise of Redemption, The Promise That He Would Deliver His People from Their Captivity (vv. 14–16). Note that the Lord summoned everyone to assemble to hear what He had to say, for the message of redemption was of critical importance. If a person failed to hear and respond to the message, he would remain in captivity. He would never be set free and would be doomed to remain in Babylon (a symbol of the world with all its immorality, lawlessness, corruption, and idolatry). In giving the promise of redemption, the Lord made four statements that must be understood by the listener or reader:

Ø  It was His knowledge—not an idol—that had foretold the coming redemption of God’s people (v. 14).

Ø  God’s power alone would raise up an agent (Cyrus) to execute justice and judgment against Babylon (v. 14b). And it would be the Lord who stirred Cyrus, the king of Persia, to release God’s people, allowing them to return to the promised land of Judah.

Ø  God’s Word guaranteed this prophecy (v. 15). He had spoken, and once He had spoken the event would come about. Cyrus would succeed in destroying Babylon because the Lord Himself would bless the mission of the Persian king.

Ø  God’s promise must be heeded by all the hearers and readers of this prophecy (v. 16). The Lord had never spoken in secret but, rather, openly, and clearly. He was the One who had predicted the destruction of Babylon and the liberation of His people from captivity. Note the claim of Isaiah: it was the Sovereign Lord who had sent him to proclaim this prophecy. Moreover, the prophecy was being conveyed through him by the Lord’s Spirit. 

c. God Gave Yet Another Assurance That His People Would Be Delivered from Babylonian Captivity. Note that He attested to the believers’ redemption because of who He, the Lord, was. First, He was their Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel (v. 17). To be holy means to be set apart, distinct, and different. Considering the Lord’s perfection in being, purity, and righteousness, He would always do the right thing. He would fulfill all His promises and deliver His people from their Babylonian captivity. 

Second, He is the Lord their God (v. 17). And because He is their God, He would teach and lead them, showing them the road of righteousness, the road they should follow throughout life. They could rest assured of His presence and guidance. 

d. God’s Plan of Redemption Included the Most Wonderful Blessings in Life (vv. 18–19). Note the appeal of the Lord, the longing of His heart for His people to obey His commandments. If they obeyed Him, they would receive the blessings. But the opposite is also clearly implied: if they disobeyed, they would not receive the blessings of redemption. Four blessings are mentioned:

1)      Being Redeemed and Obeying God Bring Peace to The Human Soul (v. 18). Notice the comforting comparison of peace to a deep river that flows steadily, strongly, and consistently. God’s peace is not shallow but, instead, reaches the depth of the human soul, giving perfect assurance of God’s presence and guidance. Neither is God’s peace like a flash flood that only occurs every so often. God’s peace is a continuous flow of assurance, fulfillment, satisfaction, and well-being.

2)      Being Redeemed and Obeying God Will Bring Righteousness to A Person (v. 18b). Note that the righteousness will faithfully roll on and on like waves of the sea. A person who obeys God becomes increasingly conformed to the image of the Lord. He bears more of the fruit of the Lord: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and control (Ga. 5:22–23). The obedient believer becomes more moral and just in his dealings with others, treating others as he himself wants to be treated (Lu. 6:31). He becomes more compassionate and merciful, more caring, and benevolent, reaching out to help those who are in need. Simply stated, the genuine, obedient believer becomes an ambassador for the Redeemer. He seeks to rescue people from the bondages of this world. Righteousness that is consistent and true is one of the great blessings of redemption.

3)      Being Redeemed and Obeying God Would Bring Population Growth to Israel (v. 19). Numerous children were promised to the Israelites if they would follow the Lord, obey, and keep His holy commandments (10:22; Ge. 13:16; 22:17; 32:12; Je. 33:22). Likewise, when believers of any generation are truly obedient to the Lord, they will lead more and more people to the Lord, ever-increasing the population of God’s kingdom.

4)      Being Redeemed and Obeying God Assure the Believer of An Eternal Name, A Name That Will Never Be Cut Off nor Removed from God’s Presence (v. 19b). As Christ said, “He that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Mt. 10:22). The genuine believer will receive the wonderful gift of eternal life. 

e. God Proclaimed the Great Imperative of Redemption, An Imperative That Is Still in Effect Even Today. He Clearly Said That the Message of Redemption Was to be Carried to the “End of the Earth” (v. 20). What was the imperative of redemption? Go forth from Babylon! Flee the Chaldeans, the Babylonians! Remember that Babylon and its people symbolize the world of unbelievers who live corrupt, wicked lives, who place their trust in false religion and the world of the occult. Because of their unrighteous lifestyles and their rebellion against God, the Babylonians were doomed to face the hand of God’s eternal judgment. Thus, the message of redemption was to be shouted out and proclaimed to the whole world. The Lord had redeemed His servant Jacob, the nation Israel, and rescued it from Babylonian captivity. Furthermore, the Lord would meet His people’s every need while guiding them to the promised land. He would meet their needs just as He had in the wilderness wanderings when He led Israel from Egyptian bondage (Ex. 17:1–7; Nu. 20:11). Just as the Lord did not fail His people then, so He would not fail them now. He would fulfill His promise and deliver them. And He will fulfill the promise of redemption in the life of any person who truly trusts Him. 

On The Other Hand, The Lord Issued a Strong Warning: There Is No Peace for The Wicked (v. 22). There is a shout of joy from those who are redeemed. But there will be only restlessness, distress, and anguish of soul for the wicked of the earth. They will never have peace with God but will, rather, be alienated from Him. And they will never have the peace of God that fills the human heart with a sense of well-being, purpose, and fulfillment. The peace of God gives the believer perfect assurance …

·         that his past sins and failures have been taken care of by Christ

·         that his present welfare is being looked after by God Himself

·         that his future will be taken care of by the presence and guidance of the Lord 

The believer knows that he has eternal life, never again to be alienated or separated from the Lord. He knows that his salvation is due to the redemption found in Christ Jesus, our Lord, and Savior. 

V  “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people” (Lu. 1:68).

V  “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Ro. 3:23–24).

V  “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Ga. 3:13).

V  “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ep. 1:7).

V  “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ep. 4:30).

V  “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:14).

V  “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Tit. 2:13–14).

V  “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (He. 9:12–14).

V  “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pe. 1:18–19).

V  “And they have sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the Book and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Re. 5:9).

V  “I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Is. 43:1–2).^[2] 

That the Lord would choose Cyrus as his “ally” must have shocked his audience. How could the Lord choose a pagan king, an enemy? But it was Cyrus whom God would use to free his people from their captivity in Babylon. Cyrus’s mission was to set Israel free by conquering Babylon, then to decree that all Jews could return to their homeland. Who but a prophet of God could predict such an inconceivable but true story almost 200 years before it happened?

Like a loving parent, God teaches and guides us. We should listen to him because peace and righteousness come to us as we obey his Word. Refusing to pay attention to God’s commands invites punishment and threatens that peace and righteousness.

Do you see the captives leaving Babylon many years later? No wonder they are shouting with joy, as their ancestors shouted joyfully after they crossed the Red Sea, free from slavery at last! What is holding you captive? Be free! The Lord has redeemed his servants from slavery to sin. When you let him free you from your captivity, you will feel like shouting with joy.

Many people cry out for comfort, security, and relief, but they haven’t taken the first steps to turn away from sin and open the channels to God. They have not repented and trusted in him. If you want true peace, seek God first. Then he will give you, His peace.^[3]

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^[1] Taylor, Kenneth Nathaniel. 1997. The Living Bible, Paraphrased. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

^[2] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2005. Isaiah: Chapters 36–66. Vol. II. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

^[3] Life Application Bible Notes. 2007. Tyndale.