Isaiah gives such a moving picture of God's passionate love for His people Israel. From the middle of chapter 63, are listed God's wonderful acts on behalf of His people - He lavished compassion and extravagant love upon them, and called them His own people - His great goodness to them, for which He deserves to be praised.
Their troubles affected Him personally. He Himself came to their aid in their troubles, time and time again. He redeemed them, and He carried them, sure that they would never betray Him. He refers to Israel as His beloved wife. Isaiah 54 v5,6 says: Your Maker is your Bridegroom. You were like an abandoned wife and God welcomed you back.
But then, they do the unthinkable: they turn their backs on Him and run after idols. And He, in turn, withdraws from them. Our mighty God never forces His company on anyone.
As soon as Israel becomes aware of His withdrawal, she begins to moan and cry. Then she asks, almost sarcastically:
'What happened to the One Who brought His people out? What happened to His passion? His mighty acts?'
They reminded Him that He called Himself their Father. They blamed Him for their wandering and their cold hearts: They felt sorry for themselves and begged Him to return.
Then they began to remember Who they were dealing with - a God like no other. No eye had ever seen or ear heard a God like Him. This realisation brought about a consciousness of sin in their hearts: 'our best efforts are as grease-stained rags' (TMB). They are now repentant and beg for His mercy. They are sorrowful over the destruction of the Holy Temple. Won't He please do something?
But God has been heartbroken by the unfaithfulness of His people. He had made Himself available to them, He had been there waiting for them, and they had ignored Him completely.
They had rebelled against Him and gone their own way; they had chosen to do all the things He hated. Now, He has to let them take the full consequences of their choices.
But - not all the apples in the barrel are bad. (TMB) There are still those who obey Him, the true children of Jacob. These are the ones who will inherit the land and it will be lush for them - for those who bothered to look for Him. These will receive the blessing.
For the faithful ones, He is creating new heavens and a new earth where all the pain and sorrow of the past will be forgotten. So God encourages His chosen remnant to look ahead with joyful anticipation at the blessings to come - no weeping, no death, but only prosperity and long life. No more enemies. Full satisfaction from the work of their hands. Safety and security for both man and beast. Jerusalem itself will be a joy and a delight. And above all, the God of Israel Himself, present and dwelling with them; His ear open to their every call.
"In an outburst of anger I turned My back on you - but only for a moment. It's with lasting love that I'm tenderly caring for you." (Isaiah 54v8. TMB)
So, He is looking for those who, in simple trust, will obey Him, follow Him.
They will be persecuted for this, even by their own families. But the persecutors will be the ones who end up ashamed, when God sits as Judge. Those who love Him, He will comfort as a mother comforts her child, in Jerusalem, His residence. From every nation, His emisaries will bring those who will come and worship the King on His holy mountain.
God is love. And this is what He is like. Not sterile, clinical, distant and detached. But, as in His love for Israel, He is fiery in His passion for you; everlastingly faithful; giving everything He has, His whole self, in order to have a deep, intimate relationship with you. How can you refuse love like that?
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