For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Is. 57
We always think it’s such a shame when the lives of good, God-fearing people get cut short. But is it? Isaiah 57 starts by saying that the righteous person is taken away from the presence of evil. “He will enter into peace – they will rest on their beds – everyone who lives uprightly.” (Is. 57:2). This is why the apostle Paul said, “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21). When we live in Christ’s suffering, because of the struggle with evil, we die in His peace. Isaiah gives the contrast at the end of this chapter. “’But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its water churns up mire and muck. There is no peace for the wicked’, says my God.” (Is. 57:20-21).
Is. 58
Jesus told us, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Lk. 9:23). But what does it mean to deny ourselves? In Isaiah 58, the Israelites complain to God, “We have denied ourselves, but you haven’t noticed!” (From Is. 58:3). The trouble was that the people were denying themselves of physical things, like food, water, and work, but they weren’t denying themselves. When Jesus says that we need to deny ourselves, He means that we need to put off our human nature, set aside our own desires, and turn from going our own way. The Israelites failed to do these things as they went through the motions of the physical requirements of the law.
Is. 59
Wow – Isaiah 59 is all about the human condition. And what a state we are in! Verse 6 is one that stood out to me. It says, “Their webs cannot become clothing, and they cannot cover themselves with their works. Their works are sinful works, and violent acts are in their hands.” We are clothed in our sin and it separates us from God. Therefore we are far from righteousness, light, and peace. We are like the blind, stumbling along crooked paths. What a hopeless situation!
But God sees; He knows our situation. “…so His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness supported Him.” (Is. 59:16b). Isaiah describes God’s righteousness as body armor. If we are willing to cast off the useless webs that we weave for ourselves, it is this body armor with which God clothes us. “For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.” (Gal. 3:27). “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9).