Isaiah was a visionary. He lived in Jerusalem near the end of Israel’s kingdom period in a time of unrest and yet his life was marked by prophetic vision. On the LORD’s behalf, Isaiah spoke boldly to the leaders of Jerusalem in a way that would impact the entire community. Can you imagine the weight of that responsibility?
Isaiah’s dreams and visions concerning Israel were extensive and profound. The people of Israel were rebelling against the covenant of the LORD and they were in great danger. Isaiah had the unpopular task of warning the people that the LORD would judge the community if they continued worshiping false idols and oppressing the poor.
"I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me…”
Isaiah 65:1 NIV
Isaiah had the gift of holy boldness and his messages pointed far beyond his own day. Despite not seeing the LORD’s promises come to pass in his lifetime, Isaiah trusted in the LORD and that game him courage to be bold. In the face of continual rejection by the leaders of Jerusalem, Isaiah was compelled by heavenly hope to urge the people of Israel to repent and turn to the LORD. He was devoted and bold to speak out and intercede upon Israel’s behalf despite personal consequence.
“I have not spoken in secret…I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain’…”
Isaiah 45:19 NKJV
Although the people were headed for ruin, Isaiah never stopped declaring the words of the LORD that spoke of the New Jerusalem – where all death and suffering would end. Isaiah pointed the people to remember the faithfulness of the LORD and His covenant promises –punishment would not last forever. Instead, through the forthcoming King, the LORD himself would rule and reign over a redeemed people with all justice and mercy.
“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal”
Isaiah 26:4 NIV
Isaiah was one of Israel’s greatest prophets and he boldly testified in a critical time in Israel’s history. He beckoned the people to soften their hearts and trust in the coming Messiah, the Hope of Israel. His life vision reminds of the daring hope he had in the LORD – that we can boldly trust in the LORD’s promise to redeem, rescue and renew us.
Reflection:
Do you have a vision to minister to people in your life, family and community?
How might the LORD be inviting you to be bold and to fulfill His Kingdom purposes today?
Identify any obstacles that may be blocking your ability to walk in boldness for the LORD. Pray, confess and receive the LORD’s love and grace today to strengthen your personal life vision.
For the past nine weeks, as the coronavirus upended the world with fear, stay-at-home mandates, financial loss and isolation, we’ve turned to Scripture for the hope we each need to endure rough times.
Ancient Israel had a hope: to return to the Land God had promised to give her. Yet, she had been in exile in Babylon for so long that I’m sure the hope of many began to wane, if not completely disappear.
Our God is the Master Composer. The intricacies He has purposefully arranged on His grand scale of time are often indistinguishable to the human ear, unless we strain to hear. As we journey through the story of Ezra-Nehemiah in the days ahead, listen in for a pattern, a 3-part harmony, as God composes another movement in His song through the mouths of His prophets. See if you can make out the sounds.
The words God gave to His prophets often told about events in the current time, near future and a time even further in the future. They are always pointing us forward, but what were they pointing us forward to?
