August 3 - Isaiah 56-58
Isn't it wonderful how clear it is in Isaiah 56 that anyone who sincerely comes to the Lord can find salvation whether it is a eunuch or a Gentile? I think too many people think the only people God would save in the Old Testament were the Jews, but a careful reading shows that God has His arms open wide to any who will come to Him. If I remember correctly a eunuch could not be a priest, but he could come to the Lord and receive "an everlasting name." The foreigner could not enter the Temple, but he could be saved by trusting the Lord. Then, in the same chapter Isaiah exposes the corrupt leaders of Israel, who were just concerned about their own wealth. Do you think they were saved? Not unless they turned to the Lord in faith.
The next two chapters make much the same point as chapter 56 in that they point out the depths of unbelief among the Israelites, and the willingness of the Lord to receive those who come to Him sincerely. Isaiah 57:8 tells us that some of the Israelites had made a covenant with idols. (v.8) They were satisfied with the life they had made for themselves without the Lord, and they were not even troubled by His absence. (v.10) There was no hope for this group of Jews even though they had every opportunity to follow God, they had gone their own way. Then, in chapter 58 it speaks of the kind of fasting God would accept. He does not accept legalistic fasting. He does not accept people who fast, but they have a bad attitude. He accepts those who come humbly to Him with a good attitude, and instead of just thinking about themselves, they help others while they are seeking the Lord in fasting. This shows they have a heart for the Lord's will, not for their own will. We must take these warning to heart. We must never assume that because we were born into a Christian family that we will be saved. We must not assume that when we do the right things that God always accepts them. We must make sure our hearts are right when we do them.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 59-62.
The next two chapters make much the same point as chapter 56 in that they point out the depths of unbelief among the Israelites, and the willingness of the Lord to receive those who come to Him sincerely. Isaiah 57:8 tells us that some of the Israelites had made a covenant with idols. (v.8) They were satisfied with the life they had made for themselves without the Lord, and they were not even troubled by His absence. (v.10) There was no hope for this group of Jews even though they had every opportunity to follow God, they had gone their own way. Then, in chapter 58 it speaks of the kind of fasting God would accept. He does not accept legalistic fasting. He does not accept people who fast, but they have a bad attitude. He accepts those who come humbly to Him with a good attitude, and instead of just thinking about themselves, they help others while they are seeking the Lord in fasting. This shows they have a heart for the Lord's will, not for their own will. We must take these warning to heart. We must never assume that because we were born into a Christian family that we will be saved. We must not assume that when we do the right things that God always accepts them. We must make sure our hearts are right when we do them.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 59-62.