The LORD Longs To Be Gracious

The Word of the LORD had spent a lot of time with Isaiah, sending forth warnings and judgments against the nations surrounding Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem for the part they would play in bringing calamity and judgment on His rebellious people. He declared the whole earth would suffer the effects of that judgment. He reminded His people and the nations that they should trust in Him alone for salvation, as there is no other One who can deliver them from His righteous judgments. Then God turned His face towards Jerusalem itself, for He had some words to speak to them personally.

Jerusalem had watched Israel and Samaria fall due to idolatry and rejection of the covenant made with God, yet they continued in their own idolatry and sin. God would not let that stand. He would bring Assyria right up to their gates and they would be confronted with their need to repent and trust in God alone for salvation. Uzziah had built massive defense tower, Hezekiah was building a bigger wall and other towers to defend himself. He was also trying to make an alliance with Egypt, but that would prove unstable and weak. God had declared that covenant with death annulled and He would destroy Egypt Himself so the remnant of His people had no one else to rely on. Those towers would fall. 

Even with all of that, God looked upon Jerusalem and longed to gracious to them. He was waiting to have compassion on them. The LORD is a God of justice, how blessed are all those who long for Him. He promised blessings for their obedience, and calamities for their rebellious disobedience. They were suffering the calamities, but God wanted to show compassion. He was waiting on them to return to Him. The day was coming when they would weep no longer because He would hear their cries and answer them. He was giving them the bread of privation and the water of oppression, but would soon no longer hide Himself from them. Their own eyes would see their Teacher!

Jesus expressed the same sentiments as He sat on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem. ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you shall not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD!’’ He knew Jerusalem would burn with fire once again and the city would be destroyed, plowed under like a field. All because they rejected their King.

Isaiah was foreseeing the day when God Himself would show up and His people would listen to Him. They would throw their idols away and worship them no more. Then God would bless them and their land with great fruitfulness. The crops would be blessed, their herds and flocks blessed also. The land would flow with streams of running water on that Day of great slaughter. The light of the moon will be as bright as the sun. The sun will be seven times brighter on the Day the LORD binds up the fracture of His people and heals the bruise He has inflicted. God would come in great judgment and consume all opposed to Him. His voice will be heard as His fierce arm of wrath will be seen in the flame of a consuming fire. 

Assyria would be terrified when He strikes with the rod. Every blow of the rod of punishment that God lays on them will be accompanied with the music of His people celebrating His deliverance. Topheth, the wicked place of human sacrifice just outside Jerusalem, would burn with an even greater fire from the LORD to consume all of His enemies. It has been prepared for a long time, with a deep and wide fire and plenty of wood. The breath of the LORD will set it afire like a torrent of brimstone. Judgment was coming, then God would have compassion on His people.