Scripture:
Isaiah 29:18-24 ESV
[18] In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. [19] The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. [20] For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off, [21] who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right. [22] Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: “Jacob shall no more be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale. [23] For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. [24] And those who go astray in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction.”
Observation:
The phrase in that day indicates a day in the future. The things that are said after that are rather important… the deaf shall hear the words of a book. Let’s start there. I’m not sure what is being said is literal. I believe that the deaf refer to those who think they know and so in turn have become unteachable. Now I reserve the right to be wrong on this. The blind eyes… again, I believe it’s a reference to those who have what they see as knowledge and have gotten puffed up. Therefore, not being able to see the truth. The word “meek” probably needs to be defined a little bit it does not mean weak or less than. The word “meek” really means power under control. I believe the joy they find “in that day” is because they see how the LORD is moving. What they have been waiting for is coming to pass, and they can see it. This group of scriptures is telling of a day in the not-so-distant future and, in a sense, that has already happened. I believe it is a prophetic word about the coming of Jesus Christ. Verse 20-21 explains that those who do not believe just want power and tend to just judge others will be exposed for who they are, and the righteous will shine like the noonday sun. The LORD identifies HIMSELF in verses 22-23. By this point, everyone knows HE is the GOD of Abraham Isaac, and Jacob starts talking about redemption and the hope that has been in the hearts of all those who believed for so long being realized The shame that went along with holding on to a promise that didn’t seem to be happening…all erased. In the end, all will see that the LORD is GOD, and HIS plan is perfect.
Application:
It’s hard to dive into the books of the prophets. They can be really difficult to understand. So, I hope I have done some justice in making this easier to comprehend rather than more difficult. I believe the important thing to remember in all this is the bible is 66 books about one man, and everything hinges on HIM. The beginning of time came from HIS creative power, and heaven coming to earth has to do with HIS return. My point in all this is that Jesus is coming back, y’all, and when HE does, there will be a reason to rejoice for those who held on to the hope of that day and for those who scoffed. Well… let’s just say every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD. As HE reveals HIMSELF to you, show HIM to others. They will know us by our love. That’s how they knew HIM.
Prayer:
Father, I feel a little apprehensive about this SOAP. I know you can take what you put on my heart this morning and touch the hearts of those who take the time to read it. I pray that your holy spirit moves through the words that are here. I know that none of this is about me. So I am backing out of it and asking that you use this reading to change hearts and move through minds to readjust our thinking to fit your plan. You are so incredible and amazing. It was way bigger than I could ever comprehend. Help me to stay teachable. In fact, help us all to stay that way. We never want to think we know so much that we miss the truth and how simply complex it is. We love you, LORD, and wait for your return. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.