Podcast Introduction

Today we’re going to read Isa 56-61, and I’m calling the episode “Wake Up.”

Comments on Isaiah 56

In our reading today, the first eight verses chapter 56 explain that God wants to welcome all people, not just the Jews into His house. And then the last verses of the chapter chastise Israel’s leaders…those who should be closest to God and able to lead people to Him. Verse 10 says: “The leaders who are to guard the people are blind; they don’t know what they are doing. All of them are like quiet dogs that don’t know how to bark. They lie down and dream and love to sleep.”

Remember that last sentence. We’re going to come back to it. Here it is again: “They lie down and dream and love to sleep.”

Chapter 57’s first 13 verses chastises the people of Israel. Since their religious leaders were asleep, is it any surprise that they were so far from God? And yet, He calls them to account, because their behavior was abhorrent to Him. In the final verses, 14-21, God promises that He will not always be angry with them, and He will in fact guide them and comfort them. He says in verse 19, “I will give peace, real peace, to those far and near, and I will heal them.”

What reason does God give for this? Verse 16 tells us, “I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry,

because then human life would grow weak. Human beings, whom I created, would die.”

Despite our sin, God does not want us to die. That’s what His plan of salvation is all about. That is why Jesus gave up the glories of Heaven to be born in a stable, and lived a sinless life, was crucified on a Roman cross and was resurrected on the third day. Because unless He did this, “Human beings, whom I created, would die.” 

God loves us, beloved. He has made a way for you and me to be forgiven, despite our many failures, if we will just accept His gift.

When I read chapter 56, I was reminded of a song by Keith Green called Asleep In The Light. The first part of the song is very much like chapters 56 and 57 where God is chastising the leaders and the people. But the end of the song is a reminder of how it can be if we turn to him. 

We need to wake up, beloved. I want to be ready when Jesus comes for me.

How about you?

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch.56-60, Ch. 61 GNT

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