August 19, 2024
Redeeming Israel -- Part 1
Isaiah 29:17-18
08/19/2024
17 Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon
shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the
fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest?
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. (ESV)
We believe, teach, and confess that the Bible is the
inspired Word of God. Therefore, the prophecies about the coming
of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, are also accurate. This week's
Gospel lesson speaks of Jesus healing a deaf-mute. This week's
Old Testament foretells not only this physical healing, but the
redemption of the world by the Messiah.
Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall
be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field
shall be regarded as a forest? 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.
There are two interesting things about these verses from
Isaiah. First, God acts in His own time, at a time we least
expect. Second, the acts of God are unexpected. Lebanon, known
for its great forests, will be an open field, while the field
becomes a forest. The things of God are hidden, not presented in
the way we expect. That which redeems us from sin, death, and
the power of the devil, the death of Jesus on the cross, is far
from the glory we expect to see.
The deaf, the Gentile nations, now hear the Word of God,
they now see the grace, mercy, and love of our heavenly Father.
Meanwhile, at the time of Isaiah the ten tribes of Israel were
captured and removed from history.
This week we will be looking at Isaiah's description of the
blessings which come from God as the Messiah, the Chosen One,
comes to redeem us from the guilt of our sin.
May our Lord grant us ears to hear and eyes to see His rich
grace and mercy. Amen.