Isaiah: God’s Intervention

Isaiah 59

The prophet Isaiah addresses two major truths: God takes sin seriously (Isa. 1-39) and God forgives fully (Isa. 40-66). Certainly, in a book as lengthy as Isaiah, a book some have called the “miniature Bible,” there is much to consider regarding sin and the completeness of God’s forgiveness. And…it all centers on Jesus.

In today’s passage, we will drill down on the problem of sin (Isa. 59:1-8), the result of sin (Isa. 59:9-15a), and finally, God’s response (Isa. 59:15b-21).

The Problem of Sin (Isa. 59:1-8)
Sin is not God’s problem; it’s humanity’s problem. God is more than powerful enough to deal with our sins. Isaiah has been making that point throughout his prophecy. Here he says, “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear” (Isa. 59:1). God has the power and authority to provide the solution to our sin situation.

But here’s the issue:

Isaiah 59:2
…Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. 

Our sin separates us from God, and here in Isaiah 59:3-4, the emphasis is on people who continually live a sinful lifestyle:

• Their hands lifted in pretend worship are stained with blood (murder).
• Their fingers are filled with iniquity (Heb: awon—guilt caused by sin).
• They repeatedly lie.
• Their words are mutterings of “wickedness.”
• They engage in injustice.

Their sin prevents them from being heard by God (Ps. 66:18).

Let’s review an important truth. When sinners (like us) come to God in humility and repentance, sorry for our sins, God hears and forgives us. Remember, Isaiah confirmed this as he began his book:

Isaiah 1:18
Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. 

God is compassionate and caring, possessing the means to forgive. He is ready, but his people are not repentant. Their sinful actions are on display in Isaiah’s pointed description.

They attack each other like poisonous snakes (Isa. 59:5). Just as people can see through a cobweb, so God can see through their wickedness (Isa. 59:6). They run to evil and “shed innocent blood” (Isa. 59:7). Their lives are self-focused, producing chaos and confusion. “The way of peace they do not know” (Isa. 59:8).

Well, you say, I am not as bad as they were. I haven’t killed anyone lately! Knowing we would excuse ourselves, Jesus took the problem of sin to a new and higher level. Read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Jesus taught that the sin of our hands is conceived in our hearts. All of us have sinned and fall short of God’s holy standard (Rom. 3:23).

So that’s the problem with sin. Let’s consider the result.

The Result of Sin (Isa. 59:9-15a)
People without God live in spiritual darkness. They stumble in the dark as if they have been blinded (Isa. 59:9-10).

It is interesting that in this section, Isaiah uses the pronoun “we” to include himself with the people. We are all in the same category without God. Experiencing what Augustine called an “inward famine,” we “growl like [hungry] bears” and “moan and moan like doves” (Isa. 59:11).

We look for justice, but we can’t find it. We try to save ourselves, but that is impossible (Isa. 59:11). In our efforts to satisfy our souls, our sins keep piling up. In our efforts to work our way to God, we keep falling further behind.

Isaiah 59:12-13
For our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities: transgressing, and denying the Lord, and turning back from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart lying words. 

This is a solemn list of wrongdoings! Justice and righteousness are “far away.” “Truth has stumbled in the public squares…” (Isa. 59:14-15a).

Then God intervened.

God’s Response (Isa. 59:15b-21)
God was appalled at what was happening, and there was no one to fix the brokenness. So, he came…like a mighty warrior! (See Eph. 6:10-18)

Isaiah 59:17 
He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. 

God did for us what we could never do for ourselves. “‘And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,’ declares the Lord” (Isa. 59:20). He will redeem all those who come to him in repentance.

One more thing. God will deliver a new covenant (see Jer. 31:31-34) for his people. This covenant will be forever.

Isaiah 59:21 [Anchor Point]
“And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.” 

We have a serious problem that only God can fix. Our sins separate us from him; therefore, he came to rescue us and redeem us. Jesus offers a new covenant that is empowered by his Spirit; a covenant that is “from this time forth and forevermore.” That’s good news!

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Isaiah 59. Focus on our Anchor Point—Isaiah 59:21. 
Spend time considering the eternal covenant made possible through Jesus and empowered by his Spirit.  

Talking to God: Thank God for putting on the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation. He is the Mighty Warrior who defeated sin once and for all! 

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