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Isaiah 65

Isaiah 65 speaks of God's response to His people, addressing both their rebellion and His promises of restoration. It contrasts those who persist in idolatry with those who remain faithful. The chapter emphasizes judgment on the rebellious but also reveals the blessings that await the faithful. It highlights the creation of a new heavens and a new earth, where peace and joy reign. God shows His desire to redeem but also His righteous judgment on those who reject Him.

Isaiah 65:1 (NKJV)
1 “I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ to a nation that was not called by My name.”

This verse shows God's willingness to reveal Himself to those who were not originally His people, symbolizing the Gentiles. Despite His people's rejection, God still made Himself available, extending grace and salvation to those who did not actively seek Him. This highlights God's inclusivity in offering salvation beyond Israel to other nations.

Isaiah 65:2 (NKJV)
2 I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, according to their own thoughts;

God expresses His frustration with Israel’s persistent rebellion. Despite His patience and willingness to guide them, they continued to follow their own ways, disobedient to His commands. The verse underscores the contrast between God's mercy and the people's stubbornness in choosing paths contrary to His will.

Isaiah 65:3-4 (NKJV)
3 A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face; who sacrifice in gardens, and burn incense on altars of brick;
4 Who sit among the graves, and spend the night in the tombs; who eat swine’s flesh, and the broth of abominable things is in their vessels;

These verses describe the idolatrous practices of Israel. The sacrifices in gardens and the consumption of unclean foods (swine’s flesh) were direct violations of God's law. Their actions were seen as a deliberate provocation of God’s anger, engaging in occult and forbidden practices. This paints a picture of a nation in deep spiritual corruption.

Isaiah 65:5 (NKJV)
5 Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, a fire that burns all the day.

Here, the hypocrisy of the people is revealed. They consider themselves holy and separate, yet they engage in sinful practices. This self-righteous attitude is offensive to God, likened to smoke in His nostrils, which symbolizes irritation. Their claim of holiness is a mask for their deep-seated rebellion.

Isaiah 65:6-7 (NKJV)
6 “Behold, it is written before Me: I will not keep silence, but will repay—even repay into their bosom—
7 Your iniquities and the iniquities of your fathers together,” says the Lord, “Who have burned incense on the mountains and blasphemed Me on the hills; therefore I will measure their former work into their bosom.”

God warns of imminent judgment. The people's iniquities, combined with those of their ancestors, will not go unpunished. Their idolatrous practices, especially burning incense to false gods on high places, have provoked God’s wrath. This speaks to the generational consequences of sin and the justice of God in repaying their rebellion.

Isaiah 65:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Thus says the Lord: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one says, ‘Do not destroy it, for a blessing is in it,’ so will I do for My servants’ sake, that I may not destroy them all.
9 I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah an heir of My mountains; My elect shall inherit it, and My servants shall dwell there.
10 Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, for My people who have sought Me.

God shifts focus to His faithful remnant. Just as new wine is preserved from destruction, so God will preserve a portion of His people. From Jacob and Judah will come a future generation that will inherit His blessings. Sharon and the Valley of Achor represent areas of abundant peace and provision, emphasizing God’s promise to restore His faithful ones.

Isaiah 65:11-12 (NKJV)
11 “But you are those who forsake the Lord, who forget My holy mountain, who prepare a table for Gad, and who furnish a drink offering for Meni.
12 Therefore I will number you for the sword, and you shall all bow down to the slaughter; because when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not hear, but did evil before My eyes, and chose that in which I do not delight.”

God condemns those who forsake Him for pagan gods like Gad and Meni, representing luck and fate. Their deliberate rejection of God leads to their destruction. Despite God’s call, they chose to pursue evil. Their fate is sealed, as they will face judgment through the sword due to their continual disobedience.

Isaiah 65:13-14 (NKJV)
13 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, My servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, My servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, My servants shall rejoice, but you shall be ashamed;
14 Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart, but you shall cry for sorrow of heart, and wail for grief of spirit.

A clear contrast is drawn between the fate of God’s faithful servants and the rebellious. The faithful will be satisfied, joyful, and at peace, while the disobedient will experience hunger, thirst, shame, and sorrow. These verses emphasize the justice of God in rewarding righteousness and punishing sin.

Isaiah 65:15-16 (NKJV)
15 You shall leave your name as a curse to My chosen; for the Lord God will slay you, and call His servants by another name;
16 So that he who blesses himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he who swears in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hidden from My eyes.

The name of the rebellious will be a curse, while God’s faithful servants will be given a new name, symbolizing renewal and blessing. Those who remain will acknowledge the God of truth, and former troubles will be forgotten. This points to a future of peace and restoration for the faithful, where God’s truth reigns.

Isaiah 65:17-19 (NKJV)
17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people; the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

God’s promise of a new creation is revealed. The new heavens and earth represent a complete renewal, where former sorrows will be forgotten. Jerusalem will be a place of joy and rejoicing, with no more weeping or suffering. These verses point to a future time of eternal peace and happiness, where God and His people are united in joy.

Isaiah 65:20-22 (NKJV)
20 “No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; for the child shall die one hundred years old, but the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed.
21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, and My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

In the new creation, there will be longevity of life and a reversal of injustice. No longer will infants die prematurely, nor will people build houses for others to take over. God promises long and fruitful lives for His people, with peace and security. This is a vision of prosperity, where God’s elect will enjoy the blessings of their labor.

Isaiah 65:23-25 (NKJV)
23 They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth children for trouble; for they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.
24 “It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” says the Lord.

God promises that His people will no longer labor in vain, and their children will not face the troubles of the past. There will be a close relationship with God, where He answers even before they call. The imagery of peace between animals like the wolf and lamb symbolizes the complete harmony in creation. Violence and destruction will be no more, reflecting the total peace of God’s kingdom.

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