09/06/2007
Isaiah 25:1 & 3 (NIV)
O Lord, You are my
God;
I will
exalt You and praise Your name,
For in perfect faithfulness
You
have done marvelous things,
Things
planned long ago.
Therefore strong peoples will honor You;
Cities
of ruthless nations will revere You.
This passage occurs after many oracles are pronounced against the nations. I see this passage as the culmination of all that will occur – all the destruction that will come on the nations that oppress Israel. Although many disastrous things will come about, God will be the victor—as Isaiah says, “Things planned long ago.” We must understand that God knows the ending, even before the beginning. He has planned for the deliverance of Israel.
In fact, when these things come about, it says, that even the ruthless nations will know it is the God of Israel; even the strongest of nations will recognize the sovereign God of all the earth.
Keep in mind that Isaiah made this prophecy while Israel was in great decline. In fact, Israel would soon fall and her people would be taken captive. In light of this, how could Isaiah exalt and praise God? It is because he knew that God is faithful to carry out what He has planned. God promised the deliverance of Israel, and even though Isaiah could not see that deliverance, he took joy in the fact, and praised God.
Therefore, let us also Praise and exalt His name today; for He is faithful.
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
©2007 Cleff Publishing, all rights reserved.
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