77. Israel’s Song of Deliverance

Hymns: RHC 351 He Leadeth Me 352 All the Way the Saviour Leads Me 353 God Will Take Care of You

Isaiah 26:1-21

¹In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. ² Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. ³ Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. ⁴ Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: ⁵ For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust. ⁶ The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. ⁷ The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. ⁸ Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. ⁹ With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. ¹⁰ Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD. ¹¹ LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them. ¹² LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. ¹³ O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name. ¹⁴ They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish. ¹⁵ Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth. ¹⁶ LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them. ¹⁷ Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD. ¹⁸ We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen. ¹⁹ Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. ²⁰ Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. ²¹ For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Israel’s Song of Deliverance

OUTLINE

Safety and Security for God’s People (v1-4)
Triumph of Opposing Powers (v5-6)
Walking with God and Waiting for Him in Worst and Darkest Times (v7-9)
Lamenting the Wicked Who Disregard the Providence of God (v10-11)
Encouragement and Hope in God (v12-14)
Experiencing God’s Deliverance (v15-19)
Faith and Hope for God’s People Through the Ages (v20-21)

INTRODUCTION

This chapter is a song of praise and thanksgiving to be sung by Israel after His deliverance. Such a rejoicing is not yet at hand and yet seeing the end of the book, there is a good ending for His people. This is written for the support and assistance of the faith and hope of God’s people living in all ages especially for living in the days leading to Christ’s return.

²⁰ Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. ²¹ For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

It comes after chapter 25 where Isaiah prophesied the destruction of the Antichrist’s and the establishment of Christ’s Kingdom. Christ is our true refuge and the refuge of God’s people through the ages.

This is seen by the demonstration of His righteousness and power in the destruction of His foes and the oppressors of His people.

How does people live in the midst of a wicked world? It is by abiding in Christ – John 16:33 (KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

³ Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. ⁴ Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

How does the people stayed their mind on Him, it is through consistent and persistent worship and meditating upon the Word of God. In doing so, God’s people will find strength to overcome the world.

Safety and Security for God’s People (v1-4)

This is a song for the days when Messiah will return to establish His kingdom on earth. It looks forward to that ultimate day of triumph. The song has already been composed for that day of triumph and deliverance for His people.

In God, we are secure, in Him the walls and the fortifications of the city are held strong against the onslaught of His foes.

The righteous nation refers to the converted nation of Israel. When a person is converted, the Spirit of God indwells him or her. He seeks to keep the ways of God. God is pleased with such a one.

God will bless His people who seek Him first with perfect peace. When we walk with the LORD, He endows His people with strength sufficient to meet the challenges of the day.

It is the character of righteous men that they keep the truths of God, a firm belief of which will have a commanding influence upon the regularity of the whole conversation. Good principles fixed in the head will produce good resolutions in the heart and good practices in the life. [Matthew Henry]

That all who belong to Christ and set to follow Him are safe and easy, and have a holy security and serenity of mind in the assurance of God’s favour.

Thou wilt keep him in peace, peace, in perfect peace, inward peace, outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace at all times, under all events; this peace shall he be put into, and kept in the possession of, whose mind is stayed upon God, because it trusts in him.

It is the character of every good man that he trusts in God, puts himself under his guidance and government, and depends upon Him that it shall be greatly to his advantage to do so.

Those that trust in God must have their minds stayed upon Him, must trust him at all times, under all events, must firmly and faithfully adhere to Him, with an entire satisfaction in Him; and such as do so God will keep in perpetual peace, and that peace shall keep them. When evil tidings are abroad those shall calmly expect the event, and not be disturbed by frightful apprehensions arising from them, whose hearts are fixed, trusting in the Lord.

Psalm 112:7 (KJV) He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.

Psalm 112:8 (KJV) His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

Triumph Over Opposing Powers (v5-6)

⁵ For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust. ⁶ The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.

By faith, the people of God triumph through their LORD. The walls of Jericho fell to the shout of God’s servants. It was Rahab and her household who acknowledged the God of Israel who were delivered amidst total destruction around them.

He will make humble souls that trust in him to triumph over their proud enemies. Those that exalt themselves shall be abased: For he brings down those that dwell on high; and wherein they deal proudly He is, and will be, above them. [Matthew Henry]

James 4:10 (KJV) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Walking and Waiting on God in Worst and Darkest Times (v6-9)

⁶ The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. ⁷ The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. ⁸ Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. ⁹ With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

The people of God walk humbling with Him, seeking to obey His laws and His prophets. This is pleasing in the sight of God.

The Apostle Paul gave the commands to the church to walk with God as they awaiting His soon return.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-25 (KJV) Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us.

There is a holy desire not to deviate but to tow the line and walk with God.

The way of the just is evenness. It is their endeavour and constant care to walk with God in an even steady course of obedience and holy conversation. My foot stands in an even place, goes in an even path.

Psalm 26:12 (KJV) My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless

the LORD.

And it is their happiness that God makes their way plain and easy before them: Thou, most upright, dost level (or make even) the path of the just, by preventing or removing those things that would be stumbling-blocks to them, so that nothing shall offend them.

Psalm 119:165 (KJV) Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Lamenting the Wicked Who Disregard the Providence of God

¹⁰ Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD. ¹¹ LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed

for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.

How sinners walk contrary to God, and refuse to comply with the means used for their reformation and to answer the intentions of them.

Favour is shown to them. They receive many mercies from God; He causes His sun to shine and His rain to fall upon them. He prospers them, and into their hands He brings plentifully; they escape many of the strokes of God’s judgments, which others less wicked than they have been cut off by; in some particular instances they seem to be remarkably favoured above their neighbours, and the design of all this is that they may be won upon to love and serve that God who thus favours them; and yet it is all in vain:

They will not learn righteousness, will not be led to repentance by the goodness of God, and therefore it is requisite that God should send his judgments into the earth, to reckon with men for abused mercies. [Matthew Henry]

Encouragement and Hope in God (v12-14)

¹² LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. ¹³ O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name. ¹⁴ They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.

The prophet in these verses looks back upon what God had done with them, both in mercy and judgment, and sings unto God of both, and then looks forward upon what he hoped God would do for them.

What peace the church has, or hopes for, it is of God’s ordaining; and we may comfort ourselves with this, that, what trouble soever may for a time be appointed to the people of God, peace will at length be ordained for them; for the end of those men is peace. [Matthew Henry]

Experiencing God’s Deliverance (v15-19)

¹⁵ Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth. ¹⁶ LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them. ¹⁷ Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD. ¹⁸ We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.

¹⁹ Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

The people of God in their waywardness experienced the chastisement of God. When they come back to Him, He receives them.

The cause that is maintained in opposition to God and his kingdom among men, though it may prosper awhile, will certainly sink at last, and all that adhere to it will perish with it.

Faith and Hope for God’s People Through the Ages (v20-21)

To recollect the kind providences of God towards them in their low and distressed condition, and their conduct under those providences. To rejoice in hope of a glorious deliverance, which should be as a resurrection to them (v19), and to retire in the expectation of it (v20-21).

We must be faith find a way into these chambers, and there hide ourselves; that is, with a holy security and serenity of mind, we must put ourselves under the divine protection. Come, as Noah into the ark, for he shut the doors about him. When dangers are threatening it is good to retire, and lie hid, as Elijah did by the brook Cherith. [Matthew Henry]

CONCLUSION

All is well with God’s people who walk with Him. Amen.

77. Israel’s Song of Deliverance

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