Slideshow image

Overview

Isaiah 51 reminds me of those moments—looking directly at my kids, trying to get their complete attention, and saying to them “Listen to me”. This is what YHWH is doing in this chapter. He uses phrases like “give attention”, “give ear” and “hear this”. He is patient and steadfast. He is slow to anger. He wants Israel and Judah to look to Him. 

Isaiah 51:1-2

“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the Lord: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him.”

Obviously, YHWH cared about where Judah was fixing their eyes. Their eyes have been on idols, clinging to human power and wisdom or themselves. If anything, they continued to look to their own righteousness, rather than the righteousness of God. 

But verse 1 is interesting. YHWH tells us to “look to the rock from which you were hewn”. God encouraged the nation of Judah to look back at His faithfulness. To remind Judah where they came from and who they are. As I pastor I often tell people to look forward, to press on. But I also tell them that IF they are going to look back—look back on God’s faithfulness. Look back and see that God is good, patient, gracious and faithful. Most of the time looking back is not helpful. But for the right reasons, there is value in it. 

Isaiah 51:6

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.

YHWH tells Judah to look to the heavens and look to the earth. Why? To remind them that all of what they see will pass away. The wages of sin is death. Death for the earth. Death to the universe. Death to the people that still live in their sins. But there is hope. Salvation is of the Lord. 

The renewal of the cosmos is one of the promises of the gospel. The gospel is that sense is not just personal, it is not just even global, it is cosmic. All four corners of the universe will be cleansed and changed. Sin will be no more. All of the enemies of God will be put down. Jesus will reign forever. 

Isaiah 51:17-18

Wake yourself, wake yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl, the cup of staggering. There is none to guide her among all the sons she has borne; there is none to take her by the hand among all the sons she has brought up.

It is common in the Bible to hear the prophets, apostles or God Himself saying—Wake up! Be alert! Here YHWH is telling Judah to wake up, come out of the ashes of judgment—come and see that the Lord is good. 

The specific phrase “cup of His wrath” should seem familiar. Throughout the Bible, “this cup” has been used multiple times. The people of God have drank from this cup, so much so—that they are drunk from it. Intoxicated from the judgment of God. Thankfully, Jesus drank that cup of wrath for us! When? On that cursed tree. But the truth is—it was supposed to be me. It was supposed to be you.

Where are you looking today? Who are you looking at? The answer to these questions will reveal where your heart is at. Christian, look forward to Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith. Christian, if you are going to look back, let it be focusing not on your past failures, not your past sins, not your past indiscretions—let it be on the enduring faithfulness of God.