How Does Isaiah Still Speak to Our World Today with Such Power? ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

Isaiah uniquely takes us on a journey outside of space and time as we know it. He did not write in a specific chronological timeline of events. Yet, we know that many of his prophecies have already been fulfilled. Still, he wrote more about the future than any other of the Old Testament prophets. He spoke of the destruction of Babylon before it was even a power to consider. Foretelling a lot about Cyrus long before he was born. He told of Jesus’s suffering and crucifixion. Furthermore, he spoke more about the millennial reign of Jesus than any other book; although exact details are more clearly declared in Revelations. His style of writing is very descriptive. Isaiah does still speak to Our World Today with Such Power from Chapter 1 on.

The first chapter much like the whole of Isaiah is a story of a just God, human sin and mockery, salvation for some by grace, and justice against wickedness.

There are critics and many even scholarly papers that Isaiah was written by two different prophets. Their reasoning? There is a difference in tone between the first 39 chapters and the second set of chapters. However as is always the case with scripture. Scripture confirms scripture. What we cannot see clearly in one book of the Bible. All we have to do is hold on, we will find it perfectly told elsewhere. God so intricately wove His Word together for us. We can read it everyday for the rest of our lives and still find it new, refreshing and filled with help for today. But the mystery is unraveled when John wrote this concerning Jesus. He quoted from Isaiah 53:1, then Isaiah 6:10 and Isaiah 6:1. By this he confirmed they were all written by the same prophet.

The Plan of God Unwavering

But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke

“Lord, who has believed our report?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:

“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,

Lest they should see with their eyes,

Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,

So that I should heal them.”

These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him. John 12:37-40 NKJV

John MacArthur wrote in his Study Bible Commentary:

12:37–40 In these verses, John gave the Scriptural explanation for such large-scale, catastrophic unbelief on the part of the Jewish nation. The explanation was that the unbelief was not only foreseen in Scripture but necessitated by it. In v. 38, John quotes Is. 53:1 and in v. 40 he quotes Is. 6:10 (see Rom. 10:16), both of which stress the sovereign plan of God in His judicial hardening of Israel (cf. Paul’s argument in Rom. 9–11). Although God predestined such judgment, it was not apart from human responsibility and culpability¹ ¹ _{MacArthur, John, John MacArthur Study Bible, Copyright © 1997, 2006, 2019 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.}

Does that make God unjust that through their own hardened hearts He accomplished salvation for some and offers it to all? Certainly not. He had just told the crowd He would die and be raised again. The crowd did not believe, because they wanted God their way. Give me, take care of me, and do it all now. Others preferred the praise of men more than God. Significant for Isaiah’s time, Jesus’ time, and still today.

Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” John 12:38-50 NKJV

A Courtroom Scene and God is the Judge

This could easily be the same courtcase against us as a nation. Weigh your own hearts as we walk through this. It does certainly speak to our world today.

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth!

For the Lord has spoken:

“I have nourished and brought up children,

And they have rebelled against Me;

The ox knows its owner

And the donkey its master’s crib;

But Israel does not know,

My people do not consider.” Isaiah 1:1-3 NKJV

During the 52-year reign of Uzziah as King, Israel knew great prosperity. It was precisely during this time that the people became complacent, arrogant, and self-driven. Instead of gratitude for all God had given them, they became prideful and rebellious. God proclaims His case before the heavens and the earth. Does He not speak to our world today? Are we not as a nation and as people the same? Why is it that prosperity leads to forgetfulness of whom is the source? We by nature want the credit to be ours when in reality it is not. It is never ours alone. Oxen knows their owner—the humblest servant of beasts is wiser than humans. And though thought of as “dumb”, the donkey always knows its way home. Indeed, thieves had to be careful not to leave their donkey behind as he would lead the victims directly to his “crib”.

God spoke to Israel and He does speak to the world today

Alas, sinful nation,

A people laden with iniquity,

A brood of evildoers,

Children who are corrupters!

They have forsaken the Lord,

They have provoked to anger

The Holy One of Israel,

They have turned away backward. Isaiah 1:4 NKJV

He goes on to describe them as a putrefying wound that does not heal.

Why should you be stricken again?

You will revolt more and more.

The whole head is sick,

And the whole heart faints.

From the sole of the foot even to the head,

There is no soundness in it,

But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores;

They have not been closed or bound up,

Or soothed with ointment. Isaiah 1:5-6 NKJV

Sometimes if you listen to the news do you not feel the same way. It is as though there is a putrefying wound within our nation that cannot be healed? We hear of those fighting for abortion. The transgender insurgence against our kids. Breakdown in morals, family, and the incessant speech of those against the church. Well, actually even within the churches are the breakdown of truth.

Do you hear God speak to the world today and our nation as well?

Your country is desolate,

Your cities are burned with fire;

Strangers devour your land in your presence;

And it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

So the daughter of Zion is left as a booth in a vineyard,

As a hut in a garden of cucumbers,

As a besieged city.

Unless the Lord of hosts

Had left to us a very small remnant,

We would have become like Sodom,

We would have been made like Gomorrah. Isaiah 1:7-9 NKJV

Sodom and Gomorrah had been utterly destroyed by fire and brimstone. Never to live again, except to live on in infamy. Were it not for God’s Grace maintaining a remnant of believers, there would have been no continuance of Judah and no Savior. This was a pure act of Grace, that God saved a remnant.

Hear the word of the Lord,

You rulers of Sodom;

Give ear to the law of our God,

You people of Gomorrah:

“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?”

Says the Lord.

“I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams

And the fat of fed cattle.

I do not delight in the blood of bulls,

Or of lambs or goats.

“When you come to appear before Me,

Who has required this from your hand,

To trample My courts?

Bring no more futile sacrifices;

Incense is an abomination to Me.

The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—

I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.

Your New Moons and your appointed feasts

My soul hates;

They are a trouble to Me,

I am weary of bearing them.

When you spread out your hands,

I will hide My eyes from you;

Even though you make many prayers,

I will not hear.

Your hands are full of blood. Isaiah 1: 10-15 NKJV

Is that not how God could speak to our world today? Going through the motions, pretending to do “God’s Work” but with no heart or desire? Wanting a get out of jail free card, but with no love for Him? Do you also not hurt deeply when people are insincere in their gratitude? What about God who gives all things freely by grace? How often do we complain rather than say, “thank you God” with a sincere heart overflowing with gratitude for Him? Devoted Love for Him?

But there is hope, if only.

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;

Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.

Cease to do evil,

Learn to do good;

Seek justice,

Rebuke the oppressor;

Defend the fatherless,

Plead for the widow.

“Come now, and 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 be as wool.

If you are willing and obedient,

You shall eat the good of the land;

But if you refuse and rebel,

You shall be devoured by the sword”;

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 1: 16-20 NKJV

Listen as God Describes His People.

Couldn’t He say the same thing about our country and our world? Does He not Still Speak to Our World Today in these words?

How the faithful city has become a harlot!

It was full of justice;

Righteousness lodged in it,

But now murderers.

Your silver has become dross,

Your wine mixed with water.

Your princes are rebellious,

And companions of thieves;

Everyone loves bribes,

And follows after rewards.

They do not defend the fatherless,

Nor does the cause of the widow come before them. Isaiah 1: 21-23 NKJV

Then the Triune God speaks with Justice and with Grace

Therefore the Lord says,

The Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel,

“Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries,

And take vengeance on My enemies.

I will turn My hand against you,

And thoroughly purge away your dross,

And take away all your alloy.

I will restore your judges as at the first,

And your counselors as at the beginning.

Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.”

Zion shall be redeemed with justice,

And her penitents with righteousness.

The destruction of transgressors and of sinners shall be together,

And those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed.

For they shall be ashamed of the terebinth trees

Which you have desired;

And you shall be embarrassed because of the gardens

Which you have chosen.

For you shall be as a terebinth whose leaf fades,

And as a garden that has no water.

The strong shall be as tinder,

And the work of it as a spark;

Both will burn together,

And no one shall quench them. Isaiah 1: 24-30 NKJV

God does not change. He is the same God yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Should we not heed His calling? Does He not clearly still speak to our world today?

A Song for the Day

God’s Word will Forever Stand

by Effie Darlene Barba

I hear the clamoring sounds of those

Who want their voices heard

How can I know Lord what is true?

Unless I seek Your word

The bells they toll for such as I

Whose life so minuscule

So weak and frail, beneath the veil

So often just a fool

If not for you, my Lord and King

Who reigns upon your throne

How was it that you loved me so

You called me as Your own

To be your child, redeemed I am

Though nothing I proclaim

No goodness, wealth do I possess

No power and no fame

And yet dear Lord with all my scars

The darkness in my soul

Deserving only death I am

For whom the bells should toll

Despite this truth, You loved me so

You paid the price for me

And claimed me as your precious bride

You came to set me free

Then far beyond what I could hope

You did not leave me there

Instead you promised by Your word

I am your plan so rare

How can you take me as I am

And with Yours hands of Grace

Transforming me, reflecting You

As I gaze upon Your face

To think You took my scars and pain

And yet to only see

The beauty of Your Son Divine

In all His Splendorous Glory

Oh, people stop your clamoring lies

As heard across this land

Have you not heard, have you not seen?

He will accomplish all He planned

So, stand firm upon His word of truth

Repentant for your sin

Seek Him with your heart and soul

Then healing can begin

And if His judgement fall on us

For all that we have done

This nation crumbling to abyss

For abandoning His Son

Then, let the faithful remnant sing

Their song of Joyous Praise

As on the wings of eagles

He will our spirits raise

I hear the clamoring sounds of those

Who want their voices heard

God’s righteous hand will hold me firm

Forever held, my anchor firm

Held fast by His own Word

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. That is except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR. Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

¹ J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Common English Bible (CEB)

Picture taken by Effie Darlene Barba