How Long?

O. T. #1575  "How Long?"
Nov. 29, 2019
Isaiah 6-Part 6


LET IT GLOW

How long before my prayers are answered? How long before this and that happens?
How long before change comes? Isaiah ask the same question. We can go on asking, but it is in God's hands.

When Isaiah looked up, he saw the Lord; when he looked inward, he saw himself; when he looked outward, he saw the need. The prophet no longer was wrapped up in his own needs, but he wants to do the will of God; no longer burdened by sin, since he has been cleansed; no longer discouraged, for he knows that God is on the throne. Now he is ready to go to work.
God could have used an angel, who would have obeyed instantly and perfectly, but when it comes to His Word being proclaimed, God uses human lips. Only a remnant in Isaiah's day, would obey. (Wiersbe)

Why did God send Isaiah  since He knew the majority of people would not listen to His message of repentance? There would be some, a tenth of the people, called a remnant, that would return to Jerusalem, rebuild the Temple, and worship God there. God's plan for these, holy seed, faithful followers, was the ones through whom the Messiah would come (Mary and Joseph's families). We can be encouraged that God is merciful to His believers and followers. So if we are faithful to Him, we can be sure of His mercy.

LET IT GROW

God warns Isaiah about how most of the responses to his prophecy (destruction is coming) would be:

• They will hear, but not understand, so the message would mostly fall on deaf ears.
• They would see, but not perceive, not respond with believing faith.
• Their heart would be fat, so the more he preaches, the more they reject.
• Their ears would be heavy, so they would tire of the message and attempt to get rid of the messenger.
• Their eyes would be shut to the truth that Babylon would conquer them and take them into captivity.
• Most of the people in Judah would not believe the message to be true, so their cities would be desolate.

Isaiah asked how long he had to preach desolation and uninhabitation. Until all was done. They would remain 70 years in captivity, we know.

Verses 9 and 10 are quoted 6 times in the New Testament. Does God blind people and condemn them? No, it is the Word of God that has a hardening and blinding effect on sinners who will not listen and yield.
John 12 explains that those would not believe (v. 37); could not believe (v. 39; and should not believe (v. 40) because they had sealed their own doom. (Wiersbe)

Didn't it take a great deal of faith on Isaiah's part to obey and keep on preaching with tragic results?
His purpose was to be faithful in his commission until God finished His judgment on the land. (1:7-9; 2:12-22)

Will we keep on keeping on, faithful to our calling? Will we go and tell this people the good news that Jesus has provided salvation so we don't have to pay for our sins? Some will be save because of our faithfulness.

LET IT GO

Here am I, send me, Jesus.