Isa 48:19 | KingComments | STEP | The LORD, Who prepared everything for the deliverance of His people through Cyrus, sent His Servant ( ), Who acts through the Holy Spirit to effect a great redemption for His people ( ). He wants to teach them, to give them insight in the way they are going, that it will go well for them, that they may enter that way with joy and confidence. It is as if we hear the Lord Jesus say to His disciples “learn from Me” ( ), that they will have rest in their hearts in the most difficult circumstances. He who is willing to be taught by Him will do well. That it will go well with them is the purpose of the LORD for His people in all the trials and bitter experiences they will have in exile. This is the merciful purpose of the chastisements God gives us. He gives them “for [our] good, so that we may share His holiness” ( ). This is not just guidance in itself, but disciplinary action that teaches us. Therefore, we will stop doing what is of no use and we will put our wandering feet on the path to the goal: conformity to His Son ( ). Therefore, the urgent appeal follows to have a listening and obedient ear ( ). The words “if you only” are an emotional utterance of the LORD, a heart cry (cf. ), which we also hear from the Savior’s mouth in relation with Jerusalem ( ). He is so eager to give well-being or peace to His people, a well-being or peace that flows like a river. Well-being or peace and true prosperity depend on a repentant heart and faith that accepts and obeys the Word of God. Peace is compared with the peaceful flow of a river, righteousness with the mighty waves of the sea, and descendants and offspring with the abundance of sand and grains ( ). This will be a reality in the realm of peace. His peace and righteousness are their portion there. What Israel as a nation will experience, we may enjoy spiritually. Spiritual fertility depends on peace and righteousness. If we live by His Word, His peace will fill our hearts and nothing can take away our peace of mind ( ).

‏ Isaiah 48:19

Listening to Spirit and Word

The LORD, Who prepared everything for the deliverance of His people through Cyrus, sent His Servant (Isa 48:16b), Who acts through the Holy Spirit to effect a great redemption for His people (Isa 48:17). He wants to teach them, to give them insight in the way they are going, that it will go well for them, that they may enter that way with joy and confidence.

It is as if we hear the Lord Jesus say to His disciples “learn from Me” (Mt 11:29), that they will have rest in their hearts in the most difficult circumstances. He who is willing to be taught by Him will do well. That it will go well with them is the purpose of the LORD for His people in all the trials and bitter experiences they will have in exile.

This is the merciful purpose of the chastisements God gives us. He gives them “for [our] good, so that we may share His holiness” (Heb 12:10). This is not just guidance in itself, but disciplinary action that teaches us. Therefore, we will stop doing what is of no use and we will put our wandering feet on the path to the goal: conformity to His Son (Rom 8:28-29).

Therefore, the urgent appeal follows to have a listening and obedient ear (Isa 48:18). The words “if you only” are an emotional utterance of the LORD, a heart cry (cf. Deu 5:28-29), which we also hear from the Savior’s mouth in relation with Jerusalem (Lk 19:41-42). He is so eager to give well-being or peace to His people, a well-being or peace that flows like a river. Well-being or peace and true prosperity depend on a repentant heart and faith that accepts and obeys the Word of God.

Peace is compared with the peaceful flow of a river, righteousness with the mighty waves of the sea, and descendants and offspring with the abundance of sand and grains (Isa 48:19). This will be a reality in the realm of peace. His peace and righteousness are their portion there.

What Israel as a nation will experience, we may enjoy spiritually. Spiritual fertility depends on peace and righteousness. If we live by His Word, His peace will fill our hearts and nothing can take away our peace of mind (Phil 4:6-7).