Isa 65:8-9 | KingComments | STEP | Contrary to the foregoing, the LORD now makes mention of the believing remnant, of those who are His faithful servants, for the sake of whom He will not bring general destruction on the people ( ). Up to these verses the LORD speaks of ‘them’ in distinction from the penitent who speaks out for Him. Now the LORD is going to speak about the remnant, why this is valuable to Him. Those who are a foreshadow of the God-fearing remnant in the future at the time of Jacob’s distress are like a ripe cluster of grapes in the midst of a depraved vineyard producing sour grapes. From this cluster will come new wine, which indicates the joy that this remnant is to God’s heart. God sees this remnant in the midst of general unfaithfulness. In the midst of all unfaithfulness, the LORD will bring forth “offspring from Jacob, and an heir of My mountains” [that is the land of Israel, cf. ] from Judah; even My chosen ones shall inherit it, and My servants will dwell there”. The heir from Judah is above all the Messiah, but also the remnant as united with Him. This remnant is a seed, a nucleus, which will grow into a new great nation in the realm of peace. In this context, in two places are mentioned in particular. “Sharon” is the plain with rich meadows and famous for its flowers ( ) and “the valley of Achor” is the valley of hope ( ). The whole area will become a garden of the LORD, a scene of fertility and productivity for those who humble themselves before God because of the sin that has taken place. There is always hope for those who humble themselves in God’s presence and seek to walk in fear before Him ( ).

‏ Isaiah 65:8-9

A Remnant and Hope

Contrary to the foregoing, the LORD now makes mention of the believing remnant, of those who are His faithful servants, for the sake of whom He will not bring general destruction on the people (Isa 65:8-10). Up to these verses the LORD speaks of ‘them’ in distinction from the penitent who speaks out for Him. Now the LORD is going to speak about the remnant, why this is valuable to Him. Those who are a foreshadow of the God-fearing remnant in the future at the time of Jacob’s distress are like a ripe cluster of grapes in the midst of a depraved vineyard producing sour grapes. From this cluster will come new wine, which indicates the joy that this remnant is to God’s heart.

God sees this remnant in the midst of general unfaithfulness. In the midst of all unfaithfulness, the LORD will bring forth “offspring from Jacob, and an heir of My mountains” [that is the land of Israel, cf. Eze 6:2-3] from Judah; even My chosen ones shall inherit it, and My servants will dwell there”. The heir from Judah is above all the Messiah, but also the remnant as united with Him. This remnant is a seed, a nucleus, which will grow into a new great nation in the realm of peace.

In this context, in Isa 65:10 two places are mentioned in particular. “Sharon” is the plain with rich meadows and famous for its flowers (Isa 35:2) and “the valley of Achor” is the valley of hope (Hos 2:15). The whole area will become a garden of the LORD, a scene of fertility and productivity for those who humble themselves before God because of the sin that has taken place. There is always hope for those who humble themselves in God’s presence and seek to walk in fear before Him (Psa 33:18 ; Psa 39:7).