Focus Day 15 Walking With Wisdom: Digging Deeper

1) “The Day” is a common phrase in the bible. What is “that day” referring to in this passage (verse1)?
Bible commentators explain that chapters 24-27 of Isaiah are part of a single literary unit placed within the series of judgments of the prophet Isaiah. To best understand these verses (1-9), we would do well to read all four chapters. Context is essential to properly understanding the Bible! This section of Scripture is known among some Bible scholars as “Isaiah’s Apocalypse”. Many believe this portion of Isaiah deals with what will happen at the end of time. That is, time as we now know it in which we exist day to day. As there often is with Bible prophecy dealing with the “last days”, we find a plethora of interpretations (most conservative bible teachers are referring to the days before heaven comes to earth forever (Deuteronomy 4:29-31,  Ezekiel 38:19-23,  Daniel 12:4-9,  Hosea 3:3). One thing is Scripturally clear: there will be A DAY that will fully come to pass when God’s rule will be supreme. Once that Day finally arrives, judgment will be sure for those who haven’t received God’s grace, and peace will never end for those who have. (Isaiah 25:9, Zephaniah 3:14-17)

2) Who can experience perfect peace and how is it sustained?
“On that day” Israel would sing to God, professing peace found only in Him alone. The peace mentioned here was specific to them, but includes everyone who calls on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Hebrew language here is emphatic in nature. In English, we would communicate the phrase “perfect peace” by repetition of the word: Peace, much peace. Considering this emphasis, the clear meaning is a kind of peace which is “undisturbed.” The person whose mind has confidence in God is not “agitated by the trials to which it shall be subject; by persecution, poverty, sickness, want, or bereavement.” (Barnes, studylight.org)  The singers in this passage were familiar with being exiles and strangers in a far land. They had faced accusation and abuse, and had been were robbed and humiliated. (Psalm 137) But they would trust in God and His deliverance. His peace would become real and lasting. Maybe Paul sang this song and rehearsed the promises the prophet Isaiah declared, because we find this very same sentiment in his writing. Thirteen times, he begins his letters with “grace and peace.”  And, like the words in the song of Isaiah, (verse 3), Paul reminded the Philippians that Godward thinking is the way to peace. (Philippians 4:6-8)

3) What are the lofty places (“an inaccessible city”) and who lives there (verse 5)?
Within the context, it becomes clear that Isaiah is not speaking of the height of a place, but of power and arrogance. The people would possibly have thought of proud Babylon, or another powerful city which had oppressed them. Tim Keller offers a great description of this lofty place/city: “The lofty city is a human social order based on pride (verse 5), not humility; and based on self-salvation (verse 1), not God-salvation. A city based on self-salvation is a city based on the idea that you can create your self—self-creation, self-definition, and self-justification through performance and accomplishment.”. This characteristic of humankind goes way back. In Genesis 11, we see it didn’t take long from the time the earth was destroyed by a flood (Genesis 9:28) for people to think much of themselves again. When people filled with pride unify around their self-importance, they’ll stop at nothing to elevate themselves. (Genesis 11:2-4) Wicked, domineering cities arise from this kind of haughtiness. But God will not overlook the weak! “No doubt the Jews, who in subsequent times traveled to the site of Babylon for purposes of traffic, would trample indignantly on the remains of the city where their fathers were captives for seventy years.” (Albert Barnes, studylight.org)

4) What path were the Israelites singing about and how do we find and remain on the level and straight path?
The Hebrew meaning of this thought, “level and straight path” most likely means God would make the way smooth for Israel as they sought and obeyed Him. (studylight.org) Even more hopeful to them would be that, in His time, He would make their pathway perfectly level. This would have been especially meaningful to those who had been in captivity under arrogant enemies.  In their future, God would remove all obstacles that kept His people from experiencing justice, peace and stability. Isaiah reminded the people they would sing of God’s favor in the future, and that the scales of justice would weigh in favor of the righteous. All of this would be from God’s hand and they would recognize and desire His glory. “Our desire is for Your name and renown.” Chapter 25 helps us tie it all together as the prophet declares their waiting will produce abundance and joy. (Isaiah 25:6-12) Years after Isaiah, the disciple John reiterated this certain worship. (Revelation 15:3-4)