It’s long been my favorite verse in this chapter, Isaiah 54. So much so that I have had our printer prepare us a little “Booklet” (called a “Bible Portion”) with this seventeen-verse chapter (and only that chapter) inside!
I plan (soon) to preach an entire Meeting from this Portion of Scripture, this (called nowadays) “Pericope.” Yes, I am still talking about Isaiah 54. It’s a Jewish Conference, where I plan to preach it!
And Isaiah 54 ends with the “cherry on the top!” With its (I think) sweetest promise of all! One I have appropriated a few times in my life and ministry, in fact! Appropriated rightly or not, that’s arguable … but appropriated nonetheless! (I am not a physical Jew, just an old gentile!)
Goodness … let me show you my Text this morning. “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 54:17
Wow!
This does not say that no weapon will ever be forged against Israel. But it does say that none of them will “prosper!”
The noun “weapon” is “keliy,” meaning “tool, article, vessel, implement, utensil, stuff” once 11 times, “thing!” What an array!
The verb “prosper” is “tzsalach,” meaning “to advance, make progress, succeed, break out, go over,” amazing!
God guaranteed deliverance!
In the long run!
And those who “rise against” (meaning “hate/despise/condemn”) Israel … literally from a root verb meaning “to execute” … she is here commissioned “to condemn” that big mouth! “Rasha” in Hebrew, “to cause it trouble!” Literally, to heap “wickedness” upon it! (Sounds like Mossad’s job to me!!!)
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn.” God is the Protector of His little Nation, the people of Israel!
By WHY this goodness?
“This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”
That’s why!
It’s a “gift” given this unique nation of earth … because of their being God’s “servants” in some way.
God’s “servants” … as in giving us Jesus! (Mary was a Jewess Virgin, if you recall!)
God “servants” … as in bringing us the Word of God! (Romans 3:2 … “Unto them were committed the oracles of God.”)
God “servants” … as in being the enemy (arch-enemy) of the devil … from now through the end of the Tribulation!
I sure am glad I did not forget to write this Lesson!
One more time … “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.”
Preacher friend, if someone is hatefully (and falsely) condemning you, attacking you … claim and pray this verse. You will may not be Semitic … but there’s a divine principle at work here. God will take care of His “servants” … yet today!
Amen!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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