What a strange (and longer than normal) Lesson title! But it accurately depicts two consecutive verses in Isaiah chapter 54. And we’re going to consider them today, but one at a time.

First comes Isaiah 54:9 … “For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.” God speaking to Israel!

Israel, whose history has largely been one of chastening (sometimes severe) from the Hand of the Lord. Israel, God’s most favored Nation ever! (And thus held responsible by God along the line of Jesus’ Parable in Luke 12:48 … “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”)

This perennial “Israel” has just been promised (during the Millennium, the hermeneutical scope of Isaiah 54) “no more wrath!” Even “no more rebuke!” (Both nouns express a measure of God’s “fury.”)

Sounds like her days of chastening are over! 

Once the Millennium begins, once the Tribulation has finally ended.

And God here confirms His Promises of Peace by using an early Genesis “Flood” analogy. (I am increasingly amazed at how many times in the Bible the “worldwide Flood” of Noah’s day is referenced! Even in the Book of Job, several times.) Isaiah 54:9 … “For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee ….”  The “waters of Noah!” That’s the Flood, for sure.

So the Lesson title this morning, its first descriptor … “No more wrath!”

Now to Isaiah 54:10 … and another illustration from early Genesis, this time creation week! “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.”

Wow!

Even if the primeval mountains should suddenly disappear, and all the hills be leveled in the process … (a big “IF”) … God’s “kindness” (“hesed”) and God’s “peace” (“shalom”) and God’s “mercy” (meaning His “innermost feelings, love, compassion”) will never waver!

Hence the final part of the Lesson title … “kindness and peace and mercy!”

A bright future indeed, Israel … after much suffering … no wonder Scripture three times uses this glorious Phrase “the Hope of Israel!”

By the way, that’s one of God’s Names or Titles (“Hope of Israel”) in the Old Testament, used twice by Jeremiah.

Let’s pray for that little Nation today. Specifically … “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:6) Which I think is equivalent to praying “Thy kingdom come!” (Matthew 6:10)

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

“O the hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land.” Jeremiah 14:8

“O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.” Jeremiah 17:13

Amen.

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