We will soon be out of the Book of Isaiah, though that man of God wrote more about the Millennium that I ever realized. Relatively soon we’ll be in Jeremiah and Ezekiel, both rather loquacious our subject.

In the meantime, here’s our Text: “Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.” Isaiah 54:1-3

If taken literally, which intend to do, today’s Lesson title is pretty accurate. Bearing children mean the world to ancient Israel. They held to this Bible ethic: “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.” And a quiver could hold lots of arrows, Psalm 127, but just some excerpts.

So at least God is promising that in the Millennium fertility (childbearing) will increase, apparently exponentially. (In the Millennium? Yes, all of chapter 54 seems to be oriented toward that coming Golden Age.)

But Isaiah is describing motherhood and fatherhood that brings real joy, not dismay.

Is the curse going to be lifted, about bearing children with great pain? (Remember back in Genesis 3:16, God to Eve: “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children.)

Now, if I am reading our Text correctly, not even any “labor” (or “travail”) in childbirth!

By the way, if this delightful scene is perchance “symbolic” in some way … “spiritual offspring” being in view, Israel finally being a “light” to the gentiles and many heathen being saved … it is all the more glorious!

But what the second half of today’s Text, about “enlarging one’s tent?” That series of “word pictures” is at least an indication of coming prosperity and peace and welfare for the Jewish people. A building program … having enough children, that becomes a necessity, I’d say. More room!

Read the yet Text again, that “expansion” part … “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.”

“Break forth,” in Hebrew spelled “paratzs,” means “to burst,” the reason I chose the noun “explosion” in the title up above.

So many Jewish “seed” (offspring) that the little Nation herself cannot house them all, seems to me. They will be given once “desolate cities” to rebuild and inhabit! (A true “urban renewal” Program!)

God’s Promises to Abraham truly have not been forgotten! “In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.” Genesis 15:18, among other places! (This plat describes a lot of geography, a lot of real estate!)

Is Jesus so coming again, this majestically?

Yes.

If not, how do we interpret Passages such as Isaiah 54, only a little portion of which we’ve discussed this morning?

Coming again to rule the world!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

The Lord willing, more tomorrow.

.

Throughout the whole Bible the great Jewish “Exodus” from Egypt is celebrated. From its initial, miraculous occurrence in the Book of Exodus (chapter 14) virtually until the end of Malachi we hear “echoes” of God’s leading His people to freedom! Against great foes, too.

As an example, Scripture in places portrays the return from Babylon as another Exodus. And there is even reason to believe that one of the Gospels (Mark) may have undertones of the “Exodus” experience through the Life of Jesus, a greater than Moses! Jesus, the Real Liberator!

And I am sure this morning that in our Text we see it again, hints of the Exodus! Except now it is the Lord inviting His people (whomever they might be, Jews foremostly I suspect) to “exit” this filthy world (those vile nations) and “separate” themselves … retuning to the Lord Jesus Christ (the new world Leader) during the Millennium.

Isaiah 52:11-12 … “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.”

I see four times the verbal unit “go out” is used in this short Pericope. (The very definition of “exodus!”)

I think the Apostle Paul quoted (or at least alluded) to this Passage in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 … “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

But now (in today’s context) the Jews are not leaving Egypt … they are leaving their cubbyholes and hiding places and caves of refuge (wherever they could seclude themselves during the anti-Christ’s reign of terror, the great Tribulation) … running unto Jesus their Emancipator (in more ways than one)!

In other words, “sanctify yourselves.” (A word “string” used 8 times in the Old Testament.) Clean up!

Bearing “the vessels of the Lord?” Yes, God’s intent for the Jews from day one! (God speaking to Israel back near the first Exodus … “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” Exodus 19:6, and though we’ve not studied it yet, Isaiah 61:1 … “But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God.”

Wow!

But the real point (the heart) of today’s Lesson … my intent when I first sat down here to type … was this nugget from our Text … “For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.”

Again for emphasis, as the Jews “come home” during the Millennium, to Israel … “For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.”

No rush, no danger (for the first time in years and years and years) … because they will have an Escort! A Protector! A body Guard!

The Lord Himself … will go ahead of them!

And will be behind them, too … “their rereward.” (In English … protecting them from the “rear.”)

Hallelujah!

Surrounded by the Lord!

Surely you’ve heard, Exodus language by the way … “The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.”

Isaiah 54:17 in real life … “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.”

What promises!

And if God has all this planned for repentant Israel … think how well He has already cared for us, part of His very Body, Bride, Church!

Ahead of me, behind me, underneath me (His everlasting Arms), over me (from Heaven) plus on my right hand and left!

Comforting!

I will close today with Psalm 34:7. Someone memorize it please. “The angel of the LORD ENCAMPETH ROUND ABOUT them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

Glory!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

Isaiah 52 is just one of those great chapters, largely Millennial in nature. And that special “Clause” I just mentioned in the Lesson Title is found there.

I’ll show you. Isaiah 52:9-10 … “Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”

And the Clause you have in mind, Brother Bagwell?

THE LORD “HATH MADE BARE” HIS HOLY ARM!

We had a beloved teacher back in Bible College days who prayed with us students nearly every day. Not simply praying with us in the classroom, though every session in that sweet place did begin with a word of prayer. I mean in his office, before or after school, he’d call a handful of us together … and we would PRAY!

I shall never forget those days!

Praying for lost souls!

Praying for the little Churches we pastored!

Praying for the school!

Praying for people, any requests we knew!

Praying for ourselves, for spiritual growth!

Intercessory prayer, mostly!

A Christian discipline (prayer) that might be better “caught” than “taught!”

If so, Dr. Henry was a “carrier!”

I can hear him now; “O Lord, make bare Thy Mighty Arm,” move in this situation we pray!

It’s a word picture taken from our Text today, Isaiah 52:10. Again, “The LORD HATH MADE BARE HIS HOLY ARM in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”

Praise His Name!

In context here, a Millennial Clause!

A depiction of God really getting into a matter! To the point of “rolling up His sleeves” and applying Himself with all His Might!

It’s an “anthropomorphism,” I know. (Assigning God a human like action, to better understand/comprehend Him!)

But a pretty one, a Bible one, an inspired (inerrant) one!

The rest of today’s Two Verse Pericope is pretty self-explanatory. “Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”

Singing. joy, comfort, redemption!

All signs I think that God has indeed “rolled up His sleeves” and … returned to earth and defeated evil and established His Throne and begun His 1,000 Year Reign! (The Millennium!)

Wow!

Do you have a problem today, a real tough situation?

If so, invite God to move in … make bare His Mighty Arm … and make things right!

The God who challenges (really, here He commands) us: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee GREAT and MIGHTY things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3

“Great and mighty things” …

In the doing of which God undoubtedly (though figuratively) flexes His Muscles! Takes off His Coat and rolls up His sleeves … and does His Work!

What a gracious God we serve!

An involved God!

“Making bare that almighty Arm!”

All of which challenges me to go find a room … and pray!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.

Yes, Israel has certainly been punished for her sins, her rebellion against God. In fact, Isaiah 40:2 says: “Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: FOR SHE HATH RECEIVED OF THE LORD’S HAND DOUBLE FOR ALL HER SINS.”

Wow!

Yes, God has (although temporarily) turned away from His people the Jews. He has “broken off” Israel from His Olive Tree and “grafted” (“graffed”) in us vile, polluted (but repentant, then cleansed) gentiles!

Absolutely, a “separation” demanded by Israel’s sins … “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: BUT your INIQUITIES have SEPARATED between you and your God, and your SINS have HID his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1-2

Do not misunderstand. God is still saving lost Jews, likely every single day! But redeeming them as “individuals,” without consideration of their “national” status. “Whosoever will may come ….” Revelation 22:17

I am trying to lead up to this morning’s Bible Text!

A Passage where the Jews lament … “Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.” Isaiah 49:14, about the same thing Job thought in the middle of his trial by fire! But both Zion (the nation of Israel) and Job were wrong! God had not forgotten/forsaken either!

Whereupon (in our Text) God steps in and asks Zion … “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?” An unlikely event, Isaiah 49:15

(Unless you live in the United States today, not even considering the rest of the world. Where over 1,700 babies in utero are murdered each day! That’s a Mom forgetting the son or daughter of her womb, I’d say! Murdering the unborn, an immoral act.)

But back to the Lord’s Question, to which He supplies an immediate answer: “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? YES, THEY MAY FORGET.”

They “may” forget and they “do” forget!

Then God tells Israel, Zion in her desolation … “Yet will I not forget thee.” Still quoting Isaiah 49:15, the very end of the verse.

“I WILL NOT FORGET THEE,” Zion, Israel, the Jewish people!

And just when will God turn back to Israel the Nation? Graft her back into His Olive Tree? (Romans 11:23 … “God is able to graff them in again.”)

I’ll tell you when … at the end of Armageddon and the beginning of the Millennium!

Yes, Isaiah 66:8 suggests so: “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth (give birth) in one day? or shall a NATION be BORN (born again) at once?”

Yes, Yes, Yes!

Then God will immediately tell Israel … “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16, what a promise!

Not just one Palm, though it be Almighty! Plural … “Palms!” Implying “lots of names,” I think!

And that expression “have graven” is a Qal stem “perfect” verb (Hebrew grammar) showing us a one time Event! Once a name is engraved in God’s Hands … that’s it! It’s there permanently!

“Chaqaq” in Hebrew, undoubtedly means “to cut into.” So I have this morning learned a new way I am “in His Hands!” I am indelibly, eternally, once and for all “engraved” there!

Yes, prophetically this Promise belong to Israel. And it is Millennial, hermeneutically speaking.

But I’m personally going to enjoy it too!

If God in the future is doing this for His people Israel … perhaps God has already done this for me (and you.) The very second He saved us!

I’m going to rejoice in that fact, anyway!

We Bagwells were rather poor growing up as children, nothing to be ashamed of I might add. I don’t know of anything we had in our home that was truly engraved!

Except me … when I got saved! (Well, Mom and Dad were already saved before me. Then I guess I am wrong … there were several engravings in the house after all!

Hallelujah!

We believers now .. Israel later, her Believers!

Engraved in His Palms!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Amazing!

.

It’s Jesus, let me tell you that up front. The greatest Evangelist the planet has ever seen. (In fact He is both the Message and the Messenger!)

And in today’s Bible Text, Isaiah 49:6 we have God the Father speaking to God the Son, a Trinitarian Dialogue, if you please.

Here they speak, as recorded in our King James Version. “And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”

Wow!

The Father says to Jesus, I paraphrase … “I am giving You an assignment. It is both voluntary and necessary!” (That’s possible with God, I’d say) “The assignment is in two phases, Jesus.” (Something about the Jews then something about the Gentiles!) “One aspect of this world-wide aspiration might be considered easier (‘lighter’) that the other. But when blended, it’s an awesome (‘heavy’) job!”

Please don’t be offended at my wording above. I am just trying to convey the verse in more understandable terms. Here’s the sweet King James Version again: “And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”

Wow again!

A single Verse explanation of all world history! I mean past, present and future!

Yes, Jesus is God’s Servant!

He successfully fulfilled that Position, while Israel failed in that Role. (Isaiah 49 begins by talking about Israel the Nation being God’s Servant. But it evolves into talking about Jesus God’s Son being that Servant!) Remember Isaiah’s four great “Servant Passages,” each talking about Messiah Jesus? (Sections of Isaiah 42 and 49 and 50, and then all of chapter 53!)

“Light” here means “slight” only in this sense, not as “heavy!” It nearly means “trifling!”

As in: “Jesus, my dear Son, if merely saving Israel is not a ‘heavy enough’ job, ministry … let’s add saving the Gentiles as well!”

Glory to God!

Amazing, thrilling!

Then look at the quartet of verbal acts used here: “to raise up, to restore,” and then “to be light” followed by “to be salvation!”

All these depict old sinners being miraculously “born-again,” to use New Testament parlance.

And when will this happen? When will Servant Jesus be such a ‘Light” to the whole world?

During the MILLENNIUM, of course!

Simeon quoted part of today’s Verse when he first saw Baby Jesus in the Temple long ago: “For mine eyes have seen thy SALVATION, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a LIGHT to LIGHTEN the GENTILES, and the GLORY (something not lightweight, but rather heavy) of thy people ISRAEL.” Luke 2:30-32

Sounds like “God gave Jesus … to be Salvation” to this old sin-cursed world! In fact, Isaiah 49:6 talks a lot like John 3:16 … “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

One last time today, Isaiah 49:6 … “And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”

.