ISAIAH 49: 18-23
Introduction
It is here in our lesson that we discover God speaking to Israel through the prophet Isaiah. He speaks of comfort and mercy. The nation is promised a temporary freedom from earthly captivity and permanent freedom through Jesus Christ from the captivity of sin.
1 THE PROMISE OF RESTORATION (Isaiah 49: 18-20)
It is here that we find the children of those who were captives coming from all ends. They have come to one place to glorify God. While in captivity the land of Judea was lying in waste, this was in contrast to what is to come. These survivors will be a blessing as an ornament to God’s people. God describes his people as a bride wearing fancy jewelry portraying beauty while glorifying the Lord.
2 QUESTIONING RESTORATION (v. 21)
It is here in our lesson that the writer gives an image of a mother who had been robbed of her children and made her a widow. Devastation of ruin was spread all around her, feeling alone. Suddenly, she sees herself surrounded with more children than she lost. She is home and blessed by the happy family that surrounds her. She ask who has given her the children. This was more than she could have ever ask for.
3 CONFIRMING RESTORATION AND PROSPERITY (vv. 22-23)
The prophet describes God calling his people to himself. He will set the standards. Those that claim him will be in his arms. Those that he adopts will be given great care, devotion, love and kindness, protection, while maintaining them. Kings and Queens will love, care and concern toward God’s people.
CONCLUSION
The prophet Isaiah gives the reader a picture of God’s power within his goodness. He gives us a prophetic proclamation power of his grace. He paints a glorious beautiful portrait and poetic profound theological perspective of the power of God’s goodness. I am totally blown away with the implications in verse 23 of this lesson. It is of the utmost illustration of God’s holy and divine love laced with power.
“Kings will be as nursing fathers, Queens shall be as nursing mothers, bowing down, facing the earth, licking up the dust from their feet, they shall know that I am the Lord, for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me”
Rev. J. H. Eskridge
VERY INSIGHTFUL COMMENTARY.