epcblog

Devotional thoughts (Monday through Thursday mornings) from the pastor of Exeter Presbyterian Church in Exeter, NH // Sunday Worship 10:30am // 73 Winter Street

Friday, November 30, 2007

Isaiah 54

The church faces trials in every age, but not every age is the same. We are not always the most accurate assessors of our own spiritual vitality. We tend to confuse ease with goodness. The testimony of history is that the church is frequently at her best when she is facing the most trying discomforts. Whether things may seem easy or especially challenging, the promises of God remain the same in every age. Several of these precious promises were communicated to the Old Covenant people of God in Isaiah 54.

First, God promises that the church will be a fruitful mother. For the one who lives for her children, there is little that could be more disheartening than the news that you are unable to have children. Old Testament heroes like Sarah or Hannah faced this trial. But when the Lord took away their reproach, it was the beginning of a new day. The church was made to be a fruitful mother. But God’s elect Israel had become like a barren woman. Yet in words that remind us of the contest between Sarah and Hagar, God announces that the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of the one who is married. Paul quotes this verse to refer to the blessings of the New Covenant era. Somehow the one who was barren will have offspring that will possess the nations.

It may be hard to sort out some of the imagery being used here, but the promise of God is clear. Though Israel might seem to be without offspring, through blessing of God she will be fruitful and. Her descendants will not be restricted to the Promised Land in Palestine, for her mission will have an international scope. God has made a promise that will not be broken. His church will be fruitful wife.

Second, God promises that the church will be a beloved bride. Again, there are many who are ashamed because the feel alone and unloved. They long for the right man to spread his canopy of protection and provision around them, and to know the particular love of the right man. The church will not have this fate. She will have a husband. In fact, her husband will be God, who is her Maker. We again see something of the international flavor of this promise, which forces us to see that we are talking about a promise that goes beyond the Old Covenant Community of Israel and reaches into the plan of God for Christ and His church, for this Husband is the God of all the earth, not merely the God of the Jews.

Nonetheless, Christ’s church will not be an abandonment of Israel of Old, but a fulfillment of the Lord’s promises to His people. He has in some sense hidden his face from the descendants of Jacob for a brief moment, Isaiah says, but with everlasting love the Lord will have compassion on His people. This commitment will be a reflection of God’s covenantal promises as in the day of Noah. At that time God swore that He would never again destroy the whole earth with a flood. Now He promises this steadfast love of a husband for His bride. His abiding love will be like a covenant of peace based on the Lord’s compassion.

The church will not only be a fruitful mother and a beloved wife, she will also be a glorious temple. She will be a beautiful building rich with precious gems. Her foundations, her gates, her walls will all be made with rare stones of great worth. It is clear that we are actually talking about people rather than treasuries here, for Isaiah writes of children being taught by the Lord. This is a promise of a building of living stones, and a wonderful glimpse into future days when a godly seed will grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

This imagery of precious stones and a glorious building is mentioned not only in Old Testament symbols such as the gems that stood for the tribes of Israel in the breastplate of the Levitical priests, but it is also prominent in Peter’s, Paul’s, and John’s description of the New Testament Church. There we learn of the long-expected cornerstone of the final temple will be the Lord Jesus Christ. With the foundation of apostles and prophets in perfect alignment with that one cornerstone, we who believe are being built up into a holy temple of the Lord, and that temple is made of precious gems, of which you are one if you are in the Lord.

Finally, God promises that the church will be safe from all enemies. Throughout the present age we may face the wrath of the dragon and his allies, but this final promise will also have its day of perfect fulfillment. Even now we believe that no weapon that is formed against the church can ultimately prosper, since our final life is a heavenly one. Even when our enemy would seem to steal away the life of one of God’s elect, all that He is able to do is to speed such a one into the glorious presence of the Lord of saints.

All of these promises of God are yes and amen in Jesus Christ, who is our great King, our covenant Head, our solid Rock, and our Maker and Defender. These promises are for you to believe even now. The church will be a fruitful mother. The church will be a beloved bride. The church will be a glorious temple. The church will be safe from all her enemies. This is the blood-bought destiny of the servants of the Lord. Their vindication comes from the One who suffered and died to secure these important promises.

posted by Pastor Magee @ 7:00 AM

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