Isaiah 49

A Review of Isaiah 49
by Keith E Gardner
Always using the King James Bible

Introduction

The finality of ones existence, whether they are saved or lost, depends totally on the will of God: there is nothing we can do to get ourselves saved.  This decision was made before the foundation of the world: Ephesians 1:4.  However, our Lord GOD gives every lost man the choice of how brutally they will die; either in horrible agony or in relative comfort.  He gives them the option to live as He has put forth in His word or to go their own way.  Unfortunately the vast majority of lost mankind chose to go their own way: Jeremiah 2:11-25.  This is the purpose of Judgment Day; to show unto the hosts of heaven the mercy and the justice of God.  So all those of this earth who desire a different tune our Lord GOD will give them their way, Romans 1:24-25, however in the end they will pay the piper: Isaiah 27:11.  There are also those on whom He will have mercy, although not elect of Him, He will allow them to expire with less grief because they did humble themselves before Him: Romans 9:14-15.

 

Isaiah 49:1-3

In the wisdom of the LORD we see in verse 1 Isaiah, who was called and chosen before birth, is telling all the lands and all the people of the lands to hear him: 1 Peter 2:6-8.

In the first clause of verse 2 we see the LORD has made the mouth of all His elect as a sharp sword.  For we will all speak the truth which will cut either unto life or unto death eternal: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17.  This entire verse is describing the elect of God as weapons in His war against sin.  We are the skillful archer’s arrows to be used by the LORD to distinguish the thoughts and intents of the hearts of the lost: Hebrews 4:10-12.

In verse 3 we see our Lord GOD will be glorified in His elect as we will take His truth unto the world.  For just as Isaiah did in the time God ordained him so shall all the elect of God do in the time He gives onto us.  “… Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

Isaiah 49:4-5

In verse 4 we see Isaiah is desponded as he says “… I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought”.  These are the sentiments of one who is elect of God and has been sent forth with the true word to give unto a world that has not, does not and will never accept the word of the LORD.  However, to look for results is not given unto the man of God.  It is given unto us to do the will of the LORD until He comes: Luke 19:12-13.  So verse 5 saying “Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD” simply means we are to know it is our purpose to take His word to the world and we are to be oblivious to the consequences thereof; whether the response is positive or negative.  We shouldn’t look for the fruits of our labors in this life but, we must seek His approval in all we do say and think for our glory is in the LORD: 1 Corinthians 1:29-31.

Isaiah 49:6

In verse 6 our Lord GOD says “… 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”.  This is the task given unto all who are elect of God and it is truly a very “light thing” when we realize the death of the Christ before the foundation of the world and then again, in body only, at the cross was required that His elect would know salvation.  Our Lord GOD is sending all of His forth unto this world “… for a light unto the Gentiles” or a light unto those who do not know Him.  This is being done that those chosen of God will come to Him, Isaiah 45:2-6, and those lost to God, the Gentiles that remain, will know the truth of God that they may choose to humble themselves before His will and perish with His mercy or suffer the full wrath of Almighty God: Isaiah 42:22-25.

Isaiah 49:7

In verse 7 the LORD has identified His as those who the lost would despise.  We are His servants; “… a servant of rulers” and as we are the servants of our Lord GOD they will have respect unto us for the LORD has chosen us: 1 Peter 2:9-10.

Isaiah 49:8

In verse 8 we see the LORD causing His chosen to see their sins “in an acceptable time” and call upon Him in truth.  “In the day of salvation” He will help us as it is at this time He will save those whom He will bless with the faith of the Christ: Galatians 2:16 and Hebrews 4:2.

In the second half of this verse the LORD says “and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people”.  In this portion of the clause our Lord GOD has preserved a group of people through salvation.  He is sending that group forth with His word and they will take the word of the LORD unto all mankind.  This is the way He is establishing the covenant, the agreement or the word of the LORD with the people.  These people are either chosen, lost with the mercy of God or lost without the mercy of God.  We know from the Bible the mercy of the LORD is even unto those lost who will humble themselves before Him.  This clause closes with “… to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages”.  This is the fulfillment of destiny for all who trust in themselves and not in the God of the Bible: 2 Corinthians 1:9.  They will all “inherit the desolate heritages” allotted to those who do not trust in the God of the Bible.

Isaiah 49:9-10

In verse 9 the LORD is sending His elect with His call unto the world that all may know the true gospel.  That He will gather His to Himself and feed them with His truth: Ezekiel 34:12-16.

In verse 10 we see the care with which the LORD will treat all of those whom He has called and chosen.  He will lead them all “even by the springs of water shall He guide them” which simply means He has granted them salvation.

Isaiah 49:11-12

In verses 11 and 12 we see the LORD is clearing the way for His newly elect.  He is bringing them in from all the nations of the world.

 

Isaiah 49:13

All who are elect of God are afflicted as we are a peculiar people.  If we are elect of God we are in this world, as our Lord GOD is, to take forth His truth and consequently to assist in gathering His elect.  Just as the LORD sent His apostles we are to go forth tenaciously taking the gospel of the LORD to this world: Mark 6:7-9.

Isaiah 49:14-16

In verse 14 the LORD is addressing the issue of faith.  Many true believers, those elect of God, have weak faith.  Although they have been called and chosen their faith is weaker than that of a believer who has occasion to study more.  Consequently the level of faith among believers will vary.  Regardless, given an adequate amount of pressure any believer may momentarily question his salvation: momentarily.  However the LORD always reassures us that He is with us: Hebrews 13:5-6.

In verse 15 the LORD is telling us He will never leave us nor forsake us.  In verse 16 the LORD is telling us that He has graven each of His elect upon the palms of His hands.  Our Lord GOD tells us in Jeremiah 1:18 He has made His elect as brazen walls against the world and here He says “thy walls are continually before me”.  Although the world is full of worries the elect of God are to go forth doing His will without concern for the things of this world as the LORD watches over us all: 1 Peter 4:19.

Isaiah 49:17

In verse 17 “thy children” are all those who are elect of God.  “Thy children shall make haste” as the end draws near, meaning they will quickly begin the work of the LORD.  Those with who the children were acquainted that do not believe “shall go forth of thee” as their relations with them will wane.

Isaiah 49:18

In verse 18 the LORD is telling us to behold the fruit of our labors.  The fruit are all those bought unto Him by His elect.  Although there will be many who are called but not chosen, those chosen will be a credit to those elect who bought them the gospel: Revelation 22:12 and 2 John 8.  This is a doctrine taught in the Bible and I will give you one more proof to assist you in your research of this matter.  You can read the parable given in Luke 19:12-27 where we see in verses 16 thru 26 these principles are maintained.  Our Lord GOD views all of His as gold, silver and precious stones; for which He did the ultimate work.  Consequently you should see the parallel between His reward and the pounds given to those who do the work of the LORD.  Notice how the pounds are given? Additional pounds are given as a reward to him who does the best with what he was given.  Knowing it is the purpose of every elect person to take the word of the LORD forward, we can then know we are rewarded in accord to our performance; “Occupy until I come”.  Isn’t our Lord GOD a good and gracious God?

Isaiah 49:19

Verse 19 is speaking of Judgment Day as it says “For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction”.  This is the language of judgment being bought upon this world.  The verse continues with “… shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants” which is simply saying there are many who are lost.  The verse then closes with “and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away”.  The reference to “they” in the aforementioned section of the clause spoken of is a reference to the elect.  We have swallowed up the lost as we bought them the gospel and they would not hear: Isaiah 48:8.  Then in that day all the elect will be taken to heaven: Revelation 11:11-12.

 

Isaiah 49:20-21

In verse 20 our Lord GOD is telling us of all the children His elect will have; once again children in this sense means all of those called and those called and chosen.  All of those who are only called will fall away and will not be a credit to those who bought them the word: 1 Corinthians 3:13-15.  This is what is meant by “The children which thou shalt have, after thou has lost the other”.  The “other” are all those who were called but not chosen; those who represent work that shall not abide.  The LORD tells us the children will say “The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell”.  These are the sentiments of those who are “newly saved”.  Their knowledge is minimal at best and they seek answers that will come as they grow in grace; which for the majority of these will come after the rapture.

In verse 21 we see there will be those with whom we are blessed, but have not knowledge of.  This could be the result of a truth we shared with someone and from that person it went viral; on to many others.  Among the many others to hear this truth there were those who were chosen of God.

Isaiah 49:22

In verse 22 we see there will be those called and chosen coming from among the Gentiles.  Although Gentiles are lost from among their sons and their daughters God has made His selection and they will receive the word from one who is elect of God. Consequently they will be credited to the account, for lack of a better expression, of one who is elect of God.

Isaiah 49:23

In verse 23 the LORD is reiterating the point that all of those coming from the lost will be coming by way of His elect.  Then at the first Day of Judgment all mankind will know that He is the LORD and there was no shame in declaring His Holy name.

Isaiah 49:24-25

In verses 24 and 25 the LORD is telling us there are none who can hold those called and chosen from their destiny.  None among the most charismatic, the largest or the most powerful organizations can hold those whom the LORD has elected from before the foundation of the world.

Isaiah 49:26

Verse 26 is actually speaking of the judgment.  For it is only at Judgment Day that no one will be able to deny the LORD is the Savior and the Redeemer of all His elect and that He is the Mighty One of Jacob.

 

View us also at …

http://fromonhigh.altervista.org/thebookof/Jeremiah.html

The Manner of Mankind

The Manner of Mankind
by Keith E Gardner
Always using the King James Bible

The Bible holds the answers to any question we may comprehend, it is only required that we recognize the answers when we see them.  In my last paper, Isaiah 48, I briefly mentioned the three states of man; saved or elect, lost with the mercy of God and lost without the mercy of God.  I gave Ahab as an example of one lost but, with the mercy of God.  Saul was another example of one who was lost, however he did not have the mercy of God.  Following the release of that paper it was pointed out to me that this was a difficult doctrine and I could not simply use the examples I did; more proof was requested.  I normally write in brevity giving limited examples in an attempt to stimulate the readers to search it out in the Bible for themselves, however this time I will make an exception.  This doctrine may be difficult for some to seek out so I will provide two or three more instances; maybe four.  Actually I’ll provide five that we all may know that our Lord GOD is truly a merciful God.

The LORD sends an unknown prophet from Judah to Israel to warn king Jeroboam of his error: 1 Kings 13:1-6.  However Jeroboam does not listen to the prophet of the LORD in spite of what he experienced first hand.  Consequently we see, after that one warning, Jeroboam continues in his pagan ways and in 1 Kings 13:28-34 our Lord GOD tells us of the result of his action upon his entire family line.  Jeroboam was lost to God from before the foundation of the world but, look closely and you’ll see the LORD is still giving him a choice.  He can heed the words of God brought unto him by the prophet and live under the mercy of God or ignore them, as he did, with devastating consequences.

Reading Jeremiah 21:5-10 we can see there are two types of lost people; those who will die horribly and those who will live under Chaldean rule, in the dominion of Satan, with the mercy of the LORD.  Those who will die horribly are all those who will not humble themselves before the LORD who bought them.  Those who will live under Chaldean rule are all those who will humble themselves before the LORD and He will allow them a good existence.  Once again we can see none of these people are elect of God but God will show mercy on all those who will heed His commandments.  Looking at verse 8 and acknowledging the offer of the LORD we see it is only made once.

In Jeremiah 42:9-17 we can know all of these are lost people however, the LORD is giving them the opportunity to heed Him and live or go their own way and die.  This is truly a view of the two sides of one coin for they are all lost but, they can listen and benefit greatly or go their own way and suffer greater damnation.  Once again, please notice, this offer comes only once.

I have a particular affinity for the book of Isaiah and I find that I can use Isaiah 28:9-19 to support this point; although not quite as clear as the others verses I have chosen it speaks the same truth.  Look at verse 11 and you will see what our Lord GOD does to all who will not hear His law the first and only time He will bring it to them.  If you are elect of God you can do nothing other than come when you are called; and you will come at that instant.  If you are lost to God when you are called you will humble yourself before the LORD or else you will continue in your way.  If you are one who will continue in his way then our Lord GOD will apply verse 11 to you.  This means you will not understand the Bible and you will come to your own conclusions which will invariably be wrong.  This is the LORD blinding the eyes, deafening the ears and hardening the hearts of all the lost as their heart will grow colder toward the truth of God.  It is the purpose of God that all those who are not elect of Him will move very far from Him assuring their seat at the judgment.  Those lost who will humble themselves are more likely to die quickly during Judgment Day minimizing their physical suffering.

In Ezekiel 3:1-11 the LORD is sending Ezekiel to speak to Israel.  He is sending Ezekiel to speak to the lost and the LORD has not blinded their eyes, deafened their ears or hardened their hearts that they could not understand.  This means they could respond either way.  However our Lord GOD already knows their hearts and thus their responses.  From these verses we see the LORD already knows, even among the lost, the response to His law but, He makes one appeal regardless.

I hope this brief explication of a small portion of the word of God does inspire you to seek to know more of the truth of the LORD.  Whether you are elect of God or not you many not know, however you should have drawn from this writing that it can only benefit you to study and learn all you can about the LORD.  Knowing His word and therefore His will can only assist you regardless of your election status.

Isaiah 48

A Review of Isaiah 48
by Keith E Gardner
Always using the King James Bible

Isaiah 48:1

In verse 1 the LORD is speaking to the “… house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness”.  Looking at this verse we see the key phrase is “but not in truth”.  Knowing that the Bible has been written by God for all men throughout all time we can know it is also applicable today.  We know, from past studies, that the “house of Jacob … which swear by the name of the LORD …, but not in truth nor in righteousness “ is speaking of all the churches of today.

Isaiah 48:2

In verse 2 we see our Lord God continues to speak of the false self-perception of the churches as He says “For they call themselves of the Holy City”.  This is the belief of all the churches without regard to any particular religious affiliation.  They all believe as they desire and then profess the name of God: Isaiah 4:1.

Isaiah 48:3

In verse 3 we see the LORD telling how He has attempted to make Himself known to the mankind throughout time.  He speaks of how He told of things to come and suddenly bought them to pass: Exodus 14:1-31.

Isaiah 48:4-7

In verses 4 thru 7 we see our Lord GOD as He speaks of His many attempts to sway the hearts and minds of an obstinate people who simply refuse to see or hear the will of the LORD.  The LORD has put the entire history of the world in the Bible and at this time He has opened the eyes of men that, if they desire, they can see truth.  Unfortunately the vast majority of mankind desire their own gods consequently the God of the Bible will confuse them allowing them to slip further into sin: Isaiah 28:7-19.

Isaiah 48:8

In this verse the LORD is telling us He knew the transgressors, the lost, before they ever were.  Therefore, because the LORD is a just God He gives everyone the opportunity to acknowledge Him knowing the lost will not.  Regardless He presents all mankind with an opportunity to humble themselves before Him and beg for His forgiveness.  I personally believe our Lord God gives the lost only one such opportunity as He already knows their hearts.  We can look at king Saul in 1 Samuel 13:8-14 where it seems at Saul’s first episode of disobedience the LORD rejects him.  In light of this Saul never plead to God for mercy or forgiveness instead he continued in his disobedient way.  However in 1 Kings 21:21-29 we read of Ahab who was also lost however, Ahab did humble himself in truth before the LORD and for this he was allowed to die in bed amongst his people.  King Saul died “with his shoes on” as he was forced to kill himself in battle or be captured and tortured until dead.

Continuing with our study we see the LORD says “Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knowest not; yea, from that time thine ear was not opened”.  This is the LORD telling us because the lost desired not to hear or understand His truth from that time, the first time He brings them His truth and they reject it, He would give them up.  He would give them a strong delusion that they would believe a lie: 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12.  Consequently their eyes are shut, their ears are blocked and their understanding of His word is taken away that they will be prepared for the judgment.  This is done so as we move toward Judgment Day everyone will be either cold or hot, Revelation 3:15-16, and judgment will be totally just.  Therefore I believe today anyone who receives the truth of God and in the face of that truth still desires their own way they are assuring they too will die with their shoes on.

Isaiah 48:9-11

In verse 9 we see the LORD will have mercy on the lost, prior to the judgment, for His name’s sake.  His mercy unto the lost is one more source of praise from all His elect, to whom many of the lost are dear.

In verse 10 we see the LORD says “I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction”.  This is the will of our Lord GOD for all those whom He has “given up”.  The refining spoken of is the preparation for damnation.  Our Lord God will allow mankind to perform all the wicked desires of his sinful heart that he may seal his fate in the end: Romans 1:28-32.  This will assure that everyone who goes into judgment will have his or her predetermined time and place in the judgment process.

In verse 11 we see the LORD is angry as He says “for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory to another”.  In this clause we can see clearly the source of His anger.  It is the attribution of the acts of the LORD to an idol; once again this idol can be material or intellectual.  God will not give His glory to another; and why should He? Therefore everyone who does not love, honor, worship and obey the God of the Bible, John 14:21, is giving His glory to another.  Although the blatant idol worshipers are worse than those who do not worship at all our Lord God desires that we are all either cold or hot: Revelation 3:15-16.  Henceforth the LORD gives up all those who are not elect of Him and do not call out unto Him that they will go from bad to worst solidifying their place in the judgment.

Isaiah 48:12

In verse 12 we see our Lord God is now direction His dialogue unto His called; those who are to be chosen.  The LORD is making it clear that we will all know His voice as He says “I am He; I am the first, I also am the last”.

Isaiah 48:13

In verse 13 the LORD continues to identify Himself as He speaks of His creation; as He speaks of His all-encompassing power over all things.

Isaiah 48:14

Verse 14 opens with “All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them hath declared these things?” This is the LORD telling the entire world to hear and acknowledge what He has given unto His elect to tell the world.  He continues with “The LORD hath loved him: he will do His pleasure on Babylon, and His arm shall be on the Chaldeans”.  This sentence interpreted says the LORD hath loved His elect: the elect will do the pleasure of the LORD unto Babylon; they will take the truth of God to the lost.  As a consequence of the word or the will of God being taken unto Babylon, the church and the world, the LORD will judge the Chaldeans or the people of the church and the world.

Isaiah 48:15

In verse 15 we see our Lord GOD has paid for the sins of all His elect as He says “I have bought him …”.  He closes the verse with “… and he shall make his way prosperous”.  The prosperity our Lord GOD speaks of  is His will being fulfilled by all of His elect.  Through doing His will the very best we are enabled we become profitable servants unto the LORD: Matthew 25:14-30.

Isaiah 48:16

In verse 16 we see an interesting and inexplicable scenario unfolding.  Our Lord GOD is telling His elect that He has not spoken in secret even from the beginning.  This says clearly that those who do not hear the true word of God will not because they have had their one opportunity and are now being fitted for destruction: Romans 9:20-23.  Therefore if an individual is elect of God they will respond to the call of God however, if they are not elect of God they will not respond and God will give them up that their eyes will be blinded, their ears will be deafened and their understanding of any of the truth of God will be taken away to prepare them for the judgment.  As our Lord God knows us all, elect and lost, I can not comprehend any reason for a relentless exercise in futility.  Going to 1 Samuel 13:8-14 we can see the LORD took the kingdom away from Saul after only one episode of disobedience and I believe this verifies that our Lord God gives all lost mankind one opportunity to minimize their torment in the end.  I don’t believe it is for any other reason as the LORD already knows who is saved and, amongst the lost, who will humble themselves before Him.

Looking at the last clause of this verse we see “and now the Lord GOD, and His Spirit, hath sent me”.  This is the inexplicable scenario I opened the discussion of this verse with.  For although it says “… the Lord GOD, and His Spirit, hath sent me” it is the LORD that is sent.  This is one of several incomprehensible paradoxes in the Bible; however we must simply acknowledge it, accept it and move on as we cannot explain it.

Isaiah 48:17

In verse 17 our Lord GOD continues to identify Himself.  He says in the second clause of the verse “I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit”.  Looking at this in the environment of the Bible we can know that the only way a prophet of the LORD can profit is to prophesy the truth of the Bible.  Therefore we can know it is through the wisdom, understanding and knowledge of His word that a prophet will profit.  This is His leading us by the way we should go.

Isaiah 48:18-19

In verses 18 and 19 our Lord GOD is speaking to the lost.  Looking at verse 18 we see our Lord GOD telling the lost how it could have been if they would have heeded His commandments in truth.  In verse 19 He continues to tell them how it could have been if they would have acknowledged Him and how He would have given them a full and more satisfying life.

Isaiah 48:20

In verse 20 we see the LORD has redeemed His elect as He tells us to flee Babylon and the Chaldeans; the church and the ways of the world.

Isaiah 48:21-22

In verses 21 and 22 the LORD has set up a comparison and contrast between what He does for those He cares for and those who are on their own.  As you can see there will be no peace for the wicked.

 

View us also at …

http://fromonhigh.altervista.org/thebookof/Jeremiah.html