Isaiah 59

Separated from God by sin that spreads 1
Justice has fallen 9
A redeemer is coming 16
Text
Comments
This chapter and the next describe the problem of sin leading to injustice which is to be resolved by the coming Redeemer. The light at that time will attract many. This describes the second advent and was partly fulfilled at the first.
.1 ¶ Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
.2  But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
 3  For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
   1&2 - Iniquities Sin is a barrier to salvation and blessing. See on ex3401.
 4  None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
.5  They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
 6  Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.
 7  Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
 8  The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

   4 - Trust in vanity High wickedness will prevail before the coming of Christ. All the power will not bring peace (v.9)
.9 ¶ Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.
 10  We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.
 11  We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.
 12  For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;
 13  In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
.14  And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
 15  Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
   9 - Justice is gone – darkness The plight of the righteous as the time of trouble begins.
   14 - Judgment and truth are perverted "Truth is fallen in the street." re1107b.
   14 - Truth fallen in the street Compare treatment of the two witnesses re1107.
.16 ¶ And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
.17  For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
 18  According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
  16 - No intercessor When all the righteous are sealed and the wicked have permanently set their minds on evil, probation will close and intercession will cease.
  17 - He put on When Michael stands there will be a time of trouble da1201. We see Him in Revelation as the faithful and true witness on the white horse re1911.
  18 - According to their deeds ro0623.
.19  So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
.20  And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
 21  As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.
  19 - NIV: From the west, men will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along. NIV translators have replaced a great promise.
   20 - Turn from transgression Beautiful promise of the Messiah. See how Paul applies it ro1126.
   21 - Word of God Carried in mouths of righteous from generation to generation.
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