The book of Ruth is a small and understated book that is tucked between Judges and Joshua. It is set in a time of great spiritual darkness. The book focuses on the story of Ruth, who is a Moabitess and experiences great suffering. Together with her mother-in-law Naomi, she journeys to Bethlehem and we come to see that it is no accident that they return in a time of harvest. As the story unfolds, they learn about the meaning of a redeemer that brings them from hopelessness to a life of hope.
Isaiah also shows us the barrenness of God’s people, that’s not that different from Ruth and Naomi. But God acts and also promises to act on their behalf.
(A) The Redeemer provoked: City without righteousness or truth (Isa 59:14-16)
As we begin, we see how Isaiah describes a culture and way of life that is in no way marked by justice and righteousness (Isa 59:14). Truth is described to be stumbling in the public square. Public places are devoid of truth, righteousness and justice.
In fact, the people have to be evil to survive (Isa 59:15a). Abandoning evil in pursuit of truth makes one a prey. This is a pragmatic, and perhaps, easily identifiable statement, describing our own experience of life. Do we expect not to find righteousness, truth and justice in the public square of politics or the realm of ideas? Are we not surprised by scandal after scandal? Do we find in ourselves a cynicism towards life?
Consider how these verses can be a comfort in 2024, when the world seems to be spiralling to chaos and oblivion. We’ve always been living in the pits. The Christian should never be surprised that the world looks the way it is, that truth, righteousness and justice have always been hard to find. Nothing surprises God and He has always known about our sin. Even here, His word brings us comfort to know that we are not the first people to struggle.
How does God feel about it, and why does the prophet want us to know God’s “considerations”? God was displeased about it, grieved and upset by the situation. He was indignant as things were not what they were supposed to do.
Yes, God feels and thinks things. He has an opinion on things. He is not some impersonal force in the cosmos. He has pleasure when certain things happen and displeasure when other things happen.
Is this your view of God? Sometimes we imagine Him to have no feelings. This is us making Him in our image. Rather, He has revealed Himself to be the God with strong emotions.
Therefore, a world of no justice displeases God. Do not think that God is ambivalent towards injustice or blind to oppression. Do not think that He does not ache when He sees that the world is not what He designed for it to be. Lose this, and we lose the kind of wonder that should come when we come before God. God feels things and is also sovereign over all things.
God also wondered why there was no one to intercede (Isa 59:16a). Is He surprised? This is rhetorical and Isaiah includes this to show the sorrow of God’s heart and His thinking. It helps us to understand His frustration with His people, and shows us how He is offended by His people’s sins. There was a way but Israel rejected it and now, there is no one left to intercede.
God is provoked by this city that has neither righteousness nor truth. They are not guided by virtue nor morality.
This is not far from what God feels about our world today. We may have peace with God as Christians, but we should also be equally provoked when we move around our world. We recall something similar in Acts 17 where Paul noticed the idolatry of the people as he moved about Athens and was provoked. They worshipped all gods and even set up something to an unknown god, seeking to ensure that all their bases are covered.
What about us? Do we think that others are just holding another POV, one preferred flavour among many? But read these verses again. God is provoked by sin, idolatry and immorality.
What is God saying to you tonight? How do we respond to evil all around us? We should rightly pray that God would keep us from being indifferent, injustice and unrighteousness when it passes our path. Pray that God would keep us from being hardhearted and cold that we don’t feel anger.
(B) The Redeemer militant: The LORD moves against His enemies to save (Isa 59:16-19)
God acts, and Isaiah goes into detail about God’s battle attire. His breastplate is righteousness, his helmet is salvation, his garments for vengeance and zeal is his cloak (Isa 59:17).
Why does Isaiah write in this way? Isaiah is speaking about war attire and battle garbs. These words also lay out something of God’s agenda and what He is trying to achieve. And these are not very comforting. They show us a God of strength but not really a God of love. We have a tendency to think of God as a kind, grandfather in the sky, whose love covers us like a blanket and His mercy like a cup of water.
This is a God of righteousness and is not slack about His work. He is here for His enemies and will finish what He set out to do.
This is the God of the Bible, one of might, glory and power. When He saves, He gets the job done.
This is also not a God of generic action. He has come to judge His enemies (Isa 59:17). He will wage war on the that have waged war on His people and will bring commensurate justice against His enemies. He is watching and not slack to act.
Friends, we must not think that God is just watching over the earth in a kindly way. He is not blind to injustice and oppression. He knows our losses and hurts and will even the score. This is a God who will fight for His people.
As a result, we see the dawning of His glory. From east to west, God’s name will be lifted up high when He is done (Isa 59:18). And we are to look forward to it. The Spirit of God seems to pour like a rushing stream and strong winds in power.
This is the Redeemer militant. He intervenes on behalf of His people and will move against His enemies. But, when do they take place? Is it looking forward to the return of the exiles to Israel? No, since there was no war then. Is it therefore over? Or coming?
Let us read on.
(C) The Redeemer victorious: Making a new covenant with Zion (Isa 59:20-21)
in contrast, a Redeemer comes to Zion, to those who turn from transgression (Isa 59:20).
We started with the reference to Ruth, and here, it’s important to understand the role of the redeemer in the story of Ruth. Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer, saves Naomi and Ruth from falling further into bankruptcy. He restores them and preserves their land, at a cost to himself. In doing so, there is restoration for the redeemed.
God does the same for those that cannot do the same for themselves. God does it for those who are helpless, who bring only transgression and sin. God does this for Zion and buys back glory, prestige, a future and a hope. And this is because God intervenes and acts in salvation, zeal, righteousness and vengeance.
The true Redeemer, is Jesus.
God makes a new covenant (Isa 59:21). He promises to give His Spirit, and His word in their mouth like the prophets of old. They will be a people who have, speak, know and pass on God’s word to the next generation and the next. They will be a nation of prophets.
This is a new relationship that His people will have.
In the old covenant, they knew God’s word because a prophet told it to them. Now, they will all be prophets, thus, there is a new relationship. It is a promise of relationship, access, knowing God’s own heart.
Notice also how they were redeemed then given this new covenant. This new covenant relationship is given to those who have been saved.
Who are these people? Is it us? Yes! This is an amazing privilege that is ours in Christ. The new covenant is one of the greatest gifts but also one of the least understood gifts. We now do not approach God on the same terms as Israel did at Sinai. Now, we approach God on the basis of a new covenant relationship. And He has given us His Spirit and the ability to speak His words.
This means that at one point, we had no interest in God and His word. But, hearing how Jesus died for your sin (personally, not generally), you received Him as your Saviour, His is not your God and a new birth took place in your heart. God made you alive in Christ and HisSpirit caused you to be born again. And now, you desire new things.
Friends, the fact that you want God’s word at all, and that you desire to turn from sins, that you love Christ, and believe that what He did for you is sufficient, is proof of Isaiah 59:21.
What are we doing with this privilege right now? Do not be bored! See how you enjoy these new covenant privileges. We have a new relationship with God, both now and forevermore.
These verses are partially fulfilled in Christ, and we also still await the full fulfilment when He returns. For, when did Jesus bring vengeance on anyone? See Romans 5:6-11. God did express his vengeance and wrath and poured it out not on His enemies, but on one He loves. Do you see how we were His enemies, and instead of receiving His wrath, received salvation because Jesus bore the rash we deserved.
See also Romans 5:1-5. God’s love and Spirit has been poured into our hearts.
Practically, this means there is no division in the church. There is no second class believer in Christ! We all have His Spirit and His word is in our mouth.
Do you want to grow in knowledge, love and understanding of the glories of the new covenant? Friends, make that your prayer.