The Lord Reminds Us Who He Is

I am amazed at the number of times we are called to remember in the Bible. It's all over the place. And here in Isaiah 51, it shows up yet again. But this time, it's a call to remember the Lord himself. 

Isaiah 51:12–13 (ESV) “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, 13 and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day because of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy? And where is the wrath of the oppressor?

Notice the double "I" at the beginning of the verse. The heart of the Lord revealed. He calls His people to the most rational thought they could have: He is the ONE they need and they need not be afraid of any other. 

Isaiah 51:17–18 (ESV) Wake yourself, wake yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the LORD the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl, the cup of staggering. 18 There is none to guide her among all the sons she has borne; there is none to take her by the hand among all the sons she has brought up.

The Lord says now in verse 17 for the second time in this section to "wake up". Sleep is a euphemism for ignorance. Israel was ignorant of her true condition. She thought she needed better international diplomacy. But she really needed obedience to the Lord and trust in Him. 

So often we think we need better tactics or skills to get ahead in life. Maybe if we learn more about the world, and advance our degrees or knowledge, we can accomplish what we dream of. But God takes pleasure in using the foolish to shame the wise. He brings to naught the things that are by using those that are not! And though Israel has none to guide her (verse 18), there is going to be One who comes from heaven and who IS the way.

Then the Lord promises a reversal of their troubles. Those who troubled them will drink from the cup of God's wrath. 

Isaiah 51:21–23 (ESV) Therefore hear this, you who are afflicted, who are drunk, but not with wine: 22 Thus says your Lord, the LORD, your God who pleads the cause of his people: “Behold, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering; the bowl of my wrath you shall drink no more; 23 and I will put it into the hand of your tormentors, who have said to you, ‘Bow down, that we may pass over’; and you have made your back like the ground and like the street for them to pass over.”

What we have often seen in Isaiah is repeated here. God rules the nations and uses one to chastise another. However, Israel is His special possession, made to bring salvation to the world. 

Then in the opening words of Isaiah 52 we find out what He plans to do for them. 

Isaiah 52:1–3 (ESV) Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean. 2 Shake yourself from the dust and arise; be seated, O Jerusalem; loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. 3 For thus says the LORD: “You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.”

It's important to tie in God's command to wake up to the financial terms of their salvation. They sold themselves into slavery serving the baals. They willingly gave up their identity as God's people to whore with the nations around them. And yet God reveals the mystery of His salvation... They will be redeemed without money! God's Son will shed His blood. 

So often we think we need money to solve our problems or benefit our lives. But God's best gift of salvation is priceless and free at the same time.