Isaiah 29:22-24
New International Version
22 Therefore this is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob:
“No longer will Jacob be ashamed;
no longer will their faces grow pale.
23
When they see among them their children,
the work of my hands,
they will keep my name holy;
they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob,
and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
24
Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding;
those who complain will accept instruction.”
The Lord rescued and redeemed Abraham from worshiping false gods and paganism. It is the Lord who called Abraham and Abraham was declared righteous because he believed the Lord and placed his faith and trust in Him (Gen 15:6). It is only God who can save. Man cannot save himself. We cannot come to faith on our own. It is the Spirit of God who works in our hearts and brings us to the place of salvation and repentance. The verses before this the Lord spoke of the judgement that was to come upon Israel for their sin, but now the words of Almighty God turn to words of hope.
It is important to see in scripture that God is full of love, grace, and mercy. He is slow to anger and abounding in love (Psalm 103:8). God’s promise concerning Israel and its future is that they will no longer be ashamed, their faces will no longer grow pale. There is hope because of the coming of Messiah. This is the same hope we have today. Our eyes must be fixed upon Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:2). Satan works overtime to get our eyes fixed on the present, but we must remember our home is in Heaven, this world is passing away.
The people of future generations of Israel will sanctify and praise the name of the Lord because of the deliverance of the Lord brought to them by the Messiah. When Jesus comes in all His glory He will come as the King that He truly is (Rev 19:11-16). When He came the first time He came as a Lamb to give His life for all of humanity. All those who receive the precious gift of salvation by placing their trust in Christ and repenting of their sins, receive this precious and wonderful gift. Abundant life is truly found when we begin to walk with Jesus.
But for those who reject the precious gift of salvation, they are without hope. This world is the closest thing they will ever find to heaven. But those of Israel in their future generation will glorify and praise the name of the Lord when the deliverer comes from the Heavens with the armies of Heaven behind Him and all the saints. For He shall strike the armies of the anti-Christ with the sword that proceeds from His mouth. For it is by a simple work spoken from the mouth of Jesus that He will defeat the armies of the world. He will rescue those of Israel at that time.
Those of the past who err in mind or were wayward will gain understanding and know truth. Those who murmured and complained will accept instruction. This speaks of the hope that stands before Israel. During Isaiah’s generation the people walked in wickedness and sin. But Isaiah speaks of a day to come that would give hope to all those who love God, hold fast to His word, and understand that it is by His mighty power and grace that His purposes would be accomplished.
We may struggle in our day with discouragement as we look at the times we live in. But we must always remember that God has a plan and that He is fully in control. We must remember this world is passing away. It is mired in sin. Because of sin wickedness increases from one generation to the next. People invent greater ways to sin and destroy the lives of others (Romans 1:30). We must daily fix our eyes upon Jesus and the hope we have in Him. Our King is returning and He is returning very soon. But until that day we must live for Him and let our light shine in a time of great darkness. Many around us live in darkness and need to hear the message of hope that is found alone in Jesus Christ.
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