Brother Ted Peng

A Trail in Isaiah

Scriptures: Isaiah 1:2-3,9; 7:3, 10:21; 37:30-32; 40:27, 31; 42:1-4; 53:10; 61:3; 62:6-7; 65:8; 66:1-2, Micah 5:7-8; Romans 11:5

Prior to 700 BC prophet Isaiah recorded the sadness of God’s heart for the spiritual corruption of His own people. But God did not change His purpose toward them or lower His expectations. At that time, God’s heart only a few would appreciate, God’s mind only a few would respond, God’s word only they would heed, and God’s way only they were willing to follow. Isaiah called them the remnant. It was on them God placed His hope for Israel.

God sends His chosen Servant to the world (Christ, Chap 42). He brings mercy and truth. He will be the covenant and the light. He will set the prisoners free. And He will lead the remnant to be God’s servants, to know the holiness and loving kindness of God, and to follow after God’s lofty purpose. From Chapter 60 on, the anointed Servant points to Zion and gives the remnant concrete responsibilities: to be the trees of righteousness (Chap 61), the watchmen on the walls (Chap 62) and the new wine (Chap 65). The trees of righteousness exist for God’s glory, the watchmen on the wall for Jerusalem to be a praise on the earth, and new wine to cheer the heart of God and of people, that the spiritual condition of God’ people can be restored. Finally, God said He could only find rest in the hearts of this people (Chap 66)

This is a trail in the book of Isaiah. It records the footsteps of the remnant following the LORD. It also records the mission and the power of God’s servant Christ Jesus who is coming to the earth. He comes not only to accomplish the salvation of all men, but also to bring up the remnant to be God’s faithful servants, to accomplish Go ‘s glorious purpose.

The book of Isaiah is like a great forest. This trail goes from one end to the other, from the beginning to the end. Lord willing, we will use 10 pictures to illustrate this trail.

1. The ox, the donkey and My people (Isa 1:2-3,9) 2. Shear-Jashub (7:3, 10:21) 3. Take root downward (37:30-32) 4. Renew their strength (40:27-31) 5. Behold, My Servant! (42:1-7) 6. The Servant, the Lamb, and His seed (52:13, 53:5-7, 10) 7. Trees of righteousness (61:1,3) 8. Watchmen on the walls (62:1, 6-7) 9. New wine (65:8-9) 10. The place of My rest (66:1-2)