January 5: SHOCKING ROLE REVERSAL

The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, “Yet I will gather to him Others besides those who are gathered to him.” Isaiah 56:8

The stubborn disobedience of God’s chosen people—chosen to carry the message of salvation to the world—resulted in a shocking reversal of roles. Those who were sincerely faithful to the Lord GOD became the outcasts of [the nation of] Israel. Later, Jesus Himself would be among the outcasts (see John 1:11). But the Lord, who sees the heart, knows those who are His (2 Timothy 2:19). In today’s opening verse, He takes this message even further, declaring that still other outsiders will indeed prove to be faithful to Him. Jesus repeated the idea after healing the blind man (John 9) when He addressed the Pharisees who cast the formerly blind man out (v.34).

“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:16

Having made the opening statement above, Isaiah is prompted to pivot, and the scene changes:

All you beasts of the field, come to devour, All you beasts in the forest. Isaiah 56:9

The word beast is used as a prophetic term referring to nations that will be allowed to devour the people of Judah because of their sins. This is a shocking contrast to the glorious prospects promised by God that would have resulted, had they been obedient to Him. The Isaiah passage goes on to point out that the leadership in the nation of Israel, whose responsibility it was to teach God’s word to the people, are themselves blind. The rest of the chapter vividly describes them—in no uncertain terms!!—as completely unable to discern the worldly dangers that threaten the people at large. “Come,” one says, “I will bring wine, And we will fill ourselves with intoxicating drink; Tomorrow will be as today, And much more abundant.” (v.12) This wine is the prophetic term for erroneous doctrines that confuse and mislead. The archenemy of God works to lead people to believe that they are “just fine” when there are changes that urgently need to be made and character in want of development. This enemy does this by exploiting human weakness, leading individuals to make one unwise choice after another...

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:13-16

See also: Isaiah 28:1,7,8; Jeremiah 6:17; 12:9; Daniel 7; Matthew 15:14; Revelation 13; 17:2