Isaiah 27:1-6

A day is coming when all evil will be defeated by God (1). Be sure about this. The chapter in front of us today is the last of Isaiah’s four chapters on God’s judgment of the world (Chapters 24-27). It talks about ”that day” i.e. the judgment day to come at the close of history. ”Leviathan” in this verse represents the ungodly nations of the world. He also represents the spiritual forces of evil who stand behind all the wickedness in the world (Revelation 12:7-9), and especially ”that ancient serpent” the devil. A school caretaker with a simple understanding of the Bible told a group of students that the message of the book of Revelation is easy to understand: ”In the end Jesus wins!” This verse speaks of a mighty victory to be won by the Lord; total and complete victory. We need to be certain about this and walk in it. Never forget that He has a ”fierce, great and powerful sword’’ or that He has put a similar weapon into our hands (Eph.6:17). It is good news for this sad, old, pain-wracked world that the devil is going to feel the sharp point of the Lord of glory’s sword.

In the midst of God’s judgment of the world, His people are being delivered and the true Israel restored – here symbolised by the ”fruitful vineyard” (2). A day is coming when God will no longer be ”angry’‘ with His people (4). He will only be angry at the ”briars and thorns” (their enemies). Even these He will not want to destroy. He would much rather reconcile them to Himself (5).

Isaiah sees a day when Israel (”Jacob”, 6) will ”take root” (Isaiah 11:1, 10) and ”fill all the world with fruit.” Isaiah is looking forward to the Messianic age, and the ‘fruit’ will new believers brought into the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ (John 15:1, 5, 16.) Those new disciples will themselves be fruitful as they ‘‘remain’’ in Christ who is the ”true vine’’. Christ has chosen His disciples to ”go and bear fruit-fruit that will last” (John 15:16). Not only do we need to fully play our part in the fruit bearing process by abiding in Jesus, but also recognise God’s role in watching over us, watering us and guarding us continually (3). Without Him we are nothing; we can do nothing; we achieve nothing. When the Lord makes a life fruitful; or a people to be fruit bearing, that is something to sing about! (2). We sing songs of praise about it because we didn’t do it, but we know who did!

We must not forget, either, that this fruitful people have been a chastised people. They have been through painful discipline to get to this point. The purpose of all ”distress” that God allows to come our way is to bring us to God (26:16)

  • God will judge all His enemies;
  • God will make His people to be abundantly fruitful.
  • Here is cause for celebration!

Prayer: ‘’Holy Spirit flow through me, and make my life what it ought to be…’’