Isaiah 54:17
“No weapon formed against you
shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall
condemn. This is the Heritage of The Servants Of JEHOVAH and their
Righteousness is from Me says JEHOVAH.”
The first sentence of this verse
is often quoted by Israelis, Christians and non-believers. Why? Mostly because
it sounds powerful and claims victory! But why did JEHOVAH prophesy this Word
over Israel; and how does that apply to individuals?
In Isaiah 53* GOD asks the
question, “Who has believed our report and to whom has the arm of JEHOVAH been
revealed?” Then GOD goes on to describe what The MESSIAH will experience and
accomplish; ending with the statement, “Therefore I Will divide Him a portion
with the great and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured
out His soul unto death (Luke 23:46) and He was numbered with the transgressors
(Mark 15:27-28) and He bore the sins of many (2 Corinthians 5:20-21) and made
intercession for the transgressors (Luke 23:34).”
Then Isaiah 54 opens with
rejoicing and victory, “Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth
into singing and cry aloud you who have not labored with child!” Chapter 54 is a positive Word of
encouragement to the Israelites, but it is for the far future, Israel still has
not experienced the fulness of this Promise.
After all this promise of His
Blessings, Peace and Prosperity is a reminder of verses 16-17, “Behold, I have
created the blacksmith who blows the coals in the fire, who brings forth a
weapon for his work; and I have created the destroyer to destroy. No weapon
formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in
judgment you shall condemn. This is the Heritage of The Servants Of JEHOVAH and
their Righteousness is from Me says JEHOVAH.” While there will be conflict and
war, Israel is under GOD’s Divine Protection and will always survive and again
prosper.
Then Chapter 55 goes right into
celebration, a reminder to seek JEHOVAH while He can be found, and a reminder
that GOD is not like humans and we cannot understand Who He Is. Therefore we
have to Obey His Word, then we will go forth in His Victory (1 Corinthians
15:57).
So, how do we apply Isaiah 54:17
to our life? First we have to understand this sentence that we like to quote does
not stand on its own. It is part of a Message from GOD to Israel about their
future warfare and Peace. So to apply it to our life we have to find ourself in
this whole passage of Scripture. The application is that GOD created the
destroyer who is seeking to destroy all GOD’s Servants, so as JESUS said, “Do
not think that I came to bring Peace on earth, I did not come to bring Peace
but a sword!” (Matthew 10:34) and “Do
not think that I came to destroy The Law or The Prophets; I did not come to destroy
but to fulfill!” (Matthew 5:17). This Scripture is not about GOD giving us victory
but about GOD calling us to endure (1 Corinthians 10:12-15). JESUS often told
us in the Gospels and The Revelation that we must endure to the end! The Victory
is not the end! Enduring to the end is the Victory! “You will be hated by all
for My Name’s sake; but he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew
10:22) is the middle of telling us about the persecution we will face He tells
us to endure!
* Remember, when JEHOVAH gave this
prophecy to Isaiah for Israel there was no break, no division by chapter and
verse, this was one continuous Word, chapters 50-55 are one Message about
Israel’s Hope, Comfort, Redemption, The MESSAIH and Celebration.
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