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APOCALYPTIC COMMENTARY

  Isaiah

65

Isaiah 65

As the millennial age approaches, blessings and curses separate Jehovah’s servants from their oppressors.
1 I was available to those who did not inquire of me;aI was accessible to those who did not seek me.I said, Here am I; I am here,to a nation that did not invoke my name.
2 I held out my hands all the day to a defiant people,who walk in ways that are not good,following their own imagination—

A polarization of peoples takes place as Jehovah’s coming to the earth draws near. Although the number of wicked people increases and the number of righteous decreases, the degree of wickedness of the wicked is in part offset by the degree of righteousness of the righteous as there is more evil to overcome that serves as a test of their covenantal loyalty. Being the espoused wife that proves unfaithful, Jehovah’s “nation/people” who currently claim allegiance to him largely apostatize while Jehovah’s servants minister to the wife whom Jehovah remarries (vv 8-9; Isaiah 49:22-23; 54:1, 4-8; 62:1-7).

Although Jehovah makes himself “available” and “accessible” to all his people at the time his servant fulfills his mission (Isaiah 50:10; 52:7, 15; 55:4-7), most spurn the servant and by so doing spurn Jehovah. While the righteous among them “inquire” of him, “seek” him, and “invoke” his name (Isaiah 41:25; 51:1; 55:6), the wicked fail to do so (Isaiah 9:13; 42:24; 64:7). Instead of adopting Jehovah’s “way,” they assume they know of themselves. Defiant toward his hand of deliverance (Isaiah 45:9-11; 50:2, 9; 59:1-2), they become subject to his hand of punishment (Isaiah 5:25; 10:5; 26:11).

3 a people who constantly provoke me to my face,sacrificing in parks, making smoke upon bricks, 4 who sit in sepulchres, spend nights in hideouts,who eat swine’s flesh,their bowls full of polluted broth, 5 who think, Keep your distance,don’t come near me; I am holier than you!Such are a smoke to my nostrils,a fire smoldering all day long.

Cultic activities that deviate from Jehovah’s righteous practices mark the descent of Jehovah’s people into apostasy (Isaiah 1:29; 57:3-6). From innocent-seeming barbecues in the park to abhorrent satanic rituals, their degenerate performances simultaneously replicate and desecrate sacred ordinances. Ensnaring their devotees into regarding Jehovah’s righteous people as religious oddities, their cult breeds a dismissive “holier-than-thou” attitude. Their destiny is the Pit of Dissolution (Isaiah 14:15; 38:17-18; 51:14), where their spirits disintegrate amidst an odious stench (Isaiah 30:33; 34:10; 66:24).

6 See, it is written before me that I will not be stilltill I have paid backb into their bosom 7 theirc own iniquities and theirc fathers’ alike,says Jehovah.To those who kindle sacrifice in the mountains,who affront me on the hills, I will measure outin their laps the payment that has accrued.

Just as the names of Jehovah’s elect are written in the Book of Life (Isaiah 4:3; 34:16)—that is, of eternal life or lives—so it is “written” before God that those who descend to the Perdition category are destined for an entire extinction (Isaiah 26:14; 34:12). Generational “iniquities” or dysfunctional patterns, when not reversed through repentance, consummate in perverted acts of a sacrilegious nature that diametrically oppose and contradict all that is of God. Before Jehovah’s Day of Judgment is over, those who descend to depravity suffer correspondingly grievous punishments (Isaiah 57:3-6; 66:17).

8 Thus says Jehovah:As when there is juice in a cluster of grapesand someone says, Don’t destroy it, it is still good,so I will do for the sake of my servantsby not destroying everything: 9 I will extract offspring out of Jacob,and out of Judah heirs of my mountains;my chosen ones shall inherit them,my servants shall dwell there.

Contrasting the satanic practices of the Perdition category of Jehovah’s people at the extremity of wickedness (vv 3-7) is the redemptive ministry of those who serve as proxy saviors on the seraph level under the terms of the Davidic Covenant. Although Jehovah destroys his alienated people, others who repent he saves “for the sake of my servants”—his “chosen ones”—who answer for their disloyalties in the ancient Near Eastern pattern of vassals to an emperor. Those saved, Jehovah “extracts” and refines like the juice of the grapes and they inherit “mountains” or nations (Isaiah 54:3; 58:14; 60:21).

10 Sharon shall become pasture for flocks,and the Valley of Achor a resting placefor the herds of my people who seek me.

An agricultural economy characterizes Jehovah’s millennial reign of peace: “Then will he water with rain the seed you sow in the ground, that the land’s increase of food may be rich and abundant. In that day your cattle shall graze in ample pasturelands, and the oxen and asses that till the soil eat grain silage winnowed with shovel and fork” (Isaiah 30:23-24; cf. 32:20; 55:10: 62:8-9). Jehovah’s people who inherit promised lands are those who seek him: “They who seek refuge in me shall possess the earth and receive an inheritance in my holy mountain” (Isaiah 57:13b; cf. 26:8-9; 34:16-17; 51:1).

11 As for you who forsake Jehovahand forget my holy mountain,who spread tables for Luckand pour mixed wines for Fortune, 12 I will destine you to the sword;all of you shall succumb to the slaughter.For when I called, you did not respond;when I spoke, you would not give heed.You did what was evil in my eyes;you chose to do what was not my will.

Continuing the contrast between the righteous and the wicked are the gamblers and imbibers among Jehovah’s people whose addictions sever their connection with their Maker. Although Jehovah “calls” and “speaks” to them through his servant (Isaiah 45:19; 50:2, 10; 52:6-7), their alienation renders them unreceptive to choosing what is needful in order for Jehovah to bless them. Even as the restoration of his people continues on apace, their “doing evil” begets evil—the sword and the slaughter—the king of Assyria/Babylon’s destruction of a wicked world (Isaiah 1:20; 34:2-8; 66:15-16).

13 Therefore thus says my Lord Jehovah:
My servants shall eat indeed,while you shall hunger;my servants shall drink indeed,while you shall thirst;my servants shall rejoice indeed,while you shall be dismayed. 14 My servants shall shout indeed, for gladness of heart,while you shall cry out with heartbreak,howling from brokenness of spirit.

Contrasting fates divide the righteous and the wicked of Jehovah’s people as seen in those whose righteousness and wickedness reach their apogee. In the culmination of events that engulf the world, eternal blessings and eternal curses distinguish between them (Isaiah 34:5; 55:3). Although the wicked could equally have inherited the blessings of the righteous, their intractable offenses disqualified them. While Jehovah’s servants experience a complete vindication of their ministry (Isaiah 50:7-9; 61:7; 66:14), those who persecuted them deeply agonize at their folly (cf. Isaiah 41:11; 66:5-6, 24).

15 Your name shall be leftto serve my chosen ones as a cursewhen my Lord Jehovah slays you.But his servants he will call by a different name.

Just as the names Sodom and Gomorrah came to signify injustice, perversion, and damnation (Genesis 18:20; 19:24; Isaiah 1:9-10), so the names of the enemies of Jehovah’s servants are stained forever. Even as the names of persons in the Babylon category are cut off from the earth (Isaiah 14:22; 48:18-19), so the names of those in the Perdition category are cut off from the earth and from eternity (Isaiah 26:13-14; 38:18). Consistent with ascent to higher states of blessedness, on the other hand, Jehovah’s servants receive a new name and a higher spiritual commission (Isaiah 40:26; 56:4-7; 66:22).

16 Those of them who invoke blessingson themselves in the earth shall do so by the true God,and those of them who swear oaths in the earthshall do so by the God of truth.The troubles of the past shall be forgottenand hidden from my eyes.

The parallel incidence of “invoking blessings” and “swearing oaths” shows their interrelationship: covenant blessings come from swearing oaths to Jehovah—as when one makes covenants with him and keeps them (Isaiah 19:18-21; 56:1-5). Mention of the “true God” or “God of truth” infers that, while Jehovah’s people have corrupted their covenant oaths and ordinances (Isaiah 24:5; 48:1), he restores them in their purity (Isaiah 26:7-9; 51:4). In the millennial age of peace that ensues, the “troubles” or “calamities” (sarot) Jehovah’s people brought on themselves entirely fade from memory.

17 See, I create new heavens and a new earth;former events shall not be rememberedor recalled to mind. 18 Rejoice, then, and be glad forever in what I create.See, I create Jerusalem to be a delightand its people a joy.

The rebirth or re-creation of Jehovah’s people on higher spiritual levels—for which their descent phase through adversity prepared them—ultimately brings about the rebirth or re-creation of the earth itself. As the ascent of righteous individuals such as Jehovah’s seraphs-servants directly impacts the ascent of a new nation of Jehovah’s people to exalted spiritual categories, so the parallel ascent of the earth to a paradisiacal glory leads to its positioning in a new or higher heavens. The state of joy that characterizes this development so transforms its participants that it permeates their whole existence.

19 I will delight in Jerusalem, rejoice in my people;no more shall be heard therethe sound of weeping or the cry of distress. 20 No more shall there be infants alive but a few days,or the aged who do not live out their years;those who die young shall be a hundred years old,and those who fail to reach a hundred shall be accursed.

Having accomplished what he conceived from the beginning (Isaiah 25:1; 37:26; 40:13; 46:10-11), Jehovah delights and rejoices in the fruits of his labors. At last, his people have attained a glorious spiritual heritage: “Behold Zion, the city of our solemn assemblies; let your eyes rest upon Jerusalem, the abode of peace—an immovable tent, whose stakes shall never be uprooted, nor any of its cords severed. None who reside there shall say ‘I am ill’” (Isaiah 33:20, 24). As covenant curses become a thing of the past, his people live to an age resembling their ancient progenitors’ (Genesis 5:1-32).

21 When men build houses, they will dwell in them;when they plant vineyards, they will eat their fruit. 22 They shall not build so that others may dwell,or plant so that others may eat.The lifetime of my people shall be as the lifetime of a tree;my chosen ones shall outlast the work of their hands.
23 They shall not exert themselves in vain,or bear children doomed for calamity.For they are of the lineage of those Jehovah has blessed,and their posterity with them. 24 Before they call I will reply;while they are yet speaking I will respond.

Zion’s socio-economic system replaces Babylon’s in the millennial age (Isaiah 30:23-24; 32:15-20). In the absence of transgression, only the results of righteousness appear—peace, productivity, fertility, and longevity. Instead of the iniquities of the parents passing down to their children (Exodus 34:7; Deuteronomy 5:9), only their blessings pass down. When his people petition him, Jehovah instantly answers: “O people of Zion, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, you shall have no cause to weep. He will graciously respond at the cry of your voice; he will answer you as soon as he hears it” (Isaiah 30:19).

25 The wolf and the lamb will graze alike,and the lion will eat straw like the ox;as for the serpent, dust shall be its food:there shall be no harm or injury donethroughout my holy mountain, says Jehovah.

Characterizing Jehovah’s millennial reign is universal harmony among men and beasts (Isaiah 11:6-9; 32:16-20; 54:13-14). While injustices and oppression were the norm when Babylon ruled (Isaiah 14:5-6; 47:6; 51:21-23), now all predatory activity has an end. With the departure of those who “forget my holy mountain” (vv 11-12), Jehovah’s people who return to Zion inherit it and enjoy everlasting peace (Isaiah 27:13; 57:13b; 60:17-18). In Jehovah’s holy mountain the righteous of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people find a true and permanent home (Isaiah 11:11-12; 56:7-8; 60:3-11).

  • a1 So 1QIsaa; LXX. Term not in MT.
  • b6 Text adds and paid back, a probable duplication.
  • c7 So LXX; MT your.


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