“Who has Believed?”
Scripture reading for July 13: Isaiah 53:1-3 “Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For He grew up before Him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He had no form or majesty that we should look on Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as One from Whom men hide their faces.”
Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
One of the most famous passages in Isaiah describing God’s plan of salvation and healing is found in chapter 53. We will explore this passage this week in relation to God’s revelation of His heart to bring restoration to His people through faith in the One that He would send. Matthew 8:16-17 applies this passage in Isaiah to Jesus’ ministry of healing and deliverance.
Today’s passage begins with two questions for God’s people. The first question asks about our faith: “Who has believed what he has heard from us?” Faith is foundational to pleasing God, for without it, it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6) Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) Isaiah asked God’s people if they trusted and believed what God said to them through his ministry.
The second question concerns revelation knowledge. This is knowledge gained from God’s Word that is beyond what our senses may be able to discern. “To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” asked the Israelites to discern beyond their human understanding. God revealed that His Messiah/Servant would come out of ‘dry ground’, not appearing to be anyone special and in a time of spiritual dryness. This ‘Servant’ would have no human characteristics that would mark Him as Messiah. In fact, He would be despised and rejected by men. He would be a man of sorrows and experience much grief. Some would want to hide their faces from Him. To discern God’s Messiah would require revelation knowledge beyond human reasoning.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for speaking to us, Your people. Thank You for revealing Your Son, Jesus Christ, that we might find our help in the Arm of the Lord that You provided to save us from our sins, sickness and disease. Open the eyes of our hearts to behold You. Amen.
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