READ: Is. 29:17-24 … Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now grow pale; but when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will hallow My name, and hallow the Holy One of Jacob, and fear the God of Israel. These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, and those who complained will learn doctrine.
Amid all the apostasy and the resulting difficulties, Isaiah also prophesies of a glorious future! Isaiah speaks of the restoration of the remnant of the church.
Those who hoped in God during their troubles will see the eradication of violent oppressors, mockers, false witnesses, and perpetrators of injustice (v.20). But the meek, who honored God under heavy opposition, and the humble, who were oppressed by the wicked, will rejoice!
We read this also in the beatitudes of the LORD Jesus, Matt. 5: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted; blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth; … blessed are those who are persecuted … blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven …”
There is a great reversal when the LORD restores His people: the deaf will hear the gospel, the blind will see again. The land will become fruitful once more. Jacob will no longer be ashamed of his descendants (v.22; compare Mal. 4:6, Luke 1:17).
The salvation that Abraham experienced in the covenant of grace, which worked towards the coming of Christ, will once again be experienced by his descendants. This was fulfilled when the exiles returned, but even more so with the coming of Christ.
It points forward to the perfect holiness and joy at Christ’s Second Coming when eternal blessedness dawns for all the meek and poor in spirit. Then all suffering will be over.
What is the hallmark of meekness?
Sing: Ps. 37:5