Wednesday after Rogate

Scripture: Isaiah 29:18-24 (NKJV)

18 In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.

19 The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

20 For the terrible one is brought to nothing, the scornful one is consumed, and all who watch for iniquity are cut off—

21 Who make a man an offender by a word, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and turn aside the just by empty words.

22 Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: “Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now grow pale;

23 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.

24 These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, and those who complained will learn doctrine.”

Devotion

The Lord, through His servant Isaiah, alternately prophesies dire judgment for Israel because of selfishness and idolatry, and the good news of redemption for the faithful remnant. Saints Matthew and Mark both record Jesus citing the reference in Isaiah 29:13 to the people’s duplicity, honoring God with their lips and denying Him in their hearts. Even so, five verses later we find the words “in that day” not predicting fire and sulfur from Heaven, but ushering in a prophecy not only in keeping with Jesus’ own preaching but also fulfilled in the presence of many witnesses, doing wonderful things by giving sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf.

What’s more, no longer would evil men sit in the gate and bring false accusations against the innocent. It was indeed deliverance from the snare of the fowler. In Jesus we have the even greater assurance that no one will be able to bring any charge against those who, by the grace of God, trust in Him. And the Lord promises to extend His kingdom of grace, granting the gift of time so that His teachings might be understood and embraced. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).

We pray: Heavenly Father, forgive me if I am guilty of any duplicity as I pray, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus,” yet also ask for the sake those who do not yet trust in Jesus the gift of time that they also come to understanding and learn Your holy doctrine. Amen.