Reflections on Isaiah 26

Isaiah 26 (Contemporary English Version)
1. The time is coming when the people of Judah will sing this song: "Our city is protected. The LORD is our fortress, and he gives us victory.
   
2. Open the city gates for a law-abiding nation that is faithful to God.
   
3. The LORD gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm.
   
4. So always trust the LORD because he is forever our mighty rock.
   
5. God has put down our enemies in their mountain city and rubbed it in the dirt.
   
6. Now the poor and abused stomp all over that city."
   
7. Our LORD, you always do right, and you make the path smooth for those who obey you.
   
8. You are the one we trust to bring about justice; above all else we want your name to be honored.
   
9. Throughout the night, my heart searches for you, because your decisions show everyone on this earth how to live right.
   
10. Even when the wicked are treated with mercy in this land of justice, they do wrong and are blind to your glory, our LORD.
    
11. Your hand is raised and ready to punish them, but they don't see it. Put them to shame! Show how much you care for us and throw them into the fire intended for your enemies.
    
12. You will give us peace, LORD, because everything we have done was by your power.
    
13. Others have ruled over us besides you, our LORD God, but we obey only you.
    
14. Those enemies are now dead and can never live again. You have punished them-- they are destroyed, completely forgotten.
    
15. Our nation has grown because of you, our LORD. We have more land than before, and you are honored.
    
16. When you punished our people, they turned and prayed to you, our LORD.
    
17. Because of what you did to us, we suffered like a woman about to give birth.
    
18. But instead of having a child, our terrible pain produced only wind. We have won no victories, and we have no descendants to take over the earth.
    
19. Your people will rise to life! Tell them to leave their graves and celebrate with shouts. You refresh the earth like morning dew; you give life to the dead.
    
20. Go inside and lock the doors, my people. Hide there for a little while, until the LORD is no longer angry.
    
21. The LORD will come out to punish everyone on earth for their sins. And when he does, those who did violent crimes will be known and punished.

---

In the midst of Isaiah's message of judgment on Israel and the surrounding nations, and with the threat of Assyrian invasion strong on the minds of the people of Judah comes this song of comfort for the land of Judah. It is a song that Judah would not be ready to sing in the day of Isaiah, but will sing "On that day." (26:1) When is that day? Some say it is when Judah is restored to the land while others say it is that period at the end of time when Christ will reign. In either case, it is beyond the lifetime of the people to whom Isaiah delivers his message. For these people this song gives a message of hope for the future plus a word of comfort for the present.

For the present travails they faced, the people of Judah could find comfort in knowing that the Lord "will keep in perfect peace the mind that is dependent on You, for it is trusting in You." This is one of my favorite verses in scripture. The truth this verse conveys to me promises me peace regardless of my circumstances. Inner tranquilty, which is the subject of this verse, is not dependent on outward peace in the environment around me. Nor is this tranquility dependent on the hope of outward peace soon to come. The truth this verse conveys is that inner tranquility is found only by trusting in the Lord. It is a trust that also involves a submission of our lives into the Lord's hands trusting that He will make our paths level and clear a straight path for us, as stated in verse 7. It is only by trusting our lives to the Lord that such inner tranquility can be found. It will not be found in life's circumstances such as wealth, family, prestige, outward peace, or whatever. It is found only in the Lord. Thus, Isaiah says "Our desire is for Your name and renown. "I long for You in the night; yes, my spirit within me diligently seeks You." (26:9)

Then Isaiah reveals the purpose of God's judgment. It is that "the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." Furthermore, he says, "If the wicked is shown favor, he does not learn righteousness." (26:9-10) Though it might not be said of all judgment, God's judgment is redemptive. It is always intended to lead people - all people, both Jew and Gentile - to righteousness. The fact that this purpose is not always accomplished points to the foolish hearts of mankind who refuse to accept God's redemption.

If Judah were to trust in the Lord, He would establish peace for them, doing all the work for them as is pointed out in verse 12. Instead, they attempted to bring peace in their own efforts and Isaiah compared the result to a pregnant woman who goes through the pains of childbirth only to give "birth to wind." It was of no benefit. Peace did not result. So for the time being, the people of Judah are advised to "enter your rooms and close your doors behind you. Hide for a little while until the wrath has passed. For look, the LORD is coming from His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal the blood shed on it and will no longer conceal her slain." (26:20-21)