Dare to Live For God - Isaiah 52:1-12
As the period of Judean captivity in Babylon drew near to its conclusion, the prophetic words of Isaiah ranged out for the captives to awaken. The captives were called to put on beautiful clothes or more specifically attributes of holiness and righteousness. They were admonished to remove the chains of sinfulness which had resulted in their enslavement in a foreign land. In essence, the call to awaken was God’s reminder for the captives to live a lifestyle different from their godless captors.
The words of Isaiah reminded the people that they belonged to God. God had allowed the nation of Judah to be enslaved by Babylon and would now redeem the people from that predicament. Their history with God included past bondage to the Egyptians and Assyrians, and now the current enslavement to the Babylonians. However, God would not allow His name to be continually blasphemed by godless people. The prophecy from God stated that “…I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that I am the one who speaks to them (ISA 52:6, NLT).”
Following the call for the Judean captives to be different from their godless captors and the reminder of their heritage as God’s children, Isaiah’s prophecy calls for them to joyfully proclaim their salvation. The prophecy declares that it is a beautiful enterprise to proclaim the good news of peace and salvation. The captives were encouraged to shout joyfully for God would comfort and redeem His children via a demonstration of His Holy Power before the eyes of all nations. The good news included a call to depart from uncleanness (sinfulness) and to embrace purity (fellowship with God), and notification of divine protection (God’s presence going before and following behind).
Today, there is a pervasive belief in our society that the highest goal or achievement is the satisfaction of self, irrespective of all other considerations. However, I believe that the satisfaction of self apart from the divine purpose of God for one's life is the epitome of sinfulness. The Judean captives were reminded by God that they were His people and that they were to live their lives according to His divine purpose. Likewise, humanity has been called to believe on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and live for God, the Creator of the Universe. Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior are to declare the Good News of His Salvation. Our society needs to know that there is a better lifestyle - holiness - and that embracing the prevailing depravity in society does not have to be the determinate for one’s eternal destiny. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Eternal Life.