Focus: A little bit of context
This is a chapter with much hyperbole and metaphor. We have a prophecy against Israel, but amid the doom and gloom, God focuses on the remnant and gives them promises. We have a divide between apostate Israel who is not trying to worship God (we’ll call them Jerusalem) and remnant Israel who are trying to worship God (we’ll call them Zion). Exile comes to them all, but remnant Zion is saved. God is responding to the sin among His people. We also have a chapter in which 70 AD is in the prophet’s view.
Focus: How does this draw us to God?
God does not uphold sin, but He is also fair. The language we see in these verses mentions half (½). The half-talk is prophetic verbiage for grace amid the judgment. The judgment is not 100% for some are faithful and God saves those who are faithful to Him. There is balance and relenting and grace even when God punishes sin. This is important!
We are encouraged not to ignore God. The result of ignoring God is “panic” (verse 13). The Hebrew word here means “utter confusion,” and “disturbance,” but the best English word to use is “panic.” This is the same word used of the Philistines in 1 Samuel 5 when the ark of the covenant caused issues among their bodies and in the temple of Dagon. Fear comes because God is ignored.
Let us not ignore God!
Focus: OT to the cross
This chapter describes the Gospel going out (verses 3-5) to the north, east, south, and west. The message goes out beyond Israel because God is the conqueror of all nations through His Promised Son Jesus. The Living water goes out (verses 7-8) which is a direct symbol of Jesus and the Gospel.
We see a foreshadowing in verses 16-17 that Jesus tabernacles with us (John 1). Only with Jesus Christ will there be blessings. The blessing of this is that all nations are included, even Egypt. We have language that reminds us of a second exodus in many ways where even Egypt goes into the Promised Land. This passage is about the Gospel Age where all nations can come to Jesus for salvation. We are God’s people and we are led into the Promised Land where everyone can come. Every nation can go to Zion. Zion is Jesus. The way into Zion is Jesus. This is all a type and shadow of what is to come because of the blessings of the Gospel.
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Dwelling In Scripture 