LOOK UNTO THE ROCK.
Isaiah 51:1-6.
The imperative “Hearken to me” (Isaiah 51:1; Isaiah 51:4; cf. Isaiah 51:7) is strongly reminiscent of Jesus’ own expression, ‘He that hath ears to hear, let him hear’ (cf. Matthew 11:15; Matthew 13:9). Hearken. Listen intently. The words of God are powerful. ‘The gospel of Christ’ is ‘the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth’ (cf. Romans 1:16). But only if we will hear it, receive it, and take heed to it.
The imperatives of this chapter are addressed to a particular set of people. They are described as “ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD” (Isaiah 51:1). This graduates into ‘ye that KNOW righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law’ (cf. Isaiah 51:7). We may begin by seeking Jesus, but it is when we are ‘made the righteousness of God in Him’ (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21) that He writes His laws upon our hearts (cf. Jeremiah 31:33).
The second imperative is “Look unto the rock” (Isaiah 51:1b). This ultimately refers to God. God is the Rock of our salvation (cf. Deuteronomy 32:15). Jesus is the spiritual Rock that nourished the children of Israel in the wilderness (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:4). Jesus likens those who ‘hear His sayings and doeth them,’ those who hearken to them, to ‘a wise man, which built his house upon a rock’ (cf. Matthew 7:24). Jesus says of Peter’s profession of faith, ‘Upon this rock I will build my church’ (cf. Matthew 16:18). In practice, as we “look unto the rock from which we are hewn” we find ourselves ‘Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith’ (cf. Hebrews 12:2); Beholding ‘the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world’ (cf. John 1:29).
In a secondary sense “the rock whence ye are hewn, and the hole of the pit whence ye are digged” (Isaiah 51:1) are identified as Abraham and Sarah (Isaiah 51:2). But this is not without reference to the work of God, who “called him alone, and blessed him and increased him.” God promised to make Abraham a great nation. Abraham ‘believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness’ (cf. Galatians 3:6-7). We who are born again of the spirit of God are hewn from the same rock, and follow the same faith as righteous Abraham.
The grim picture of Israel envisaged at the beginning of Isaiah 51:3 is of a nation in distress, bereft of its people who would be taken away into exile in Babylon. But into that grief the LORD speaks His words of hope and comfort.
In the short space of a verse we are led from the tragedy of paradise lost to the joy of paradise found. The same LORD who made the nation from one man is now declared to be capable of restoring that which was lost. And today He speaks into our “waste places,” and causes them to blossom anew, and fills our hearts with “joy and gladness,” “thanksgiving and the voice of melody” (Isaiah 51:3).
“Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation” (Isaiah 51:4). Peter, speaking to the church says, ‘But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy NATION, a peculiar PEOPLE’ (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). Paul names the church ‘the Israel of God’ (cf. Galatians 6:15-16). As our present passage proceeds we are made aware of ‘other sheep,’ who are ‘not of this fold’ who ‘hear’ the voice of the good Shepherd, and are brought by Him ‘and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd’ (cf. John 10:16).
“For” (Isaiah 51:4b). This is an important word throughout the Bible, connecting what follows with what went before. We need to hearken “for” or ‘because’ of what the LORD is about to do. “For a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment (or justice) to rest for a light of the people (or peoples).” The light that is lit in Israel becomes a beacon to the wider community of nations (cf. Isaiah 2:3).
“My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people (or peoples)” (Isaiah 51:5; cf. Isaiah 46:13). The Gentile nations are quite definitely in view: “the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.” God’s “arm” is strong to save (cf. Psalm 118:16-17). And even heathen nations long for His mercy.
Another imperative follows: “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath” (Isaiah 51:6). These things shall pass, He tells us: “BUT my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.”
‘Heaven and earth shall pass away,’ said Jesus, ‘but my words shall not pass away’ (cf. Matthew 24:35). Even when heaven and earth do pass away (cf. 2 Peter 3:10), God’s “salvation” and “righteousness” will remain for ever. Our strength is in Him, and His redeemed can never be lost, but are endued with EVERLASTING life (cf. John 3:16).
