Isaiah 54:13 ......The Hope of Being Taught by God

Much of what we have noted in previous entries is proving helpful as we look at how Jesus fills up the hope given in this book. Isaiah 54:13 is an example of how the hope of Israel, and of the nations,is directed toward the one who fills it up; the God and Father of Jesus, the Messiah.

"All your sons will be taught of the LORD; And the well-being of your sons will be great (Isaiah 54:13)."

Wow, this is such a wonderfully hope-filled passage. The theme of hope through God's generous attention and intention is woven throughout a book that has also emphasized breath-taking disappointment.

disappointment floods the opening statement of Isaiah. "...The LORD speaks, 'Sons I have reared and brought up, But they have revolted against Me. An ox knows its owner, and a donkey its masters manger, but Israel does not know, My people do not understand. Alas, sinful nation'..."

Now this very book sets forth the sure hope that the LORD himself will attend to each person's learning. And it will be very much for their good!

To understand this hope even more clearly we can look to the Gospel of John where Jesus references this passage from the prophet Isaiah.

In the context of John 6, Jesus, a traveling Rabbi, says that those who believe in him will have the life of the ages, because it is God's will that they should have it. Jesus says that he is the one who fills up the meaning of "bread from heaven." These statements are so centered on him as God's provision of life that even some who would have hoped he was Messiah find it hard to accept.

Jesus answered and said to them, "Do not grumble among yourselves. "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. "It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me (John 6:43-45)."

The "...all shall be taught of God...," in Isaiah 54 is is found in "all those who believe in Jesus," the Jew first and also the Gentile.

These passages remind me of Jeremiah 31:34 and Hebrews 8:11 which give a very similar perspective on who the recipients of the prophetic promises are.