I Am Holier Than You

Our Bible passage, introduction to Sunday 19th May service and hymns are below.

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Our principal verses are:

Isa 65:1  I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.

Isa 65:2  I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;

Isa 65:3  A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;

Isa 65:4  Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;

Isa 65:5  Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

Isa 65:6  Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,

Isa 65:7  Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.

Isa 65:8  Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.

Isa 65:9  And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.

 I Am Holier Than You

Once again we are in the happy position of not having to wonder who the speaker is in these opening verses. The Apostle tells us in Romans 10 that these verses speak of Christ gathering His elect people from the nations of the world. It is Christ, not Isaiah, who was found by poor Gentiles. The gospel was sent into all the world to be preached among the nations when the rebellious people, that is, the Jews, rejected Christ.

God is not mocked

This chapter prophesies judgment of the Jewish nation which long had despised the Lord’s overtures of divine goodness. If the Jews of Isaiah’s day should wonder why their nation is to be overthrown and carried into exile the prophet provides the answer; a catalogue of crimes for which they are condemned. The common threads in all their offences from verses 2-7 is idolatry and pride. ‘Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou.’

Yet, – a blessing is in it

However, we read too of the preservation of a remnant from amongst the Jews who shall not be destroyed ‘for a blessing is in it’. This ‘remnant according to the election of grace’ would be saved from the general ruin. The blessing ‘in it’ was the line of Christ the Messiah by whose coming salvation would be accomplished and the gospel sent into all the world for the redemption of many. The man Jesus was the seed brought forth out of Jacob, out of the tribe of Judah, to inherit God’s ‘mountains’ the church.

Help in Sharon and Achor

Christ is the Father’s first and principal chosen One. His people are chosen in Him. Grace is bestowed on God’s elect people in their state of nature to bring them to know and ask for Christ. Finding Christ is finding rest from our own works. He is a fold to safeguard His flock when they dwell and feed in fertile Sharon. The valley of Achor represented past shame and distress. Now, in the Lord, it is a place of grace and peace. Here Isaiah is again preaching a gospel message of redemption, protection and provision for God’s people in Christ.

Transforming grace

Isaiah compares and contrasts outcomes for Christ’s church with those who perform evil in the sight of God. ‘Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.’ The repeated use of ‘behold’ highlights the amazing nature of grace.

God shall supply all our need

Eating and drinking, rejoicing and singing do not primarily mean physical blessings though the Lord does providentially supply the daily needs of His people for their good. The provision of spiritual food and drink is in view. Christ, the bread of life, and redemption by His blood, brings joy to a believer’s heart, even when trials abound. The Saviour implants a new song in the soul of the church to the praise of His glory and success.

Cursed forever

The Jews who despised God in their own lifetimes, with those who denied Christ in His lifetime, will carry their curse forever. The Lord’s people, on the other hand, shall be called by a new name. Perhaps Isaiah is alluding to ‘Hephzibah’ and ‘Beulah’, from chapter 62, in whom the Lord delights, they being married to Him. Or, perhaps the name ‘Christian’ is here anticipated by Isaiah, first given to the disciples at Antioch, and continued ever since.

All things new

In the final verses of the chapter Isaiah foresees the new life and new covenant that is revealed by Christ. Jesus makes all things new, culminating in new heavens and a new earth. It is again remarkable how full and far-reaching was the gospel revelation granted to these Old Testament believers. Not only were they informed about the Messiah and His personal accomplishments, they also glimpsed scenes from the end of time and eternal glory to come when Christ will restore all things according to promise (Acts 3:21).

Happy prospect!

These themes of joy – the end of weeping, long life, building, planting and enjoying the fruit of labour – are pictures of the spiritual experience of those who have faith in Christ in this world and also of the heavenly promises and eternal inheritances God has laid up in store for His people when they enter fully into the presence of their Saviour. Isaiah’s remnant-Israel must yet endure much trouble but their prospect thereafter is joyous. We, too, must face hardships in time but our blessings in eternity far outweigh the troubles we face today.

Amen

Our hymns are below.

Hymn 1

Gadsby selection 19

A New Song to the Lamb that was Slain. Rev. 5. 6-12

I. Watts                                                     C.M.

    1
Behold the glories of the Lamb,
Amidst his Father’s throne;
Prepare new honours for his name,
And songs before unknown.

2
Let elders worship at his feet;
The church adore around;
With vials full of odours sweet,
And harps of sweeter sound.

3
Those are the prayers of the saints,
And these the hymns they raise –
Jesus is kind to our complaints,
He loves to hear our praise.

4
Eternal Father, who shall look
Into thy secret will?
Who but the Son shall take that book,
And open every seal?

5
He shall fulfil thy great decrees;
The Son deserves it well;
Lo! in his hands the sovereign keys
Of heaven, and death, and hell.

6
Now to the Lamb that once was slain,
Be endless blessings paid;
Salvation, glory, joy remain
For ever on thy head.

7
Thou hast redeemed our souls with blood,
Hast set the prisoners free,
Hast made us kings and priests to God,
And we shall reign with thee.

8
The worlds of nature and of grace
Are put beneath thy power;
Then shorten these delaying days,
And bring the promised hour.

Hymn 2

Gadsby selection 1136

“In blessing I will bless thee.” Gen. 22. 17

T. Kelly   8.7.7.

1
Saviour! follow with thy blessing
Truths delivered in thy name;
Thus the word, thy power possessing,
Shall declare from whence it came.
Mighty let thy gospel be,
Set the burdened sinner free.

2
Let the word be food to nourish
Those whom thou hast called thy own;
Let thy people’s graces flourish;
May they live to thee alone.
May we all in Jesus live,
And to God the glory give.

Man's reason causes him to imagine he knows how to pleased God. It gives him a false notion of holiness. Christ's coming was a new beginning for all those called to faith in Him. We are accepted in Christ and made perfect and holy in the Lord.

19th May 2024