Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"The LORD will have mercy on Jacob"
Text: Isaiah 14:1
THE MERCY OF THE LORD
The mercy of the LORD becomes even more outstanding against the backdrop of His righteousness anger. The names “Jacob” and “Israel” were deliberately used to communicate God’s mercy.
“For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel,
and settle them in their own land.
The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob.
Then people will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel
will possess them for servants and maids in the land of the LORD;
they will take them captive whose captives they were, and rule over their oppressors.”
Isaiah 14:1-2
1. The name “Jacob”.
a) That was the original name given to the twin brother of Esau by his parents.
b) He was “a heel-grabber” from birth.
c) It characterised his life of cunning and deceit.
d) If anyone needs mercy, it would be “Jacob”.
2. The name “Israel”.
a) This name was given to Jacob by God.
b) He was “a prince in the sight of the LORD”.
c) He had become humble and prayerful.
d) This new name signified a change of character of Jacob.
3. The LORD choosing Israel.
a) God had promised Abraham the land of Canaan.
b) This promise was reiterated to Isaac and to Jacob (Israel).
c) This promise was repeated here with additional thoughts.
4. The additional thoughts:
a) “Strangers” will cling to them.
i) These would not be native Israel.
ii) This is a prophetic reference to Gentiles joining and clinging to Israel.
iii) They will also find faith in the LORD.
iv) They will be the Israel of the prophetic future.
b) Historical significance.
i) God will cause the Medes and Persians to help Israel
when they are allowed to return to their native land.
ii) Israel would return and become successful.
iii) They would be able to have servants and maids in the land of the LORD.
c) A twist of events.
i) Once, Israel was oppressed (by the Assyrians and Babylonians).
ii) When Israel is brought home to the land of the LORD, they will be able to employ former oppressors as their servants.
iii) This was the mercy that the LORD promised He would give to Israel.