Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"They will see and be ashamed"
Text: Isaiah 26:11
THE PROBLEM OF WICKEDNESS
Isaiah highlighted a special problem about the wicked. In ordinary circumstances, they will not be able to learn what it means to be righteous. Only in extreme circumstances would they begin to learn the value of righteousness.
“Let grace be shown to the wicked,
Yet he will not learn righteousness;
In the land of uprightness he will deal unjustly,
And will not behold the majesty of the LORD.
LORD, when Your hand is lifted up, they will not see.
But they will see and be ashamed
For their envy of people;
Yes, the fire of Your enemies shall devour them.”
Isaiah 26:10-11
1. If grace is shown to the wicked.
a) Would they learn about righteousness easily?
b) Isaiah’s observation:
i) The wicked will not learn righteousness.
ii) They have no interest.
iii) Grace is not understood or appreciated.
2. If the wicked lived in the land of uprightness.
a) Would they learn righteousness?
b) Isaiah’s response was an emphatic “No!”
i) He would continue to deal unjustly.
ii) He would not see the majesty of the LORD in righteousness.
3. Even if the LORD were to lift up His hands.
a) The wicked would not see God’s hand.
b) God’s hands are lifted up to offer deliverance for His people.
c) His great power would be obvious to the righteous but not to the wicked.
4. Would the wicked ever learn?
a) Yes!
b) When the fire of God in the hearts of their enemies defeat them.
i) Then they would feel shame in their defeat.
ii) They would feel envy of the people more powerful than they.
c) But the lesson had been learned too late.
i) Many of the wicked would perish in battle.
ii) Or they would be mortally wounded.