Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"The LORD will go before you"
Text: Isaiah 52:12
PLANS FOR DEPARTURE
The LORD gave strong and clear plans concerning the time when Israel would depart from their Babylonian captivity! The Presence of the LORD was promised
“Depart! Depart! Go out from there,
Touch no unclean thing;
Go out from the midst of her,
Be clean,
You who bear the vessels of the LORD.
For you shall not go out with haste,
Nor go by flight;
For the LORD will go before you,
And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”
Isaiah 52:11-12
1. Preparation was necessary.
a) Israel must look forward to departing from Babylon.
b) They must bear in mind the following instructions:
i) They must be sure they will not carry with them Babylonian idols.
ii) These were called “unclean things”.
iii) The challenge was to “be clean”.
c) A special challenge was issued to:
i) Those who bear the vessels of the LORD.
ii) This would be a reference to the priests and Levites.
2. The Manner of Israel’s Departure.
a) They will not go:
i) In haste,
ii) Nor “in flight”.
b) They will leave Babylon:
i) In dignity.
ii) In the spirit of triumph that God reigns.
3. A special word of promise.
a) The LORD would go before them.
b) He would also be behind them as a “rear guard”.
4. Reminiscent of Israel’s departure from Egypt.
a) They left in orderly fashion like an organised army.
b) The LORD went with His people then.
i) By day, a pillar of cloud.
ii) By night, a pillar of fire.
c) His Presence and Protection. Israel had every reason to rejoice!