November 29, 2023

Isaiah 45:22

Written by:
Rev (Dr) Prabhudas Koshy

READ:

Isaiah 45:22

22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

EXHORTATION:

The LORD appeals to the Jews and to the far-flung heathen world to turn to Him. In verse 20, He said, “Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.” The idols which they had made as their gods were simply unable to save them from their troubles and condemnation.

All should acknowledge the LORD alone as their Saviour, and turn to Him. In verse 21, the LORD said, “Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.” The idols were incapable of offering justice and salvation to those who prayed unto them. So, the LORD challenged them to put their heads together and take counsel to show Him proof as to whether there was any like unto Him who had always been a just and great Saviour to them. He demonstrated His justice by declaring the chastening of Israel (which had indulged in wickedness) by way of sending them into captivity. He then proved that He was a great Saviour by foretelling that He would raise Cyrus, a great king, who would free them and send them back to the land of Israel. This, He not only predicted, but also fulfilled (cf. Isaiah 44:28; 45:1-4; Ezra 1:1-2).

Having shown His plans of justice and deliverance for Israel, the LORD, “invited” the people of the world to look unto Him so that they too may be saved from their sins and condemnation. The LORD still beckons all the peoples of the world, saying, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” The Hebrew word for “look” denotes the act of turning round in order to look in a different direction. The LORD’s message is that all should turn from their “idols” unto Him. Even those who profess to be Christians must make sure that they are steadfastly looking unto the LORD, their Saviour. Otherwise, like the Israelites who went after the idols of the heathen around them, they too would wander away from Him. Let us look steadfastly unto the LORD with faith and obedience, for there is no other Saviour who is just, gracious and faithful to forgive and sanctify us. The LORD alone is the Saviour. The LORD alone can accomplish the great work of our salvation.

Category: 
Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church adheres to the system of faith commonly known as the “Reformed Faith” as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith together with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms.
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