GOD will JUDGE with MERCY, TRUTH, and RIGHTEOUSNESS!
July 21
Bible Reading: Isaiah Chapters 16-18
GOD will JUDGE with MERCY, TRUTH and RIGHTEOUSNESS!
"In mercy the throne will be
established; and One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David,
judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness." (Isaiah
16:5)
The above
verse is a possible reference to the rule of Hezekiah, but more likely it is a prophecy of the messianic rule of the throne of
David. "On that day I will raise up
the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; I will
raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old; that they may possess
the remnant of Edom, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name," says
the Lord who does this thing. (Amos 9:11-12) This prophecy is repeated in
the New Testament as well: “After this I
will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I
will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; so that the rest of mankind may
seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord
who does all these things." (Acts 15:16-17)
Moab’s only
hope is in making peace with Judah. The refugees of Moab would send tribute to
Judah’s king, asking him to take them in and “be their shelter from the destroyer”. Moab would go to the king of
the house of David and ask Him to rule over them. The spoiler, extortioner, and
oppressor will cease, and the Lord will reign on the throne of David in mercy,
truth, and righteousness. The reference to One sitting on the throne in the
tabernacle of David would seem to place this passage in a millennial context,
when Christ shall sit upon the throne of David and extend His mercy toward the
remnant of Moab.
This prophecy assures us of the mercy
God had in store for us in the future! God’s people shall not be long outcasts; they shall have
tribulation ten days (Rev. 2:10), and that is all. Jesus shall sit upon the
throne in truth, and will be a protector to those that have been a shelter to
the people of God. He shall seek judgment and do right to those that are
wronged while punishing the wicked. He shall hasten righteousness, and will not
delay to do justice. Thus, Moab’s salvation ultimately lies in the coming One,
Jesus the Messiah, whose throne will be established (9:1–7; 11:1–5). In other
words, God will establish Israel’s rule over Moab (11:14) through One who is a
descendant of David (see 61:1; Luke 4:18–20).
Thus, prophet
Isaiah looked beyond this event to the time when the Son of God would sit on
David’s throne and bring in righteousness and justice (16:5). God had already made
a covenant with David (55:3; 2 Sam. 22:51; Ps. 89:28). In Jesus, the Son of David,
the nations find shelter as He would be faithful to His promises and would
judge with mercy, truth and righteousness.
Let us be
assured that one day all the wrongs and injustices done against us will be done
right as Jesus will rule over the throne of David and will judge with mercy,
truth and righteousness!
