"Whom Jehovah Loves He Disciplines"

Isaiah knows that any peace and prosperity that his fellow countrymen enjoy is due to Jehovah's blessing. "O Jehovah, you will adjudge peace to us, because even all our works you have performed for us."  (Isaiah 26:12) In spite of this and in spite of Jehovah's  having set before his people the opportunity to become  "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation," Judah has had a checkered history.   (Exodus 19:6) Repeatedly, her people have turned to the worship of false gods. As a result, time after time they have been disciplined.  Such discipline, however, is evidence of Jehovah's love because "whom Jehovah loves he disciplines." -Hebrews 12:6.

Often, Jehovah disciplines his people by allowing other nations, "other masters," to dominate them.  (Read Isaiah 26:13)  In 607 B.C.E., he allows the Babylonian's  to take them into exile.  Does this benefit them?  Suffering in itself does not benefit a person. However, if the sufferer learns from what happens, repents, and gives Jehovah exclusive devotion, then he benefits.  (Deuteronomy 4:25-31)  Do any Jews show godly repentance?  Yes!  Isaiah says prophetically:  "By you only shall we make mention of your name." After their return from exile in 537 B.C.E., the Jews often need discipline for other sins, but they never again fall prey to worshiping gods of stone.

What of Judah's captors?  "Impotent in death, they will not rise up.  Therefore you have turned your attention that you  might annihilate them and destroy all mention of them." (Isaiah 26:14) Babylon will suffer for the cruelties visited upon Jehovah's chosen nation. By means of the Medes and the Persians, Jehovah will overturn proud Babylon and free his exiled people.  That great city Babylon, will be rendered impotent, as good as dead.  Eventually, she will cease to exist.

In the modern fulfillment, a remnant of chastened spiritual Israel was set free from Babylon the Great and restored to Jehovah's service in 1919.  Revitalized, anointed Christians threw themselves into their preaching work.  (Matthew 24:14)  In turn, Jehovah has blessed them with increase, even bringing in a great crowd of "other sheep"  to serve with them.  (John 10:16) "You have added to the nation; O Jehovah, you have added to the nation; you have glorified yourself.  You have extended afar all the borders of the land. O Jehovah, during distress they have turned their attention to you; they have poured out a whisper of prayer when they had your disciplining." -Isaiah 26:15, 16.

Next time: "They Will Rise Up"

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000