A Prayer of Repentance

THE destruction of Jerusalem and her temple in 607 B.C.E. was discipline from Jehovah, an expression of his extreme disapproval.  The disobedient nation of Judah deserved the severe punishment.  Yet, Jehovah did not intend that the Jews be exterminated.  The apostle Paul alluded to the purpose of Jehovah's discipline when he said:  "True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but grievous; yet afterward to those who have been trained by it yields peaceable fruit, namely, righteousness." -Hebrews 12:11.

How will the Jews react to the hard experience?  Will they hate Jehovah's discipline?  (Psalm 5-0:16, 17) Or will they accept it as training? Will they repent and be healed?  (Isaiah 57:18; Ezekiel 18:23)  The prophecy of Isaiah suggests that at least some of the former inhabitants of Judah will respond well to the discipline. Beginning in the last verses of chapter 63 and continuing through chapter 64, the nation of Judah is represented  as a contrite people who approach Jehovah in heartfelt supplication. The prophet Isaiah, on behalf of his countrymen in their future exile, utters a prayer of repentance. While doing so, he speaks of coming events as if they were taking place before his eyes. 

Next time: A Compassionate Father

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001