ISAIAH 59
The images in this chapter teach important spiritual truths.
Hands (1–3). God’s hand is unable to work when our hands are defiled with sin. Our prayers accomplish nothing (
Poison (4–5). A lie is not just a sound in the air or a sentence on paper. It has a life of its own and gives birth to all kinds of trouble. Try to live on lies, and they will poison you. When lies finally “hatch,” they will bite you and may kill you (
Spiders’ webs (6–8). Trying to hide behind lies and hypocritical religious works is like clothing yourself with a spider’s web. The sins described here were committed by religious people. No wonder God withheld His blessings! Is He doing that today?
Traffic jam (9–15). It is dark. The pedestrians on the streets are blind and are acting like beasts. Truth has fallen in the street and progress has ceased. The “traffic officers” (justice and righteousness) are standing far off because the people will not let them exercise authority.
Manhunt (16–21). God searched for one person to intercede for His people, but He found none, so He did the work Himself. Are you an intercessor? Are you concerned about the “traffic jam” that hinders God’s work and robs God of glory?
“God will bless Elijah and send rain on Israel, but Elijah must pray for it. If the chosen nation is to prosper, Samuel must plead for it. If the Jews are to be delivered, Daniel must intercede. God will bless Paul, and the nations shall be converted, but Paul must pray. . . . Let me have your prayers, and I can do anything! Let me be without my people’s prayers, and I can do nothing!”
Charles Haddon Spurgeon