24:10; 34:11; 41:29;

29:21; 49:4;

40:17,23; 44:9; 59:4;

`in vain'

It will be seen that Isaiah uses the word twice in the passage we are

studying.  The earth was not created `in vain' neither was the seed of Jacob

bidden to seek the Lord `in vain'.  In both cases there was a beneficent

purpose, a home for man in the habitable earth, and a home for his spirit in

the presence of his God.  Isaiah not only tells us negatively that the Lord

did not create the earth `in vain', he continues with a positive declaration,

`He formed it to be inhabited'.  It is written of Babylon `It shall never be

inhabited' and of this city `confusion' is predicted (Isa. 34:11).  In

glorious contrast is the blessed restoration of Jerusalem with which the

prophecy of Isaiah is so related.  In this forty -fifth chapter Isaiah is not

so much concerned with a geological argument about the construction of the

earth as recorded in Genesis 1:1,2, as about the restoration of Israel to

their land and city, of which the record of creation in Genesis 1 and 2 is in

some measure a type.  It had been the burden of Isaiah that he had to tell

his people of the desolation of their land and cities:

`Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant' (Isa. 6:11);

but he rejoiced in the prospect of final restoration.  The word translated

`inhabit' is often translated `dwell' and Isaiah says:

`My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure

dwellings, and in quiet resting places' (Isa. 32:18).

This dwelling of the people is the sequel to the fact that:

`The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of

righteousness quietness and assurance for ever' (Isa. 32:17).

Verse 17 provides the basis, verse 18 the experience.  Peace and quietness

are the result of a work of righteousness.  To us today that work is nothing

less than the finished work of Christ.  It is a pertinent question,

therefore, as we face Isaiah 32:17 and 18 and think of many unsettled and

disquieted believers around us to ask such, have you moved into your

`peaceable habitation', do you occupy `sure dwellings', are you enjoying

`quiet resting places'?  In other words, quoting the Revised Version:

`Being therefore justified by faith, Let Us Have Peace with God' (Rom.

5:1 R.V.)

and enter experimentally (patience worketh `experience' Rom. 5:4) into the

finished work of Christ.

Having concentrated attention on the first of the two central members,

namely Creation, we now pass to the second -- Salvation.  First we observe

that a great contrast is instituted.  The prophet addresses the escaped of

the nations saying:

`They have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and

pray unto a god that cannot save' (Isa. 45:20).