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And so we come at last to the great prophecy of Isaiah which opens with
a complaint against this people, but which commences the second part with
words of comfort to this people (Isa. 1:3; Isa. 40:1).
The Use of the Word 'People' in the Prophets
The prophecy of Isaiah opens with a charge of rebellion and ingratitude
against Israel saying:
'The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel
doth not know, My people doth not consider' (Isa. 1:3).
He calls them a people laden with iniquity, and likens them to the
people of Gomorrah (1:4,10). In chapter 6 Isaiah confessed that he dwelt in
the midst of a people of unclean lips, and received the solemn message:
'Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not ... make
the heart of this people fat ...' (Isa. 6:5,9,10).
He charged them with hypocrisy saying:
'This people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do
honour Me, but have removed their heart far from Me' so said the Lord
'I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people' (Isa.
29:13,14).
A great change, however, is made evident with the opening of Isaiah 40:
'Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God' (40:1).
The elect Servant is given 'for a covenant of the people' (42:6). A
people of whom the Lord said, 'this people have I formed for Myself; they
shall shew forth My praise' (43:21).
In the great Messianic chapter, Isaiah 53, Israel are spoken of once,
but there it is recorded concerning the offering made by the Saviour 'for the
transgression of My people was He stricken' (53:8). With this as a basis,
this people 'laden with iniquity' can now be spoken of as in 60:21, 'Thy
people also shall be all righteous' and in 63:18, as 'the people of Thy
holiness'. At last this rebellious and gainsaying people, likened to sheep
that go astray, are seen returning to the shepherd of their souls:
'And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place
for the herds to lie down in, for My people that have sought Me' (Isa.
65:10).
This blessed restoration is the firstfruits of the New Creation, and
the prophet calls upon all to rejoice saying:
'But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for,
behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy' (65:18).
Millennial blessings are at last attained, weeping and crying cease, and:
'... as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect
shall long enjoy the work of their hands' (Isa. 65:22).