Day 202, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Isaiah 56–60
The Rewards of Righteousness
Few of us can achieve at an Olympic level, but everyone likes recognition. At the end of our lives, there’ll be rewards for those who try to please the LORD. What we do now will affect the kinds of awards we might expect later. Some of us may say, “well, I’m not very special. I do menial things for people. Will God reward me, too, or forget me? Will God only remember us if we are in an elite class? How does God determine our rewards?
Rewards for Righteous Jews
In today’s Bible reading, the people of Israel are in exile. Isaiah prophesies that her sister nation, Judah, will suffer the same fate. While they are in exile, some will repent but feel God has forgotten them.
The LORD says, “maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed” (Isaiah 56:1, NIV). In other words, persevere. Keep doing good things and living right—salvation is close.
Soon, this means God will forgive them and return them from exile when they repent. 500 years later, this could refer to the spiritual salvation of the Messiah (Jesus). He would offer it to them when he comes to the earth the first time. In the more distant future, it refers to the end of the Great Tribulation period, when Christ comes back to the earth. Then, all the Israelites living on the earth will recognize the Messiah, whom the Jewish people rejected as their savior (Romans 11:26, Zechariah 12:10; Revelation 1:7).
Rewards for Proselytes
God not only promises salvation to the exiled Jews; he also extends his grace to non-Jewish people (Jewish proselytes) as well. Referring to the 1,000 year reign of Christ, He promises,
To them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.
And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:5-7, NIV).
The watchmen of Israel (false prophets, priests, and leaders of the people), however, were now blind, lazy like dogs, and greedy for personal gain, even when they were in exile. They continued in idol worship and evil deeds. We might think they would realize their deceptive ways got them into this mess, but unfortunately, not.
There were righteous people in exile who were suffering just as much as the rest of the evil Israelites. This is because they were a part of the community.
Like the Israelites, sometimes, because of our associations, we can’t escape the punishment of the wicked—their evil deeds affect us. But even in this, God is gracious. The LORD says,
The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death (Isaiah 57:1-2, NIV).
This is a new perspective for many of us. If some person or group tortures us for our faith, we may prefer death over life (Galatians 2:20), but sometimes God brings death to a righteous person to spare him that agony. Death is peace because of our spiritual life through Christ. It is the LORD, however, who should decide who lives and dies, not us.
God Becomes our Reward
To those in exile who have not yet grieved over their sins and turned from them (repented), they are not beyond hope. The LORD will not be angry forever; he will stop punishing them. God will bring them to repentance and then give them healing in their souls and peace (Isaiah 57:15-19, NIV).
Are any of us considering repentance but haven’t given up our life of sin? God will accept us if we come to him in genuine humility and faith. God says, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2Corinthians 6:2b, NIV, more...).
The exiled Israelites were in misery. They cried out to the LORD and fasted. It seems they were seeking the LORD, but many weren’t. They were just trying to get God’s attention to end their suffering. In Isaiah 58, God tells them the right reasons for fasting.
Why do we go to church, fast, pray, and do things in Jesus’ name? Do we want others to notice us or to get God’s attention? The LORD is more interested in the genuine, heart-felt practice of our faith than just the pretense of righteousness. He wants us to act with godliness, justice, and mercy.
God looks on the exiled Israelites and sees no righteousness and justice, so he does what they can’t do—he becomes their righteousness and justice. The prophet Isaiah then says to Israel, “the Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins, declares the LORD” (Isaiah 59:20, NIV).
What God would soon do for Israel, he would later do for us through his Son, Jesus. The Apostle Peter wrote, “He himself [Jesus] bore our sins in his body on the tree [the cross of Calvary], so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1Peter 2:24, NIV). God will save us, too, if we will turn from our sins and accept Christ’s death on the cross to heal us.(more...)
Eventually, the days of sorrow in Israel’s exile would end. He would bring them back to their land. This would happen when King Cyrus of Persia signs a decree allowing them to return.
Our Ultimate Reward
Today, Israel is again in its time of sorrow. She is in her homeland and threatened on every side. After a terrible time of Tribulation (Revelation 6-21), Jesus will come back to save her. Isaiah says, “Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever” (Isaiah 60:21a). Jesus is coming back for us, too, for all who trust in him for their salvation. We wait expectantly for him.
Discussion
We may wonder if God will reward us someday or if he will forget us. What is required for us to win recognition?
If we suffer because of the wickedness of others, how should we view this?
Why should we go to church, fast, pray, and do things in Jesus’ name?
If we are evil and rebellious, is it too late to come to Jesus in faith? Why or why not? How do we do it?
Focus Verse
Jesus says, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12, NIV).
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Looking Ahead: Our Next lesson comforts Israel and us. The title is Hope for the Hurting.
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