For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing. Isaiah 30:15
In the context of this chapter, Israel has made an allegiance with Egypt which Isaiah has advised against. Isaiah is voicing God’s displeasure and in the process, revealing things about God, who is now our Father. God, being my Father, definitely alters how I read the Old Testament. I do not at all mean to be frivolous with holy texts but my imagination kicked in and I went down a path wondering; if Isaiah were a contemporary author, what would he title his book. Perhaps it would be titled; How Then Shall We be Saved? Without loosing track of our verse or text, here is my review of this imaginary book.
How Then Shall We Be Saved?
Part 1 – Not Like This
Chapters 1 – Making Plans Without God
Planning without God exposes Israel as false sons. These rebellious children compound their misery by making and executing their own independent plans. To reinforce their delusion, they pressure God’s spokesmen to only speak to them pleasant words not true words reflecting God’s Holy nature. The holiness of God is the thing they, above all, do not want to hear about. (2 Timothy 4:3,4)
Chapter 2 – If You Persist
This is God”s fair warning that to proceed on this path can best be likened to a clay jar that might be useful in holding water but which shall be broken; not just cracked, not just reduced to shards, crushed suddenly into unrecognizable powder. God alludes to a sense of paranoia overtaking those who were not wiling to listen. The consequence is becoming isolated and, consequently, easy prey.
Chapters 3 – ? – Accounts
These chapters will detail in one story after another how this has been a chronic pattern – always yielding the same disastrous consequence. The author hammers on the attributes of God’s holiness and justice.
Part 2 – Like This
Chapter 1 – God’s Nature
A review of God’s attributes focusing on His holiness, His justice and His compassion
Chapter 2 – God’s Intentions
Gives a peek into God’s heart where it is revealed that while being holy and just He simultaneously longs to be gracious and He waits patiently to reveal His compassion.
Chapter 3 – How God Has Planned Your Salvation
The details are sparse (it still the Old Testament) but the spirit is clear. Put succinctly; It is “In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength“. In the absence of specific details and information to satisfy the intellect, the author attempts to entice and whet the spirit with these words; “How blessed are all those who long for Him“.
Chapter 4 – If You Obey
This chapter entails the myriad blessings of those who would “get it”. For them it will be a day of renouncing dependencies on things other than God. Consequently, the water will be turned on again and even the earth’s longing and thirst for moisture will be satisfied. With God, even the broken clay jar (that He personally crushed) can be repaired to carry water once again. Unbelievably brighter days will come. The Lord’s wrath will be turned from His own people, full bore onto those who dealt treacherously with His own “true” children.
Epilogue
The author tries to boil it down to a simple understanding. Since the Garden incident, It has always been inherent to man’s nature to save himself, whether it be from his original “guilt” which he compensates for through his offerings of good works or his “insecurity” which he compensates for by trusting in his own independent plans – born of his own ingenuity and initiative. In short, he compulsively makes alliances with the world (and reaps the consequence) but fails to make alliances with the Spirit, forgoing the blessing.
The author confidently asserts his status as a “seer in good standing”. He is unapologetic but acknowledges his, almost painful awareness, that many of His titles have dark themes and that he leaves the reader hanging. As one who seems to know his story is incomplete, he practically begs his readers to listen for the hope in all he has written. He claims there is an underlying theme (or spirit) of longing that is intended for the true children to pick up on. He indicates they will latch onto the spirit of verse 15:
In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.
He concludes with a strong recommendation that this theme of longing will be picked up on by future authors who will have been given much to compliment Part 2 of How Then Shall We Be Saved?
Father, please cause us to be those who long. Please help us to somehow get a hold of the immeasurable privilege we have as Your true sons and daughters. Let profound gratitude be our daily response as the beneficiaries of our New Covenant revealed. Let astonishment and wonder grip us as we realize that The Spirit of Salvation, Strength and Peace has made an alliance with us and is available always for consultation and friendship. Yes Lord, grant that our spirits discover You, the consummation of all longing. Amen