Isaiah 50 reminds me that I used to believe life was a test for admission into heaven. I thought we faced a series of trial to prove worthiness and in the end our sum total was either a passing grade or a failing grade. And worst of all, we would not know until the end. In today’s chapter, Isaiah speaks to the nation of Israel that was living as if God had forsaken them; but also to those today that have abandoned Him. He begins with a series of questions. “This is what the LORD says: ‘Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away?’” This cutting question points out that if you are living as if you are divorced while married, you are cheating. “Or to which of my creditors did I sell you?” Not many years ago a debtor lost his rights and could be sold to pay off his obligation. He points out, that our obligation is still due. Maybe you ask, “What obligation do I owe? I don’t believe in the sin of Adam. I want to stand on my own”. You have that option, but please understand that God’s standard is perfection. Ecclesiastes 7:20 says, “There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins“. You might say, I never killed anyone, but Jesus explained that God sees the motivation behind the action, “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment“. My friend, you can say, “I don’t believe in gravity”, but that will not make the fall any softer.
Next, Isaiah writes about Jesus. Understand this book was written 700 years before His birth. “When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was My arm too short to deliver you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you?” This was a pretty accurate description of me. How was I supposed to know all this? I was on my solo journey. Isaiah writes, “The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary“. God’s Word is available to anyone that wants to hear. “He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” If life is a test, aren’t you interested in knowing the rules?
As the chapter closes, Isaiah writes some very familiar images. “I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. I offered My back to those who beat Me, My cheeks to those who pulled out My beard; I did not hide My face from mocking and spitting“. No one would voluntarily take a beating and endure torture for no reason. Romans 5:7 explains, “for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us“. The Bible teaches that on the cross my debt was paid and I receive a full pardon by simply believing. The chapter continues, “Who then will bring charges against me? Who is my accuser? Who will condemn me?” Satan is called the Liar, the Deceiver and the Accuser. Satan loves to get us isolated and remind us of each failure. But Romans 8 asks that question in a new way, “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?“. The answer is NO ONE. “It is God who justifies… Christ Jesus who died more than that, who was raised to life is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Isaiah concludes, “Let the one who walks in the dark… trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God.“. Do you want to know the heaven test? Do you believe Jesus died to pay for your sins?