Title: Hymns of the Righteous / Isaiah 26
Content: The hymns of the righteous
Isaiah 26
If chapter 25 praises God who judges the fallen city, chapter 26 praises the city God made.
1. The people's hymn to the city of God (1-6)
① Conditions for entering the city of God (1-2)
Isaiah says that only the righteous can enter the city that God Himself has made salvation. The angels of God open the door of salvation only to those who love God and keep the faith. Those who practice abominations or lies will be rejected, and only those who have been washed clean with the blood of the Lamb and pledged their allegiance to God will enter the eternal kingdom. No matter how desperate the situation is, when God restores the world, the righteous will live in the safest New Jerusalem.
② Characteristics of God's people (3-4)
The greatest characteristic of the righteous who dwell in God's city is that they trust in the Lord. They do not boast of their deeds, but entrust their hearts, minds, thoughts, plans, and actions to God. Those who have been saved will have an unshakable peace because they are completely dependent on God.
③ The conclusion of the proud (5-6)
Because God hates those who build castles with human strength and power, he destroys them. The proud will be trampled down by the needy and the needy.
2. Prayers of the righteous (7-18)
① God’s righteous judgment (7-14)
The prophet has a firm conviction in anticipation of God's judgment, even in the bleak reality. The wicked who reject God's favor will surely be severely rebuked, and the righteous who trust in God will have perfect peace. This conviction is an important factor in not despairing and holding on to hope in spite of the temporary prosperity of evildoers.
② Appearance of a righteous person praying during tribulation (15-18)
God's people, who are convinced of God's righteous judgment, pray more earnestly in the face of tribulation.
3. Protection of God's People (19-21)
① The resurrection of the saints is the final completion of God's work of redemption (19)
Isaiah refers to God's judgment and foretells the resurrection of the saints in the end. Resurrection is one of the most extreme orders in the world, and it is to break death and be born into perfect life.
② God will judge the sins of the world (20-21)
In the end, ultimate salvation will come to the saints and judgment will come upon this world.