“Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry and struck him; I hid My face and was angry, and he went on turning away, in the way of his heart. “I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners, Creating the praise of the lips. Peace, peace to him who is far and to him who is near, ”Says the Lord, “and I will heal him.” Isaiah 57:17-19 ->me: This is the Lord talking about His chosen people Israel but then in verse 19 He hits us with the inclusion of us into His healing. Through the bible in both the old and new testament – someone who is ‘a far’ is said to be non Jew and someone who is said to be near is God’s chosen nation. Acts 2:39 and Ephesians 2:17 use these distinctions as well. So, even way back here in the old testament God is talking about how we, as Gentiles, will be brought into His peace, praise, and inheritance. I don’t want to leave out the grace/mercy in the beginning of this passage. The ‘him’ is Israel – they went against God, and He would punish them by striking then down, but then when they got up they continued away from the Lord…what does the Lord do?? He says He will HEAL them, gives them peace, and brings praise to their lips. Throughout Isaiah I am continually blown away by God’s mercy and love.
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