Isaiah 59:16-18
Author: Steve Amato
Description: Garments of Intervention
Keywords: bible study,bible, isaiah

Translations: 简体中文 繁體中文

## The Garments of Intervention

Isaiah 59:16-18
He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.
He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due.

## Comment

> Eze 22:30 "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none."

God looks for mediators, but they are rarely found. Moses intervened for Israel, and God listened to him when He was about to destroy Israel in the desert. (Ex 32:10,11) Abraham intervened for Sodom and Gomorrah, but there were too few righteous men for it to be saved. Job intervened for his backstabbing friends, lest God destroy them. Though mediators are few there's no excuse for not trying to rescue the lost. God holds us accountable to do so.

> Ps 24: 11,12 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

> 2Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Israel is a microcosm of humanity. While reckoning themselves religiously superior they are so corrupt and self-centered that there isn't a man among them to mediate with God. The few, the humble, the intervenors - these are those whom God will listen to. But what if there is no one to intervene. What if there are no men of God around. Is all lost? No, there is still God. God himself loves the world and intervened by sending His Son as a sacrifice of atonement, to redeem those who would believe.

Here we also note that God prepares Himself to intervene. How should one dress for the ministry of intervention?

> Ephesians 6:
> 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
> 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
> 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
> 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
> 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
> 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
> 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
> 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

But God also puts on vengeneance "he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak" But that is unique to God. For it is written, "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord." Rom 12:19 So leave the garments of vengeance behind.

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources