"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
Isaiah 57:15
Part 2
Yesterday:
“For thus saith the high and lofty One.”
This describes who God is.
“That inhabiteth eternity.”
This tells us His nature.
“Whose name is Holy.”
This tells us His name.
“I dwell in the high and holy place.”
This reveals where He lives.
Today:
“With him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.”
This shows us who God wants to live with.
“But He also dwells with…the crushed and lowly of spirit”[1] (K&D).
“The word ‘contrite’…means properly that which is broken, crushed, beaten small, trodden down”[2] (Barnes).
God knows the difference between contrite and humble individuals and those who are not. He chooses to dwell with and help those who are humble and not proud.
He loves Israel and provided a way for them (and us[3]) to come humbly with a contrite heart and have sins forgiven.
“And He shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall He do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness” (Leviticus 16:16).
These are the forgiven ones He will dwell with.
“To revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
This demonstrates what He does for us. It is in the spirit of man that the seat of pride or humility dwells. And it is the heart of man, that needs to become contrite before God. He is looking for that “broken and contrite heart” in us.
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
It is the “humble” and “contrite ones” who are “revived” by God. “Revived” means “to make alive.” It is God who gives “spiritual life and comfort”[4] to those who put their faith in Him.
What a picture of our great and mighty God! “Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!”
Quote: “The humble man feels no jealousy or envy. He can praise God when others are preferred and blessed before him. He can bear to hear others praised while he is forgotten because… he has received the spirit of Jesus, who pleased not Himself, and who sought not His own honor. Therefore, in putting on the Lord Jesus Christ, he has put on the heart of compassion, kindness, meekness, longsuffering, and humility”[5] (Andrew Murray).
[1] Keil & Delitzsch, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] For Israel, their way to God was by a blood sacrifice, and faith in their God (coming Messiah). Note: Today, our approach to God is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, our sacrifice for sin, and going to Him by grace through faith.
[4] Barnes, ibid.
[5] Andrew Murray quote. Downloaded: Tuesday, June 23, 2020. From: https://bible.org/illustration/test-truly-great-man.