God Himself redeems Israel.
That’s Isaiah’s dramatic message in chapter 59 of his book.
He opens by answering a rhetorical question God asked nine chapters earlier: God’s hand is not shortened. He still has power to redeem His people. Then Isaiah adds another affirmation: “neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1; compare Isaiah 50:2). God is both able and willing to save Israel.
Why then has Israel not been saved? Isaiah answers: they have left God by choosing to sin. After he lists some of their sins and emphasizes their consequences, the voice changes. Now the children of Israel speak, confessing their sins and lamenting the consequences (v. 9-15). At the end of this confession, God sees that no one is coming to help them.
And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. …
Isaiah 59:16, 20
And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.
Commenting on a different passage from Isaiah (chapter 53), the prophet Abinadi taught this same principle to King Noah and his priests:
I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people. …
Mosiah 15:1, 8
And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men.
What a powerful message! God loves His children enough that when no one else can save them, He does it Himself.
Today I will express in prayer my gratitude for the intercession wrought by the Son of God on my behalf. Like Israel in Isaiah 59, I will acknowledge my sins and turn from them.
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