For Whosoever

“No weapon that is formed against you shall be blessed; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the inheritance of the servants of Jehovah, and their righteousness is from Me, says Jehovah.” (Isaiah 54:17)

In the previous chapter, Isaiah prophesies about Jesus the Messiah. The description is detailed and for us who know Him, it unmistakably describes Jesus. Then chapter 54 describes the covenant Jesus executed. Remember that the mystery of the church was not revealed yet, even though in prophecy and hindsight we see the church. But it was unconceivable at that time for the Jews that wicked Gentiles would come to know God.

We see God’s promises for the Gentiles in the Abrahamic Covenant. He made the promise to Abraham saying that all the people of the earth would be blessed through him. He didn’t say that the covenant was only for His descendants but for all the people of the earth. “And I will bless those that bless you and curse the one who curses you. And in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3) And Isaiah reveals the Messiah’s mission. “And He said, It is but a little thing that You should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to bring back the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You for a light to the nations, to be My salvation to the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6) Undisputably, it is Jesus Isaiah is prophesying about. His mission was not only to the Jews. But Isaiah was not the only one who would prophesy about salvation to the Gentiles, but Amos, Micah, Zechariah and psalmists also mention all nations. (Amos 9:7; Micah 4:2; Zechariah 2:11; Psalms 117:1) Joel’s prophecy is repeated in the New Testament. “...whoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be saved.” (Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13)

We also see God’s mercy on Ninevah. They were not Jewish but Assyrians. Jonah refused to tell them about God and warn them of their destruction if they didn’t repent of their wickedness. We all know how Jonah was swallowed by a big fish, repented of his disobedience and went to Ninevah. We see God’s mercy on a whole town of Gentiles believing in the God of the Jews.

Those examples serve to support that the Eternal Covenant of Peace was not only a promise of God’s salvation for Israel, but to all who believe. So our verse of study In Isaiah 54:17 is for us also, non-Jews who believe on the Name of the Lord. It’s important to be sure that it includes us so that we can stand firm on its promises without any doubt. It is an eternal covenant meaning that it cannot be broken, overturned or changed. It is the New Covenant executed at the death and resurrection of Jesus. Our verse of study is only a part of it. This verse has four promises. No weapon formed against us is blessed. We will condemn every tongue that comes against us. This is our inheritance. Our righteousness is from God. These are powerful promises.

I think we forget that the Creator, the great I AM and Lord of all has promised these. These promises are not to be taken lightly. We can stand firm on them. The first promise makes us victors with our enemies. It’s not just a person you’re having a disgruntle with but enemies in this world who hate Jesus in you and covertly try to destroy you. There are enemies in the spiritual realm. We’ve studied about affliction and how it comes from the enemy. Affliction is an attack by the enemy. We can take control of it, unless God uses it to prune us for our good and His glory. Otherwise we don’t have to just accept affliction. Like Paul, we can come against it and we can ask God to remove it. Then we can see if God allows it or not. Be aware though that some afflictions come from our bad decisions. Those are consequences of our making and might just have to learn from them.

I will give you an example from what happened to me. I worked as a bilingual teacher in a big major city school district. That year, my students would be taking the standardized test in English. This was class of second graders. Some came from a regular English first grade and had begun reading in English, some had been in a bilingual first grade and about a third hadn’t been to any school and barely knew English. My class was overcrowded, and I had a third of the class sharing a small desk. I worked hard and I believe the Lord gave me a strategy because I could not spend the majority of the day teaching in Spanish as directed by state requirement when a third had started reading in English and I could not spend the entire day teaching in English and leave two thirds of my class behind. So, in the morning I taught all the subjects in Spanish. And in the afternoon, I taught everything again in English. Everything I taught was plastered on the walls in English and Spanish so that everywhere the students’ eyes went they were learning. Then every morning the ritual was to review everything on the walls in English and Spanish. When testing time, everyone passed the English standardized test. My bilingual supervisor was livid and accused me of teaching too much English. She went up one side of me then the other. She left me literally shaking. I prayed and declared God’s Word against my enemies. The following day, she returns with the bilingual superintendent ranting about how I was teaching too much in English. The superintendent looked around my classroom and turned to her saying, “Why is her room overcrowded?” That was requirement number one, classroom size in his mind. He spun around and walked out. She ran after him muttering... “...but, but, but...”  I literally saw God intervene in my behalf and crush the enemy before my eyes.

Another promise is that we will condemn every tongue that comes against us. Any bad confession against us, we can control. Any statement against our character, our health or anything pertaining to us is a curse, even if said in jest. Statements like, “You look sick.” “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” “You’re gonna pay for that...”  “You always...(whatever.)” “You will never...(whatever.)” Be aware what is being said about you and come against it. Condemn those statements. Don’t accept them. Replace them with what God says about you.

These promises are part of our inheritance. How great is it that we have the right and  authority over our enemies and against any curse that comes against us. Who has given us that right and authority? It is the Creator Himself! We can pray against attacks from the enemy and just like our Father, we can speak against the curses others place on us. We can live in righteousness because our Father has given us from His righteousness. We stand perfect before Him, pure, holy and clean. This is not due to anything in us and not due to anything we have done except having believed on Jesus and surrendered our lives to Him. God the Father gifts us with righteousness. It is truly more than worth all the gold and silver of the world. “...knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot;” (1Peter 1:18-19) Nothing on earth can buy this righteousness.

In conclusion, God’s promise to Israel also applies to us. God always had every person in the whole world in mind. And the Jews? He chose them to reveal the only and true God. The promises are for them also. God’s Goodness is for everyone, whosoever believes and calls on the Name of the Lord.

Let us pray:

Father God from the beginning of the creation of the world, You knew everyone who would call on Your Name. You are omniscient. Your love at that time planned to save mankind and made provision for man to be redeemed. Thank You Father. Thank You Father for Your promises which are for now and the living here on earth. They are the provision for victory in my life, for health and for joy. You give righteousness to those who love You. And I can stand before You as Your child pure and spotless from this world and its defilement. Thank You Father that this all is Your divine work in me, through me and for me. I love You Lord and am so grateful for Your love. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.