Isaiah 8:17

WAITING ON THE LORD IN DESERTION AND GLOOM

Isaiah 8:17. And I will wait upon the Lord, &c.

I. The characteristic appellation of Jehovah. “The God who hideth Himself” [866]

[866] For details and suggestions under this division, see outline: THE HIDDEN THINGS OF GOD, chap. Isaiah 45:15.

[867] For details and suggestions under this division, see outline: THE HIDDEN THINGS OF GOD, chap. Isaiah 45:15.

[868] For details and suggestions under this division, see outline: THE HIDDEN THINGS OF GOD, chap. Isaiah 45:15.

II. The implied mysteriousness of His dealings with His people. It is not merely from Babylon or Egypt, from Tyre or Nineveh, that He hides His face, but from “the house of Jacob.”

1. The persons referred to may be regarded as typical of the Church. Though descended from Abraham, they were called “the house of Jacob,” to denote that they were a chosen people—a praying people (this at least was true of the best men among them)—a people in whom God delighted.

2. With these persons He dealt in a manner contrary to what we should have expected. Looking only at the relation in which He stood to them, we should have expected that the light of His countenance would have gladdened them continually. Yet He hid Himself; and He frequently hides himself not only from the world, but from the Church; not only from the wicked man, but from the believer. Yet here is a difference: in the one case it is total and constant, in the other it is but partial and temporary. In the one case it is in anger, in the other it is in love (Revelation 3:19).

3. The modes in which He hides Himself.

(1) In the cloud of providential darkness—affliction, bereavement, &c. (Isaiah 1:10).

(2) In the withholding of the conscious enjoyment of religion (Job 15:11; Job 22:2) [869]

[869] For various suggestions and illustrations, see H. E. I. 200, 1644–1659, and P. D. 815.

III. The resolve of the believer under this visitation. In nothing does the grace of God shine more unmistakably than in the way in which the Christian bears trouble. “Behold, this evil is of the Lord; why should I wait for the Lord any longer?” said a wicked man of old; but “I will look unto the Lord, and will wait for Him,” is the prophet’s resolve.

1. As to looking for Him.

(1.) For whom do we look? For our God—our Father—our Friend—our Deliverer.

(2.) Where shall we look for Him? He is near, though concealed. Then look for Him in Christ, in whom He is reconciling the world unto Himself, in whom He is well pleased even with us. Look for Him in His promises—in His ordinances—in your closet.

(3.) How shall we look for Him? With faith—zeal—energy—determination (Job 35:10; Jeremiah 29:13).

2. As to waiting for Him. This is a state of mind frequently enjoined and commended in the Bible. Waiting implies faith—desire—patience (P. D. 2643). When you have found Him, fall at His feet and confess your unworthiness. Resolve to follow Him fully. Cleave to Him with purpose of heart Pray, “Abide with me!”—George Smith, D.D.

PENITENTIAL WAITING ON GOD

Isaiah 8:17. And I will wait upon the Lord, &c.

Believers are in the Scriptures abundantly encouraged to wait upon God (Psalms 37:14; Isaiah 25:9). In Psalms 62:5, it is suggested that this waiting upon God is connected with hopeful expectation of receiving a blessing. The same truth is taught us by our Lord in His parable on prayer (Luke 18:1). However long God delays, we must wait expectantly. In our text, however, we have the idea of waiting upon God while He is hiding His face from His people. The very possibility that He should assume this attitude towards us is depressing, and not unfrequently in our religious exercises we are haunted by the fear that this is the attitude He has assumed towards us. Through fears and doubts that intercept our vision of Him, we look up to see the face of our Father, and behold only a cloud! In such a case our faith needs quickening, that our hopes may be raised and our courage renewed. The following thoughts may conduce to this end. I. God does not hide His face from us because His blessings have diminished (Isaiah 40:26; Jeremiah 2:13; Jeremiah 17:13). II. God does not hide His face from us on account of any weariness in His love (John 13:1; Isaiah 49:15). III. God does not hide His face from us because of any caprice in His nature (James 1:16). IV. If God does hide His face from us, it is only on account of our sinfulness. This is the dark atmosphere in which God becomes lost to us (chap. Isaiah 49:1). V. Consequently, if God’s face is hidden from us, it is at once our only hope and our positive duty to wait upon Him (James 4:8). Let us wait for Him and look for Him.

1. Penitently.
2. Believingly.
3. Patiently. Then will the Lord turn us again; He will cause His face to shine upon us, and we shall be saved.—William Manning.