Reading in Isaiah 5 this morning, I noticed an interesting comparison in verses 15 and 16. The context is God's condemnation and judgment upon His people. He says that this judgment will result in those with lofty, proud (literally 'high') eyes being brought low. Then, He says that He, their God, will be exalted (literally 'high') when this happens.
This is fascinating since the normal expectation when a god's people are crushed by another people is for that god to be humbled, brought low. So, how is it that this God is exalted in His people's humbling?
The Lord of the Armies is exalted even when His people receive defeat and humiliation at the hands of others because He sent the defeat and humiliation. He is the God of justice and righteousness, not some territorial god who is personally threatened by the success or failure of His worshipers. Instead, He demands that His people be holy and obedient and clean, seeking to be as He is.
And this was utterly impossible.
And so, God Himself was humbled and exalted...
...so that His people might be people of justice and righteousness and humility, till the day He exalted them under His own exalted lordship. He suffered judgment so that He might bless and heal them.
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