Please follow and like us:

Haftarah Re’eih

“Tangible and Intangible Weapons”

Isaiah 54:11-55:5

excerpted from TorahScope Haftarah Exhortations

The third Haftarah, in the series of seven consolations, comes as Re’eih (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17) is being studied. Once again, Moses continued to contrast the consequences of blessings and curses, with specific instructions about pronouncements to be made, upon entering the Promised Land on Mounts Ebal and Gerizim.[1] Additionally, after commanding the Israelites to destroy the worship places of the idolatrous Canaanites they were dispossessing, the Lord indicated how there would be a designated place where He was to be honored and worshipped.[2]

Significantly, Re’eih also declared how the Lord was actually going to allow false prophets and dreamers of dreams, to perform false signs and wonders, in order to test the hearts of the Israelites:

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let’s go after other gods’ (which you have not known) ‘and let’s serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the LORD your God, fear him, keep his commandments, and obey his voice. You shall serve him, and cling to him. That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death, because he has spoken rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to draw you aside out of the way which the LORD your God commanded you to walk in. So you shall remove the evil from among you” (Deuteronomy 13:1-5ff, WMB).

The Lord’s concern for the fidelity of His people, then and now, is very intense—to the point of testing their hearts—by the covert means of a clever voice, or an alluring word which may be accompanied by some kind of signs and wonders. By possibly allowing a subversive attack on His chosen people, God is able to determine who is truly with Him, and who is succumbing to the wiles of the interlopers. Of course, this exercise in testing those who call upon the Lord, was not just for the ancient generation which originally received this word, but has continued down to the present era. Lamentably, it is the intangible weapons of deception and falsehood—which are not necessarily seen—which do far more spiritual damage than tangible weapons of physical warfare!

When this third week of consolation for God’s people turns to this relatively short passage in Isaiah, the pivotal statement that “No weapon that is formed against you will prevail” (Isaiah 54:17, WMB), catches your attention. This is especially true, because this reference is so often quoted by many of those who surreptitiously speak falsehoods to their unsuspecting targets. Nevertheless, in spite of this, Israel will ultimately be comforted in what sounds not too dissimilar from the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:19):

“You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones” (Isaiah 54:11-12, WMB).

This may be speaking of the eternal state, although it is also possible that the elements referred to were only listed because of their strength and durability, so it may be a promise of the Millennial Kingdom instead. The Prophet Isaiah referred to a time when Israel will be restored and instructed by the Lord:

“All your children will be taught by the LORD, and your children’s peace will be great. You will be established in righteousness. You will be far from oppression, for you will not be afraid, and far from terror, for it shall not come near you” (Isaiah 54:13-14, WMB).

Note how the Lord is responsible for turning up the crucible of heat for affliction, without letting the suffering go beyond the place where His work of refinement is accomplished. The Holy One maintains His role as the Defender and Protector of His people, and they will ultimately prevail because of Him:

“Behold, they may gather together, but not by me. Whoever gathers together against you will fall because of you. ‘Behold, I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame, and forges a weapon for his work; and I have created the destroyer to destroy. No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the LORD’s servants, and their righteousness is of me,’ says the LORD” (Isaiah 54:15-17, WMB).

The comforting promise of an everlasting covenant with the Almighty soothes every heart, especially when paralleled with the mercy bestowed upon King David:

“Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which doesn’t satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in richness. Turn your ear, and come to me. Hear, and your soul will live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David” (Isaiah 55:1-3, WMB).

There is further affirming comfort, knowing that eventually, even unknown nations will ultimately come to Israel, recognizing its unique position with the Creator:

“Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples. Behold, you shall call a nation that you don’t know; and a nation that didn’t know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he has glorified you” (Isaiah 55:4-5, WMB).

As we contemplate these comforting words of Isaiah this week, we need to always be reminded how there are usurpers wielding verbal weapons in the midst of God’s people today, just as they were present in Ancient Israel. They will not prosper or prevail, but they can do some serious damage, as they are used to test the hearts and minds of who will be loyal to Him.

Let us be a people who do not fail the tests of the Great Comforter!