The Stability Of Thy Times
Rev. John J. McCave
Isaiah 33:5,6
The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.
And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.
In the days of Isaiah, the people of God had turned away from Yahweh (Isaiah 1:2–4). But God who so loved His people sent His prophet to speak to them and give them the opportunity to turn to Him again (Jeremiah 36:7).
Yahweh warned them of the consequences of their evil ways and the destruction and captivity that they would suffer because they had turned from Him.
Isaiah lived about 700 BC. The Assyrian empire was conquering the nations throughout that part of the world. They were descending upon the people of Israel. Yahweh told them not to seek help or flee to Egypt or to succumb to the temptation of appeasing the Assyrians by negotiating a treaty but to turn to God for help.
In many ways, God’s people are facing a similar situation in this day and time. People have forsaken Yahweh, and they are looking in all the wrong places for help. The world we live in is coming apart. Nation after nation has fallen, and governments are collapsing before our eyes. Evil men are persecuting and killing God’s people. Millions of people are being displaced throughout the world. Those who stand for the truth of God’s Word are called bigots and hateful. Evil is called good, and good is called evil (Isaiah 5:20). The name of God is being wiped out of our society. People are told that they cannot pray out loud or even silently at sporting events, schools, and other public areas. The list of evils in the news each day goes on and on.
Both spiritual and political leaders have compromised and are blind—unable to see the destruction and captivity that is before them. Our leaders are cowards, refusing to identify the evil for what it is for fear of offending someone. It is impossible to appease evil and attempting to do so only breeds more evil. The people of Israel found this out the hard way during the time of Isaiah. As the saying goes, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
The stability of our times in this day and age or any day and age, Starts with the fear of the LORD and Him being glorified. Almighty God has given mankind His Word. It is this Word that teaches us how to live in righteousness and judgment. There is no stability in the kingdoms of this world or people’s lives without God’s Word.
Isaiah 33:5
The LORD (Yahweh) is exalted; for he dwelleth on high.
God’s people are to exalt, praise, extol, and magnify Yahweh. We are to recognize the position that He holds as the creator of all that exists. Yahweh is the God of gods, the only true God. His people glorify Yahweh when they give Him His proper place, which is: “for He dwells on high.”
The next phrase of verse five is “he hath filled Zion.” Zion refers to a time when King David set up the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem. In His Word, God speaks of this as a time of love and sweetness between God and His people. When Yahweh is praised, and thanksgiving is given in song and prayer to Him. Almighty God has promised that He will fill the place where He is worshipped with “judgment and righteousness” and “wisdom and knowledge,” which will be “the stability of thy times.”
When the people of God acknowledge this truth, He makes them a very significant promise. This promise, in Isaiah 33:5,6, lists several things: 1) judgment and righteousness, 2) wisdom and knowledge, 3) the stability of thy times, 4) strength of salvation, and 5) the fear of the Lord is his treasure.
It is God’s Word that is the stability of thy times. When God’s people acknowledge God for who He is, praise His Holy name, and fear Him, Yahweh will give them His Word. Whether you are an individual, a family, or a nation, you will have stability in your life.
The promise in Isaiah 33:6 of “strength of salvation“ is rendered “wealth of salvation” in the NASB. Yahweh has promised those who turn to Him that He will be our saving strength or strong, lasting salvation, not only in this life but also for eternity.
Record after record in the Word of God shows God’s salvation to those who looked to Him for deliverance. It did not matter how dark their sins were, how great the odds, or the power against His people. When they called upon Yahweh, they were saved (Romans 10:13). This is His promise. God will not fail. He is a God of deliverance.
There is no stability without God’s Word. When God’s Word reigns in the lives of the individuals who lead a nation, a family, or the church, righteousness and judgment will prevail.
Proverbs 29:4
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts (bribes) overthroweth it.
II Samuel 8:15
And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
I Kings 3:28
And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.
When leaders walk in God’s judgments, they will rule according to God’s Word and serve the people as did David and Solomon. When they don’t, they take bribes and pervert judgment to help themselves.
God blessed Abraham because God knew he would teach his family God’s Word.
Genesis 18:19
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
When the Word of God lives in the hearts of His people, the land prospers, and provision will be made for the poor and the widows. That is when justice is established in the land and peace can reign.
The opposite is true when the people do not give God the honor due His name. Treachery and violence become the norm. Corruption and bribery become so common that people believe it is impossible to live without them. Men will say that evil is good and that good is evil.
Malachi 2:17
Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?
These are a few of the consequences of turning against God and His Word.
The Scriptures teach us that fearing God is the starting point that allows Him to teach His Word to those who want Him and humble themselves to Him. In the last phrase of Isaiah 33:6, the Lord says, “the fear of the Lord is his treasure.” It is the fear of the LORD that is the treasure of the people of God. When a man fears the LORD, he can begin to approach God and will be given wisdom and knowledge and justice in judgment. It is the fear of the Lord that opens the door to a relationship with God by acknowledging that “the LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high.”
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 16:6
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Proverbs 19:23
The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
Proverbs 22:4
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
In Isaiah 33:5,6, God has drawn a line in the sand for His people, so to speak. Yahweh has outlined for the people of Israel what they need to do. If they obey, acknowledge, exalt, and worship Him who dwells on high, He will graciously fulfill the promises He has made in these verses. The children of Israel could have had this in their lives, but they did not believe God’s revealed Word.
So I ask you, what are you going to do with this Word? Are you going to worship and exalt Him and honor him with praise and thanksgiving? If you do, all the promises God has made here are yours in this life and in the kingdom to come. This is your treasure!