Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
We are arriving at the end of Isaiah in our tour through scripture looking at verses pertaining to heart/ hearts in the NIV 84.
Starting one verse early, for context...
For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the LORD, turning our backs on our God, fomenting oppression and revolt, uttering lies our hearts have conceived. -- Is. 59:12-13; 'hearts' is Strong's H3820, Leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
There's a lot in that passage; confession and acknowledgement of offense, sin, rebellion...but what jumped out at me is 'uttering lies our hearts have conceived'. We've talked before of self-deception, and this struck me as an example of that. Of course, this no doubt covers a lie that is construed intentionally and used maliciously, but it's more insidious when the lie masquerades as a 'personal truth' or some such thing. A simple version of this lie...'one time won't hurt'...has been the downfall of many folks, but there are much deeper and more sinister self deceptions that in truth, would not hold up to serious, honest scrutiny. But part of the deception is avoiding any kind of challenge to it.
But there's a reversal in Isaiah 59; the confession and repentance brings about God's redemption, and chapter 60 describes the restoration afterward. That's the context of the next verse.
Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. -- Is. 60:5; 'heart' is Strong's H3824, Lebab - inner man, mind, heart, will, soul, understanding.
Joy can be a physical feeling... and there is nothing like the joy of restoration.
But...restoration for one can mean vengeance for another.
This is the LORD speaking - "For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come." -- Is. 63:4; 'heart' is H 3820 again.
This is actually a reference to God's heart, which we haven't seen in a while. And...something that should cause us all to pause and reflect...vengeance is in God's heart. He has grace for all, but there is a time appointed when the grace has been refused for the last time. After that...what is redemption for some is vengeance for others.
We are taking huge leaps in these closing chapters; the next verse is in chapter 65; God is speaking to those who have abandoned following him (65:11)
"My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit." -- Is. 65:14; both instances of 'heart' are H 3820.
Two different heart conditions...joy and anguish...result from two different life choices: serve God...or not. It doesn't get much more plain or simple than that.
And, finally, the last verse in Isaiah to reference 'heart' is 66:14, but I'm starting in 13 for context; that's the end of a word from the Lord
"As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem." When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants, but his fury will be shown to his foes. 'Heart' is H3820 once more.
Those who have repented of their wrongdoing and have served the LORD will have joy of heart and will know the hand of God...but those who oppose him will not have that blessing. Really hammering home that consequence.
That's a good reminder to do a heart check for the deception that perverts the view of God. And maybe remember Deut. 30:19...