The Day of Salvation

"Thus says the LORD: 'In an acceptable time I have heard You, and in the day of salvation I have helped You; I will preserve You and give You as a covenant to the people, to restore the earth, to cause them to inherit the desolate heritages'" (Isaiah 49:8). Quoting verse 8a, Paul declared: "For He says: 'In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). And in his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter said: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Salvation is in Jesus—no other!

Here again we are told that the Savior would be sent to all people, not just Israel. "I will preserve You and give You as a covenant to the people, to restore the earth" (Isaiah 49:8b). This passage refers both to "the people, to restore the earth" (v. 8b) and to the people of Israel "to inherit the desolate heritages" (v. 8c). So the Covenant of Salvation is inclusive. It is for His people Israel, who will be restored to their inheritance when Jesus comes again, and it is for the rest of us, who received the offer of salvation through faith at His first coming.

In Hebrew, the word for "salvation" (v. 8a) is yeshuah, which means "Jehovah saves," or "the Lord saves." It is also the proper name "Joshua" or "Jesus." That is why, while Joseph "thought about" what to do with Mary when she was found to be with child, "an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins'" (Matt. 1:20-21). So Jesus is the Savior who gives salvation.

What Isaiah says throughout the early chapters, Isaiah 49:9 repeats: the Messiah frees the prisoners and those who are in darkness. "You may say to the prisoners 'Go forth,' to those who are in darkness, 'Show yourselves'" (v. 9a). Both pictures, the prisoner set free and those in darkness being revealed, are metaphors indicating that spiritual truth is made known which sets us free from the bondage of spiritual darkness and sin.

"They shall feed along the roads, and their pastures shall be on all desolate heights. They shall neither hunger nor thirst, neither heat nor sun shall strike them; for He who has mercy on them will lead them, even by the springs of water He will guide them" (vs. 9b-10). The day will come when Jesus will return and set up His kingdom on earth. Then Israel will be rescued from captivity and oppression. They will be content and enjoy prosperity instead. They will be like a well-fed flock of sheep, protected and watered.

"I will make each of My mountains a road, and My highways shall be elevated. Surely these shall come from afar; Look! Those from the north and the west, and these from the land of Sinim" (vs. 11-12). "Sinim" (v. 12b) is the ancient name for China and can be understood as referring to the Far East. The Covenant of Salvation is a covenant for all people. Those who are saved come from the north, the west, and even from the Far East! Israel returns from every direction; believers come from every direction. Salvation is for all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.

Here, Isaiah mixes the promises of the Messiah to the people of Israel and to the Gentiles. Mixing the promises like this is a literary device used to emphasize that the Savior is not just for Israel, but for everyone—a covenant for all people.

Picture Isaiah in the temple court singing or chanting these words. For those listening there was probably a lot of shaking of heads. What was he saying? It can't be! The Messiah was for them alone. He would come to rescue them only. They never bought into the idea of a Messiah who would offer salvation to everyone. Yet that is what Jesus did. And the end result is a grand scene of rejoicing.

"Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted" (v. 13). The remnant of Israel will turn to Jesus and rejoice greatly. People from all nations will turn to Jesus and rejoice. The Covenant of Salvation is truly a covenant of rejoicing.

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). "Nor is there salvation in any other" (Acts 4:12). Salvation is in Jesus alone—no other. Trust Him! Amen.