G.    Forgiveness (7:1-20)

1.       Prophet’s sighing (7:1-6)

 a.      (v1). The prophet sighs that there are not many righteous and just man. They are like the summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard.

 b.      (v2). In the kingdom, there are no more righteous and just men (Psa. 12:1; Rom. 3:10-12). All lie in wait to trap their own brothers like a hunter hunting his game (Psa 10:8, 35:7; Jer 5:26).

 c.      (v3). Everyone is totally corrupted. Their hands are skilled in doing evil. The king, the judges, and the leaders seek bribes. They all conspire together.

 d.      (v4). The king and the judges who are supposed to be a city wall for the people, are like a thorn hedge. (2 Sam 23:6; Judg 9:14-20). They pursue their own benefits, and sting and tear away the people they should protect. Here the prophet predicts that the day of their watchmen has come, the day God visits them. Now is the time of their confusion (Isa 57:21).

 e.      (v5-6). Immorality has corrupted the society, breaking friendships and household relationships.

(a)     This verse can also mean the division within families for the sake of differences in beliefs (Mt 10:35-36; Lk 12:53)

2.       The people’s hope (7:7-10)

 a.      (v7). The prophet speaks on behalf of the people, asking them to have hope in God and believe that God will deliver them out of the hands of gentile oppressors (Ps 25:5). Only when Israel rely on God can she be saved.

 b.      (v8). O enemy (Babylon)! Do not delight in God’s punishment on Israel. Though they have fallen into poverty as if they are stuck in darkness, God will revive them and become their light (Isa 9:2).

(a)     Jesus Christ is the light of the world. Whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12)

 c.      (v9). Israel is being chastised because they have sinned against the Lord (Ps 51:4). Therefore, they are under trial until God shows His mercy on them, revenge for them, punish their enemies, and bring them back (Jer 25:12).

 d.      (v10). When Israel receives enough chastisement, God will defend them and chastise their enemies (Isa 40:1; Ps 79:10). The Israelites shall see joy.

3.       The rise of Israel (7:11-17)

 a.      (v11). When the time comes, God will revive Israel and expand her territory.

 b.      (v12). At that time, all the Israelites in every nation will return to their home country (Isa 43:5-6).

 c.      (v13). However, the whole land will be deserted because of idolatry and immorality (Isa 24:1-13).

(a)     This is a prophecy regarding the realization of the spiritual Israel (Rom. 9:6-8). When the time comes, God will establish His kingdom (the church). Every chosen people will return to this country from every corner of the world. (Lk 13:29; Acts 15:16, 17). The gospel will spread to the world. Then the Lord will judge the world (Mt 24:14)

 d.      (v14). The shepherd here is God and the sheep are the chosen. Here the prophet prays to God to lead every scattered Israelite to return to "the middle of Carmel," a forest, (Isa 37:24), to pasture them and let them receive "Bashan and Gilead," a fertile pastureland, and be filled (Jer. 50:19; Zech 10:10; Eze 34:13-15).

 e.      (v15). This verse is the reply from God, saying, “The miracles performed in Egypt is to utterly punish those who oppressed the chosen people so they may leave Egypt without fear and live in an abundant land. Likewise, God will send disasters on the countries that afflicted the chosen people so they can return to their homeland (Jer 25, 29:10).

 f.       (v16-17). Though the nations have great might, they cannot defend against the chosen people. When God revive Israel, they will be in shame and humble themselves (Job 40:4; Ps 38:13, 14). They will tremble and submit themselves before God (Ps 18:45, 72:9, 81:14, 15; Isa 49:23).

4.       God's forgiveness and mercy (7:18-20)

·         In the last three verses, the prophet praises God their Savior

 a.      (v18). “Who is a God like you?” This does not mean there is another god. But it means how great is the one true God (Jer 10:6; Isa 44:6). When Israel was captured to the gentile nations, when they admit their sins and repent, God will forgive all of their guilt. He will allow them to return to their homeland and show mercy to them (Jer 3:12-15; Ezek 39:25-29). God is full of mercy, grace, and abundant love (Ps 86:5, 15; 103:8-13). However, to receive God’s mercy and love, we must repent before the Lord and forgive others (1 John 1:9; Mt 5:23, 24, 6:12, 18:35; Isa 55:7).

 b.      (v19). “Tread our sins underfoot” and “hurl our iniquities into the depth of the sea.” This means that the iniquities of Israel will be totally subdued and taken away (Ps 60:12; Lk 10:19; Isa 38:17).

 c.      (v20). The prophet wishes that God will be true to what He has pledged to their fathers in days long ago (Gen 12:2, 3. 22:26-18, 26:13-15, 24).

·         The promise has been fulfilled in the salvation of Jesus Christ (cf. Gal 3:14-16; 2 Pet 1:4)