Isaiah 32:3-4 – Spiritual Illumination
In verses 3 and 4, we see rather a progression and a contrast. Remember in Isaiah 6 Isaiah was told the people would not hear or see or understand. But now a time is coming when the eyes should be opened, the ears unstopped, the heart conformed, and the tongue bursting forth in praise.
The eyes of those who see will not be dim. They won’t be merely looking, but they really will perceive. In particular, they will be looking to the Saviour, the King Whom God is providing. They shall look to Him and live. The ears of those who hear will heed. The understanding would be enlightened that had been in darkness (Psalm 43:3; Psalm 119:18; 1 Corinthians 2:6ff). With the eyes suddenly looking to this King, with the ears, by His grace enabled to hear and heed, the heart, of course, is transformed. And out of the heart, the mouth speaks, the tongue is suddenly transformed. It becomes an instrument of God’s glory, as praise is given to Him and witness is made of His glorious Person and wonderful works to the children of men.
How does this all come about? What is the source of all this transformation? The means is God’s Word. (Psalm 119:18, 105) God’s Word brings this about as the Spirit of God works in it. He is the One Who is behind it, and before it, and with it. He is the One Who has given us God’s Word, this Word which transforms us, and He is the One Who uses it in the hearts of the elect, in the hearts of those for whom Christ has lived and died and been raised again, which leads me to say that it is God, the Son, as well. He is the source, He Who is the King spoken of here, He Who has loved us and has given Himself for us, He Who now rules at the right hand of His Father (John 1:4-5, 9). He not only is the One to whom we look, but He is the One Who gives us the spiritual light to see. And then ultimately, it is in the decree, the sovereign, wise, and gracious plan of God in eternity. God the Father is the ultimate source. He is the One who has chosen us from before the foundation of the world, as we see in such places as Ephesians 1:4, 11. Now, emphatically, the source of this blessing is not man. No, all this comes about by God’s grace, by the wisdom of the triune God. It was devised in eternity by the Father, accomplished by Christ, and is applied through His Word, by the Spirit today. This is how this spiritual illumination comes about.
Questions
- What happens when we truly understand what God has done?
- How does spiritual illumination come about?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the salvation of friends and family.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.