And Old Testament Verses
— Isaiah 6:9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ 10 Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
— Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
John repeats some of the most troublesome Words in the Bible. They are God’s judgement given to Isaiah to let unbelievers know He will use their unbelief for His purpose. Not all judgment of God is punishment, but it is always reality. God sets the rules. He has judged this group of unbelievers will be made deaf, blind and dull of heart. I see that, but I wish it weren’t so.
What possible purpose could the Sovereign Lord have in making such a judgment? Why has He identified these unbelievers in this way? He’s obviously not punishing them for what He’s done. I have an idea that this judgment has to do with the reality of grace and glory.
I wonder if what He has seen in this group of people is the nature of man’s heart to listen but not heed His truth and see that truth as a useful tool to manipulate life but not believe it’s His power. The nature of God’s Sovereignty is driven by grace that must respond to belief. Could it be that God has judged these unbelievers in order to protect the integrity of His grace for those who DO see with their eyes, and hear with their ears,and understand their transformed heart is for the sake of God’s glory and for His purpose.
“God is sovereign over all belief and unbelief.
He knows exactly how to plan both of them in ways
that exalt his sovereignty and preserve man’s accountability.”
[John Piper]
Read and Ponder - Faith in Daily Life 