"And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isa 32:2).
The natural context of this verse, as we have said before, references King Hezekiah (Isa 32:1). He was to be a vehicle of God... Hezekiah would be the protector of his people, and would save them from the calamities to which they had been subjected in former reigns. Naturally then, we should have no problem in seeing the great spiritual implications that are related... Can a mere man really be "as a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest"? Indeed. Jesus was this preeminent man in His earthly days, and continues to be so to His church. However, Jesus has sat down at the right hand of His Father (Heb 1:3; 8:1; 10:12). He's completed His duty (Jn 19:30), even if it be in seed form. Therefore, the ministry to be executed in the future "day of the Lord" will be substantially manifested through His sons, who have been purged and found in His glorious likeness: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God" (Rom 8:18-19). The testimony of Scripture bears witness to this truth... To mere men, the Bible says "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising" (Isa 60:1-3). Our carnal thought patterns often cannot grasp such a high honor as to actually partner with our Lord in the world's reconciliation.. but as I said yesterday, God "hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Cor 5:18-20).
We see this great truth evidenced so clearly in the Gospel of Luke:
"And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully" (Lk 19:1-6).
How interesting that this humble sycamore tree was the vehicle used for Zacchaues' spiritual reconciliation! This tree was that vessel by which the man "received [Jesus] joyfully" (vs. 6). How amazing! In Scripture, trees are constantly presented with human characteristics; Trees are symbolic of Jesus, nations and the church: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted" (Ps 1:1-3). Isaiah tells us that those who put on the oil of joy and the garment of praise will be likened to "trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD" (Isa 61:3a). And why? It's always "that he [God] might be glorified" (Isa 61:3b). This symbolic truth repeats itself from cover to cover (Ps 105:33; Eccl 2:5-6; Song 2:3; Isa 7:2; 14:8; 44:4, 14; 55:12; 61:3; Jer 7:20; 17:8; Ezek 17:8; 19:10; Hos 14:6-8; Matt 12:33; 13:31-32; Jn 15:8; etc). Friends, "The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted" (Ps 104:16).
What a wonderful thought that these "men as trees walking" will actually partner with King Jesus in reconciling the world to Himself! Did you realize that God has created you to be His partner? This isn't only a title, but a duty also; Character without function is useless! The Spirit wouldn't go to such great lengths to sanctify the people of God for a vain purpose. He is creating His great character within us, so that we can function as His partner! He has committed unto us the ministry and word of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18-20)! And what an effective tool of reconciliation this "tree" was for Zacchaeus! It was a vehicle for him who genuinely "sought to see Jesus" (vs. 3), but could not, "because he was little of [spiritual] stature" (vs. 3). Friends, the nations too are of little [spiritual] stature - they simply do not know how to commune with God - they cannot meet with Him, as Zacchaeus. How will God reach them? How will He reconcile them unto Himself? How will His power be displayed and poured forth? How will He draw them out (Song 1:4; Jn 6:44)? As always, God will have a vessel, a human tool, a company of sons, a plentiful drink in the wilderness of humanity just waiting to be poured out! "I drew them with cords of a man..." (Hos 11:4). Will that be you? Will you let the Spirit purge you and change you into His vessel of reconciliation? "And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isa 32:2). The earth desperately waiting.. will this be our testimony?
"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it" (Isa 41:17-20).
Come Lord Jesus, and be glorified in your sons!
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