“… And he that departeth from evil…

            … maketh himself a prey”.[1]

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            Isaiah chapter 59 is one of my favorite chapters in the Old Testament. After reading this, you may wonder if I’ve misplaced this piece – placing it in the category with the sermons, instead of with the politicians and the courts[2] – but I assure you, this is exactly where I want it, and for a very good reason, which will become clear if you read Isaiah 59 – which is what I am going to ask you to do.

            Approximately 760 years before Christ, Isaiah penned those words on parchment scrolls, and they ring true today. This verse is probably where we get the idea that “No good deed goes unpunished”. Please get your Bible, and read Isaiah 59 (it is included below in the KJV translation). If you have several Bibles in different translations, put them side-by-side and absorb these words of truth, and putting it into context with what you read in this book. You see, my dear friends, governments have been corrupt ever since they were invented – at least as far back as Noah and Isaiah.

            In several modern translations of the Bible, it is clear that the prophet was not only handing down an indictment on “the system” when he writes, “for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter” [3] but he lays the blame where it belongs: “In transgressing and lying against the LORD”, and “speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood”, puts the situation into perspective.

            In the American Standard translation it says, “…no one tells the truth in court, anymore”, and it is clear that he who “departs from evil”; that is, he who attempts to dissociate himself from the evil ways of others, is vulnerable and may be taken advantage of.

            “He who departeth from evil, maketh himself a prey” is such a profound truth, that it should be posted in neon in Times Square. How many times have we taken advantage of each other’s good nature, or exploited someone’s kindness – taking it for weakness? How many times have we violated the trust placed in us by others? It is done every day, albeit not always with ulterior motives or ill intent, but nonetheless, everyone is guilty to one degree or another.

            The words of Isaiah 59 are powerful in this age of abject[4] evil, and the sting in the indictment becomes painful if you read it with a bit of spiritual understanding, and not just intellectual knowledge. Since Man is corrupted by sin, any institution of Man’s creation; government, and the courts of necessity become tainted: “And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off.” It has been this way, my friends, for well over three thousand years. It seems as if it is one of those “… things we cannot change” referred to in the (old) “Serenity Prayer”.[5]

            In verse 7, Isaiah writes: “Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood”. When you read my book on Vietnam,[6] you’ll know those words are also true, if your life-experience hasn’t taught you that already.

            Isaiah 59 is so profound, that it is beyond eloquence. It is an indictment, a conviction, and a promise of vindication and salvation. Those of us who believe, await the glorious return of the One who will ultimately make the world right. Until that time – it is up to Man to do the right thing. Take my advice: Don’t hold your breath waiting for others – just convey your testimony by word and deed, walking with the Lord.

Isaiah 59

1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

5 They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.

6 Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.

7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.

8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

9 Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.

10 We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.

11 We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.

12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;

13 In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.

16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.

18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense.

19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.

21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

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