Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

Isaiah 46:12-13

Explanation:
Now God calls on his audience, his people to “Hearken.” It is as if he is saying, “listen up” or “pay attention.” It is not as if what he has already been saying isn’t important already. Now by calling their attention we realize the importance and value to which He is ascribing what He is about to say.
He calls these people that he is referring to “stout-hearted” as it is translated here. Some translate it as stubborn-hearted. Others as “mighty in heart.” No matter how it is translated, they are referred to as people who are “far from righteousness.” This is the problem for those who need salvation. We are unrighteous. The Bible refers to this problem in Isaiah 64:6:

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Isaiah 64:6

How can someone who is already unrighteous get righteousness? The only way is to give an “alien righteousness” as it has been referred to, and to credit that alien righteousness to those who are unrighteous. This is what God says He will do! “I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry.” To bring the unrighteous righteousness is to bring them salvation. How will he do this? He says, “I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.”

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Romans 11:25-27

We know that God will do this in the person of Jesus Christ. He was crucified in Zion. He became sin, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” One day Israel will also see their salvation realized when this same Jesus rules and reigns in Jerusalem.

God should be prioritized in worship because He is the only One who can save. Idols can not save. Idols have no power of plan for salvation!

Application:
The application here is very straightforward. Do you know for sure that you are saved? This passage is speaking of salvation for Israel. The truth is that through Israel God planned to bring salvation to the whole world. If you do not know that your sin has been forgiven, and that you have been made righteous, we want you to know that not only is this your greatest need, it is also available. God loves you so much that He sent Christ to live a perfect life, and then to die as your substitute on the cross. Romans 10:9-13 says this:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:9-13

For those who know Christ as Savior, are you prioritizing Him in your life. He has saved you. The reasonable response of our lives is worship and obedience.

Response:
• Are you saved? If you are not today is the day of salvation. Contact me below!
• If you are saved, are you prioritizing God in your life? Leave the idols behind and prioritize God!