As we read Isaiah 65 today we see that God does not cast out sinful Israel. He has revealed himself to them, giving salvation. We know from the New Testament specifically that this salvation is by belief on Christ crucified for sinners. All who come to him in repentance and faith are gathered to him. There is no sin that is not covered by the death and resurrection of Christ.
Verses 10-16 of Isaiah 65 show some parallel blessings on the repentant and curses on those who trust in themselves.
The repentant have safe pasture. The unrepentant have sword and slaughter.
The repentant eat, drink and rejoice. The unrepentant are hungry, thirsty, and covered with shame.
The repentant sing. The unrepentant are crying in pain.
The repentant are called blessed, forgetting their troubles. The unrepentant are called a curse.
What's the difference? See that blessing doesn't come from our having safe pasture, eating, drinking, rejoicing, singing, or forgetting our troubles. No, all those attributes come from the blessed life God gives to those who repent of their sin. Repentance is more than just sorrow. It is sorrow which looks to God for blessing and relief from sin. It is sorrow for sin which looks to Christ as the savior.
God's people are redeemed for joy, to receive blessing and honor. They are redeemed only by the death of Christ on their behalf, received by belief in Christ's sufficient atonemtn. This is truly the Gospel.
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