Isaiah 52-57
Start by imagining yourself the eunuch of Acts 8. You are a treasurer for Queen Candace of Ethiopia, but you are a eunuch. You were probably made a eunuch when you entered the queen’s service. You are probably a Jew living in the dispersion of that day. You had come to Jerusalem to worship, and were on your way home, when you stopped the chariot to read a scroll you had obtained. What are you reading? The first two of our chapters for today! A man with bright, happy eyes approaches you, looks over your shoulder and asks if you understand what you’re reading. “How can I, without someone to explain it to me?” you say. Then Philip, the evangelist, explains each verse in Isaiah 52-53, and how they point to Jesus!
Try this for yourself. Read the 4th Servant Song, Isaiah 52:13—53:12, and make your own list of everything that reminds you of Jesus. Let the prophetic nature of the words overwhelm you, as they did the Ethiopian Eunuch, who desired baptism when Philip was finished explaining!
Isaiah 54 is “the eternal covenant of peace;” when you read this chapter, make yourself a list of all the promises you can find. One that my brother and I shared with Mom, shortly after Dad’s death, was v. 5: “For your Maker is your Husband.” Just as God is a Father to the fatherless, so He is a Husband to the widow!
Isaiah 55 is an incredible invitation to the free gift of salvation and a call to “seek the Lord while He may be found.” When this word, this invitation, goes forth, God promises fruit. Even the trees of the field will clap their hands for joy.
Isaiah 56 is more hope for foreigners and eunuchs. When the Ethiopian Eunuch read this chapter, he’d have been blown away by the grace of God!
But Isaiah 57, beginning, actually, in Isaiah 56, the prophet rails against the irresponsible leaders of a people addicted to idolatry. But by the end of the chapter, we read one of the most hopeful revival verses in the Bible: Isaiah 57:15
“For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
Your fellow pilgrim through the Prophets,
Pastor Gary
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Monday, July 28, 2014
JULY 28 ISAIAH 49-51
Isaiah 49-51
Two of the “Servant Songs” are here in these three chapters for today.
Isaiah 49:1-13. Why did God bring forth His Servant (Think Jesus!) from the womb? These verses list several great reasons; Jesus was born to:
- To teach; “He made my mouth like a sharp sword!” (v. 2)
- To glorify the Lord; (v. 3)
- To revive Jacob (Israel); (v. 5)
- To be a light to the nations (Gentiles); (v. 6)
Isaiah 50:4-11. What has the Lord given to His Servant (think Jesus!)? Here’s a list; The Lord gave to Jesus:
- A teaching gift; (v. 4)
- A listening gift; (vv. 4-5)
- Holiness; (v. 5)
- Perseverance; (v. 5)
- A willing to endure unjust suffering; (vv. 6f)
- Help and vindication; (vv. 6-9)
- Isaiah 51 promises God’s comfort, once again, to God’s people, yet calls them to do several things:
- Look to Abraham’s example! (v. 2)
- Give attention to the Lord! (vv. 4, 7)
- Awake and be strong in the Lord! (vv. 7, 17)
Your fellow pilgrim through the Prophets,
Pastor Gary
Saturday, July 26, 2014
JULY 26 & 27 ISAIAH 44-48
Isaiah 44-48
“My Servant” is a significant term in Isaiah 41-53. And four times during this stretch, Isaiah receives words from the Lord that seem to identify “My Servant” as the Messiah. At other times, “My Servant” seems to refer to God’s people, Israel. But since the come of Christ, Christians have recognized their Savior in these passages. Other passages in the Old Testament paint a conquering king picture of the Messiah (like the Second Coming), but these, especially Isaiah 52-53, describe the suffering Messiah (like Jesus’ first coming). Here are the four “Servant Songs” that point to Jesus:
Isaiah 42:1-9. Jesus: filled with the Spirit. Jesus: the Justice-Bringer!
Isaiah 49:1-13. Jesus’ pre-existence and birth. Jesus: a light to the Gentiles and the Redeemer of Israel!
Isaiah 50:4-11. Jesus: our Teacher. Jesus: mocked and spat upon.
Isaiah 52:13—53:12. Jesus: marred and disfigured, despised and rejected, pierced and punished for wayward sheep like us!
TODAY’S chapters fit in between the first and second Servant Songs and speak more directly to the nation of Israel as God’s Servant:
Isaiah 44: Servant Israel, you were chosen to belong to God, not foolish idols!
Isaiah 45: Israel, though you have sinned, you will “turn and be saved.” Though you have been carried away, I will raise up a future leader, Cyrus, to bring you back!
Isaiah 46: Israel, though you’ll be carried to the land of Babylon and you dwell amid their “gods,” I will grant salvation to you.
Isaiah 47: Israel, as strong as your conqueror is, I will bring disaster upon Babylon for her wickedness!
Isaiah 48: Israel, you are stubborn, indeed, yet I will punish Babylon and refine you.
Monday, we read more of the Servant Songs!
Your fellow pilgrim through the Prophets,
Pastor Gary
“My Servant” is a significant term in Isaiah 41-53. And four times during this stretch, Isaiah receives words from the Lord that seem to identify “My Servant” as the Messiah. At other times, “My Servant” seems to refer to God’s people, Israel. But since the come of Christ, Christians have recognized their Savior in these passages. Other passages in the Old Testament paint a conquering king picture of the Messiah (like the Second Coming), but these, especially Isaiah 52-53, describe the suffering Messiah (like Jesus’ first coming). Here are the four “Servant Songs” that point to Jesus:
Isaiah 42:1-9. Jesus: filled with the Spirit. Jesus: the Justice-Bringer!
Isaiah 49:1-13. Jesus’ pre-existence and birth. Jesus: a light to the Gentiles and the Redeemer of Israel!
Isaiah 50:4-11. Jesus: our Teacher. Jesus: mocked and spat upon.
Isaiah 52:13—53:12. Jesus: marred and disfigured, despised and rejected, pierced and punished for wayward sheep like us!
TODAY’S chapters fit in between the first and second Servant Songs and speak more directly to the nation of Israel as God’s Servant:
Isaiah 44: Servant Israel, you were chosen to belong to God, not foolish idols!
Isaiah 45: Israel, though you have sinned, you will “turn and be saved.” Though you have been carried away, I will raise up a future leader, Cyrus, to bring you back!
Isaiah 46: Israel, though you’ll be carried to the land of Babylon and you dwell amid their “gods,” I will grant salvation to you.
Isaiah 47: Israel, as strong as your conqueror is, I will bring disaster upon Babylon for her wickedness!
Isaiah 48: Israel, you are stubborn, indeed, yet I will punish Babylon and refine you.
Monday, we read more of the Servant Songs!
Your fellow pilgrim through the Prophets,
Pastor Gary
Friday, July 25, 2014
JULY 25 ISAIAH 40-43
Isaiah 40-43
Thirty-nine years ago today (It was also a Friday!), Becky and I were married at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Illinois. The candlelight service was 7:30 p.m. and I was so scared that my best man threatened to walk into the sanctuary and marry Becky in my place. These many years later, I’m so thankful God helped me overcome my fears. Happy anniversary, Becky!
Today in Isaiah, we turn a corner so sharp that some commentators don’t believe that the original Isaiah wrote the rest of the book. They refer to Isaiah 40-66 as “Second Isaiah.” They base this on a perceived difference in tone and vocabulary.
And it’s true: from Isaiah 40 on, the prophet sounds more hopeful with even more advance peeks into the Messiah’s glory. But to say that Isaiah 40-66 was written by someone else is to ignore all the elements of continuity between the first and second parts of the prophecy. For one thing, the oldest manuscript we have of Isaiah (from the Dead Sea Scrolls, c. 200 B. C.), has no break whatsoever between chapters 39 and 40.
That reminds me of a wonderful coincidence. Just as there are 66 books in the Bible, there are 66 chapters in Isaiah. Just as there are 39 books in the Old Testament, there are 39 chapters in the first part of Isaiah. Just as there are 27 books in the New Testament, so there are 27 chapters in the second part of Isaiah. AND, just as there is continuity between the Old and New Testaments, there is continuity between the sections of Isaiah. The God of the Old Testament is not simply the vengeful, wrathful God some make Him out to be; nor is the God of the New Testament without wrath and judgment. The same is true for God in the two parts of Isaiah! It is just wrong to say that Isaiah 1-39 is all judgment and Isaiah 40-66 is all mercy.
True, Isaiah 40 begins with “comfort” for those who have experienced the punishment of Jerusalem’s destruction and the nation’s exile. How can this be? Isaiah died before these events. Someone else must have written chapter 40-66. My answer is simple: God knows the future and could easily have revealed it to Isaiah, giving him words that would one day comfort the exiles. Once cannot read Isaiah 40 without s sense of God’s greatness and our smallness. Try it. You’ll see.
Chapters 40-43 contain some of the most beloved promises and passages in the Bible. Read them slowly and carefully. Watch for Isaiah 40:31, 41:8-13; 42:1-9 (The first of the Servant Songs of the Messiah, which we’ll talk about tomorrow!), and 43:1-7. See if you don’t sense the Lord speaking directly to you!
This weekend, we read more of the Servant Songs!
Your fellow pilgrim through the Prophets,
Pastor Gary
Thirty-nine years ago today (It was also a Friday!), Becky and I were married at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Illinois. The candlelight service was 7:30 p.m. and I was so scared that my best man threatened to walk into the sanctuary and marry Becky in my place. These many years later, I’m so thankful God helped me overcome my fears. Happy anniversary, Becky!
Today in Isaiah, we turn a corner so sharp that some commentators don’t believe that the original Isaiah wrote the rest of the book. They refer to Isaiah 40-66 as “Second Isaiah.” They base this on a perceived difference in tone and vocabulary.
And it’s true: from Isaiah 40 on, the prophet sounds more hopeful with even more advance peeks into the Messiah’s glory. But to say that Isaiah 40-66 was written by someone else is to ignore all the elements of continuity between the first and second parts of the prophecy. For one thing, the oldest manuscript we have of Isaiah (from the Dead Sea Scrolls, c. 200 B. C.), has no break whatsoever between chapters 39 and 40.
That reminds me of a wonderful coincidence. Just as there are 66 books in the Bible, there are 66 chapters in Isaiah. Just as there are 39 books in the Old Testament, there are 39 chapters in the first part of Isaiah. Just as there are 27 books in the New Testament, so there are 27 chapters in the second part of Isaiah. AND, just as there is continuity between the Old and New Testaments, there is continuity between the sections of Isaiah. The God of the Old Testament is not simply the vengeful, wrathful God some make Him out to be; nor is the God of the New Testament without wrath and judgment. The same is true for God in the two parts of Isaiah! It is just wrong to say that Isaiah 1-39 is all judgment and Isaiah 40-66 is all mercy.
True, Isaiah 40 begins with “comfort” for those who have experienced the punishment of Jerusalem’s destruction and the nation’s exile. How can this be? Isaiah died before these events. Someone else must have written chapter 40-66. My answer is simple: God knows the future and could easily have revealed it to Isaiah, giving him words that would one day comfort the exiles. Once cannot read Isaiah 40 without s sense of God’s greatness and our smallness. Try it. You’ll see.
Chapters 40-43 contain some of the most beloved promises and passages in the Bible. Read them slowly and carefully. Watch for Isaiah 40:31, 41:8-13; 42:1-9 (The first of the Servant Songs of the Messiah, which we’ll talk about tomorrow!), and 43:1-7. See if you don’t sense the Lord speaking directly to you!
This weekend, we read more of the Servant Songs!
Your fellow pilgrim through the Prophets,
Pastor Gary
Thursday, July 24, 2014
JULY 24 ISAIAH 36-39
Isaiah 36-39
We shift gears in these four chapters from prophecy to history. Isaiah lived long enough to serve under several kings in Judah, and the best one—by far—was Hezekiah. Though much of what we learn in these chapters was recounted in 2 Kings 18-20 and 2 Chronicles 29-32, it was important for these events to appear here as well, because of the prophet Isaiah’s personal involvement in these remarkable happenings. You could scroll back to Kings and Chronicles to see what I wrote about Hezekiah, so here, I’ll highlight Hezekiah’s prophet:
Isaiah 36 sets the stage. Judah is in big trouble. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, and his army are descending upon God’s people. He sends a messenger many miles ahead of his fighting force to begin the psychological warfare. One by one, the messenger anticipates the hopes of God’s people, and shatters them:
Don’t hope for help from Egypt, it is a bruised reed.
Don’t trust the Lord, for we’ve sought His help, too.
Don’t trust your God, for no other country’s god has been able to withstand us.
In Isaiah 37, Hezekiah humbles himself and seeks out Isaiah, who tells his king not to worry about the messenger. God has shown him that he’ll hear a rumor and return to Sennacherib. And he does. But soon a threatening letter arrives from Sennacherib. Hezekiah lays it out before the Lord and prays. Isaiah, meanwhile, sends a word from the Lord to Hezekiah saying that Sennacherib will not enter Jerusalem! The angel of the Lord lays waste to 180,000 of the Assyrian army, and those left follow Sennacherib home.
Isaiah 38 tells of Hezekiah’s sickness. Isaiah, prompted by the Lord, sends word that he will die, and Hezekiah weeps bitterly. Isaiah receives another word from God saying: “I have seen your tears and will add another 15 years to your life,” (v. 5) and to prove it, makes the sun’s shadow back up 10 steps!
Isaiah 39 reveals one of the few mistakes that Hezekiah ever made. Envoys from Babylon come to congratulate Hezekiah on his recovery, and Hezekiah shows them around the city. When they leave, Isaiah asks what he had showed them. Hezekiah said, “Everything.” Then, Isaiah prophesies that they (the Babylonians) would one day return and carry God’s people into exile, but not until Hezekiah was long dead.
Tomorrow, we begin what some call Second Isaiah, but what I call: the second half of Isaiah.
Your fellow traveler through the Word,
Pastor Gary
We shift gears in these four chapters from prophecy to history. Isaiah lived long enough to serve under several kings in Judah, and the best one—by far—was Hezekiah. Though much of what we learn in these chapters was recounted in 2 Kings 18-20 and 2 Chronicles 29-32, it was important for these events to appear here as well, because of the prophet Isaiah’s personal involvement in these remarkable happenings. You could scroll back to Kings and Chronicles to see what I wrote about Hezekiah, so here, I’ll highlight Hezekiah’s prophet:
Isaiah 36 sets the stage. Judah is in big trouble. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, and his army are descending upon God’s people. He sends a messenger many miles ahead of his fighting force to begin the psychological warfare. One by one, the messenger anticipates the hopes of God’s people, and shatters them:
Don’t hope for help from Egypt, it is a bruised reed.
Don’t trust the Lord, for we’ve sought His help, too.
Don’t trust your God, for no other country’s god has been able to withstand us.
In Isaiah 37, Hezekiah humbles himself and seeks out Isaiah, who tells his king not to worry about the messenger. God has shown him that he’ll hear a rumor and return to Sennacherib. And he does. But soon a threatening letter arrives from Sennacherib. Hezekiah lays it out before the Lord and prays. Isaiah, meanwhile, sends a word from the Lord to Hezekiah saying that Sennacherib will not enter Jerusalem! The angel of the Lord lays waste to 180,000 of the Assyrian army, and those left follow Sennacherib home.
Isaiah 38 tells of Hezekiah’s sickness. Isaiah, prompted by the Lord, sends word that he will die, and Hezekiah weeps bitterly. Isaiah receives another word from God saying: “I have seen your tears and will add another 15 years to your life,” (v. 5) and to prove it, makes the sun’s shadow back up 10 steps!
Isaiah 39 reveals one of the few mistakes that Hezekiah ever made. Envoys from Babylon come to congratulate Hezekiah on his recovery, and Hezekiah shows them around the city. When they leave, Isaiah asks what he had showed them. Hezekiah said, “Everything.” Then, Isaiah prophesies that they (the Babylonians) would one day return and carry God’s people into exile, but not until Hezekiah was long dead.
Tomorrow, we begin what some call Second Isaiah, but what I call: the second half of Isaiah.
Your fellow traveler through the Word,
Pastor Gary
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
JULY 23 ISAIAH 31-35
Isaiah 31-35
These chapters continue the good news/bad news mix of the previous chapters. Prophecy is like that. Throughout this stretch, Isaiah describes the devastation and deportation coming to the people of Israel. But at the same time, he includes reminders of God faithful plan to redeem and restore his people. Sometimes, the very same chapter can slip back and forth between present judgment and future hope. It can be a bit dizzying.
Isaiah 31 contains a very contemporary warning to God’s people: When the armies lay siege on Jerusalem, don’t go looking to Egypt for help! Instead, they should look to the Lord who protects!
Isaiah 32 seems to slip into the future to tell us of a righteous King, who sounds like Jesus. But then Isaiah warns “complacent women” about trouble brewing, but interrupts himself with the promised outpouring of the Spirit (v. 15).
Isaiah 33 teaches us what a revived Israel will look like: Salvation arrives in the nick of time (v. 2), justice and righteousness fill Zion (v. 5), the sick are healed, sinners are forgiven (v. 24), and all eyes will behold the King (v. 17)!
Isaiah 34 describes God’s judgment against the nations.
And Isaiah 35 continues the happy thoughts of Isaiah 33: The desert will bloom (v. 1), the anxious need not fear (v. 4), the blind see, the deaf hear (v. 5), the lame leap, the mute sing (v. 6), and the ransomed of the Lord will return to Zion with singing (v. 10)!
Tomorrow, we shift from prophecy to history. We’ll read about God’s amazing down-payment on some of these prophecies.
Your fellow traveler through the Word,
Pastor Gary
These chapters continue the good news/bad news mix of the previous chapters. Prophecy is like that. Throughout this stretch, Isaiah describes the devastation and deportation coming to the people of Israel. But at the same time, he includes reminders of God faithful plan to redeem and restore his people. Sometimes, the very same chapter can slip back and forth between present judgment and future hope. It can be a bit dizzying.
Isaiah 31 contains a very contemporary warning to God’s people: When the armies lay siege on Jerusalem, don’t go looking to Egypt for help! Instead, they should look to the Lord who protects!
Isaiah 32 seems to slip into the future to tell us of a righteous King, who sounds like Jesus. But then Isaiah warns “complacent women” about trouble brewing, but interrupts himself with the promised outpouring of the Spirit (v. 15).
Isaiah 33 teaches us what a revived Israel will look like: Salvation arrives in the nick of time (v. 2), justice and righteousness fill Zion (v. 5), the sick are healed, sinners are forgiven (v. 24), and all eyes will behold the King (v. 17)!
Isaiah 34 describes God’s judgment against the nations.
And Isaiah 35 continues the happy thoughts of Isaiah 33: The desert will bloom (v. 1), the anxious need not fear (v. 4), the blind see, the deaf hear (v. 5), the lame leap, the mute sing (v. 6), and the ransomed of the Lord will return to Zion with singing (v. 10)!
Tomorrow, we shift from prophecy to history. We’ll read about God’s amazing down-payment on some of these prophecies.
Your fellow traveler through the Word,
Pastor Gary
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
JULY 22 ISAIAH 28-30
Isaiah 28-30
In today’s portion of the prophet Isaiah, the chickens come home to roost (and maybe even to roast!).
For some chapters (Isaiah 13-23) the Israelites could have read the prophet and felt pretty good about themselves. Isaiah was prophesying about other nations, foreign nations, not theirs. But today we read a prophecy that would have broken their hearts and frightened them thoroughly.
Isaiah 28 begins with a word against the “drunkards of Ephraim,” (and Ephraim was a part of Israel) and climaxes with “I have heard a decree of destruction from the Lord God of hosts against the whole land!” (28:22). But even in this chapter of judgment, there are signs of hope:
“In that day, the Lord of hosts will be a crown of glory…to the remnant of His people.” God’s people will survive through the believing remnant!
The Lord says that He “has laid, as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone.” (28:16) Peter says this cornerstone is Jesus (1 Peter 2:6).
Isaiah 29 wails for “Ariel.” Who’s she? Wasn’t she the title role in “The Little Mermaid?” In Scripture, Ariel is yet another name for Israel, along with Judah, Jacob, Ephraim, and others. As we read on, we realize that Isaiah is prophesying a siege of Jerusalem. He sees the City of David surrounded by the armies of many nations. And worse, he foresees a time when Israel has no prophets as all (29:10). But even here, there is hope:
“The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor…shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.” (29:19), and…
“Jacob will no longer be ashamed.” (29:22)
Isaiah 30 reveals why these judgments come: They are a rebellious people (30:9); they despise [God’s word; they trust in oppression and perverseness (30:12); and they are unwilling to repent (30:15). Nevertheless, yet again, there is hope. The last section (30:18-33) literally sings with hope!
The Lord waits to be gracious to [them]…He exalts himself to show mercy to [them]. (30:18)
Someday, the Lord will teach by saying: “This is the way, walk in it!” (30:21)
Someday, the Lord will bind up the brokenness of His people. (30:26)
They will have a song and gladness of heart. (30:29)
Even in the hardest of prophetic words, hope is never far away.
Your fellow traveler through the Word,
Pastor Gary
In today’s portion of the prophet Isaiah, the chickens come home to roost (and maybe even to roast!).
For some chapters (Isaiah 13-23) the Israelites could have read the prophet and felt pretty good about themselves. Isaiah was prophesying about other nations, foreign nations, not theirs. But today we read a prophecy that would have broken their hearts and frightened them thoroughly.
Isaiah 28 begins with a word against the “drunkards of Ephraim,” (and Ephraim was a part of Israel) and climaxes with “I have heard a decree of destruction from the Lord God of hosts against the whole land!” (28:22). But even in this chapter of judgment, there are signs of hope:
“In that day, the Lord of hosts will be a crown of glory…to the remnant of His people.” God’s people will survive through the believing remnant!
The Lord says that He “has laid, as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone.” (28:16) Peter says this cornerstone is Jesus (1 Peter 2:6).
Isaiah 29 wails for “Ariel.” Who’s she? Wasn’t she the title role in “The Little Mermaid?” In Scripture, Ariel is yet another name for Israel, along with Judah, Jacob, Ephraim, and others. As we read on, we realize that Isaiah is prophesying a siege of Jerusalem. He sees the City of David surrounded by the armies of many nations. And worse, he foresees a time when Israel has no prophets as all (29:10). But even here, there is hope:
“The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor…shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.” (29:19), and…
“Jacob will no longer be ashamed.” (29:22)
Isaiah 30 reveals why these judgments come: They are a rebellious people (30:9); they despise [God’s word; they trust in oppression and perverseness (30:12); and they are unwilling to repent (30:15). Nevertheless, yet again, there is hope. The last section (30:18-33) literally sings with hope!
The Lord waits to be gracious to [them]…He exalts himself to show mercy to [them]. (30:18)
Someday, the Lord will teach by saying: “This is the way, walk in it!” (30:21)
Someday, the Lord will bind up the brokenness of His people. (30:26)
They will have a song and gladness of heart. (30:29)
Even in the hardest of prophetic words, hope is never far away.
Your fellow traveler through the Word,
Pastor Gary
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