Isaiah 39-41:16
Isaiah 39
I believe these guys came after the humbling of Assyria. We have seen that Hezekiah showed them everything. There might be thought that Hezekiah should have had nothing to show them because he had sent tons of gold, silver and anything that wasn't nailed down to Assyria to keep them from attacking. Of course that didn’t work and God told them it wouldn't; but after God destroyed the Assyrian army, their camp was full of loot they had taken from everyone else. I'm sure Hezekiah got some of that. In essence, what Hezekiah was showing them had been a gift from God.
Vs. 5-7 There is no expressed condemnation of Hezekiah, but it is implied.
V. 8 Does not have a complimentary ring to it. This judgment was about 100 years away, so why get so worked up? We could understand Hezekiah. Would you get worked up about something that will happen in 2111? But because of this attitude, Hezekiah had a hand in bringing the nation under that judgment.
Here is the view of what Hezekiah did from God's perspective.
2 Chronicles 32:24 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the LORD; and he answered him and gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 32:31 And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to try him and to know all that was in his heart.
All of the kings faltered when they found success, but the way they faltered was specifically unique to each king. They showed a weakness and unwillingness to fully trust God in some area of their lives. With Hezekiah, I have to believe that it began when he thought he was going to die. The attack by the Assyrians was bad, but Hezekiah stood. Hezekiah got sick and he wept bitterly. After this, even with God saving him, his heart was not fully the Lord's. Hey, nothing would happen for 100 years. Hezekiah would be long gone.
For us the warning here is obvious. Some of us are like a rock in some areas, but it is our anger, or worry, or our sexual needs or our need to be secure or to be liked, to be financially comfortable, that can shred our faith and get us irrationally focused on ourselves. Some unexpected scare or attraction or frustration can enter our lives, and suddenly we're faced with a temptation that could erase all the faith and devotion for God we have shown over the past years. This story is a warning to us from God.
Isaiah 40
Now with chapters 38 & 39, particularly 39, we have the Babylonian exile clearly stated. Exile meant the extermination of a people. People were forced to worship other gods, speak another language, take new names and they were removed from their land and culture. Most nations taken into exile never recovered. Judah and Israel would not only survive, but thrive because of God. So now, in the shadow of this dark threat of death to the nation, God breaks out with some of the brightest and most magnificent declarations of hope and restoration ever given to man. Isaiah 53, located in the middle of these 27 chapters, is stirring, and something every disciple should memorize. I wish I had done this sooner.
Get ready to meet some very well known verses.
Vs. 1-2 The strength of this declaration is in proportion to what Israel has suffered on this planet since the time God formed them. Israel has been a lesson and they have represented mankind.
Notice that Jerusalem is mentioned.
Vs. 3-5 The context here is the same in the NT regarding John the Baptist. The deliverer and king was coming.
These first five verses were made musical by G. F. Handel and I still like listening to this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dDjva1ecYo
Vs. 6-8 A warning to all mankind. And our hope: The Word of the Lord will stand forever.
Vs. 9-11 The king is coming.
Vs. 12-20 This section is about this king and is organized around the question of who He is.
V. 13 Paul quotes this in Romans 11.
Vs. 21-26 Here, in the 3rd and 1st person, God declares who He is.
Vs. 27-31 In light of who God is, Jacob-Israel (the unified people of Israel) can trust that the Lord will deliver and restore them…both in return from Babylon but ultimately under the Messiah.
Vs. 29-31 Are some amazing verses and, if you have time, they are worth memorizing.
Isaiah 41:1-16
Vs. 1-7 are a warning to the nations that nothing will stand in God's way or stop His predetermined plan.
V. 4 This is what Jesus says three times in the book of Revelation.
Vs. 8-16 In these verses you get an idea of how God has used Israel as a servant, and how He will use them in the future. Their failure has been an example to all of mankind, and as they represent the redemptive purpose of God in the world, they have been the object of human and spiritual hatred. These are absolutely great verses.
This song emphasizes the comfort God gives to those who come to Him. This is the same comfort which we as disciples present to people in the harvest as we tell them about turning to Jesus to forgive them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgevn7VR3n4
Ephesians 1
Actually, I don't know why I like Ephesians. I'm sure everyone has a favorite book in the Bible. This book is really good. After Galatians, where grace was mentioned as being so important, in Ephesians grace is painted for us. God's love and kindness and delight in those who know Him is described, so that by the time you get to chapters 4-6, you just know that obeying and following are the only logical things to do since He loves us with such reckless abandon. So, let's go. I would suggest reading this slowly and trying to drink this chapter in.
By the way, verses 3-14 are considered, by some, to be the most cumbersome sentence in the Greek language. It is all one sentence.
V. 15 "For this reason." What reason? Why is Paul saying this? How does this connect with what he has just said?
Vs. 17-19 is Paul's prayer for them. It is the first of two great prayers in Ephesians. Think slowly through what Paul is asking for them, realizing it is what God wants for you too.
All of this is not only what God has done for us personally, but there is a great emphasis on the church. Someone has said that Ephesians is not about "me and my God," but rather about "us and our God." Those famous verses in Eph. 4:12-16 are dependent on us all growing together in Christ and working together in the harvest. Paul, in Ephesians, describes how glorious the church is because of God's plan and Christ's blood.
Psalm 66
This psalm doesn't say who wrote it, but I did notice a couple things that reminded me of David.
V. 9 Do you notice how often David talks about God setting our feet upon a rock and giving us firm footing. In the wilderness, on the side of hills and mountains, broken rock and dirt made for treacherous footing. David must have seen that instability in walking as a symbol of this time of his life.
V. 16 Telling of what God did for him.
V. 20 The steadfast love of the Lord.
Proverbs 23:25-28
Vs. 25-26 God's words to heed your "godly" parents. They don't have it all wrong.
Vs. 27-28 This is very similar to what Solomon wrote at the beginning of Proverbs. The "pit" and the "well" might be some double meaning, but the main idea is getting caught and unable to save yourself.
You wouldn't get any of this advice from evening TV or our movies, but we still know this reality in our hearts. Even in the secular world, politicians and leaders who are caught with a prostitute or caught in adultery are not looked upon graciously. Still written in our hearts is the manufacturer's design that one man should love one woman in marriage forever.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple, following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the harvest.
If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible; in fact, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it. Send feedback or comments to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
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