Isaiah 45:11-48:11
By now you are noticing again and again the repeating of God as creator, declaring things from long ago. This is set in contrast to idols and those who make them and depend on them. Over and over again God declares Himself the only savior for mankind and the gracious forgiving God of Israel.
Vs. 11-13 This seems to be talking about Cyrus as a representative of the Persian empire. As a result of Daniel, God moved Cyrus to send the people back to rebuild the temple, but the city wasn't rebuilt until Artaxerxes sent Nehemiah years later. The focus here isn't Cyrus or Persia, it is the Holy one of Israel who stretched out the heavens and moved nations.
V. 14 The blessing here seems to be people coming to Israel to seek God.
Vs. 15-19 It is interesting that it says God hides Himself, yet He is a savior. He needs to be sought in spirit. There is so much in these verses.
Vs. 20-25 This looks like a call to the entire earth to come to God for salvation.
V. 23 This is a rather famous verse in the NT. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess, regardless of race, language or religion. There is only one God, and so there is no religion other than knowing God through Jesus Christ. These verses in Isaiah are good evidence, if any one should need it, that there is only one God and there is only one way to Him.
Isaiah 46
Vs. 1-2 This is judgment on Babylon for their idolatry. Their idolatry made Israel sick of its own.
Vs. 3-7 God calls Israel to listen to Him regarding the madness of making idols.
Vs. 8-11 God tells them to remember the words of prophesy He spoke and how He determined events. Ironically, the people who went into exile would have been reading these very words, over a hundred years later, as the events were happening to them and they didn't believe.
Vs. 12-13 God tells them to listen, for as surely as all this other stuff has happened, God will put salvation in Zion. This blessing is for the Millennium.
Isaiah 47
Now God pronounces judgment on Babylon for its pride and comfort. Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by God, but the other kings had no regard for God.
V. 7 You could make a case that Nebuchadnezzar "laid to heart" the position he was in as God's sword to punish Judah and Jerusalem. The kings who followed Nebuchadnezzar did not have this respect for God or Israel. In fact, look at what happens in Daniel 5. The entire judgment on Belshazzar was that he should have known better and should have "laid to heart" what God had done to Nebuchadnezzar.
Isaiah 48:1-11
Vs. 1-2 This seems to be God rebuking Israel for calling themselves by God's name, but not being faithful to Him and living for His glory.
Vs. 3-8 Again, God uses prophesy to defeat their idols and their pride.
Vs. 9-11 Yet for His glory and for His name's sake, God will save Israel and obtain glory through them.
It is interesting that in Daniel's prayer in Dan. 9, he pleads with God at the end to answer the prayer for His own name's sake, because the people are called by His name. I wonder if Daniel read this.
This morning I read Jesus saying, "He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory. But he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is true and in him there is no falsehood. " Jesus was speaking about Himself, living to give glory to His Father.
Ephesians 4:1-16
This chapter has the blueprint of church ministry in the harvest.
Vs. 1-3 This is what Paul wanted to say at the beginning of chapter 3. The church can't bring the message of redemption if they can't work together.
Vs. 4-6 The unity of the church is found in all of these factors.
Vs. 7-10 Once again, the issue of gifts rises. God gives the gifts. We don't choose them. Paul seems to be mentioning gifts because they caused some disunity here as they did in Corinth. Notice how Paul ties the giving of the gifts to the victory of Christ and our redemption. My observation is that if each person isn't deeply in love with Christ for their salvation, and if the church is not primarily focused on being in their local harvest, either the gifts become irrelevant in that church, or they become a point of fighting and envy. The church unites in the love of Christ to work in the harvest, and then the tools make sense.
Vs. 11-16 The gifts of these leaders are to be used to equip the church, making it ready for use, like mending a fishing net, so it can catch stuff.
Mentioned is the equipping for the work of the ministry for building up the body of Christ. In a couple of verses this building will be described as "making bodily growth and up-building itself in love." This is both bringing in from the harvest and making disciples who make disciples. In this entire process the leaders are bringing the group to maturity in Christ. This also has a protective function in the church and in preserving the truth for the next generation. In this maturity and unity in Christ the church works as a team, each part doing its job without rivalry or envy, working toward the harvest. This is taking the love of Christ to their area, bearing fruit that brings bodily growth and strengthening themselves in the love of Christ.
I really like the following song about the church and, to me, it is more meaningful with that picture of those harvesters meeting in the middle of the field to rest and get strengthened for their work. The fact that someone is added to the group makes the entire effect even better. I really think this is what church should be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4OWswCFx8A
Psalm 68:19-35
I know it says that this was written by David, but it sure has a "post exile" ring to it. During the time of the Judges to David, Israel fell prey to its enemies. It was not a respected nation and people were captured and taken as slaves. That might be a possible explanation for verse 22.
Verse 29 is also interesting if this means the tabernacle. If it was the temple, then this is definitely after the exile.
In any case, what strikes me is the call to the nations of the earth to sing praises to God. That will happen someday, and in the meantime, we're working in the harvest until we hear the dinner bell.
Proverbs 24:3-4
It is amazing how many people begin marriage and a life together without having a goal or a plan. God is better than a plan. He is someone who guides us daily in His Word and gives our lives a goal and a purpose.
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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