Isaiah 1-2
Isaiah is THE great prophet in the Old Testament. Not that he made himself anything, but God just said a lot of massively great stuff through him. He is the prophet most mentioned by name and quoted in the NT. You could almost say he was the Billy Graham of his day, serving 4 to 5 kings over a period of 60+ years. Tradition has it that the guy in Hebrews 11:37 who was "sawn asunder" was Isaiah, as King Manasseh decided he really didn't need to hear Isaiah's message.
Isaiah is a very long book. It would do you well to underline words and phrases from the beginning. The names of God are worth keeping track of. Also, the alternating between judgment and threat and future/eternal blessing might show you some things about God. Another thing to search for are parts of Isaiah that are quoted in the NT. Also, look for references to the Messiah.
It should probably be a standard thought for any disciple who can, to memorize Isaiah 53. There are some great verses and passages in Isaiah and many worth memorizing. Isaiah 40:31 is one of those verses and, when we get there, there is a great song from Hillsong that will go with it.
Isaiah 1
V. 1 There are four kings listed here, but I suspect Isaiah had a very short ministry under Manasseh.
Vs. 2-9 There are three clear divisions in what the Lord is saying here.
V. 4 Notice "the holy one of Israel."
V. 9 Here you have the "Lord of Hosts." Also, Paul quotes this verse in Romans 9:29.
Vs. 10-17 Notice that the people were still worshiping by the letter, but not the way God wanted in spirit. This morning I read Jesus saying to the Pharisees, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, "This people honors me with their lips but their hearts are far from me…."
Vs. 18-20 Verse 18 is one of those famous verses. God calls all people to reason with Him. If you don't have this memorized, it would be short and worthwhile.
Vs. 24-27 Notice that judgment is for a purpose and has a promise. God never lost sight of His redemptive purpose or His covenant with Abraham.
V. 24 Notice the names of God. What does Lord of Hosts mean literally? Why is it being used here? What is the significance of "the Mighty One of Israel?"
Vs. 28-31 I was just reading about unquenchable fire this morning, but it was Jesus who was talking about it.
Isaiah 2
Vs. 1-4 This is the kind of promise that shows you something of God's heart, spoken as He is pronouncing judgment. The punishment will be strong, but the hope of redemption is given. This is obviously a prediction for the 1000-year reign of Christ in Jerusalem.
Vs. 5-11 This is a plea to Israel to follow the Lord.
Vs. 12-22 Notice the theme here of the high being leveled. We'll definitely see this again.
In these two chapters God's coming judgment and coming kingdom have both been referred to. That sounds like something that still needs to be mentioned to the lost. According to John the Baptist and Jesus, this is still an important message to take into the harvest.
2 Corinthians 10
Up until now, Paul has spoken to the main body of the church and leaders in a very gentle and self deprecating way. Paul has shown that in all of what has happened, God has worked and led. Now, Paul needs to address the false apostles and the Corinthians' infatuation (spiritual immaturity) with them.
V.1 Paul is entreating the people and then quotes the super apostles (SAs). Having proven by his soft spoken writing that he loves these people, now Paul takes the role of an elder by facing the trouble makers.
V. 2 Notice again how Paul is talking to two groups, the people and leaders, and the SAs.
Vs. 3-6 This is something more than wisdom and apologetics. Paul worked on a spiritual level, understanding his warfare as spiritual.
V. 5 Paul mentions this in Romans as his commission from Christ, to win obedience from the Gentiles. What does that mean to you?
Vs. 7-12 I keep thinking about Jesus' constant words to His disciples, "you will know them by their fruits."
Vs. 13-18 How often have I met "self important" and "head" leaders who have no fruit from Christ using them in the harvest, but have "taken over" another person's fruit.
The Lord commends us as we follow Him in the harvest by letting his love flow through us to produce fruit.
Psalm 52
Living life by one's own craftiness rather than trusting the Lord is an ongoing problem for all of us. The bad guy here seems like a totally evil man and a real rat, but actually, he might look like some of us. We might like him and buy his book. The Corinthians apparently supported some men like this who said they were apostles.
It is interesting that David wrote this after Doeg had killed the priests and David was living in caves. David would live like this for 6-7 years and then 3 years in Ziklag. What happened to Doeg? Who knows? But David trusted in the Lord, and for him verses 8-9 were all that mattered. God was enough, although he was living a very desperate, insecure, and Spartan existence, following and waiting on the Lord.
Notice how the steadfast love of the Lord opens and closes the psalm. It would be great for us, as we follow and work in the harvest, if His love was enough.
Another good song by the band "Sons of Korah" on this song of David.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jll_5rrNs3I&feature=related
Proverbs 22:26-27
These verses could be applied to pledging to pay the loans of another person, but it looks to me that it could also be going out on credit. This is not Larry Burkett or Dave Ramsey; this is God. Basically, I think it says that if you don't have cash on hand, don't buy it on a pledge to pay. I don't think this is referring to huge stuff like houses or cars, etc…but it is a mindset of not living on debt. As Paul said to Timothy, both of whom were following in the harvest, "If we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content." In the world at present we are watching the "debt" bubbles burst in almost every western nation. It was all foolishness, just as it says here.
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.
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