SEPTEMBER 13
Isaiah 12-14
In Isaiah, it seems like every day we bump
into a familiar, important passage of Scripture. Today is no exception. Hang on
to your hat. The chapters we’ll read today get interpreted differently by
different men, so I’ll suggest something that makes sense to me and seems to be
in the mainstream.
Isaiah 12
Vs. 1-6 This is the celebration of God’s
salvation. When you think of how the Lord prunes us or disciplines us, the
purpose is for our good. As a result of listening to Him and waiting on Him, He
puts praise and testimony in our mouths and hearts. We don’t have to
“formulate” joy. He gives it in a memorable, real way.
I’m sure there was joy in Jerusalem as God
destroyed the Assyrian army. There will also be joy in Jerusalem as Jesus
returns in that crucial moment at the end of the Tribulation and establishes
His kingdom on the earth. It is built into His eternal plan that He returns to
Jerusalem, Zion. It is no accident that the nations will hate this city.
V. 4 Notice that in that day divides the chapter into two parts. So what is the
difference in these sections?
Notice that there is a witness to the world
in what happens here. God never loses sight that all this is being done for the
salvation of mankind, Jew and Gentile.
V. 6 is a key verse. Two important things are
mentioned here. First, Zion is focused upon. That will be important in the
chapters that follow. Second, Zion is great only because of God's presence in
it. You might know the song, “Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion city of
our God.” Although the people of Jerusalem and Judah abused this reality,
thinking they could sin and God would still protect them because He claimed
Jerusalem as His city, Zion was, and still is, the city of God. Woe to the
nation that threatens or destroys Zion. We have already seen what happened to
Assyria when they threatened Jerusalem. Now we’ll see what happens to another
nation.
Isaiah 13
V. 1 It gives some commentators fits because
Babylon is mentioned here. I would suggest that although the events were still
future, Babylon is mentioned here because they are the ones who would finally
destroy Jerusalem.
Vs. 2-13 This description of the coming
judgment of God begins with God’s future wrath in the end times, against the
nations that come to destroy Jerusalem before the battle of Armageddon. Look
for all the images that are very "last day." You’ll be surprised what
you find. You would think you were reading the Olivet Discourse or the book of Revelation.
The seven years of the day of the Lord
will make any distress we’re experiencing on earth now look like a picnic.
Financial worries? As the Larry Norman song says, “A piece of bread could buy a
bag of gold.” Wars and natural disasters will seem small when the very physics
of the earth and universe are shaken.
V. 12
According to the book of Revelation (6:8, 8:7, 9:18), possibly two-thirds of
the earth’s population will be lost in all of the judgments. Today we have 7
billion people. It is hard to say that people would be rare if there were still
two billion, but that might be a high estimate of how many will be left when
the Lord returns. We only know of how many people die in a given catastrophic
event, not in the aftermath. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24:22 that at the
close of the age before He returned, And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved.
But for the sake of the elect those
days will be cut short. It seems that at that time,
those who are left will just be hanging on by their fingertips.
Vs. 14-16 seem to be aiming lower at Babylon
itself. One important reference here that shows that this is the nation of
Babylon that destroyed Jerusalem, and not some earlier version of Babylon that
the Assyrians destroyed, is the reference to dashing the infants in pieces. The
Babylonians did that when they destroyed Jerusalem. This punishment is foretold
in Psalm 137:8-9, which at this point in Israel’s history, is also still
future.
Vs. 17-22 The Medes took ownership of the
palace and city of Babylon. After Daniel 6, you seldom hear of the city. Over
generations, the Medes let it die and it became a desert ruin, as it is today.
It didn’t happen immediately, but God’s punishment on the city Babylon came
true. It was poetic justice. They destroyed Jerusalem, and the city of Babylon
boasted having one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Jerusalem still exists
today; Babylon doesn’t. One interesting note is to look at what Nebuchadnezzar
was saying in Daniel 4:30, when God temporarily took the image of God from him.
V. 19 When it says that Babylon is the glory
of kingdoms, we tend to pass that off as an idle boast. When you read the
prophecy of the nations in Daniel 2:37-39, God Himself says that Nebuchadnezzar
was the golden head and that all the empires that were to come after Babylon
would be inferior to it (until you get to the Rock). God Himself thought highly
of Babylon. (He also used Babylon greatly for His purposes.) God saved His
people in Babylon. (Egypt also had a special place with God because they hosted
Israel.) And, of all the rulers we get to know, it appears possible that
Nebuchadnezzar might have become a worshipper of Yahweh.
Isaiah 14
Here we go.
Vs. 1-4 give the people hope for their future
exile and enslavement in Babylon. This is one of the purposes of prophecy,
allowing the people to know that the same God who ordained their punishment was
promising their restoration.
A good question here is the identity of this
king of Babylon in v. 4. There was a judgment against Nebuchadnezzar. God
judged him for seven years. Belshazzar was the king of Babylon who was severely
humbled and judged in Daniel 5. But as we know in Scripture and will see in v.
12, standing behind the pride and arrogance of this human government is another
government and a being who says that human nations have all been delivered to
him. So in the descriptions that follow, when the height of arrogance is
described, Satan is described. What we are reading then will have an
application to the human and spiritual kings of Babylon.
Vs. 5-11 I would say that these verses could
and probably do apply to the earthly and spiritual rulers of Babylon. If so,
this would also remove the misconception that Satan will rule in hell. He will
be punished and helpless just like those he worked to corrupt.
Vs. 12-17 I think this is exclusively Satan.
Although the description in vs. 12-14 is poetic, many people believe this is a
description of Satan’s actions and the pride that brought him into rebellion
and judgment. Having been ordained to serve mankind, Lucifer saw himself as a
ruler, wanting to be to mankind what God is to the realm of the angels. In 1
Timothy 3:6, Paul says conceit brought Satan into condemnation.
Vs. 18-21 This seems to say that this ruler
will have a very “abnormal” reception into living death. The deceiver will be
gloated at in his helplessness.
Vs. 22-25 Here, God declares that His wrath
against Babylon and Assyria is totally certain.
Vs. 26-27 Notice here that now God is talking
about the whole world and His purpose for the culmination of human history.
Vs. 28-32 The neighbors of Jerusalem would
rejoice at the death of King Ahaz, as they would over the destruction of
Jerusalem later. But God will pronounce judgment against the neighbors and
raise Jerusalem from the rubble and bring His people back. Zion is still God’s
possession.
God is concerned for all people. Israel here
is being shown in its disobedience. In a sense, they are representing all
people, and we are being shown the power of sin in them resisting and rebelling
against God. When you see all the effort God is making in Isaiah to warn and
guide His people, we can imagine that God is doing that every day with people
on this planet. As followers of Christ in this harvest, our job is to follow
the Spirit's leading and be available to interact with people. We should
anticipate that there are people we bump into every day with whom God is
working and preparing to say "yes" to the offer of forgiveness in our
Lord.
2 Corinthians 13
Our last day in 2 Corinthians.
Vs. 1-4 It appears that Paul was coming to
Corinth to hold court. You sort of get the idea that some of the problems
mentioned in 1 Corinthians were not yet taken care of.
V. 1 He reminds them that two or three witnesses are required to
back up a charge against someone. Apparently there were some charges that might
have to be made.
V. 3 He
is not weak in dealing with you was evidenced by God actually removing
people who had violated the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11. Paul knew that
if he (Paul) needed to show spiritual power, God would allow him to do it.
V. 4 Paul shows that this principle of
strength being shown first in weakness
originated in Jesus Himself. I'll bet the super-apostles didn't like that
illustration. After reading this and all of what Paul has said, I don't feel
that bad about being beaten up in ministry.
Vs. 5-10 Paul asks them to honestly search
their own hearts. This testing was also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11,
regarding Christians who were desecrating the Lord’s Supper.
V. 5 I think
the test is twofold here. Were they actually believers? And if so, were they
following? While being saved is mandatory for knowing Christ, abiding in Him
and following Him, with the intentional mindset that He is in us, is optional.
Abiding in Christ is not optional for a disciple in love with Jesus, though it
will always take work to allow this truth to control our minds. Already you are clean because of the word
that I have spoken to you. 4Abide
in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it
abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (John 15:3-4)
Vs. 6-8 The Corinthians were having a hard
time realizing that Paul & Co. were dedicated to Christ and to making
disciples. This wasn't about Paul proving himself, but having the Corinthians
follow the Lord as lovers of Christ and as dedicated disciples.
Vs. 9-10 At this point, restoration was still
necessary in Corinth between the people and God. Paul was hoping that this
letter would spur them on to take care of their own problems. The good news is
that it seems that the Corinthians, for a time, pulled things together. Paul
wrote Romans on this future visit to Corinth some time before Acts 21, and in
the letter Paul seems at peace. You get this sense of peace from chapter greetings
he includes in Romans 16.
Vs. 11-14 Even in taking care of their
internal problems, they were to aim at restoration and to live in the love and
peace of God.
So, thinking about 2 Corinthians, what things
come to mind when you think of Paul as a disciple? How does this letter to the
Corinthians help refine and focus what it means for you to follow Christ in the
harvest, reaching the lost and making disciples, who make disciples? One thing
that hits me is that Paul’s trials benefited him, the Corinthians, and us. I
need to understand that the things the Lord takes me through are not just for
me; they are for others. And ultimately, God works things for good for His plan
of redemption in the harvest.
Psalm 57
This looks like it would have been a
beautiful song.
David was on the run. Notice the references
to taking refuge in God and also the
mentions of God’s steadfast love.
Vs. 1-3 In all of this trial and crying out,
David understood God had a purpose for him. That’s a good thing to remember
when you are faced with very dark times for a long time.
Vs. 4-5 Notice how David mentions the threat
and then suddenly he mentions how high and exalted
God is.
Vs. 6-11 This is the same kind of pattern as
4-5. Verse 6 is the challenge, but the rest of the verses are a declaration of
David’s faith, ending with a repeating of v. 5.
V. 9 In light of God’s salvation, it is our
privilege and duty to proclaim His deliverance. The word nations is the same word that means peoples or Gentiles. There is a
redemptive message here, and a redemptive purpose in God putting David through
all of this.
How much more
should we, who know Christ, share the good news of His salvation with others?
Psalm 40:9-10 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great
congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD. 10I
have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your
faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and
your faithfulness from the great congregation.
But as David learned over and over, God kept
him in his distress, giving him small deliverances over the ten years he ran
from Saul. The storm went on, but God taught David to praise Him in the storm.
Proverbs 23:9-11
These are two separate “words” of wisdom.
V. 9 This is either trying to debate with a
fool or casting your pearls before swine, or any degree in between.
Vs. 10-11 Moving a landmark was the same as
stealing land, and it looks like this specific act of stealing was toward a
poor person, a widow or orphans. God may not judge immediately, but He will
judge.
If you’re reading along
and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/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
complete description of this model of being and making disciples you can find
it in my book: Simply Disciples*Making Disciples.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
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 comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
If you would like
documents containing an entire month of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to
print.
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