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Lowell Brueckner

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Obedient unto Death

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 48. An expository study of Isaiah, chapter 53

To believe requires revelation

We will now open to one of the most, if not the most, significant prophecy of Isaiah. As we turn to chapter 53, there will not be many readers, who do not recognize the fact that it was fulfilled by the cross. It is cited directly in Matthew 8:17, Mark 15:28, Luke 22:37, John 12:38, Acts 8:28-35, Romans 10:16, and 1 Peter 2:21-25, and is alluded to a good number of times more in the New Testament.

We marvel at the wonderful, supernatural perception that is given to this man, Isaiah. Not only does he foresee the crucifixion, but he sees its cause and its accomplishment. The supreme importance of its theme makes me hesitate in taking on this study and certainly causes me to do so with a keen sense of inadequacy. Then let us together approach our text prayerfully and humbly, submitting our hearts and minds to the divine Author, who alone can penetrate into the depths of our being and teach us in a spiritual and heavenly manner.

Attention: New Visitors!!

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We are very happy to report that we have a significant increase in readers over the last few months. May I suggest to those new visitors, who have been reading our recent posts, that we have a wealth of old articles. Some of them are extremely important and valuable and, I think, will be useful to you. Let me suggest a few
(just click on the blue links):






In my opinion, this is one of the most important messages given to the church in the last 50 years. It was a ministry-changer for me. It was given by a man, who is not especially well-known in our days. Searching his heart to speak in a conference, suddenly his thoughts turned to an Old Testament story of a wayward priest. With just a few hastily written notes, he abandoned the message that he originally prepared and delivered one that touched the heartstrings of many sincere followers of Christ. One person told me: "After hearing this message, I just dropped to my knees in worship!" Please read this carefully.


Redeemed without Money

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47. An expository study of Isaiah, chapter 52

An awakening

When Israel became a sovereign state in 1948, the time began when Gentile rulers would no longer control the nation’s destiny. We are living in the time, when the scene is being set for Israel’s full restoration. Our expository study enters into Messianic chapters of prophecy that extend far beyond Isaiah’s time into the future to the first and second advent of Christ. Any fulfillment of this prophecy after the Babylonian captivity is only partial. The promise that the uncircumcised and unclean would no more enter into Zion can only belong to the Millennium.

“Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean” (v.1). In chapter 51:9, we first see God awakening to revival, a renewal of a demonstration of His power over Israel’s enemies. In 51:17, we have the call to Jerusalem to awaken to His work of comfort and restoration. Then, as we studied, we saw the severe results of God’s anger, often symbolized in the Bible as wine. Israel had drunken to the full and reeled uncontrollably without any human help possible. It is from this state that God calls, and the call is repeated, as our chapter begins. The time has come, prophetically speaking, for Israel to put off its weakness and the drunken rags and be clothed with divine strength and beautiful garments.

Joy Comes in the Morning

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46. An expository study of Isaiah, chapter 50 and 51

Chapter 50

Jesus, speaking on behalf of His Father, showed that divorce was never a divine consideration (Mt.19:3-6). Isaiah is going back in time to the calling of God upon His people (in referring to “the mother”), to assure the Jew of his day and in the future that there is no breaking of the marriage contract at any point. Paul enforces the divine principle: “If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself” (2 Ti.2:13). Divorce is contrary to His nature of endless faithfulness, though His offspring may be severely disciplined or cut off for a time: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce, with which I sent her away?” In what way have I reneged on My responsibility towards you?

Due to extreme poverty and an inability to pay a debt, children were sometimes taken from their parents in payment.  We have a case during Elisha’s ministry in 2 Kings 4:1-7. Here, God continues to reason with the Jew, “Which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you?” Any concept of poverty or faithlessness on God’s part are equally ludicrous. Whatever the people may suffer, being carried away captive from their own land into another, is strictly a result of their sins (v.1). Sin results in separation and indebtedness towards God.

The Messiah Restores Israel

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Due to travels, it has been a while since I wrote the commentary on the last chapter 48. Finally, I've gotten the chance to continue with chapter 49. I hope you will find it worth the wait. It's a beautiful picture of the Messiah and the Jews coming into the Millennium. I especially find the care of the Jewish children during the Tribulation a wonderful part. 

45. An expository study of Isaiah, chapter 49


The calling of the Christ


“Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar.” Isaiah again sends his call to distant lands, to those outside the commonwealth of Israel. All creation is obligated to hear the word of the Lord and submit to the consequences, if they do not. Their refusal is voluntary, so ignorance is not taken into account, and in all cases they will be judged for the word that God has uttered. No excuse is granted. We face the same situation in these times, for Jesus proclaimed, “The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day” (Jn.12:48). 

“The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name” (v.1). The sinner is conceived in sin and the only remedy is the Messiah, the Lamb of God from all eternity, spotlessly conceived in the womb of a virgin. He is the Christ, the only hope of the world. He is named from the body of His mother: “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Mt.1:21).