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Lowell Brueckner

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The Messiah and the People

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56. An expository study of Isaiah, chapter 61 and 62

Chapter 61

This chapter contains clear Messianic prophecy that Christ Himself brought to the attention of His hometown people in Nazareth. It was His custom to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath and Luke 4:17 states that they gave Him the book of Isaiah to read. He found the portion that is before us, read from it, and then made the dramatic statement: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Lk.4:21).

 Verse 1 declares that He is the Messiah, the Christ, meaning the anointed of the Father: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” The first thing that I would like to point out is that the ministry of Christ was a work of the trinity from beginning to end. At His baptism, the Holy Spirit came upon Him like a dove and a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt.3:17). Concerning His resurrection, Jesus said: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (Jn.2:19). He was raised from the dead “according to the Spirit of holiness” (Ro.1:4). The Father “God raised him from the dead” (Ac.13:30).

A Thousand Years of Glory

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55. An expository study of Isaiah, chapter 60

From time to time, as we have contemplated the works of Isaiah, we have noticed some very heartening beginnings to the chapters. However, with a few exceptions, because of present or future conditions in Israel, known by the Spirit of the Lord, Isaiah needed to turn to warning or rebuke before the chapter ended. Chapter 60 is probably the brightest prophecy yet, concerning their future. It is refreshing to find 22 verses that tell of unalloyed blessing, reinforcing the proverb of Solomon, “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it” (Pro.10:22).

Literally, Israel will become the light of the world

It begins: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (v.1). The word is directed towards Israel and specifically to Mount Zion. A literal fulfillment is the most natural and logical one that we can give to its contents, especially in light of Isaiah’s prophecies that have already been fulfilled. I refer to the word concerning the destruction of the Assyrian Empire, fulfilled shortly after it was predicted. I refer to the defeat of the Babylonian Empire by the Persians. In the latter, the Holy Spirit gives the literal name of the conqueror, Cyrus, well before he was born. We have studied a good number of Messianic prophecies, foretelling the first advent of Christ, fulfilled to the letter. 

Salvation… God’s Sovereign Work

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54. An expository study of Isaiah, chapter 59


Where can we turn, outside of the Word of God, to understand the vital issues of mankind? The Bible clearly depicts the doctrine of man, which is so important for us to know and understand. Then we can recognize our individual place among the human race and diagnose our problem. From that point, we go on to find the remedy.

Sin, Fasting, and the Lord’s Day

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53. An expository study of Isaiah, chapter 58



 Cry aloud against sin!



“Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins” (v.1). This is a forthright command, emphatic and clear, that God gives to anyone, who can be considered His mouthpiece. I can only see two possible reasons why someone would choose to disobey, to soft-pedal, or undermine the importance of God’s command. 1) He chooses to ignore it, succumbing to popularity, a feigned compassion and good standing with people. Such a person is not worthy to be called a servant of God. 2) He might argue that this is an Old Testament command, directed solely towards Israel. A little scrutiny of the New Testament will destroy that argument.



My study of the gospels has shown me that Jesus was more than a gentle, kind shepherd, mingling with sinners and enjoying their company. Consider the Lord’s statement to His disciples concerning a major part of His ministry: “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin” (Jn.15:22). He uncovered their sin and guilt and called it by its name.