The Messiah and the People
Labels:
Isaiah
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
Labels:
Isaiah
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
Labels:
Isaiah
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
Labels:
Isaiah
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.
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