Zion’s Sinners and Righteous Ones
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Isaiah
31. An expository study of Isaiah, chapter 33
God’s
cup for measuring evil
Throughout the book of Isaiah, we find the prophet
taken up with the development and the advance of the Assyrian Empire and army.
It was establishing its dominance on the world scene of that day. God informs
His people concerning it and encourages them by referring to its ultimate
destruction. His word reaches out to the Assyrian himself to warn him of the
coming judgment. As I have mentioned previously, these prophecies stretch beyond
the immediate situation to the rising Babylonian Empire and to other world
powers, which will take their place in the future, and sometimes they reach to
the end of the age.
Therefore in verse 1, the subject addressed is
primarily Assyria, but takes in any oppressive human system that exerts its
power over weaker nations. They are characterized as destructive and
treacherous and they attack without provocation. They are not seeking to
recover, what has been taken from them, or to take revenge on harm done to them.
Those under their attack have not betrayed or hurt them in the past. That is
not necessary to an army made up of fallen human beings. They are inherently
evil.
God allows them to progress up to a certain point and
carefully measures the level of their evil deeds. He makes a curious statement
in the book of Genesis, stating that “the
iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete” (Gen.15:16), giving this as a
reason why He would delay the beginning of His plan to use Abraham’s descendants
to conquer the Amorites and Canaan, for four generations. On the other hand,
Christ stated that the generation had come and the time was ripe for rebellious
Jews to “fill up, then, the measure of
your fathers” (Mt.23:32). The prophecy before us declares that the time will
come, when all evildoers will be visited with the same treachery and
destruction that they have dealt to others.
New Serbian Blog!
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Important messages
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| Belgrade, Serbia |
We are going to be cooperating with this effort and the following link will take you to the blog:
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God and His People
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Isaiah
30. An expository study of Isaiah, chapter 31-32
Chapter 31
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| The Egyptians have always been known for their horses. |
Earlier in this book we learned much about God dealing
with the enemies of Judah and now we are learning about their ally. We do not
need much discernment to beware of our enemies, but the Lord wants to help us
to see a greater danger in our would-be allies. Above all, we need to be
aware of ourselves; the truth is that we are our own worst enemies.
Great precautions have to be taken against the one,
who we see when we look in a mirror. An old preacher used to say, “My greatest
enemy is the man, who married my wife!” In these days of common divorce and
remarriage, he may have been misunderstood, so just in case something else
comes to mind, I will clarify that he was referring to himself.
God Waits to be Gracious
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Isaiah
29. An expository study of Isaiah, chapter 30
Please be sure to have your Bible open, as we begin,
so that you can directly refer to the Scripture throughout our study.
Symptoms
of rebellion
This chapter begins with a woe, pronounced against stubborn and rebellious children: “Woe to the rebellious children, says the
Lord” (v.1). I notice it is translated in my Spanish version, “children who separate themselves” and
the Hebrew word can be defined in that way. Here are the definitions: to turn away, be refractory, backsliding,
rebellious, revolter, stubborn, to withdraw.
I think, then, that we can judge a separation from God
as an important and sure sign that someone has turned rebellious. Therefore,
the first error of rebellion is a refusal to walk with God and consists in
making a decision to take an independent pathway. Independence sings a sweet
song and many are attracted by it, follow it and leave the heavenly highway.
You Turn Things Upside Down!
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Isaiah
28.
An Expository Study of Isaiah, Chapter 29
Let me summarize five general characteristics that we
have come to recognize in studying the book of Isaiah:
1. It is a book of repetition. God knows who He is
dealing with… that is, forgetful human beings… and therefore, He goes over the
same principles of truth again and again.
2. It is a poetical book, full of symbols, analogies,
axioms and even song, appealing to the inner man, as well as the intellect, in
order that the truth should penetrate deeper.
3. As in all Scripture, it is a book that reveals the
person and character of God. This book has a central theme, which concentrates
on the holiness of God. Therefore it promises judgment and retribution to the
nations for their sin, and punishment to Israel for its rebellion against Him.
4, It is a book about God’s salvation. In it, God
clearly demonstrates his unwavering and undying care for His people. He will defend
them against their enemies and bring about their deliverance. Again and again,
we also see Him reaching out to His enemies and offering them the opportunity
of a future with Him and His people. Ultimately, He promises eternal salvation.
5. It is a book of prophecy. Some of the prophecy will
shortly come to pass, especially that regarding Assyria. Others reach forward
to the rise and fall of Babylon. There is a wealth of Messianic prophecy
pointing to the advent, the birth, the ministry, the purpose, the death and the
reign of the Messiah. It prophecies of the mercy of God to the Gentile nations.
It points to the Tribulation and often to the Millennium, which follows.
And then it takes us on into eternity, telling of the total destruction of the
present world and the new heaven and earth.
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