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Today's Bible Reading...
Isaiah 1-4
Questions:
1. "The ox knows his master, the __ his owner's manger, but ___ does not know,
my people do not understand." (1:3)
2. "Seek __, encourage the __. Defend the cause of the ___, plead the case of
the __"
(1:17)
3. "'Come now, let us ___ together' says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like
___, they shall be as white as ___; thought they are red as ___, they shall be
like ___.'"
(1:18)
4. "If you are willing and ___, you will eat the best from the land; but if you
resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the ___." (1:19,20)
5. "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the ___ to the house of the God of
Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." (2:3)
6. "They will beat their ___ into ___ and their ___ into pruning hooks. Nations
will not take up __ against ___, nor will they train for __ anymore." (2:4)
7. "Stop trusting in __, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account
is he?
(2:27)
8. "In that day __ women will take hold of one man" (4:1)
9. Who will say, "we will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let
us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!" (4:1)
10. "Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called __."
(4:3)
Isaiah is called the "Messianic Prophet" because he believed that his nation was
to be a Messianic Nation to the world. This was to be the nation through whom
one day the great Messiah would come from God to all nations. The New Testament
says that Isaiah "saw the glory of Christ, and spoke of him." (John 12:4)
Isaiah was a prophet of the Southern Kingdom, Judah, when the Northern Kingdom,
Israel, was conquered by the Assyrians. While Isaiah was a young man the
Assyrians either destroyed or carried away all of the Northern Kingdom. The
Assyrians came to Judah and destroyed 46 walled cities and carried away 200,000
captives. Finally the Assyrians were stopped before the walls of Jerusalem by an
angel of God. Isaiah's whole life was spent
under the threat of Assyria. It was through Isaiah's prayer and his advice to
king Hezekiah, that there was a direct miraculous intervention of God and
Assyria was prevented from invading Jerusalem.
The book of Isaiah was written after the Fall of the Northern Kingdom, when the
Assyrians had invaded Judah and carried away a large portion of the population.
Jerusalem stood alone. As Assyria drew closer, the people continued to "go
through the motions" of their religious service to God. Isaiah called the people
to repentance and obedience.
In chapters 2-4 we see the future glory of the Christian Age in contrast with
the judgment of the wicked.
What can we learn from these verses?
1. God hates idols, perverted justice, oppression of the poor, trusting in
military power instead of God. The Northern Kingdom had turned from God and the
Southern kingdom was following suit. As long as the people continued to sin,
they cut themselves off from God's help. Our sins will cut us off from God. The
only way to restore our relationship is to confess our sins and walk obedient in
God's ways.
2. Sacrifices were suppose to be an outward sign of inward faith in God.
Unfortunately, the sacrifices were empty signs because no inward faith existed.
The people went through the motions. They placed their faith in the rituals of
their religion rather than in God. God looks on the heart. God does not take
pleasure in empty outward expressions.
3. The people continued to offer sacrifices but they did not express sorrow for
their sins. They made no plans to repent or to change their ways. Gifts and
sacrifices mean nothing to God if our hearts are corrupt. God says, "When you
spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer
many prayers, I will
not listen." If you want your prayers answered you must have a right
relationship with God.
4. Scarlet/crimson was the color of a permanent dye. The stain of sin seems
permanent, but God can remove sin's stain. We don't have to go through life
permanently soiled.
5. Look forward to the future when instruments of war will be converted to
instruments of farming. A time when God's laws will be taught and obeyed by
everyone.
6. Although we may not have golden cows or carved images today, people still
worship objects. (Cars, homes, money) Take care to focus on the Creator and not
the creations.
7. The "day" of the Lord is a day of judgment. God will judge all people. Our
sin hurts us. "Why should you be beaten anymore? Will you persist in your
rebellion. "Our sin will hurt us twice - in the present and in the future.
8. Instead of being concerned about the poverty and oppression around them, the
people were focused on themselves. They were self-serving, self-centered. They
were blind to the needs around them. God expects us to use our gifts and
resources to help others, not impress them. Our faith must lead to action.
Prayer: God, may my relationship with you be pure. Forgive my sins and help me
to obey you in every way. May my gifts be pleasing in your sight because I not
only offer you material gifts but my heart as well.
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