2008 12 Dec

Daily Devotions for December 2008

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THEME -"Messianic Prophecy and Fulfillment"

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It is our desire to make these devotionals readily available to anyone who can use them. We pray that as you daily read and meditate on God's Word, you will be able to use these to help you spiritually grow in your daily walk with the Lord.

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OT Prophecy Concerning the Messiah's Birth: Fulfilled in NT!
Isaiah 7:14, quoted in Matthew 1:18-25

      This prophecy from Isaiah 7 was fulfilled when Christ came through the virgin birth and in the flesh as Emmanuel. Let's look at four very convincing things about the virgin birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

      1. Matthew went to great pains to point out the supernatural birth of Jesus. He says very pointedly, Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened like this.; First, Mary was found with child of the Holy Ghost.Then, That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Then, Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled: Behold, a virgin ;shall bring forth a son. Finally,;They shall call His name, Emmanuel: God with us. Matthew wasn't interested in giving a detailed account of Jesus birth. He wanted to simply draw attention to the fact that the OT prophecies of Messiah's birth were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The Jews also needed to know that Christ was born of a virgin, to put away the slanderous gossip that was going on about Joseph and Mary. It's easy to look at the account now and see what really took place, but what if we had personally been there? What would we have thought and believed?

      2. Mary also clearly gave a simple profession that shows "shock and amazement". How can this be, seeing I know not a man?.

      3. Then we need to consider the mystery of life that man knows so little about! Ecclesiastes 11:5, As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

      4. Lastly, we see the mystery of godliness. 1 Timothy 3:16, And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

      Dear Lord Jesus, how we thank You for being Emmanuel, God with us! We thank You for Your virgin birth. We thank You that these facts are indisputable. We are so thankful for Your holy Word that was written in times past and was fulfilled in times present so that all mankind would have opportunity to place their faith and trust in You as their Savior. Help us to love and trust You completely. In Your name, Amen.

Isaiah 7:14, Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:18-25. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
[19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
[20] But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
[21] And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
[22] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
[23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
[24] Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
[25] And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

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The Land That Walked in Darkness Has Seen a Great Light
Isaiah 9:1-2 and Matthew 4:15-16

      In this passage, Isaiah is referring to the Northern Kingdom called Israel after the division following the death of Solomon. The King's Highway is North and East of the Sea of Galilee and was the invasion route of King Benhadad and later the army of the Syrians. "The Via Maris or Kings Highway" passed through this part of Israel and stretched from Egypt to Babylon. It followed the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to the city of Acre and turned east across the desert to the Persian Gulf.

      Isaiah 9:1-2 Verse one identifies the area: Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. Verse 2 the prophecy: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. They practiced witchcraft, golden calf worship, and every known manner of sexual perversion. They were walking in total spiritual blindness and every known form of wickedness. That is why God led them into captivity in 721 B.C. Judah was spared until 586 B.C. or more than a hundred years.

      Jesus began His ministry in this northern area or what was known as Galilee in the New Testament. Matthew 4:15-16 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. The area to the west of the Sea of Galilee and north to Mt. Hermon is the most productive part of the Holy Land today. It is also from this area that Jesus called His first disciples and began his ministry of miracles among the people. Just to mention a few, the wedding feast at Cana, the feeding of five thousand men plus women and children, the healing of the withered hand and many more. John said He was the light of the world. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not, John 1:4-5.

Isaiah 9:1-2. Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
[2] The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined

Matthew 4:15-16. The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
[16] The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

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King of Kings
Isaiah 9: 6,7

      I don 't understand why some of those that name the name of Jesus Christ feel compelled to try to explain away the Bible. They are embarrassed by such stories of Jonah and the fish, and they try to lead those of us who are more simple minded to doubt the truth of the story. I can relate to the old preacher who said he would have believed it if the Bible said Jonah swallowed the huge fish. It is wise to take the Bible very normally. God means what He says and says what He means.

      In our text we read such statements of Jesus Christ as:Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. Then in Daniel 7:14 ...there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him. Lastly, consider the words of the angelic messenger in Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.The point is there are many prophecies in both the Old and New Testaments to an earthly kingdom in Israel ruled by Jesus Christ.

      Those of us that take this position believe that the day is coming when Jesus Christ will take His church out of this earth before the evil kingdom of the Antichrist. In another translation of 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4;6-8 we read, Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. And you know what restrains him now. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming. Jesus Christ is coming to this earth again to set up His kingdom on this earth. Prior to this time, the church will be taken out along with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of all who believe. The Spirit of God is the restrainer of evil here. I believe we are now in this apostasy. Of the kingdom, we are told, Isaiah 2:4 they will hammer their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; never again will they learn war. The earth has never seen such things, but it will when Jesus comes again. Are you ready?

Isaiah 9:6,7. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
[7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

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A Messianic Prophecy Fulfilled
Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:12

      Note first the prophecy: And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. Isa. 11:10 Note also the fulfillment of the prophecy: And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. Romans 15:12 The entire passage in Isaiah is Messianic and it is important to read the verse in context. There can be no question as to whom Isaiah is referring, to the Messiah or Jesus Christ. The Messiah was to arise out of the house of David. Jesse was David's father and v. 1 says And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. In his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, Peter speaking of David, said that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne. Acts 2:30 .

      "He comes forth out of the stem, or stump, of Jesse. The house of David was reduced and brought very low at the time of Christ's birth, witnessed by the obscurity and poverty of Joseph and Mary."(Matthew Henry). He is referred to as the root of David, Rev. 5:5 and the root and offspring of David, Rev. 22:16 When Jesus came the first time He presented Himself to the Jewish nation as the promised Messiah, but they rejected Him, demanding that He be crucified. Matt. 27:23 "There is a looking forward to the Millennial reign in the quotation from Isa. 11:10."(Newell). Jesus Christ will rule over the entire world one day.

      Jesus' ministry was to both Jews and Gentiles. The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.I John 4:14. God so loved the world that He gave His Son. John 3:16. All have sinned and all, whether Jews or Gentiles, need to be saved."(Lockyer). Aren't you glad God made it possible for you to be saved?

Thought: The cross is God's compass pointing the lost to Heaven. (Daily Bread, 1979)

Isaiah 11:1-10; And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
[2] And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
[3] And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
[4] But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
[5] And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
[6] The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
[7] And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
[8] And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
[9] They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
[10] And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Romans 15:12. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

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Messiah is Victorious Over Death!
Isaiah 25:8, quoted in 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

      Death is something that we all face as humans. It is a reality and it brings much pain and sorrow and grief. For those who know not Christ, death has much power and causes hopelessness and brings futility and despair. But for those who have placed their faith and trust in Christ to save them, they can shout victoriously this OT promise that Paul also quotes in 1 Corinthians 15:54, Death is swallowed up in victory..

      This realization brings a joyful hope, as the believer is pictured already standing before the Lord in the kingdom of God. God sees the believer as already incorruptible and immortal. When the day comes that the physical body dies, it can be shouted "Death is swallowed up in victory."Why? First, God promised it a long time ago. We also see that the victory conquered the "sting" of death. The sting of death is sin and the sting will be gone forever! Sin gives death its power and men die because of sin. Sin also surrounds death with all its fears, but when we are perfected in Christ, there is no death and it becomes helpless.

      The victory believers are given is over the strength of sin. The law of God is what gives sin its power and its control over mankind. When believers stand perfected before God, the law hovering over their heads will be done away with and the strength of sin will be gone forever. When a person is perfected in Christ, Romans 8:1, says, There is therefore now, no condemnation!

      As we meditate today on God' s Word, may we but simply grasp the implications of these saving truths for our hearts! Revelation 21:4 says, And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

      O gracious God and Savior, may we be encouraged today as we begin to realize that our hope and our strength and our victory over death has been given to us through the mighty work of Jesus Christ on the cross. We can shout victoriously, "O death, where is your sting? O grave where is thy victory? But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus precious name we pray, Amen!

Isaiah 25:8, He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
[54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
[55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
[56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
[57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
[58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

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Another Old Testament Reference to the Trinity Fulfilled in the New Testament

      Isaiah is filled with references to the Messiah and it seems difficult to us that the Jewish scholars were so blind, but we also were blind to these great truths until the Holy Spirit revealed them to us. Isaiah 49:6-7 And He said, It is a light thing that Thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob. To restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give Thee for a light to the Gentiles, that Thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth.Thus saith the LORD, The Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One (Christ), to Him whom man despiseth, to Him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee."

      Luke 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. This prophecy of Simeon is the fulfillment of Isaiah 49. This ancient sage was led by the Holy Spirit to tell Mary and Joseph of the ministry of our Lord Jesus and also of His crucifixion. Please take time to read the context, Luke 2:25-35.

      Paul and Barnabas went on their first missionary journey to Antioch of Pisidia. Antioch had a large Jewish community and Paul went to them first with the message of the Messiah. Antioch was a city in Asia Minor in what is now known as Turkey. Acts 13:27-28 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that He should be slain. Paul did not go to them in condemnation, rather in instruction that they might be saved. However, in Acts 13:50-51, the Jews cast Paul and Barnabas out of the city. Years later Paul was standing before King Agrippa and preached the same message in Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people (Jews), and to the Gentiles. Paul used every opportunity to share the message of salvation. Are you doing the same, or are you afraid to tell this "Wonderful Story" to all that you meet?

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The Place of the King
Luke 12:19-27

      One of the saddest phrases that we read in the Bible is that of John 1:11. In this text, we read He came unto his own, and his own received him not. Jesus Christ came to this earth as the foundation of both a spiritual and an earthly kingdom. In Isaiah 26:16, we read where God says, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation. We find this statement quoted and applied to Jesus Christ in Romans 9:33. It is also in 1 Peter 2:6-8 I lay in Sion a chief corner stone. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence.

      When Jesus came the first time, he came to His own people Israel. The nation as a whole rejected Him, but this will not stand. The day is coming when the nation as a whole will receive him. As Jesus rejected the nation Israel He said, (Matthew 23:39) For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. The Bible tells us that the day is coming when Zechariah 12:9-12 I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. The apostle Paul makes it clear in the book of Romans that God is not done with the nation Israel. In Romans 11:25,26 we read, I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. God is not through with Israel. The day is coming when Jesus will rule and reign from Jerusalem. The rejected king will come and his enemies who said that he would not rule over them will be slain. Sometimes I think those who are troubled by this doctrine imagine a great gulf between this life and the next. I seem to think that they comfort themselves in their compromise by believing that this is so. What they would be wise to remember is that Jesus taught us to pray daily, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus has not forgotten this earth.

Thought: The Lord 's knowledge of us is our hope." (Scroggie).

Luke 12:19-27. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
[20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
[21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
[22] And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
[23] The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
[24] Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
[25] And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
[26] If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
[27] Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

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Promise Of The Coming Messiah Fulfilled
Isaiah 40:3-5; Matt. 3:3; Mark1:3; Luke 3:4-6

      The Messianic prophesy for today 's devotional is found in Isa. 40:3-5. Rather than take up space here to write it out, take time to open your Bible and read it. However, notice the opening words: The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord. v. 3 "The prophet in this section is allowed to assume an ideal point of view and to see the captivity as already past, although it did not begin until long after his own timeThese opening verses look toward a time when judgment will have ended, when Jerusalem will have paid enough for her iniquity."(Alfred Martin). Thus, the message of the Lord was first to bring comfort to His people: Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. V. 2 The prophets who were with the captives saw the day of deliverance approaching, and called upon the people to prepare for it. .

      "The New Testament shows that this is a prophetic reference to John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. Matt. 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4-6; John 1:23.(Martin). "While God was the speaker, John the Baptist was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, and his business was to prepare the way of the Lord, to dispose men 's minds for the reception and entertainment of the gospel of Christ."(M. Henry). The way of the Lord was prepared. John came preaching the need for repentance, a message needed then and a message sorely needed today as we need to prepare for the return of Christ for His own. In His last message to His disciples, Jesus said That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem, Luke 24:47 To the believer the coming of Christ is an encouragement, a comfort. We need to prepare for the coming of the Lord.

Thought: "If God has called you, don 't spend time looking over your shoulder to see who is following." (The Lifeline)

Isaiah 40:3-5; The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
[4] Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
[5] And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Matt. 3:3; For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Mark1:3; The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Luke 3:4-6. As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
[5] Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
[6] And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

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The Messiah's Wisdom and Humility Foretold
Isaiah 42:1-4, quoted in Matthew 12:14-21

      In our text today, we see some interesting details that should cause us to evaluate our individual lives to see where we really stand in the spiritual sense. The very first thing that took place was an attitude of defiance from the people who refused to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is exactly who He said He was. They represent people who rebel against the Lordship of Christ, and who rebel against Him having any control over their lives. They had opportunity after opportunity, and they rejected and rejected. They rejected so much in fact, that their hearts were hardened and they forced Christ to withdraw from them. Have you ever been there or are you maybe there now, or do you know someone who is? Think about the implications here; God says in Gen. 6:3, "My spirit will not always strive with man."

      Why did Jesus withdraw from them? Jesus knew His hour had not yet come and He didn't want to be pushed forward by public acclaim and opinion. He first needed to fulfill the mission of being the "Suffering Servant". Jesus needed to teach the people what true Messiahship meant, that it was spiritual, rather than physical. He also needed to teach humility as He refused to be made a spectacle to "be seen by men". He then gave an example of the principle He had taught: "When they persecute you in this city, flee to another" in Matt. 10:23. This whole passage proves that Jesus is God's Chosen Servant, that He is God's Beloved Son, and that God's Spirit was fully upon Him in His physical form.

      Finally we see that Jesus' work was to proclaim justice to all people, to show true humility by not arguing, or reacting, or fussing. We could learn something here! He came to earth as Savior, to love and encourage, to lead justice to victory and ultimately to give hope to all mankind. Do you personally know this God-man, the Suffering Servant, the one and only Savior of the World?!

      O gracious and merciful Savior, how we praise You for Your great love for us. How we thank You for being our Suffering Servant, showing us how to truly live pleasing to You. Guide us, O great Jehovah as we seek to conform our lives to Your example to us, in Jesus Name, Amen.

Isaiah 42:1-4, Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
[2] He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
[3] A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
[4] He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.

Matthew 12:14-21. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.
[15] But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
[16] And charged them that they should not make him known:
[17] That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
[18] Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
[19] He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
[20] A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
[21] And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

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Prophecy of the Suffering Messiah
Isaiah 53:4 and Matthew 8:17

Isaiah begins this Messianic prophetic message in Chapter 52:13 and continues through Chapter 53. The Jews are forbidden to read the above passage. The Jewish people reject the New Testament, even though it was written by Jewish writers the same as the Old Testament. Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Here is a bit of history for believers to masticate and understand today. When the crusaders arrived in Jerusalem in 1099 AD, they killed over 100,000 Jews, burned the Synagogues and breached the walls of the city. They called the Jews, Christ killers. The infamous Spanish Inquisition was put into action in 1492 the same year Columbus sailed across the Atlantic. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled the Jews from Spain. Over 150,000 Jews fled north to France, Belgium, and Holland. But the last two phrases of the above text, says that "Jesus was smitten of God.".

Matthew 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. The ministry of Jesus took on several forms:

1) He came to save the lost, Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
2) He came to fulfill all Scripture, Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
3) He came to heal the sick, Matthew 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
4) He came to reveal the invisible Father, John 14:9 and 11 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. There are many other reasons He came, but time and space do not permit them here and now. Do you know if you are saved?

Isaiah 53:4. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

Matthew 8:17. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

091002rjs

Unbelief
Romans 1:16-21

In Isaiah 53:1 the prophet raises the question, who hath believed our report? In other words, the message came clearly from God but God's people did not believe. This is one of many prophecies that is quoted in the New Testament and applied to Jesus Christ. In Romans 10:16 we read, they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? In other words, faith entails not only believing but obeying the gospel. We live in a day where faith is seen by many that name the name of Christ as little more than some mental opinion.

Saving faith is something much deeper than that. Saving faith involves the idea of repentance. The word literally means a turning around. The person is born in this world on the road to hell because of the corruption of nature given to us in the fall. Therefore, there must be a turning around to get on the road to heaven. In this turning around our feelings change from one of rejection of and hatred for God to love and trust. Such a change ought to be evident in the life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Part of the corruption of sin is that we want our own way and therefore desire to reject the truth and God. The path of all who reject God is hell and damnation. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, and He is not willing that any should perish. Yet, that does not mean that He will not deal with evil. As surely as goodness and justice is superior to evil, the end will be just and right. It is wise for us to remember that the unbelief spoken of here is not that of the heathen. Rather, it is those who profess faith in God.

Romans 1:16-21. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
[17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
[19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
[21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

091102dw

The Suffering Messiah
Isaiah 53:3-6; Acts 26:22,23

      Isaiah 53 is one of the best-known chapters of the Word of God. In it we see a wonderful prophetic picture of the sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus Christ. This passage is found in the second part of Isaiah. "The theme of the second section is: The Suffering Servant as the Redeemer. It is this chapter which reveals to us in greater measure than any other portion of the book the suffering of the Servant."(Alfred Martin).

      "Many, including orthodox Jews, deny that this chapter refers to the Lord Jesus Christ, but the proofs of its' Messianic character are many and varied."(Martin). For the most part, the church has always regarded this passage as Messianic. "Certainly an unprejudiced person who reads this chapter and then reads the Gospel records must admit that the prophecy and the history fit perfectly when applied to the Lord Jesus Christ."(Martin). The most conclusive proof that it is Messianic is found in the fact that the New Testament it plainly states that this is a prophecy referring to Jesus Christ. Paul's statement in Acts 26:22,23 is one evidence. "There are at least eighty references to Isaiah (direct and indirect) in the New Testament, and the great majority of these are references to this one chapter. When Philip met the Ethiopian treasurer on the desert road and was asked concerning this chapter: Of whom speaketh the prophet this? Of himself, or of some other man? Philip did not hesitate. There is no equivocation in the statement of Scripture: Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Acts 8:35"(Martin).

      I like the words of the hymn "I suffered much for thee, more than than tongue can tell, of bitterest agony, to rescue thee from hell. I've borne, I've borne it all for thee-what hast thou borne for Me?"

Thought: "God 's way of salvation is like a parachute; there just isn 't any substitute." (Daily Bread, 1974)

Isaiah 53:3-6; He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
[4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
[5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
[6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Acts 26: 22,23. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
[23] That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

091202kdd

The Messiah's Voluntary Sacrifice
Isaiah 53:4-6, quoted in 1 Peter 2:19-25

      The one thing that God wants in a Christian is a genuine life. He wants believers to live for Christ and to live exactly what they profess, even to the point of bearing suffering, as we truly follow Christ 's example of suffering. God has given Christians a call, the great call in particular to those who really believe in Christ and that call is to suffer for His names sake. How many physically smart and logically, educated people sadly miss the point of this spiritual teaching of suffering for the cause of Christ! Paul was an eyewitness to Jesus' life and His sufferings. He gives us three things to ponder about the death of Christ on the cross.

      First, we see that Christ suffered for us! His death on the cross took the place of sinners, of which we all are. He gave us everything. He suffered for you and I so that we don 't have to. He calls us to be holy and live godly lives, separated from the world and it's ungodliness.

      Next, we see that Christ "did no sin". He didn't deserve suffering. He was sinless. He lived a perfect and righteous life and so the sins He bore on the cross were not His own, but instead they were yours and mine. And so the wonderful truth is that any person who turns from sin and accepts Christ 's payment for him will be saved from eternal damnation. .

      Lastly, we see that Christ willingly and voluntarily suffered as He bore our sins in His own body. He was reviled but He did not rail back at the attackers. He suffered the abuse and physical death willingly, and He committed Himself to the Father knowing that God would vindicate Him. God judges righteously and fairly and so He committed His life, as our ultimate example, into the hands of the Father. Thus, God gives all believers the call to suffer for Him in our short lives here on this earth and to suffer for Him because He has already suffered the ultimate price for you and I with His own life. We are to die to sin and self and live unto righteousness through the victory that Christ bought and paid for..

      Dear Lord God, as we humbly consider the great suffering and sacrifice that Jesus gave freely for all, we pray that You will bring to our hearts a desire to suffer and sacrifice for You because we love You as our Great God and Savior. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Isaiah 53:4-6, Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
[5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
[6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

1 Peter 2:19-25. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
[20] For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
[21] For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
[22] Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
[23] Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
[24] Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
[25] For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

091302dm

"The Sure Mercies of David"
Psalm 45

      The "Sure Mercies of David" are the loving and merciful promises that God made to David. Almost all commentators agree that the Christian Covenant is intended in the "New Covenant" in Hebrews 9:15 under which mankind obtains pardon and salvation by the Death, Resurrection and Mediatorship of Christ. Isaiah 55: Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. However, it is two pronged and the verse is a promise to David and all Israel that the day is coming when God will establish a new and everlasting covenant with Israel. Therefore, we see the double reference principle in that it refers to two peoples, both Jews and Gentiles.

      In the following is the fulfillment of David 's Sure Mercies to the City of Antioch in Pisidia as Paul preached the death and resurrection of Jesus. Acts 13:33-37 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

      As was said in the introduction of this study, "All Scripture must be fulfilled." The proof of inspiration is in the finished product. If it is not fulfilled, then God says "it was spoken by a false prophet." The fulfill-ment is the acid test that all Scripture is inspired of God. God never breaks His promises. He cannot lie! Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever. Since Jesus is God the same as the Father is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, the above verse applies to the Trinity. God never changes! You and I are as changeable as the wind and weather, but God is steadfast and sure. "The Mercies of David" are an everlasting promise to Israel and all believers.

Psalm 45. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
[2] Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
[3] Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.
[4] And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
[5] Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.
[6] Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
[7] Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
[8] All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
[9] Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
[10] Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
[11] So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
[12] And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.
[13] The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
[14] She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
[15] With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king's palace.
[16] Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
[17] I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.

091402rjs

Without Sin and Guile
Hebrews 4:12-16

      The Lord Jesus Christ was the only good man to have ever lived. I believe Adam and Eve were created perfect, but it was not long before sin and evil touched their hearts. From this original corruption, none in this world are born free from all evil. Such is the nature of sin. It is unfair and wrong by its very nature. This was not true of Jesus Christ. He was God come in the form of human flesh. The person of God was not only present in the person of Jesus ' humanity. The person of God was the person of Jesus humanity. By personality, I mean the ability to be aware of our existence and our moral responsibility.

      This though allowing Him to be tempted made it impossible that He should ever give way to sin and evil. Hebrews 4:15 we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Jesus Christ was absolutely pure, free from all sin, and evil. He was the only man to walk this earth to live and end life this way.

      The Greek word used in I Peter 2:22 for guile has the idea of bait. When you think of bait, there is always a mixture of truth and danger. The fish will not usually take a bare hook. Therefore, we try to give the fish something good that he wants. Was it not that way when Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden? He promised her that she would be like God knowing by experience the difference between good and evil. Up until the fall, man had absolutely no experience with evil, and God was already well aquainted with the ways of the tempter.

      God is always clear and to the point. There is great simplicity in His revelation, as well as, great complexity. A powerful mind, though useful in the service of God, is not a great asset spiritually. If God has gifted us with a great mind or great wealth, we will find that we are prone to put our trust in these over God. Jesus said, Luke 18:24 How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! The apostle Paul writes, 1 Corinthians 1:26,27 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, noble. God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise There is no great spiritual advantage in being smart or wealthy.

Hebrews 4:12-16. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
[13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

091502dw

Messiah, The Sin-Bearer
Isaiah 53:12; Mark 15:28; Luke 22:37

      "Jesus subjected Himself to that which to us, is the wages of sin. He has poured out his soul unto death, poured it out as water, so little account did he make of it, when the laying of it down was the appointed means of our redemption and salvation. He loved not his life unto the death, and his followers, the martyrs, did likewise. Rev. 12:11 "(Matthew Henry) He poured out his life as a drink offering, to make his sacrifice complete. He allowed Himself to be ranked with sinners, and yet He offered Himself to be an intercessor for sinners. He made intercession for the transgressors. "The word Isaiah used for transgressors among whom Christ was numbered does not refer to the usual run of sinners, but to criminals, or to those who were open transgressors of the law of God and man."(Lockyer).

      The fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Mark 15:28; Luke 22:37. With Him they crucify two thieves. He was numbered with the transgressors. "Voluntarily, He permitted Himself to be reckoned with malefactors, and to all appearances as far as the mob was concerned, Jesus was a felon like His companions in death-perhaps considered a shade worse than the other two, as He was given the middle place."(Lockyer).

      "For the pains Jesus received, He responded with prayers for those who ill-treated Him; He met indignities with intercession, suffering with supplication. He had taught His disciples to pray for those who would despitefully treat them; and at the Cross, He practiced what He had preached. He exhibited "the magnanimity of love." He never paid people back in their own coin. He overcame evil with good Retaliation was not in our Lord's vocabulary."(Lockyer). Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do, Luke 23:34 What an example for us!

Thought: "Christians are to market God 's program, not manage it." (Fellowship Paper, Union Grove, WI)

Isaiah 53:12; Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Mark 15:28; And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

Luke 22:37. For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

091602kdd

The Messiah, the Bread of Life
Isaiah 54:13, quoted in John 6:41-51

      What a wonderful truth we see fulfilled here in our text. The truth that Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life for salvation, that we must be drawn of God for salvation and that we must believe on Jesus Christ for salvation. The people in Jesus day rebelled against these claims of His. They murmured against Him and caused much discontent and gossip from the crowd. They totally disagreed with Jesus because they were ignorant of the incarnation and they were so fixed on His earthly origin and where He had come from that they lost sight of the Old Testament promise in Is. 54:13 that all would be taught of God and that those who have heard and learned of the Father would come unto Him. Question! Where are we at today? Do we stand in these people' s shoes and question who Jesus is? Do we really believe Him and know Him? Are you honest enough with yourself to see what Jesus Christ is asking of you today?

      The truth is, a person must be drawn by God. It is the power of God unto salvation to them that believe. Man is spiritually dead without God 's power. A person who comes to Christ has to be drawn by God because sinful man resists the gospel. How does this happen? First man has to hear and how shall they hear without a preacher and how shall they preach unless they be sent! This is God's method. The truth of salvation from God 's Word, preached by men called of God, with the Holy Spirit of God moving upon the hearts of man to nudge and convict them of sin.

      This is where man's part takes place. There must be a turning from sin, true repentance, and then through grace by faith, a trusting from the spiritually awakened spirit, that Jesus will save us from the penalty of sin which is an agonizing and eternal death, punishment and separation from God. The person who believes in Christ has eternal life in glory! The person who believes Christ came in the flesh and gave His life for them personally will be saved for eternity. Praise God for these precious, life-giving truths given freely to those who will accept Him.

      Dear Lord God our Savior, thank You for Your saving grace, for the moving of the Holy Spirit on our spirits, so that we might be saved. Help us to turn our lives over to You, to be used of You, however You choose. May You be glorified in us today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Isaiah 54:13, And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

John 6:41-5. The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
[42] And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
[43] Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
[44] No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
[45] It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

091702dm

The Redeemer Will Come to Zion
Isaiah 59:20, 21 and Romans 11:26, 27

Some of our readers may think we have spent more than enough time in Isaiah, but this Book is loaded with references to the first and second coming of our Lord. In His first appearance, he came as the suffering Servant. When He returns and sets His feet on the Mount of Olives, He will come to bring judgment on the Antichrist, the False Prophet, and Satan. The first two will be cast into the lake of fire and then Satan will be bound for a thousand years. Following the above, He will restore Israel to her proper relationship with Himself and that 's what today 's Scripture is all about. Isaiah 59:20-21 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. As for me, this is my covenant with them (Israel), saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever. All Israel shall be restored to the Land. Christ, the Messiah, will sit on the throne of David. The nations will come to Jerusalem (Zion) to be blessed of the Jews. There will be no more anti-Semitism and the Jews will bask in the presence of the Lord. Their hearts will be turned fully to the Lord and their backsliding will be forever forgotten. It seems a shame that for over two thousand years the Jews have rejected Him and could have had these blessings long ago, but had that happened, we Gentile believers would never had known the Grace, Mercy and Love we now have. We believed the Word of God and were saved when we trusted Jesus as our Saviour.

Romans 11:26-27 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion (Jerusalem) the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. Paul wrote the above to inform the Jews that their day was also coming and the temporal and spiritual blessings would be fulfilled. Some have taught that God is through with the Jews. The above verses contradict the teaching of those who advocate amillennialism (no millennium). They will have to eat their foolish words that God is through with the Jews. God has not preserved the Jews in their persecutions all these centuries for naught.

Isaiah 59:20, 21. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
[21] As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

Romans 11:26, 27. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
[27] For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

091802rjs

The New Covenant
Hebrews 8:8-12

      God's revelation of Himself to fallen humanity is progressive. We may not like to think in these terms but just like we mature and Christians mature so all humanity is maturing. Maturing is not necessarily a spiritual function. Lost people mature, as well as, people of faith. If normal, we both learn to walk; we both learn to talk. For this reason, I believe God's revelation of Himself to humanity was progressive.

      The essential elements of this revelation are the same. The God of the Old Testament is the same God as that of the New Testament. The ideas of God, evil, goodness and the need of salvation by faith are essentially the same in both covenants.

      However, as we see in our text, the old covenant was more external and objective. Faith manifested itself more in external outward obedience rather than any heart felt desire. Note in Jeremiah 31:31,33 the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. I believe that we are in those days now. However, when Jesus comes again, we will be in the days when Jeremiah 31:34 they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, . saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them

      Those who have been born of the Spirit cannot continue in sin. 1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. At face value, we may tend to think of any act of sin and perfection. This is not what is in view here. If it were, the Greek aorist tense would be used. It is not. It is a present tense verb and speaks to us of constant action. The spirit of God within us is stronger than any conscience. For this reason, all who are born of the Spirit cannot live a life of sin. This is a characteristic of the New Covenant. I don't believe the same was true under the Old Covenant. We ought to be grateful to God that He has written His laws on our hearts.

Hebrews 8:8-12. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
[9] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
[10] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
[11] And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
[12] For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

091902dw

Messiah and His People
Hosea 1:10; Romans 9:26

      The Apostle Peter, writing in II Peter 3:16 makes this observation about some things written by the Apostle Paul: As also in all his epistles, speaking of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood. As I approach this devotional from the Scripture in Hosea, and quoted in Romans, I have to admit here is a passage that is for me "hard to understand." But I will do my best to present something that will be beneficial for meditation today

      Perhaps an observation from Kenneth Wuest on Romans 9:25,26 will be helpful: "The contents of these verses refer back to the fact that Paul includes the Gentiles with the Jews within the scope of God's mercy. The "my people which were not my people, and the beloved which was nor beloved"' are the Gentiles. Alford says: "It is difficult to ascertain in what sense the apostle cites these two passages from Hosea as applicable to the Gentiles being called the people of God. That he does so, is manifest from the words themselves and from the transition to the Jews in verse 27. In the prophet they are spoken of Israel,who after being rejected and put away, was to be again received into favor with God.' He suggests that the explanation is as follows: "He (Paul) brings them forward to show that it is consonant with what we know of God 's dealings, to receive as His people those who were formerly not His people - that this may now take place with regard to the Gentiles, as it was announced to happen with regard to Israel, - and even more, - that Israel in this as in so many other things was the prophetic mirror in which God foreshadowed on a small scale, His future dealings with mankind."

      What do I see in all of this? I am thankful that God opened the door of faith to both Jew and Gentiles, and this made it possible for me to be saved in the same way as Paul - through faith in Jesus Christ.

Thought: "Whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved." (Rom. 10:13)

Hosea 1:10; Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.

Romans 9:26. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

092002kdd

Messiah Provides Salvation to All Peoples of the World

Hosea 2:23, quoted in Romans 9:25, 1 Peter 2:1-10

      Did you ever stop to think about how you were personally a part of the people that were not a people before you became a believer? That is what our text is about today in vrs. 10 of 1 Peter 2. Peter is quoting from Hosea 2, as Paul did in Romans 9, and it boils down to this interesting conclusion: that God knew that the Jews would reject Him and He would temporarily have to take away the blessed responsibility of proclaiming the gospel as a nation from them and give it to the Gentiles; those who are better known as the church, the bride of Christ.

      Peter starts this chapter by commanding believers to put away the things of the flesh, the old man, and put on the new, to desire the sincere milk of the Holy Word of God, if indeed they are truly saved! When a person really has turned from sin and has trusted Christ as Savior, they will come to Christ and be placed into the spiritual house as part of the holy priesthood of Christians. It says in vrs. 5. to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Christ Jesus. We could learn a life-changing lesson here! Do we check with God and ask Him about the things we do and say and listen to, to find out if they are acceptable to Him or not? Probably not, and yet so many folks want to express their opinions and live as if they had. This simply will not be accepted by God, as He says in vrs. 7, therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient they stumble. There are clearly many people who are stumbling all over the truth of God 's Word, Christ, and Salvation, but we who are a chosen generation as God s own special people, are to proclaim the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. You see, we were once not a people, but as true believers, we are now the people of God and it 's all because of the richness of God 's Great mercy. God has eternal mercy on His elect church by forgiving their sins and eliminating their judgment, praise God from Whom all blessing flow!

      Dear Merciful and Gracious God, thank You for Your great mercy and for allowing those who have turned from sin and have fully trusted You to be able to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. Help us to be faithful as we live obediently before You! Because of Christ, Amen.

Hosea 2:23, And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.

Romans 9:25, And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

1 Peter 2:1-10. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
[2] As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
[3] If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
[4] To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
[5] Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
[6] Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
[7] Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
[8] And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
[9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
[10] Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

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The Dispensation of the Holy Spirit
Joel 2:28-32 and Acts 2:19-21

      The two Scripture references in today 's devotional give us the prophecy and the fulfillment of the abiding Holy Spirit. We often call our present dispensation, "The Dispensation of Grace." It is the age of the Holy Spirit indwelling all believers and the ministry of the Holy Spirit to bring us to faith in the plan of Salvation for this age. Joel 2:28-32 It shall come to pass afterward (after the crucifixion and resurrection) that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

      Peter uses this prophetic message from Joel as a text and springboard for his preaching on the Day of Pentecost. The Jews were always looking for a sign. The descent of the tongues of fire and the disciples speaking in seventeen dialects and known languages were the signs that caused so many to become believers that day. Yes, the Holy Spirit brought into being the Church that was to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. .

      Acts 2:19-21 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. The latter half of Joel 's prophecy refers to the tribulation and the "Second Coming" of the Lord (verses 19-20). Then (21) tells us another great truth. Salvation is not of works, but of faith and calling on the Lord to save us. Compare the following references: (John 3:16-18 and 36; Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:4-10). Have you taken advantage of this precious Gift of everlasting life with Christ?

Joel 2: 28-32. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
[29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
[30] And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
[31] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
[32] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Acts 2:19-21. And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
[20] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
[21] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

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The Restoration of Israel
Matthew 25:31-46

      Some folk mistakenly believe that God is through with a national Israel. They believe that since God has set her aside, God 's purpose and promises are now being fulfilled in the Church of Jesus Christ. This is the foundation for those who don't believe in a literal kingdom for Israel. They believe that God 's promises to Israel are fulfilled spiritually in the church.

      In the book of Amos 9:11,12 we read, 11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. This verse is quoted in the book of Acts 15:16,17. In this text, Paul and Barnabas are making the case for the inclusion of Gentiles in the church. In this verse, we see that there will be a remnant of all the heathen. In Revelation 5:9, we read about a future scene in heaven where it says, Jesus was slain, and has redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation. However, the text in Amos also speaks of the tabernacle of David being rebuilt.

      Years ago, people doubted that God would restore the nation of Israel and that Israel would come to play a part in end time events. A literal interpretation of Bible prophecy demands that this happen. In our day, I don't know how anyone could honestly have any question about this. Israel is now fully restored a nation with its historic culture and language. This is something unprecedented in world history. At the end of the book of Deuteronomy, we read about this very thing. Both the children of Jacob and Ishmael are playing a major role in world events today. The plans to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem are well underway. As is the case with Biblical archeology, the skeptics and critics find that God 's Word is accurate in every detail. This is not an accident or coincidence, but the very hand of God at work in this life. God knows the beginning from the end, and He has told us the important events that will surround the end of the age.

Matthew 25:31-46. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
[32] And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
[33] And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
[34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
[35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
[36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
[37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
[38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
[39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
[40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
[41] Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
[42] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
[43] I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
[44] Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
[45] Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
[46] And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

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Prophecy: Messiah's Birthplace
Micah 5:2; Matt. 2:5,6; John 7:42

There can be no doubt regarding this prophecy, it is Messianic. It is speaking about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and deals with the place of His birth. We see here, an instance of the perfect planning of God as to the place of our Lord 's birth, as well as the time. Both are pinpointed in prophecy. "How precise He is in His arrangements! He never leaves anything to chance."(Lockyer). We see here the advancement of the King of Israel. The prophet has shown how the house of David had been under the judgment of God even though David had been anointed of God. To encourage God 's people, who may have been tempted to think that God 's covenant with David and his house had been set aside, the prophet gives this prediction of the coming Messiah and His kingdom. It would be in Him that the covenant would be established, and the honors regarding the house of David would be revived, advanced, and perpetuated. (Matthew Henry).

What is foretold here is "That Bethlehem should be the place of His nativity. V. 2 This is the Scripture which the scribes went upon when with the greatest assurance they told Herod where Christ should be born, Matt. 2:6, and hence it was universally known among the Jews that Christ should come out of the town of Bethlehem where David was, John 7:42. Bethlehem signifies the house of bread, the fittest place for Him to be born in who is the bread of life. It is called Bethlehem Ephratah, both names of the same city, as appears in Gen. 35:19." (Lockyer). It was not a great city so far as numbers were concerned or prestige, but God chose it as worthy to place His Name upon it. "Christ would give honor to the place of His birth, and not derive honor from it." (M. Henry) This event would make it great. "A relation to Christ will magnify those that are little in the world." (M. Henry) He must increase, I must decrease. John 3:30.

Micah 5:2; But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Matt. 2:5,6; And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
[6] And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

John 7:42. Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

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John.1: 1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The Gentiles Receive the Messiah
Habakkuk 1:5, quoted in Acts 13:36-52 40,41

Paul and Barnabas had come to Antioch and went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. As was the custom, they were invited to give a word of exhortation and Paul stood and began to preach Christ. He masterfully went through the history of the Jewish nation and brought the people to the present day and declared to them that Jesus was the Christ, with proofs from the Old Testament. There is a very interesting statement made from the Gentiles in vrs. 42 that says, "the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath." Wow, when was the last time you ever begged for God 's Truth to be preached again, or when was the last time you heard the public begging for the Word of God. In fact, we see the very next week, nearly the whole city turned out to here the Word of the Lord! Verse 46 tells us that Paul and Barnabas grew bold. Of course this was because they were filled with the Holy Spirit and their words were empowered by the Word of God through the Holy Spirit having free access in their hearts. Then the religious leaders grew envious and began to oppose the messages that Paul and Barnabas were bringing. Isn t that what a lot of churches are doing today! Don 't tell me about how to live my life. Don't preach about the penalty of sin. "Don't judge me" type attitudes. Interestingly though, the Gentiles in vrs. 48 did listen to the preaching and it says that "as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed." Praise God! But the religious leaders stirred up trouble and raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from the city. The two men shook off the dust from their feet and then went to the next town as they were lead by the Spirit, and in vrs. 52 it gives a joyous account of the people who had received Christ. It says, "And the disciples (the people who had received Christ) were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit!". This is the clear evidence that a person has been saved. They are filled with joy, and they are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Gracious Heavenly Father, how we praise You for Your great salvation, mercy and grace. Guide us and help us to desire the sincere milk of the Word so that we can grow thereby as we see that these Gentiles did as Paul preached to them. We love You! In Jesus name, Amen.

Habakkuk 1:5, Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.

Acts 13:36-52 40,41. ] For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
[37] But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
[38] Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
[39] And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
[40] Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
[41] Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
[42] And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
[43] Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
[44] And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
[45] But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
[46] Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
[47] For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
[48] And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
[49] And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
[50] But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
[51] But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
[52] And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

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The "Megaquake" of all Earthquakes
Haggai 2:6; Hebrews 12:25-29 and Revelation 6:12-16

      Again, we remind you that when God leads the prophet to record an event that will take place in the future, God also gives us the record of that event and the time of its coming to pass. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; Haggai 2:6

      See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire Hebrews 12:25-29.

      Revelation 6:12-14 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. When God says something, be assured it will come to pass. The words of mankind mean little or nothing, but when God speaks it is advisable for us to listen, because His words are everlasting. The Bible tells us that heaven and earth may pass away, but God 's Word will stand forever. 1 Peter 1:24-25 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. Will you stand at the Great White Throne and be judged or will you be watching over the battlements of heaven. The choice is yours here and now! Do you know beyond all shadow of doubt that you are saved or are you just hoping you will be saved from the wrath to come?

Haggai 2:6; For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;

Hebrews 12:25-29. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
[26] Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
[27] And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
[28] Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
[29] For our God is a consuming fire.

Revelation 6:12-17. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
[13] And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
[14] And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
[15] And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
[16] And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
[17] For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

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The Ways of God
Isaiah 53:1-6

      In the flesh, we would expect that God would send His son to Israel with great fanfare. God did not choose to work in this way. In the book of Zechariah 9:9 we read, Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. This verse is quoted in Matthew 21:4,5 and John 12:14,15, and applied to Jesus Christ.

      The ways of God are perfect but incompressible to human intellect and reason. In Isaiah 55:8,9 we read, 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. It is apparent to those with spiritual insight that people who tend to not understand, reject what God says. The essence of idolatry is remaking God in terms we find more understandable and more acceptable. Without faith, there is not salvation or pleasing God. Hebrews 11:6 without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Apart from faith, we are without hope, without God, and without eternal life.

      In our text, we have a description of the king. In Isaiah 53:2 we read, he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. In some ways, it would have been a great blessing to see and hear Jesus Christ. Yet, if we were to have this opportunity, we would be no different from Israel. We too, would have trouble believing that He was really God in the form of human flesh. The problem would not be with His character, but with His appearance. We would expect more than we could see. The same is true of the written Word of God. People are not content with the Word. They either add to it or take away from it. As it is, it just does not make sense to them. They need to ask themselves, if God did not mean what he said, why didn't he say what he meant?

Isaiah 53:1-6. Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
[2] For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
[3] He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we estee