SUMMER QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2012 JUSTICE DEFINED AND PRACTICED GOD’S WAY FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT UNIT THREE: THE JUSTIFICATION OF JUSTICE “THE PROMISE OF JESUS, GOD’S JUST ONE, THROUGH THE PROPHECY OF ISAIAH”

Sunday School Lesson No. XI – August 12, 2012 Presented by Rev. Frank Davis, III, Pastor-Teacher

Lesson Text: Isaiah 9:1-7 Required Reading: Isaiah 7 – 9 Memory Text: Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the govern- ment shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The ever- lasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Reliable Resources: Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Libronix Electronic Library; Precepts for Living (UMI), Word Search 9 Electronic Library; The Maxwell Leadership Bible (Dr. John Maxwell); Believer’s Bible Commentary INTRODUCTION Beloved, we are now turning the corner in the series of lessons on justice. The focus of our remaining lessons is on Jesus Christ, the Promised One who would totally fulfill the justice of God. In order to appreciate these final three lessons, we must visit the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel as they write of a day when God would send Messiah (Jesus Christ) to exercise total righteous justice, renewal and the resurrection of Israel that would bless all people. During the 1940’s, a character was born in theatrical animation. His name was “Mighty Mouse!” He was later seen on Saturday mornings by kids like me, as a weekly series of cartoons. The thing that made Mighty Mouse special was his super strength and power to defeat enemies, and raise the weak and those who were unjustly treated, to safety and restoration. Now the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel were the voice of God to a people who had found themselves overrun and destroyed because of their sinful ills and the selfish destruction of adversaries. They needed deliverance that had continually failed them, but would one day be delivered by Jesus Christ, God’s Messiah! The cartoon character Mighty Mouse would often sing on his way to deliver the weak and oppressed, “Here I come to save the day.” So God’s Messiah, Jesus Christ, was promised and delivered “to save the day!” Let us focus this week on “Jesus, God’s Just One through the Prophecy of Isaiah.” The desire of the human race seeks for the perfect government and leader that will lead the world to peace and prosperity. But whether it is a democracy, monarchy, or dictatorship, there will be no permanent solution until God’s perfect rule has been established through the Theocracy of His Son Jesus Christ. Let us focus on the prophecy of Isaiah as he presents God’s Just One who will deliver justice, peace and equity. BACKGROUND THOUGHTS Isaiah, a prophet of very high integrity, spoke to both prince and pauper. (Read 1:1). His ministry, which began around 740 B.C., saw Israel at a crisis point in their history, according to H. L. Wilmington. Both Israel and Judah were in suffering states of idolatry, living in a deplorable state of moral decay and failing to seek God for the hope of their future. They sought everything and anybody but God for answers. Note Isaiah 1:2-4, “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider…they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.” Beloved, such disobedience and rebellion led to the Lord’s prophet pronouncing judgment by invading armies that would bring them into captivity. But even though they would suffer much, there was light and hope still available to them because God would raise a Just One from among them that would be their eternal Deliverer and Saviour! He would be His Son and their Messiah, Jesus Christ. Anticipated Power Points: God’s Promised Just One is Jesus Christ and at His First and Second Comings…  Unveils the Light of God’s Glory. Isaiah 9:1-2  Ushers in Peace and Righteous Rule. Isaiah 9:3-5, 7  Uniquely Presents Himself. Isaiah 9:6 (A Child Born-Humanity) (A Son Given-Deity)

LESSON OUTLINE

I. God’s Promised Just One Unveils the Light of God’s Glory. Isaiah 9:1-2 Chapter 8 prophecies of doom and gloom that would come to the Northern kingdom of Israel beginning with Naphtali and Zebulun because they were at the point of the invasion by Assyria their enemies. (Read II Kings 17:22-24). But chapter 9 opens with the word “Nevertheless.” A. Unveiled hope through God’s Just One was speaking not of a mere man but of His Son Jesus Christ. Matthew 4:12-16 gives us a clear interpretation and scriptural fulfillment. B. Unveiled light that could only be revealed by God and was evidenced by Jesus’ presence in that region. (Read Isaiah 60:1). Jesus performed many miracles and shared many messages there with these people in His day. (Read Matthew 411:20-24) II. God’s Promised Just One will Usher in Peace and Righteous Rule. Isaiah 9:3-5, 7 According to MacArthur: Vs. 3 “Once again, the Lord confirmed His covenant with Abraham to multiply his physical descendants as the sands of the seashore. (Genesis 22:17)” Vs. 4 “Eventually the Lord will free National Israel from bondage to Assyria, Babylon, and every other foreign power that has oppressed her.” Vs. 5 “The world will no longer need the accessories of warfare because a time of universal peace will follow the return of Christ.” (Read Micah 4:3) Vs. 7 “As one reads, we note the 1st and 2nd Comings of Christ are very important. “The first brought Light to the Jews of that day; His second will bring joy putting an end to all war and slavery.” (Believer’s Bible Commentary) As the Word says, “His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor, David. The passionate commitment of the Lord Almighty will guarantee this!” vs. 7 (NLT) III. Unique Presentation of Himself. Isaiah 9:6 A. A Child born. vs. 6a Speaks of His pure humanity. He is God with us in human form that His rule will be righteous. (Read Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23) B. A Son given. vs. 6b (A Gift to govern directly from God!) 1. He has the authority of God’s rule totally invested in Himself! 2. He is called Wonderful – “beyond human understanding.” 3. He is called Counselor – “having no need to seek the wisdom of anyone.” (Colossians 2:3) 4. He is the Mighty God – (Immanuel) Isaiah 7:14 5. He is the Everlasting Father – Giver of eternal life as a father gives life! I John 5:11 6. He is the Prince of Peace – He gives peace now and later. (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14) All these actions describe His Omnipotence! These should encourage our praise for His justice. CLOSING Isaiah’s day may have looked dark, but the day of Christ to which he wrote promised peace and justice in the divine promises of God. John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” PASTOR FRANK A. DAVIS, III Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA & Little Bethel Baptist Church, Amite, LA Mailing Address: Post Office Box 19768, New Orleans, LA 70179 Phone: (504) 486-7876 Email: [email protected] Website: www.thestudyhour.com TV Broadcasts: WHNO TV 20, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. – Channel 14 (Hammond-Amite area), 6:30 a.m. Radio Broadcasts: WLNO AM 1060, Saturday 8:30 a.m.; Sunday 5:30 a.m. WABL AM 1570 (Hammond-Amite area) Sunday 7:00 a.m. LOOKING AHEAD: August 19, 2012 Jeremiah 23:1-6; 33:14-18 PASTOR DAVIS TEACHES THE LESSON ONLINE VIA VIDEO AT www.thstudyhour.com and at Bibleway every Wednesday at noon. Please come and hear the lesson in person, and ask questions as needed. NOTE: Please go to www.thestudyhour.com to print the lesson weekly. You may not receive the lessons via email.