sign in sign up
<<
Home , Isaiah 40, Isaiah 42, Sela (Edom)

Monday: 40-41 (continued) Tuesday: -43 (continued) Wednesday: -45 Friday: -49 mind that God’s deliverance of from fulfill his covenant promises. That was the “right” 44:2 “Jeshurun”—occurs four times in the Old Tes- 48:16 “Sent me, with his Spirit”—Salvation itself is is a prelude to his delivering all people from Satan’s thing to do. What’s more, God gave (who had tament, three in Deuteronomy (32:15; 33:5,26). It speaking. Here the salvation comes through Cyrus. kingdom. In the prophet’s mind, standing right be- put off the use of his divine power) to do every- seems to mean “my upright one, my righteous Ch. 49 Note: God would deliver Israel from the hind “one from the east” is One from Bethlehem. thing necessary to win our salvation. one.” and use Cyrus to accomplish 42:11 “Kedar” and “”—Kedar is in North Ara- this. In the second section, the attention shifts to 41:2 “In righteousness”—Throughout Isaiah, right- bia. Sela (which means “rock” or “cliff”) refers to 44:28 “Cyrus”—In chapter 41 God spoke of stirring the great Savior of God’s people, Jesus. eousness refers to the “right” things God does so the rocky places of , to the southeast of Isra- one up from the north and the east. Now God 49:1 “Islands”—The . that his covenant promises are fulfilled. el. names him. Cyrus became a world ruler almost two 49:3 “Israel”—The Lord prepared another servant 42:19 “My servant”—The should have hundred years after Isaiah’s time! He ruled Persia, to fulfill his promises—Jesus, here called Israel, 41:25 “From the north”—In verse 2 God referred fulfilled their role of bearing witness to God’s defeated Babylon, and allowed the Israelites to because he was what the nation of Israel failed to to stirring up “one from the east.” Here he refers to promises by observing his law. But they only reject- return to and . The books of Ezra, be. him as coming from the north. Persia—by com- ed him. Nehemiah, and Esther tell this story. The prophets 49:14 Note the contrast with the preceding verses. pass—lies to the east of Israel. However, invading 42:21 “His law”—Israel had rejected God’s Word. Haggai and Zechariah were God’s spokesmen to his God is excited, and the people are discouraged. He conquerors almost always had to come toward Yet the Lord himself, for the sake of his promises, people then. has an answer for their discouragement. Israel from the north. Although no one was left in would make his law great. In the future, people Israel when Persia became a world power, “from would hold his will in high regard and want to do it. What insight does 45:15 give you about God? John says to you, “I’m leaving this church be- the north” would indicate to Israel that Persia He would make it glorious. He would fulfill the Why are you glad to know these truths? cause there are too many frustrating things would take its place among world powers such as promises of grace and salvation that his law point- happening in it.” How do you respond? and Babylon. ed to. 43:3 “ for your ransom”—The Lord would

In 40:27 Isaiah gives us insight into the Israelites’ give Egypt, Cush, and Seba to Cyrus as a ransom for Thursday: -47 thoughts during their time of suffering in Babylon. the Israelites. These nations were ripe for judg- Saturday: -52 46:1 “Bel” and “”—These were Babylonian ment. But God is not arbitrarily choosing innocent What conclusion had they come to about God’s gods. (You can hear those names in Belshazzar and 50:11 “All you who light fires”—The picture in this victims so his people can go free. care? Have you ever felt like that? What does God Nebuchadnezzar.) verse is of the siege of a city. Enemies would light 43:10 “My witnesses . . . my servant”—On the sur- tell us about himself in 40:27-31 that helps us when the tips of their arrows and shoot them into the face, it sounds as if these terms apply to believers. 46:13 “My righteousness”—Again, note the mean- city, trying to set fire to it. he seems far away? But the Lord is saying that Israel will serve him by ing of the word righteous as it is used in the book 51:9 “Rahab” and “that monster”—probably refer- witnessing to his ability to predict and plan the of Isaiah. Saint Paul describes God’s righteousness ences to Egypt. (See Psalm 87:4, :7, and future. Tuesday: Isaiah 42-43 as the righteousness (perfection) he gives us in Ezekiel 29:3; 32:2.)

Christ. In Isaiah and in Psalms, the word has a little 52:1 “”—This was a name for the largest hill in Ch. 42 Note: This is the first of four sections in 43:25 is a glorious verse! Come up with three which the term “my servant” refers to Jesus. (The different (but related) meaning. God promised Jerusalem. Over time, it also became a name for . others are 49:1-7; 50:4-11; 52:13–53:12.) The New reasons why that verse is so beautiful that he would bless all nations through the entire city of Jerusalem and eventually a name Testament makes it clear that this refers to Jesus. his offspring. Everything God did to fulfill that for all the people of God. (See Hebrews 12:22.) 42:1 “Justice”—This is the message. God is promise is termed his righteousness. His righteous- That is how it is used here. at peace with the world. Under his law, there can ness saved Israel and us. only be wrath and punishment. But because of 47:1 “Virgin Daughter of Babylon”—is probably a In 52:7 the feet of those who bring God’s news poetic or picturesque way of referring to the city or what his servant would do for the world, God can of peace and salvation are pictured as a beau- country of Babylon itself. judge the world as not guilty. Those who believe tiful sight that brings forth a shout of joy. How become God’s own children, and he will vindicate their faith on the Last Day. How do God’s descriptions of himself in verse does this picture affect our attitudes and ac- 4 humble you? How do they inspire you? tions toward our pastors and teachers? To- 42:4 “The islands”—This is a reference to all the ward our approach to evangelism work? peoples in the world. 42:6 “In righteousness”—The Lord called Jesus to Answers Faith Fully Fit Monday: -41 Monday (2) Ch. 40 Note: The second half of the book of  The Israelites were complaining that God had shut My Spiritual Fitness Goals for this week: Isaiah takes a different view of the future than their problems from his mind and was willfully disre- the first half. In the first half of the book, Isaiah garding them. God tells them, and us, that he is was addressing the threat coming on Israel everlasting, that he has created the world (so he Weekly Spiritual when he wrote, that is, the Assyrian world certainly knows all about it). He never grows weary, power. Here he looks to the future, to the time and he understands everything. Rather than grow- when the super power of Babylon had taken ing tired, he is the one who gives everyone power Fitness Plan Judah into captivity. He sees its deliverance by and strength. For these reasons, we can go to him the next super power, Persia, which pictures knowing that he continues to think about us and will help us. the deliverance the Savior would bring. Prayer before Study: Tuesday The second half of Isaiah is divided into three parts.  Our transgressions are gone. And because it’s God’s Blessed Lord, you have caused all Holy Scrip- The outlines for the book are found in 40:2: work, it’s sure. God not only forgives but forgets! We no longer have to carry guilt for past sins. tures to be written for our learning. Grant that (1) “Her hard service [captivity] has been complet- Wednesday we may so hear them, read, mark, learn and ed.” This is the message of chapters 40–48.  God works in hidden ways. Often we can’t see God’s take them to heart that, by patience and com- (2) “Her sin has been paid for.” This is the mes- work. We may not see outward signs that God’s fort of your holy Word, we may embrace and sage of chapters 49–57. Word and work is thriving, but God always blesses (3) “She has received from the Lord’s hand double his “quiet” means of grace. Apply this to evangelism. ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting for all her sins.” This is the message of chap- We don’t shove the Word down people’s throats, life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ters 58–66. (Note: “double for all her sins” but the Lord allows our words, attitudes, and actions might sound like a threat of punishment. But it to make an impression, and when we get opportuni- ties to share Jesus, we do. means God will give twice as many blessings as the punishment Israel deserves.) Thursday  “Our Redeemer” humbles me because I realize I God can indeed rescue his people from their captiv- needed to be redeemed from Satan’s grasp. It in- ity. Why? Because unlike the idols, God has power spires me because God loves me enough to do it! “Lord Almighty” humbles me because I’m reminded Prayer After Study: over all things. That’s the lesson of this section. of how small and weak I am. I’m inspired because I’m reminded that God can do anything! “Holy One” Week 56 - Isaiah 40-52 Everything we have comes from you, Lord. 40:13 This verse is quoted in :34. It humbles me because I’m reminded of my sinfulness. Help us use our money and possessions in ways comes at the end of a lengthy discussion about It inspires me because I’m reminded that God has how God will use the Gentiles to restore Israel graciously accepted me as his child that please you, to the glory of your saving through the preaching of the gospel. Through his Friday name. Amen. guidance of history, God has made it so all people  The Savior had frustrations—his church will too! We should realize their sins and need for a Savior. How want to do the best we can to spread God’s gospel wise God is! of peace and joy. But if we struggle, we are in good company. 40:16 “”—The area to the north of Israel, Saturday known for its cedar trees. Lebanon became known  We realize that pastors and teachers do indeed have as a place of grandeur, greatness, power. beautiful feet—because these are the feet that bring 41:2 “One from the east”—God is referring to Cy- the good news of God’s Word. In light of this, we will rus, the king of Persia, who would be instrumental want to support them in their work and show our Most of the questions and answers on the “Weekly Spiritual Fitness Plan” come from “The Whole Project” Bible studies. Background and in overthrowing the Babylonian dynasty and who respect and appreciation for their message. It also Introduction information come from “The People’s Bible” commentary would then allow the Jews to return to the land of makes us realize the joyful privilege of evangelism. It series and from “Book of Books,” both published by NPH. Israel. As you read this section, however, keep in makes us realize that we have a great message to share.