August 2 - Isaiah 53-55
What a glorious passage of Scripture! These three chapters are a feast for the heart and for the mind. God is such a wonderful, loving, and personal God. How could we ever doubt His mercy and grace?
Isaiah 53 is the perfect description of Christ's death, which Isaiah was inspired to record over 500 years before it happened. The details are amazing as you compare it with the gospel accounts of Jesus' death. However, the thought that God laid on my heart today was a little different. This passage is perfect for the skeptic, too. Even if a person does not accept the reliability of the New Testament, this chapter should be convincing for one very good reason. The meaning of the gospel is set forth so clearly here. The Messiah would come to "bear our sins." God would lay on Him the iniquity of us all. This is how we are made whole and healed from the effects of sin. How could Isaiah know this unless he was really inspired by God? The Jews did not accept this truth when Jesus came. It was the special plan of God, and He revealed it to Isaiah so we would know it came from God's heart and not from man's invention. If you have never accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, I urge you to submit your life to the One who gave His life for you.
The rest of the passage proclaims God's intent to bless Israel. The only question to us is how much applies only to them and how much applies to us. Personally, I believe the truths of chapter 54 apply mainly to the nation of Israel and how God will bless them. Then, I believe the truths of chapter 55 are more general, and they apply to how God deals with His people in all ages. The exception is 54:17 because it says that it applies to the "servants of the Lord." What a blessing to think that "no weapon formed against you shall prosper." What a blessing to know we can call upon the Lord, and He will hear us. (55:6) What a realization to know that His thoughts are not our thoughts. (55:8,9) However, He has given us His Word, and as we send forth His Word, it will accomplish His will. (55:11) These are great truths for us to live by each day. We must build them into our worldview, and allow the Spirit to show us God's way, instead of trying to do things ourselves.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 56-58.
Isaiah 53 is the perfect description of Christ's death, which Isaiah was inspired to record over 500 years before it happened. The details are amazing as you compare it with the gospel accounts of Jesus' death. However, the thought that God laid on my heart today was a little different. This passage is perfect for the skeptic, too. Even if a person does not accept the reliability of the New Testament, this chapter should be convincing for one very good reason. The meaning of the gospel is set forth so clearly here. The Messiah would come to "bear our sins." God would lay on Him the iniquity of us all. This is how we are made whole and healed from the effects of sin. How could Isaiah know this unless he was really inspired by God? The Jews did not accept this truth when Jesus came. It was the special plan of God, and He revealed it to Isaiah so we would know it came from God's heart and not from man's invention. If you have never accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, I urge you to submit your life to the One who gave His life for you.
The rest of the passage proclaims God's intent to bless Israel. The only question to us is how much applies only to them and how much applies to us. Personally, I believe the truths of chapter 54 apply mainly to the nation of Israel and how God will bless them. Then, I believe the truths of chapter 55 are more general, and they apply to how God deals with His people in all ages. The exception is 54:17 because it says that it applies to the "servants of the Lord." What a blessing to think that "no weapon formed against you shall prosper." What a blessing to know we can call upon the Lord, and He will hear us. (55:6) What a realization to know that His thoughts are not our thoughts. (55:8,9) However, He has given us His Word, and as we send forth His Word, it will accomplish His will. (55:11) These are great truths for us to live by each day. We must build them into our worldview, and allow the Spirit to show us God's way, instead of trying to do things ourselves.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 56-58.