October 9, 2006 - Isaiah 32-33 and Colossians 1
When we read the Bible, we understand that God has chosen to reveal Himself to mankind in stages or progressively. Adam and Eve did not know as much about God as Abraham, and Abraham did not know as much as Moses. Then, God's ultimate revelation of Himself came when Jesus, the unique God/Man came into this world. In these two passages it is easy to see this truth. Isaiah knew some things, and he wrote what God inspired him to preserve for us, but Paul in Colossians had a complete view of Jesus, and thus of the fullness of God. Think about this as you read today.
Isaiah 32-33 has a lot of neat references about things that Isaiah probably did not totally understand. Isaiah 32 starts off with a statement about a king reigning in righteousness. I believe that this refers to Jesus, but I also believe that verse two is speaking of Christ. He is the man who will be like a hiding place, a cover, rivers of water, and the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. Jesus is the heavenly king, who became a man for you and me. Then, there is Satan in verse 7. He is the schemer, who devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words. Then, we see the Holy Spirit in verse 17. I don't know how much Isaiah knew personally about the Holy Spirit, but he foresaw a time when the Spirit would be poured out from on high. That time is now. In Isaiah 33:14 we see a clear picture of hell. It is a place of eternal fire. This is followed by a reference to heaven in verses 17-18. Heaven is the dwelling place on high. It is the place we will see the King in His beauty. God was showing Isaiah a lot of great truths, wasn't He? What is God showing you about His nature and His ways?
Colossians 1 is a wonderful summation of all we know about God as He revealed Himself to us in Christ. It would be impossible to give the details in a short paragraph like this, but I urge you to drink in the truth of God from this incredible passage. Christ is the fullness of God. (v.19) He came to reconcile us to God, so we could be right with God, that is to have a relationship with Him. (v.20) He is the one who holds every atom in the universe together by His power. (v.17) He is God, but He became a man, so He could die for you and me. That is the greatest news in the history of the universe. Yes, Jesus created the universe. (v. 16) However, He came to recreate that which was marred by sin. That includes you and me. He came to deliver us from Satan and to make us fit for heaven. He came to give us His Spirit. He came to fulfill what Isaiah began to understand 800 years earlier. He deserves all of our praise and all of our love.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 34-36 and Colossians 2.
Isaiah 32-33 has a lot of neat references about things that Isaiah probably did not totally understand. Isaiah 32 starts off with a statement about a king reigning in righteousness. I believe that this refers to Jesus, but I also believe that verse two is speaking of Christ. He is the man who will be like a hiding place, a cover, rivers of water, and the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. Jesus is the heavenly king, who became a man for you and me. Then, there is Satan in verse 7. He is the schemer, who devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words. Then, we see the Holy Spirit in verse 17. I don't know how much Isaiah knew personally about the Holy Spirit, but he foresaw a time when the Spirit would be poured out from on high. That time is now. In Isaiah 33:14 we see a clear picture of hell. It is a place of eternal fire. This is followed by a reference to heaven in verses 17-18. Heaven is the dwelling place on high. It is the place we will see the King in His beauty. God was showing Isaiah a lot of great truths, wasn't He? What is God showing you about His nature and His ways?
Colossians 1 is a wonderful summation of all we know about God as He revealed Himself to us in Christ. It would be impossible to give the details in a short paragraph like this, but I urge you to drink in the truth of God from this incredible passage. Christ is the fullness of God. (v.19) He came to reconcile us to God, so we could be right with God, that is to have a relationship with Him. (v.20) He is the one who holds every atom in the universe together by His power. (v.17) He is God, but He became a man, so He could die for you and me. That is the greatest news in the history of the universe. Yes, Jesus created the universe. (v. 16) However, He came to recreate that which was marred by sin. That includes you and me. He came to deliver us from Satan and to make us fit for heaven. He came to give us His Spirit. He came to fulfill what Isaiah began to understand 800 years earlier. He deserves all of our praise and all of our love.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 34-36 and Colossians 2.