Latest / Faith by annm2705 / 745. Bible Study: Isaiah 58 and 59 (Patterns: Sin, Judgement, Repentance, Forgiveness)

Transcript

745. Bible Study: Isaiah 58 and 59 (Patterns: Sin, Judgement, Repentance, Forgiveness) · Faith by annm2705

0:00
Chapter 58. From the book.
0:02
Of Isaiah. Dear God, please.
0:06
Be with us as we read through. This and please give us
0:10
understanding and wisdom and. Let us.
0:15
Know. What it is that?
0:16
You really want to emphasize. Through these words that you
0:19
gave Isaiah. In Jesus name, Amen.
0:24
Shout it out. Loud shout it aloud.
0:28
Do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet.
0:32
Declare to my people their rebellion, and to the
0:36
descendants of Jacob their sins. For day after day they seek me
0:41
out. They seem eager to know my ways.
0:44
As if they. Were a nation that does what is
0:47
right and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
0:54
They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come
0:58
near them. Why have we?
1:00
Fasted they. Say, and you have not seen it.
1:02
Why have we humbled ourselves and you have not noticed yet on
1:06
the day of your fasting you do not?
1:08
You do as you. Please and.
1:10
Exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarrelling
1:14
and strife, and in striking. Each other with wicked.
1:18
Fist, you cannot fast as you do today and expect.
1:22
Your voice to be. Heard on High.
1:24
I'll pause here. Because this is something that I
1:29
learned one time. A few years ago.
1:34
Is that? God hears the prayers.
1:36
Of the righteous and that was something when we were praying
1:41
for someone and this was brought up to me.
1:45
So this is really important to know in.
1:49
First Peter chapter 3 verse 12 it says Peter says.
1:55
For the. Eyes of the Lord.
1:57
Are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their
2:01
prayer, but the. Face of the Lord.
2:03
Is against those who do evil, so if you want prayers answered,
2:11
first make sure that you're living in obedience to.
2:15
Christ and to God. And and then you can, you know,
2:22
pray for things and as long as they're in God's will, because
2:27
that's something else that I learned through Scripture.
2:29
You don't get every single. Prayer that you ask?
2:31
For. But if they are.
2:34
In accordance with God's will. Yes, you can expect that.
2:38
But also just to remember that our and this these.
2:42
Chapters actually, I guess. Next.
2:44
The next. Chapter actually tells us how.
2:47
Our sin separates us from God and I don't know if this is like
2:51
a a legal thing or if it's just the way God is just and so.
2:58
Perhaps it? Is something legal that God is
3:01
righteous and he. Abides by laws.
3:04
And so when we, I think I might have covered this in a in a
3:07
prior chapter, but when we turn away from him and we turn
3:11
towards sin, we're making something else our Lord, whether
3:15
we realize it or not. And we're making God's enemy our
3:18
Lord when we choose the things that God says don't do.
3:22
And so if we are have an alliance, you know, it's kind of
3:26
like in a court, you know, if you have an attorney, then you
3:30
don't go to another attorney. You have the one that's
3:33
representing you. And I wonder if that's the same
3:36
thing when we do choose evil and.
3:40
Yet we could choose. God, but we choose evil.
3:44
So maybe that's kind of what happens to us.
3:48
I'm just speculating right there, but it it's very
3:51
interesting multiple times in the Bible.
3:52
Well, it does talk about God hearing when people turn and
3:56
repent to him, but that he doesn't necessarily respond when
4:01
somebody is living against his will.
4:06
So let's go, let's continue on here.
4:10
Is this kind? Of fast I have.
4:12
Chosen only a day for people to humble themselves, Is it only
4:18
for bowing 1's head like a Reed, and for lying in sackcloth and
4:21
ashes? Is that what?
4:23
You call a fast a day acceptable to the Lord.
4:27
Is not this kind the kind of fasting I have chosen to loose
4:32
the chains of injustice and untie?
4:35
The cords of the yoke. To.
4:38
Set the oppressed free. And break every yoke.
4:42
I wondered when I read that when he talks about breaking the
4:44
yoke, is that like fasting from sin?
4:47
Is that, you know, do what's right, don't do what's wrong?
4:51
And that's the kind of fasting that he's asking for, is it not?
4:56
To share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor
5:00
wanderer. With shelter.
5:01
When you see the naked to clothe them and not to turn away from
5:05
your own flesh and blood. There are many times where God
5:10
is really He emphasizes that, you know.
5:13
Through other people through. Isaiah about how family is
5:16
really important that we need to take care of our family so it
5:21
says, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood, then
5:26
your. Light will break forth.
5:28
Like the dawn and your healing? Will quickly appear.
5:32
This is interesting. Too, Because.
5:35
He's describing the things that the righteous things.
5:39
That people would do. And then it says then.
5:42
Your light will break forth like the.
5:44
Dawn and your healing. Will quickly appear.
5:48
So is that? Like a spiritual.
5:50
Healing is that a physical healing I do believe that, even
5:55
though it's. Poetic.
5:56
It also has. Those sorts of meanings, then
6:00
your righteousness. Will go before.
6:02
You and the. Glory of the Lord will be your
6:04
rear guard. Then you will call and the Lord
6:07
will answer. You will.
6:09
Cry for help. And he will say, here I am.
6:14
If you do away with the yoke of. Oppression with the pointing
6:19
finger and malicious. Talk.
6:21
And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and
6:25
satisfied the needs of the oppressed, then.
6:28
Your light will rise. In the darkness and your night
6:31
will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always.
6:36
He will. Satisfy your needs in a sun
6:38
scorched land and will strengthen your frame so God
6:43
will. Guide us always.
6:45
And he will strengthen us. You will be like a well watered.
6:49
Garden like a spring whose waters never fail your.
6:54
People will rebuild. The ancient ruins.
6:57
And will raise up the. Age-old foundation.
7:00
You will be called. Repairer of broken.
7:03
Walls restorer of streets. With dwellings, God is always
7:08
into the restoration of people when they turn, when we turn and
7:13
repent to Him, if you. Keep your feet.
7:16
From breaking the Sabbath. Now here it is.
7:19
I mean so many times it talks about breaking the Sabbath and I
7:23
I I know that the Sabbath was made for man and Jesus is the.
7:28
Lord of the Sabbath. So those are two things, and
7:32
it's a day of rest and it's a day to be holy and to recognize
7:38
God. But.
7:40
This just really it. Gets emphasized so frequently
7:44
with Isaiah. I don't know if when people are
7:46
breaking the Sabbath if they're making money or wealth.
7:52
A priority over God because they're they're.
7:54
Working on a day. That they should be.
7:56
Resting I don't know if that's it or you know why this one he
8:02
he points out so much. Maybe the study Bible will say
8:04
something. I didn't read the questions and
8:06
answers before doing this so and from doing as you please on my
8:11
holy. Day if you call the Sabbath a
8:14
delight. And the Lord's holy day
8:17
honorable and if you honor it by not going on your not going your
8:23
own way and not doing. As you please.
8:27
Or speaking idle words. Then you will find your joy in
8:32
the Lord, and I will. Cause you to ride.
8:36
In triumph on the heights of the land, and to feast on the
8:39
inheritance. Of your father, Jacob.
8:42
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
8:45
That's the end of chapter 58. I'll read the questions and
8:47
answers. Why did the people fast?
8:50
The law called for. Fasting on the day of Atonement
8:54
as a sign of humility and sincere repentance, and that's
8:59
in Leviticus chapter 23. Fasting was intended to.
9:03
Focus the people's. Hearts on God and.
9:06
Express the people's deep. Sorrow for their sins.
9:10
Over time, however, some Hebrews began to see fasting as a ritual
9:14
that could earn. God's favor if we fast they
9:18
thus. They thought God will bless us.
9:22
Isaiah knew rituals were pointless unless they were
9:26
motivated by sincere faith and obedience to God's moral law.
9:32
The fasting God wants is not ritual, but actions, overcoming
9:38
injustice, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and so on.
9:42
How did I How did the Israelites exploit their workers?
9:46
Perhaps while the Master was fasting, he was.
9:49
Particularly careful. To make sure the servants were
9:51
working. Or that his laborers.
9:53
Made-up for the lost time by working harder.
9:56
The. Israelites undoubtedly exploited
9:59
people in many other ways. They likely were.
10:02
Regularly mistreating their servants, being inhospitable to
10:06
strangers, ignoring the needs of the poor, and using bribes to
10:10
get their own way in the community.
10:12
They had no regard for God of the law and consequently abused
10:16
the system. Can good works replace spiritual
10:20
discipline? No works, no matter how good,
10:25
cannot replace spirituality. Compassion in and of itself
10:30
cannot take place. Take the place of spiritual.
10:34
Disciplines. Some Israelites had ignored the
10:38
ethical. Side of the laws they thought
10:40
they could. Disobey it and still be forgiven
10:42
simply by going through the motions of religious
10:45
observances. Prophets like Isaiah taught that
10:49
God. Despises empty rituals done by
10:53
insincere people. God wants righteous living,
10:56
including good works that stems from wholehearted commitment to
11:01
Him. How would their?
11:03
Light break forth for the people.
11:06
In Isaiah's day, darkness halted most activities and brought all
11:10
sorts of dangers. In figurative language, then,
11:14
darkness became a symbol for evil, while light represented
11:17
goodness. Here, light first represents
11:20
God's salvation, healing, and righteousness.
11:24
Then it represents the people's genuine acts of righteousness.
11:30
What ancient rooms would be rebuilt?
11:33
The ruins of Jerusalem? Isaiah foretold its destruction
11:37
and its restoration. It would be rebuilt by the by
11:41
the. People a sure sign that God.
11:44
Would be with. Them once more the faithful
11:48
workers. Who would rebuild the city are
11:51
collectively called. The Repairer and the.
11:53
Restorer of the city. The rebuilding of Jerusalem
11:56
would be evidence that God. Had restored the people of
11:59
Israel. How could feet break the
12:02
Sabbath? The Sabbath.
12:04
Concept began with creation and carried through the Mosaic Law
12:09
and teachings of the prophets. It required rest from daily.
12:13
Work so people could worship the Creator of all.
12:16
Things in Isaiah's day, walking was an integral.
12:21
Part. Walking was an integral.
12:23
Part of daily work. That kind of of walking, if done
12:28
on the Sabbath, broke Sabbath rest.
12:31
How would they ride in triumph or the heights of the land?
12:35
This. Figure of speech describes how
12:39
God lifts us spiritually. And emotionally, above our
12:43
troubles and hardships, it may have been taken from the image
12:46
of an eagle carrying its young from the nest up into the sky.
12:51
And that's the end. Of chapter 58 so I will read
12:55
chapter. 59 So we'll have some time.
12:58
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his
13:03
ear. Too dull to hear.
13:05
But your inequities have separated you from God.
13:08
This is where I was talking about sin separating us from
13:11
God. Your sins have hidden his face
13:15
from you so that he will not hear.
13:17
And that's something else, like if we're talking to him and
13:20
we're living in a sinful state, he's just not going to listen to
13:23
us. So I wonder if there is some
13:25
legal. Aspect to it.
13:28
For your Your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with
13:32
guilt, your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters
13:35
wicked things. No one calls for justice.
13:38
No one. Pleases a case.
13:39
With integrity, I will read the questions and answers for right
13:44
here. Why does?
13:45
Prophecy have this cycle. Of condemnation and comfort.
13:48
The cycle corresponds to the wavering attitudes and.
13:53
Behaviors of God's. People and the.
13:55
Lord's efforts to. Challenge them to repent as
13:59
spokesman. For God, the prophets.
14:01
Warned and comforted, condemned and blessed.
14:05
Sometimes their words referred to immediate days of
14:08
destruction, and sometimes to. Future.
14:11
What were? The people guilty of.
14:13
Among other things. Listed here the people were
14:16
guilty of. Violence, lying, injustice,
14:19
hostility, rebellion, treachery, oppressing the weak and turning
14:23
away from God. Now, continuing back to what
14:27
Isaiah was saying, they rely on empty arguments.
14:30
They utter. Lies they conceive trouble and
14:33
give birth to evil, they hatch the.
14:35
Egg of Vipers. And spin a spider's web.
14:39
Whoever eats their eggs will die.
14:41
And when one is broken, an adder is hatched, the.
14:45
Their cobwebs are useless. For nothing, they cannot cover
14:48
themselves with what they make their.
14:50
Deeds are evil deeds. And acts of violence are in
14:54
their hands. Their feet.
14:56
Rush into sin. They are swift to.
14:58
Shed innocent blood, they pursue evil schemes and acts of
15:06
violence mark their ways. This reminded me of another
15:11
verse in scripture in Proverbs where it talks about the things
15:16
that God. Hates it.
15:17
Kind of repeats that. So it's in Proverbs chapter 6
15:21
verse 16 through 19 I believe. There are.
15:26
Six things. The Lord.
15:28
Hates 7 that are detestable to him.
15:32
Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
15:38
a heart that devises wicked schemes.
15:42
Feet that are quick. To rush into evil A.
15:46
False. Witness who pours out lies and a
15:49
person. Who stirs up?
15:51
Conflict in the community so it's repeated in Scripture, and
15:57
God always has two witnesses. To establish truth, so.
16:01
Apparently, these are things that God really does.
16:04
Hate the way of peace? They do not know.
16:08
I'm back to Isaiah now the. Way of peace, they.
16:11
Do not know there is no justice in their past they have turned
16:16
them into. Crooked roads.
16:18
No one who walks along them will know peace.
16:22
That's just again like saying there's no.
16:24
Peace for the wicked, so justice is.
16:27
Far from us, and righteousness does not reach us.
16:31
We look for light, but all is. Darkness for brightness, but.
16:34
We walk in deep. Shadows like the blind we grope
16:38
along the wall, feeling our way. Like people without eyes.
16:42
At midday, we stumble. As if it were twilight.
16:46
Among the strong, we are like the dead, we all.
16:49
Growl like. Bears we mourn mournfully, like
16:53
doves we look. For justice, but.
16:56
Find none for Deliverance. But it is far.
16:58
Away, for your offenses are many in our sight, and our sins
17:03
testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us
17:07
and we acknowledge our inequities, rebellion and
17:10
treachery against the Lord turning our backs on our God
17:15
inciting, revolt and oppression uttering.
17:18
Lies our hearts. Have conceived so justice is
17:21
driven back and righteousness stands at a distance.
17:25
Truth has stumbled in the streets.
17:28
Honesty cannot enter, Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever
17:32
shuns evil becomes a prey. The Lord looked and was.
17:37
Displeased. That there was no justice.
17:39
He saw that there. Was no one.
17:41
He was appalled. That there was no one to
17:43
intervene, so his own arm achieved salvation for him.
17:49
I think this is referring to Jesus, his own arm, God.
17:53
'S the Lord's. Own arm achieved salvation.
17:57
Well, we know Jesus is the one who gave salvation.
17:59
So here again Jesus is in the book of Isaiah in chapter 59,
18:06
and his own righteousness sustained him.
18:10
He put on righteousness as his breastplate and the helmet of
18:14
salvation on his head. He put the garments of vengeance
18:19
and wrapped himself in in zeal as in a cloak, according to what
18:26
they have done. So will he repay?
18:30
Wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes.
18:34
He will repay the. Islands their due from the.
18:37
West people will fear. The name of the Lord, and from
18:40
the rising of the sun they will Revere His glory, for He will
18:45
come like a pent up flood that. The breath of the Lord drives.
18:51
Along that reminds me of Noah, you know as in the days of Noah.
18:56
So he will come with a pent up flood.
18:58
There's going to be some some delay, but it'll come when Jesus
19:02
comes it's going to be pretty strong and he returns for wrath.
19:06
The first time he came it was for salvation of people.
19:10
The next time is for judgment and also.
19:12
To gather his people. Who have prepared themselves,
19:16
Who have made themselves ready for him.
19:19
Now here it says Isaiah says the Redeemer will come to Zion.
19:23
Well, that's Jesus to those in Jacob.
19:26
Who? Repent of their sins.
19:29
It's like you. Can't get away from.
19:30
Repentance when? You read what these prophets
19:33
talk about declares the Lord as. For me, this is my covenant with
19:37
them, says the Lord My. Spirit who is?
19:41
On you will not depart from you and my.
19:44
Words that I've put. In your mouth will always be on
19:48
your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of
19:51
their descendants From this time on and.
19:55
Forever says the Lord. I think that's really
19:58
interesting that. The Lord is.
20:00
Talking about. The Holy Spirit.
20:03
My spirit, who is on you will not depart from you and this.
20:07
Is Isaiah. In 700 BC, really interesting to
20:11
me so I went to read when a couple different things.
20:17
Ephesians. Chapter 6 because.
20:21
It's somewhat referenced here and it's referring actually to
20:24
Jesus where he put on. Righteousness as his
20:29
breastplate. And the helmet of salvation on
20:32
his head he put on the garments of vengeance.
20:36
Paul talks about. Putting on the armor of God in
20:40
Ephesians chapter 6. So I'm going to read what that
20:43
says. Finally, be strong in the Lord
20:46
and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor.
20:50
Of God so that. You can take your stand against
20:53
the devil's schemes, for our struggle is not against flesh
20:58
and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
21:02
against the. Powers of this.
21:04
Dark World and Against. The spiritual forces of.
21:09
Evil in the heavenly realms therefore put on the full armor
21:14
of God, so that when the day of evil comes.
21:19
You may be able. To stand your ground and after
21:23
you have done everything, to stand, to stand, stand firm
21:29
then. With the belt of.
21:31
Truth buckled around your. Waist with the breastplate of.
21:35
Righteousness in its place and with your feet fitted with the
21:40
readiness that comes from the gospel.
21:43
Of peace. In addition to all.
21:46
This take up the. Shield of faith with which you
21:50
can extinguish all the flaming. Arrows of the Evil.
21:54
One take the helmet of salvation and the.
21:58
Sword of the Spirit. Which is.
22:01
The word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all
22:05
occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
22:09
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all
22:14
of God's people. And then it continues on.
22:18
You could do a whole. Study on the armor of God and
22:21
what each thing means, but it's, you know, talked about in Isaiah
22:25
and then. Paul talks.
22:27
About it in Ephesians. So let's see.
22:30
Then the Holy Spirit, I think when the Holy Spirit came on,
22:35
came at Pentecost, I guess it was.
22:39
Shabuo, the Jewish holiday. When that happened it it was a
22:44
very interesting event and I just find it interesting that
22:48
the Lord was saying this to. Through Isaiah.
22:51
In in the 700 BC and then. Later, after Jesus.
22:57
Died and resurrected then. His disciples received the Holy
23:02
Spirit. And he told them to wait until
23:04
they went out till. They received the holy.
23:06
Spirit. So it's kind of interesting, but
23:08
here's what happened that day. When the day of Pentecost came,
23:11
they were all together in one place.
23:13
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came
23:16
from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
23:21
They saw what? Seemed to be tongues.
23:23
Of fire that separated. And came to rest on each of
23:26
them. All of them were filled.
23:29
With the Holy Spirit. And began to speak in other
23:32
tongues. As as the Spirit.
23:35
Enabled them, now there, now there were staying in Jerusalem,
23:41
God fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.
23:45
When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in
23:47
bewilderment because each one heard their own language being
23:51
spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked,
23:55
Aren't all these who are speaking Galileans?
23:59
Then how is it? That each of us.
24:01
Hears them in our native language.
24:04
Parthians, Medes, Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia, Judea
24:11
and Cappadocia, Pontius and Asia, Frygra and Pamphlea, Egypt
24:19
and the and. Parts of Libya.
24:21
Near Sirene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and converts, converts
24:26
to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs. We hear them declaring the
24:32
wonders of God in our own tongues.
24:35
Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another what does this mean?
24:40
Some, however, made fun of them and said they've had too much
24:43
wine. Then Peter.
24:45
Stood up with the. 11 raised his voice and addressed the crowd.
24:48
Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me
24:51
explain this to you. Listen carefully to what I say.
24:54
These people are not drunk as you suppose.
24:56
It's only 9 in the morning. No, this was what was spoken by
25:00
the prophet Joel in the last days.
25:04
God says I will pour out. My spirit on all people, your
25:08
sons. And daughters will prophecy.
25:10
Your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams,
25:15
even on my servants, both men and women.
25:20
I will pour out my spirit. In those days, and they will
25:24
prophecy, I will show wanders in the heavens above, and signs on
25:29
the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.
25:34
The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood
25:39
before the coming of the great and glorious day.
25:43
Of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the
25:46
name of the. Lord will be saved, fellow
25:49
Israelites. Listen to this Jesus of Nazareth
25:52
was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and
25:58
signs, which God did among you. Through him, as you yourselves
26:03
know, this man was handed over to.
26:06
You by God's. Deliberate plan and
26:08
foreknowledge and you. With the help.
26:10
Of wicked men put him to death by nailing him to the cross, but
26:15
God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of
26:19
death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on
26:22
him, David said about him. I saw the Lord.
26:26
Always before me. Because he is at.
26:29
My right hand I will not be shaken, therefore my heart is
26:34
glad and my tongue rejoices. My body will also will rest in
26:38
hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the
26:42
dead. You will not let your Holy One
26:44
see decay. You have made known to me the
26:48
paths of life. You will fill me.
26:51
With your joy with. Joy in your presence.
26:55
Fellow Israelites. I can tell you confidently that
26:58
the. Patriarch David died.
27:01
And was buried and his tomb is here to this day.
27:04
But he was a prophet. And knew that God had promised
27:08
him on oath. That he would place.
27:11
One of his descendants on his throne, seeing what was to come.
27:16
He spoke of the. Resurrection of the Messiah,
27:20
that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his.
27:25
Body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to
27:29
life. And we are all witnesses of it.
27:32
Exalted to the right. Hand of God.
27:34
He has received. From the Father the promised.
27:37
Holy Spirit. And has poured out what you now
27:41
see and hear. For David did not ascend to
27:45
heaven. And yet he said, the Lord said
27:49
to my Lord, sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a
27:54
footstool. For your feet, Therefore, let
27:58
all Israel be assured of this God.
28:01
Has made this Jesus, whom you crucified both Lord and Messiah,
28:07
when the people heard. This they were cut to the heart.
28:10
And said to Peter and the other apostles.
28:13
Brothers, what shall we? Do, Peter replied.
28:17
Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus
28:23
Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will.
28:30
Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
28:34
The promise is for you and your children and for.
28:38
All who are far off. For.
28:41
All whom the Lord our God will. Call with many other words, he
28:47
warned them and he pleaded with them.
28:49
Save yourselves. From this corrupt generation.
28:53
Those who accepted. His message were baptized about
28:57
and about 3000 were added to their number that day.
29:03
So that is another more detail about the Holy Spirit and what
29:06
happened. I will read through the
29:09
questions and answers on chapter 59 and then we'll wrap this one
29:13
up So chapter 59 I let's. See.
29:20
What is the point with the? Eggs of Vipers.
29:24
And a. Spider's web.
29:26
And denouncing the Israelites for their social injustice,
29:31
Isaiah employed 2 figures taken from the basic human needs of
29:35
food and clothing. The metaphors suggest that what
29:39
these evil people Prophet produced seemed.
29:43
At first. Wholesome only to.
29:45
Be revealed for what it really was.
29:48
Later, in fact, the illustration of the.
29:51
Cobwebs are useless for. Clothing implies that evil is
29:55
ultimately counterproductive, not only for its victims.
29:59
But also for its perpetrators. Why did Isaiah focus?
30:03
So much on issues of justice, the image of the moral.
30:08
Life as a walk. Dominates.
30:10
These two verses because Isaiah's words.
30:13
Are not only strong, but general.
30:15
Paul quoted them in part in Romans.
30:17
Chapter 3 Verses. 15 through 17 to show the universality of sin.
30:25
Why did Isaiah talk as though he was as?
30:27
Guilty as everyone else because he identified with the entire
30:31
nation. In Western culture, we tend to
30:34
think of wrongdoing in terms of the individual in ancient
30:38
Israel. People.
30:39
Thought of wrongdoing in terms of the entire community?
30:44
Here's a question probably many people want to ask.
30:47
Why won't God listen to sinners? God does.
30:50
Listen to sinners, for example, when they genuinely repent of
30:55
their sins and ask God for forgiveness.
30:58
God listens and answers. Isaiah's statement needs to be
31:02
understood within its context. Isaiah was telling his.
31:06
Fellow Israelites, that. Even though God could help them,
31:09
he had chosen not to act. God would not listen to their.
31:13
Prayers or? Be moved by their empty
31:16
religious rituals. They wanted God to help them
31:20
when they were in trouble, but they didn't want to serve him
31:24
with all their. Hearts.
31:25
They didn't want to abandon their wicked ways or their
31:29
foreign idols if they wouldn't listen to him.
31:32
Why should? He listen to them.
31:34
The Bible teaches that. God answers prayers.
31:38
Jesus tells. Us that we can speak.
31:40
To God as a child speaks to his Father.
31:44
God cares for his. People and responds to their
31:47
prayers simply because he loves them.
31:50
The irony is that when he refuses to answer request, it's
31:55
for the same reason. Because of his love, a father
31:58
shows. Love when he allows his children
32:01
to learn from their mistakes. If he always protects his
32:05
children, how will they ever learn and mature?
32:08
God responds in love when he does not come to the.
32:12
Rescue of people. Who?
32:14
Who continue to. Rebel.
32:16
Against him. So whom did God expect to
32:22
intervene though this? Could refer.
32:24
To all the people of God, it likely means that.
32:29
God expected their leaders. To intervene but the king.
32:33
His aides? The priests.
32:34
And even many of the prophets failed to defend those who are
32:38
being oppressed by the injustice committed throughout the land
32:44
and. Righteousness as his
32:47
breastplate. The Lord is.
32:48
Described here as a warrior who wears a breastplate of
32:52
righteousness. And a helmet of salvation.
32:54
Later, Paul used the same terms to instruct Christians about
32:59
their spiritual armor. How do the warnings?
33:03
Of this chapter. Fit with the reassurances.
33:06
Of chapters 54 through 56. In the Old Testament, we see a
33:11
recurring pattern in in the life of Hebrew people.
33:15
They sin, God judges them. They repent, God Forgives them,
33:21
then the cycle begins all over again.
33:24
God's nature includes. Both.
33:26
Judgment and forgiveness, both warnings and reassurances.
33:30
The Israelites sometimes needed judgment, sometimes forgiveness,
33:35
but were equally important in God's formation.
33:39
Of the spiritual life. Of the nation of Israel, how
33:45
could God promise that their descendants would never reject
33:49
His? Spirit or his words?
33:50
He didn't. He simply promised that he would
33:54
never. Withdraw his.
33:55
Spirit from his people. This was God's side of the
33:59
covenant. His promise was to those who
34:03
repent of their sins. But the people's side.
34:08
Of the agreement included their commitment to the relationship,
34:11
many. Also see this as a prophecy.
34:14
Of the new Covenant. God gave his spirit.
34:17
Permanently to the. Church of the Church to the
34:21
Church of. Christ at Pentecost, and that's
34:27
the end of the questions and answers.
34:29
For chapters 58. And 59 so we'll stop here.