"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 2 January 2012"
Today's Blog Title: "Introduction Into the Book Of Isaiah"
Isaiah stands at the peak of the Old Testament as the literary genius of the prophets of Israel. His Book has more chapters than any other prophetic book and looks further into the future than any other Old Testament Book. This amazing book includes Isaiah's unique prophecies regarding Immanuel and the Suffering Servant.
The prophet Isaiah was a man on a mission. The Lord had shown him a glimpse of His glorious throne and placed a call on his life. As a prophet, he spoke God's words. For the most part, these were words of confrontation, exhortation, and warning, word that made him extremely unpopular. But even when he faced opposition, Isaiah continued to stand up for the truth. The Lord had called him yo warn the people of their headlong rush into disaster.
Isaiah is a towering book of prophecy and is one of the most beautiful and significant of the Old Testament Books. Its messages of judgement are balanced by matchless words of comfort and hope. Its vision of the savior is the most moving as well as the clearest of all Old Testament portraits.
One of the Book's greatest values is found in its unforgettable images of God. Isaiah's distinctive Title for God, "The Holy One of Israel," is used 25 times and it captures something of the majestic glory with which God is displayed. He is Creator, King, and savior for His people, the "Mighty God"who send His Servant, the Messiah, to rescue them at a terrible personal cost. Isaiah 53's graphic study of the Servant's suffering is an unmistakably distinct portrait of Calvary, penned some 700 years before the birth of Jesus.
Isaiah lived and ministered in Judah, then a country reduced in size by the military pressure from Assyria. Yet in a real way Isaiah dwells in glory and views all things from a heavenly perspective. Isaiah's viewpoint was indelibly impressed on him, by a vision in Chapter 6.
The prophet, then a young man, finds himself in the Presence of God. Overcome by God's glory, and deeply aware of his own sinfulness, Isaiah crumbles, only to be cleaned by fire from the temple alter and told his guilt has been taken away and his sin atoned for. When Isaiah hears God ask, "Whom shall I send?" (6:8), he eagerly volunteers to serve as God's messenger. Isiah is warned that the people of Judah will not heed him and that in the end their houses will be left empty and their fields will become a wasteland. Yet throughout his long life, Isaiah will never lose sight of God, "seated on a throne, high and exalted" (6:1). Isaiah will never forget the echoing cry of the angels around God's throne. "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory" (6:3).
As we begin a tour of Isaiah, may we as Isaiah say to the Lord, "Here I Am Lord, Send me!" As we go into the well written Book, may we as Christians look beyond the present, to remain aware of God, and to be confident in the future that our Almighty God is shaping in accordance to His Will, and His timetable.
KEY PASSAGES IN THE BOOK OF ISAIAH
Isaiah's Call: (Isaiah 6) The prophet is cleansed and commissioned to speak God's Word to a people unwilling to listen.
A promise of Peace: (Isaiah 11) A descendant of David will bring world peace.
A Word of Comfort: (Isaiah 40) God, the Sovereign Lord, is our hope.
God Delivers: (Isaiah 40-48) Trust in God Brings National Deliverance.
The Futility of Idolatry: (Isaiah 44) Trust only in the living God
The Suffering Servant: (Isaiah 53) Scriptures most vivid picture of the Cross and and its
meaning, written 700 years before the birth of Christ
The World to Come: (Isaiah 65:17-25) Under God's future rule, man and nature at last find
blessing and rest
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "Introduction Into the Book Of Isaiah"
Isaiah stands at the peak of the Old Testament as the literary genius of the prophets of Israel. His Book has more chapters than any other prophetic book and looks further into the future than any other Old Testament Book. This amazing book includes Isaiah's unique prophecies regarding Immanuel and the Suffering Servant.
The prophet Isaiah was a man on a mission. The Lord had shown him a glimpse of His glorious throne and placed a call on his life. As a prophet, he spoke God's words. For the most part, these were words of confrontation, exhortation, and warning, word that made him extremely unpopular. But even when he faced opposition, Isaiah continued to stand up for the truth. The Lord had called him yo warn the people of their headlong rush into disaster.
Isaiah is a towering book of prophecy and is one of the most beautiful and significant of the Old Testament Books. Its messages of judgement are balanced by matchless words of comfort and hope. Its vision of the savior is the most moving as well as the clearest of all Old Testament portraits.
One of the Book's greatest values is found in its unforgettable images of God. Isaiah's distinctive Title for God, "The Holy One of Israel," is used 25 times and it captures something of the majestic glory with which God is displayed. He is Creator, King, and savior for His people, the "Mighty God"who send His Servant, the Messiah, to rescue them at a terrible personal cost. Isaiah 53's graphic study of the Servant's suffering is an unmistakably distinct portrait of Calvary, penned some 700 years before the birth of Jesus.
Isaiah lived and ministered in Judah, then a country reduced in size by the military pressure from Assyria. Yet in a real way Isaiah dwells in glory and views all things from a heavenly perspective. Isaiah's viewpoint was indelibly impressed on him, by a vision in Chapter 6.
The prophet, then a young man, finds himself in the Presence of God. Overcome by God's glory, and deeply aware of his own sinfulness, Isaiah crumbles, only to be cleaned by fire from the temple alter and told his guilt has been taken away and his sin atoned for. When Isaiah hears God ask, "Whom shall I send?" (6:8), he eagerly volunteers to serve as God's messenger. Isiah is warned that the people of Judah will not heed him and that in the end their houses will be left empty and their fields will become a wasteland. Yet throughout his long life, Isaiah will never lose sight of God, "seated on a throne, high and exalted" (6:1). Isaiah will never forget the echoing cry of the angels around God's throne. "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory" (6:3).
As we begin a tour of Isaiah, may we as Isaiah say to the Lord, "Here I Am Lord, Send me!" As we go into the well written Book, may we as Christians look beyond the present, to remain aware of God, and to be confident in the future that our Almighty God is shaping in accordance to His Will, and His timetable.
KEY PASSAGES IN THE BOOK OF ISAIAH
Isaiah's Call: (Isaiah 6) The prophet is cleansed and commissioned to speak God's Word to a people unwilling to listen.
A promise of Peace: (Isaiah 11) A descendant of David will bring world peace.
A Word of Comfort: (Isaiah 40) God, the Sovereign Lord, is our hope.
God Delivers: (Isaiah 40-48) Trust in God Brings National Deliverance.
The Futility of Idolatry: (Isaiah 44) Trust only in the living God
The Suffering Servant: (Isaiah 53) Scriptures most vivid picture of the Cross and and its
meaning, written 700 years before the birth of Christ
The World to Come: (Isaiah 65:17-25) Under God's future rule, man and nature at last find
blessing and rest
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
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