JEREMIAH'S QUESTIONS AND GOD'S ANSWERS

PROCLAMATION

“You are always righteous, Lord, … Yet I would speak with You about Your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper?  Why do all the faithless live at ease.?”  Jeremiah 12:1 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah.  Chapter twelve of The Bible Book of Jeremiah begins with Jeremiah questioning The Lord God’s justice with respect to His treatment of the wicked and the faithless.  Jeremiah was concerned as to why The Lord God planted them, allowed them to take root, and to grow and bear fruit. (Jeremiah 12:2)  He wanted them to be dragged out and slaughtered. (Jeremiah 12:3)  Jeremiah also asked The Lord God how long He was going to leave their homeland parched and barren. (Jeremiah 12:4)  The Lord God told Jeremiah basically, if this bothers you, how are you going to handle it when things get worse? (Jeremiah 12:5)  The Lord God then explains why He is going to do what He plans to do, and then He tells Jeremiah that He will handle the wicked prosperous people. (Jeremiah 12:7-17)

APPLICATION

This is not the only time in The Bible where man questions The Lord God for letting the wicked prosper. (Job 21:7, Psalm 37:1, Psalm 73:3, and Habakkuk 1:3)  If the truth be told, some of us have also wondered the same thing.  God is never wrong; we just do not understand Him or His actions.  However, we need not worry about the success of the wicked for He has a plan for them. (Psalm 37:3)  We just need to mind our own business (1 Thessalonians 4:11) and focus on our own Christian walk.  We cannot control what goes on around us, but we can control how we respond to it.  When the end of time comes, as believers we will be judged on what we did for The Lord God and on our responses to the things that happen in the world around us, on our thoughts, our words, and our actions. (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)  So, let us not complain about what God is doing, or allowing to happen, but let us do our best to work to God’s glory. (Matthew 16:27)

THE COVENANT IS BROKEN

PROCLAMATION

“They have returned to the sins of their ancestors, who refused to listen to My words.  They have followed other gods to serve them.  …  Therefore this is what The Lord says: ‘I will bring on them a disaster they cannot escape.  Although they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them.’ ”  Jeremiah 11:10-11 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah and proclaimed to the people of Judah.  The Lord God told him to listen to the words of this covenant and tell them to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 11:1-3)  Jeremiah did as The Lord told him, and he told the people what thus said The Lord. (Jeremiah 11:6-8)  Because the people did not listen, The Lord said that He would bring disaster on them.  The people did not like the message that Jeremiah gave them, and they plotted to kill the messenger.  However, The Lord revealed their plot to him and spared him (Jeremiah 11:18-19) and then He destroyed all of the people in the city that had plotted against him. (Jeremiah 11:21-23)

APPLICATION

When we were first saved, we promised to obey The Word of God, but not long after that we broke our covenant with The Lord God.  Some of us messed up, and confessed, and tried to walk the walk while frequently falling down and getting back up.  Some of us went into a backsliding mode for a period of time before we tried to turn from our sinful ways.  While some just gave up and completely turned away from God.  The day will come when we will pay for our mistakes.  Because The Lord God is just and righteous, our punishment will be appropriate for our sins.  Believers will stand before the mercy seat, and all that we thought, said, and did will be judged.  That which did not give God glory will be burned like wood, stubble, and hay. (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)  Others will stand before the great white throne and they will be judged. (Revelation 20:11-15)  Regardless of what it is that we have done, there is still hope for us if we repent.  If we confess our sins, The Lord God is faithful and just and will forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)  Don’t wait until it is too late.

JEREMIAH'S PRAYER

PROCLAMATION

“Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.  Discipline me, Lord, but only in due measure, not in Your anger, or You will reduce me to nothing.  Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, on the peoples who do not call on Your name…”  Jeremiah 10:23-25 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah and proclaimed to the people of Judah.  He warns the people not to take on the ways of the surrounding nations for their worship of idols is worthless. (Jeremiah 10:1-5)  Then he compares and contrasts the idols to The Lord God. (Jeremiah 10:6-16)  He again warns them of their pending destruction. (Jeremiah 10:17-18)  Then Jeremiah prayed for the people.  He asked The Lord God to punish the people mercifully and not in His anger but turn His anger on the nations that do not acknowledge Him.

APPLICATION

Many people place an idol in their homes for one to two weeks annually but claim that  they do not worship it.  They have someone cut down a tree and shape it, then they take it home, stand it upright, and decorate it. (Jeremiah 10:2-4)  Why do people imitate the ways of a pagan idol ritual and put up a “Christmas tree” which has no relation to Christ?  Many of our practices are just like the unsaved heathens.  Jeremiah prayed for the people who did not order their own steps.  Today, many of us need prayer for the same reason.  The steps of a good man are ordered by The Lord, (Psalm 37:23) but no one knows who is ordering our steps.  We need God’s mercy and not His wrath.  So, let us pray for one another. (James 5:16)

OUR SINS AND PUNISHMENT

OUR SINS AND PUNISHMENT

PROCLAMATION

“The Lord said, ‘It is because they have forsaken My law, which I set before them; they have not obeyed Me or followed My law.  Instead, they have followed the stubbornness of their hearts; they have followed Baals, as their ancestors taught them.’ ”  Jeremiah 9:13-14 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah and proclaimed to the people of Judah.  Chapter eight of The Bible Book of Jeremiah begins with The Lord God saying that He will have the bones of the kings, officials, priests, false prophets, and all of the people of Judah removed from their graves and exposed to the sun, moon, and stars which they worshiped. (Jeremiah 8:1-3)  He said that not only have they done wrong, but none of them have repented of their wickedness. (Jeremiah 8:6)  Their wives will be given to other men and their fields given to new owners. (Jeremiah 8:10)  They have no shame at all for that which they have done and therefore they must be punished. (Jeremiah 8:12)  Chapter nine begins with the prophet Jeremiah saying that he would weep all day and night for his people if he had sufficient tears. (Jeremiah 9:1-2)  The people have become great liars and they deceive and slander their friends. (Jeremiah 9:3-6)  Jeremiah said that he would not only weep for the people but also for the animals and the land which would also be destroyed. (Jeremiah 9:10)  The Lord God said that He would make them eat bitter food and He would scatter them among the nations and pursue them with the sword until they all were consumed. (Jeremiah 9:13-16)  

APPLICATION

Let not the wise boast of their wisdom, or the strong boast of their strength, or the rich boast of their riches for these can all be taken away.  Boast only of the understanding of The Lord God, and boast of His kindness, justice, and righteousness for that will please Him. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)  Be forewarned that the day is coming when The Lord God will punish all people, the Jews, and the Gentiles, for their sinful activities and for their uncircumcised heart. (Jeremiah 9:25-26)  Let us confess our sins and repent while there is still time. (1 John 1:9)

REFORM YOUR WAYS AND LIVE

REFORM YOUR WAYS AND LIVE

PROCLAMATION

“This is what The Lord Almighty, The God of Israel, says: ‘Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place.’ ”  Jeremiah 7:3 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah and proclaimed to the people of Judah.  Jeremiah was told to stand at the gates of the temple and proclaim this message. (Jeremiah 7:1-2)  All those who entered the temple, which was filled with idols, were told to reform their ways and actions.  If they reformed, then The Lord God would let them live. (Jeremiah 7:3-7)  Going into The Lord’s temple and worshiping idols in there was detestable to Him. (Jeremiah 7:10-11 and 7:17-20)  He told them that He brought them out of Egypt and gave them commands to obey but they did not pay attention to Him.  They did even more evil than their ancestors. (Jeremiah 7:21-26)  Because of their idol worship and burning their children as sacrifices, He was going to destroy them. (Jeremiah 7:30-33)

APPLICATION

Today we need to understand that just going to the temple regularly will not save us.  If we continue to practice the same sinful activities, then we are still lost.  If we continue to ignore His Holy Word and disobey His commands, then we will also incur His wrath.  However, if we change our behavior and deal with each other justly, then He will let us live. (Jeremiah 7:5-7 and 2 Chronicles 7:14)

WALK IN THE LORD'S WAY

PROCLAMATION

“This is what The Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls…’”  Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah and proclaimed to the people of Judah.  Because the Israelites had turned away from The Lord God and worshiped idols, He said that He would allow the Babylonians attack and destroy them. (Jeremiah 6:2-7)  He warned them to turn away from their sinful ways or He would turn away from them. (Jeremiah 6:8)  He encouraged them to seek out the right way, the good way, and to walk in it. (Jeremiah 6:16 and Matthew 7:13-14)  However, many of them did not listen to Him, and because they did not listen to Him or heed His words, He said that He would bring disaster upon them (Jeremiah 6:19) and both the young and the old would perish. (Jeremiah 6:21)

APPLICATION

We have a choice of which path we will take.  Many will choose the wide, well-travelled path which will ultimately lead to destruction.  However Jesus, The Christ, has taught us to choose the straight and narrow, less-travelled path, for it will lead to eternal life. (Matthew 7:13-14)  If we reject The Lord God, and The Word of God, we can expect that disaster will follow and we will spend eternity in hell. (Jeremiah 6:19, Revelation 20:12 and 20:15)

THE PUNISHMENT FOR DELIBERATE DISOBEDIENCE

PROCLAMATION

“ ‘Why should I forgive you?  Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods.  I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes.  They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for another man’s wife.  Should I not punish them for this?’ declares The Lord.”  Jeremiah 5:7-9 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah and proclaimed to the people of Judah.  The Lord God had become frustrated with the children of Israel.  They had all turned away from Him.  There was not one honest, truth seeking person in the city of Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 5:1-2)  He had tried mild forms of punishment but that did not work. (Jeremiah 5:3)  The poor people did not know the ways of The Lord and neither did their religious leaders. (Jeremiah 5:4-5)  Therefore, The Lord God had decided to let their neighboring nations, the Babylonians and the Chaldeans, destroy them. (Jeremiah 5:9-29)  He describes their destruction as attacks by a lion, a wolf, and a leopard tearing them to pieces. (Jeremiah 5:6)  The people were likened to an ungrateful and unfaithful spouse.  Given their behavior, He asks a series of rhetorical questions, “Why should I forgive you?”  “Should I not punish them for this?”  “Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?” (Jeremiah 5:7-9)

APPLICATION

Unfortunately, today we use many slang phrases which contain references to God which are used in vain such as:  “Oh my God” and “Lord have mercy.”  We talk about “mother nature” and “father time,” and we complain about the weather without acknowledging that these are all controlled by God.  We don’t want to follow The Lord’s commands and, even though we call ourselves “Christians,” we have unyoked ourselves from Him. (Jeremiah 5:4-5)  A lot of the bad things that happen to us are things which we brought upon ourselves.  If we had behaved differently then the hedge of protection which is around us would have kept bad things from us. (Job 1:10 and Isaiah 5:5)  The Lord God, by His permissive will, allows some things to happen to us as punishment for our disobedience.  If we change and return to Him, then things in our lives will change. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

CIRCUMCISE YOUR HEART

PROCLAMATION

“Circumcise yourselves to The Lord, circumcise your hearts, you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or My wrath will flare up and burn like fire because of the evil you have done; burn with no one to quench it.”  Jeremiah 4:4 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah and proclaimed to the people of Judah.  The Lord God had exhorted and requested that the people of Israel return to Him. (Jeremiah 4:1-2)  He warned them that if they didn’t return to Him, their enemy to the north would come down and destroy their towns and their land. (Jeremiah 4:5-9) 

APPLICATION

In days of old, parents would spank their disobedient children.  Here the disobedient children of Israel were being warned that if they continued to do wrong then they would be spanked.  The term “circumcise” refers to the removal of excess useless foreskin.  It was and old Jewish custom which is still practiced today. (Genesis 17:10-12)  The reference to “circumcise your hearts” was a request to remove “unnecessary covering around their hearts” as a token of their covenant with God.  Today, we give our hearts to so many things and people, but we don’t give our hearts to God.  One of these days we will incur the wrath of God because our heart was in the wrong place and covered with the wrong thing.   

RETURN TO THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“Go, proclaim this message toward the north: ‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares The Lord, ‘I will frown on you no longer, for I will not be angry forever.  Only acknowledge your guilt …’ ”  Jeremiah 3:12-13 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah and proclaimed to the people of Judah.  In this chapter, the sins people of Israel and Judah are exposed, and their idolatry is compared to a prostitute. (Jeremiah 3:1-10)  The Lord God tells them to return to Him, but first He wants them to acknowledge that they have sinned.

APPLICATION

Our biggest problem today is the lack of confession of sin.  Some people won’t confess because they do not consider that what they have done is wrong.  Unless a man knows he has sinned, and has been convicted of it, he will not turn away from it or confess it.  There are also those people who enjoy their sins to the point that they refuse to let go of them.  Without a change of heart by The Lord God both of those groups are lost.  The rest of us believers need to humble ourselves, and confess our sins, and turn from our wicked ways. (2 Chronicles 7:14)  For if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and He will forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

WE SIN WHEN WE FORSAKE THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken Me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”  Jeremiah 2:13 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah to be proclaimed to the people of Judah.  Jeremiah told the people that The Lord God said that He remembered the devotion of their youth when they followed Him through the wilderness. (Jeremiah 2:2)  He questioned them as to what fault they found in Him that caused them to stray from Him and turn to worthless idols. (Jeremiah 2:5-8)  Because of their sins, The Lord God was going to punish them, their children, and their children’s children. (Jeremiah 2:9)  He said that they brought this upon themselves by forsaking Him. (Jeremiah 2:17 and 2:19)  He told them that they turned their backs on Him and worshiped idols made of wood and stone, but every time that they got into trouble, they would call on Him and say, “Come and save us.” (Jeremiah 2:27) 

APPLICATION

Today, most of us do not worship idol gods.  We sin by forsaking The Lord God and by putting other things ahead of Him.  We offer many different excuses for the things that we place ahead of God.  Because of these things, we don’t pray as we should, praise Him as we should, or worship as we should.  Some of the time we turn to sinful wickedness, and other times we just backslide. (Jeremiah 2:19)  We need to turn away from whatever it is that causes us to forsake The Lord God and return to Him. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

THE LORD GOD CALLS AND APPOINTS WHOMEVER

PROCLAMATION

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”  Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah as He called him into service to speak to the kings and the people of Judah. (Jeremiah 1:1-10)  Jeremiah thought that he was too young for such an assignment, but The Lord told him not to be afraid, that He would put His words in his mouth. (Jeremiah 1:7-10)  The Lord God was about to pronounce judgment upon Judah and Jeremiah was to deliver that very unpopular message to them. (Jeremiah 1:16-19)

APPLICATION

The Lord God can use whomever He wants to do whatever He wants done.  He doesn’t call the qualified individuals; He calls the unqualified and He prepares them.  He qualifies whomever He calls for His purpose.  He knows all about us.  He knew us when we were in our mother’s womb before we were born. (Psalm 139:13-16)  He has a purpose for each of us to fulfill.  That is the reason that we were born, and we will not die until we have completed all of the work  that He has for us to do. (2 Timothy 1:9)  Let us pray that He will reveal to us His plans for our life.  Let us also pray for the courage and conviction to do whatever it is instead of running the other way as Jonah did. (Jonah 1:1-2)

JUDGEMENT AND HOPE

PROCLAMATION

“… These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at My word.”  Isaiah 66:2 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  In this the sixty-sixth and final chapter of The Bible Book of Isaiah there is a continuation of the same topics which were presented in chapter sixty-five: the rejection by Jews, the acceptance by Gentiles, the worship of idols, the remnant of believers, and the coming of Christ.  He states that all men will be judged, some of whom will find His favor and others will receive His vengeance. (Isaiah 66:2-4)   

APPLICATION

In many respects The Bible Book of Isaiah mirrors The Bible.  There are sixty-six Books of The Bible and sixty-six chapters in The Book of Isaiah.  There are thirty-nine Books in The Old Testament and the first thirty-nine chapters of The Book of Isaiah presents the history of the people of God.  There are twenty-seven Books in The New Testament and last twenty-seven chapters of The Book of Isaiah presents prophesies relating to the Messiah including His birth, life, rejection, crucifixion, death, and resurrection.  Both The Bible and The Book of Isaiah end with prophecies regarding the second coming of Christ and the new heavens and the new earth.  Both state that the day of judgment is coming, and all of the enemies of the church will be destroyed. (Isaiah 66:15-17 and Revelation 20:4)  However, believers will be gathered together and will see the glory of The Lord. (Isaiah 66:18 and Revelation 18:1) 

THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH

PROCLAMATION

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth.  The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.  But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.”  Isaiah 65:17-18 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  Chapter sixty-five of The Bible Book of Isaiah begins with the rejection of The Lord God by the Jews and His acceptance by the Gentiles. (Isaiah 65:1-7)  Then The Lord God states that He would preserve a remnant of His people. (Isaiah 65:8-10)  He goes on to describe what will happen to those people who forsake Him as compared to those who serve Him. (Isaiah 65:11-16)  After this He states that He will create new heavens and a new earth, then He briefly tells what life would be like in the new Jerusalem and how peaceful things will be for man and animals. (Isaiah 65:17-25)

APPLICATION

After the Rapture and after the Millennial reign, The Lord God will create new heavens and a new earth.  The old ones will have passed away. (Isaiah 65:17 and Revelation 21:1)   There will be no more crying there (Isaiah 65:19) and the wolf and the lamb will feed together. (Isaiah 65:25)  The weaknesses of infancy and the infirmities of old age will no longer exist. (Isaiah 65:20)   There will be joy and gladness there forever. (Isaiah 65:18)  Will you be there?

PRAY TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER

PROCLAMATION

“Yet You, Lord, are our Father.  We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.  Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever.  Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all Your people.”  Isaiah 64:8-9 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

Chapter sixty-four of The Bible Book of Isaiah is a prayer to The Lord God which was spoken by the prophet Isaiah on behalf of the Israelites.  In spite of all that they had done against Him, they were still His children and they were relying on that relationship for His mercy.

APPLICATION

When we pray, we ask God for mercy and forgiveness as we hid behind the relationship.  In the model prayer Christ teaches us to call on “Our Father …” when we pray. (Matthew 6:9)  He is our Father both by creation and by adoption.  He made us and He chose us.  Although He has not forgotten the relationship, it is in our best interest to remind Him of it, especially when we have done wrong.  The confession of our sins is more of an admission of guilt and wrongdoing on our part because He is omniscient and already knows all of our thoughts, deeds, and spoken words.  For if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us of our sins, and He will cleanse us of all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

THE LOVING KINDNESS OF THE LORD GOD

THE LOVING KINDNESS OF THE LORD GOD

PROCLAMATION

“I will tell of the kindnesses of The Lord, the deeds for which He is to be praised, according to all The Lord has done for us …”  Isaiah 63:7 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  In the beginning of chapter sixty-three, Isaiah sees, in a vision, The Messiah returning in triumph after a conquest of His enemies proclaiming victory and stating that He alone had crushed His enemies. (Isaiah 63:1-6)  Then He changes his tune and tone and recounts how, in days of old, The Lord God had chosen Israel to be His people, how they had rebelled against Him, were taken into captivity, and how He sent Moses to free them.  He even parted the Red Sea for them. (Isaiah 63:8-12)  But they had fallen on hard times again and urged Him to look down form heaven and see their plight. (Isaiah 63:15-19)

APPLICATION

The Lord God is good, merciful, and His loving kindness knows no limits.  We, His people, have messed up thousands of times and He still loves us.  He has blessed us with His grace and mercy an untold number of times in the past and we seek new mercies every day. (Psalm 51:1)  We have been blessed in so many ways, not to mention our birth, life, and our very existence, (Acts 17:28) there is also our election, redemption, and sanctification.  We have so much to be thankful for until His praise should continually be on our lips.

GOD'S PEOPLE MUST BE A PRAYING PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“… You who call on The Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of earth.”  Isaiah 62:6-7 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  Some Bible scholars believe that here He was referring to prophets, pastors, and ministers.  Others believe that He was referring to all of the members of the church, especially the prayer warriors.  This group of people is encouraged to speak out, and to pray without ceasing. (Isaiah 62:6 and Luke 18:1)  They should also not let Him alone.  They should bother Him with incessant prayer as Moses did, wrestle with Him as Jacob did, (Genesis 32:24-26) and annoy Him as the widow with the unjust judge. (2 Samuel 14:1-20)  They should not let Him go without receiving a blessing.

APPLICATION

Prayer is our way of communicating with God.  We are all encouraged to pray regularly and frequently.  We are to pray about everything.  We should pray before we speak, make a decision, or take any action.  No problem or request is too big or too small to take to The Lord in prayer.  We have not received that which we want because we have not asked for it in the name of Jesus. (John 16:24)  Whatever we pray for, and believe in, we will receive if it gives God glory. (Matthew 21:22)  We should continue to pray multiple time daily until something happens.

PREDICTED PROMISES FOR GOD'S PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“And you will be called priests of The Lord, you will be named ministers of our God.  You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.  Instead of shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.  And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.”  Isaiah 61:6-7 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  Chapter sixty-one of The Bible Book of Isaiah begins with the prediction of the words which Jesus, The Christ, would say when He told the people that He was the fulfillment of the prophecy. (Isaiah 61:1-2 and Luke 4:16-21)  At the beginning of the Millennium, Israel will receive a facelift and be rebuilt. (Isaiah 61:4)  The Lord God had intended for the entire nation of Israel to be priests, (Exodus 19:6) but because of their repeated sins this was never attained.  However, this will be attained in the Millennium and everlasting joy will be theirs.

APPLICATION

When the new heaven and the new earth are established, God’s people will rule on earth.  The Lord God will reward His people. (Isaiah 61:8)  He said that their descendants will be widely acknowledged as having been blessed. (Isaiah 61:9)  The Lord God will bless and care for His own in a special way.  Will you be among those who receives these promised blessings?

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“Arise, shine, for Your light has come, and the glory of The Lord rises upon You.  See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but The Lord rises upon You and His glory appears over You.”  Isaiah 60:1-2 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  Chapter sixty presents the full manifestation of the Millennium and the coming of Christ to Zion. (Isaiah 60:1-2)  Jesus, The Christ, The Light of the world, (John 9:5) will now be The Light both literally and figuratively. (Isaiah 60:2-3)  All will come to Him and all will serve Him. (Isaiah 45:23, Isaiah 60:3-9, and Romans 14:11)  Any nation that will not serve Him will be destroyed. (Isaiah 60:12)

APPLICATION

On His first coming, Jesus, The Christ, was The Light of the world figuratively.  On His second coming, Christ will be The Light of the world both literally and figuratively.  This light will never set, it will be everlasting. (Isaiah 60:20)  All of God’s sons and daughters will be gathered there with Him. (Isaiah 60:4)  Where will your soul be?

OUR SINS CONFESSION AND REDEMPTION

PROCLAMATION

“‘As for Me, this is My covenant with them’, says The Lord.  ‘My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and My words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and the lips of their descendants, from this time on and forever,’ says The Lord.’”  Isaiah 59:21 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  In chapter fifty-nine of The Bible Book of Isaiah, he begins by identifying the sins of the people from God’s perspective. (Isaiah 59:3-8)  Then Isaiah speaks for the people and confesses their sins and shortcomings. (Isaiah 59:9-13)  Afterwards Isaiah offers the consequences of their sins, the fact that justice, righteousness, and truth are nowhere near them. (Isaiah 59:14-15)  Isaiah said that God, The Father, assessed the situation and sent His Son to bring salvation and righteousness back into the world. (Isaiah 59:16-18)  Then The Lord God makes a promise and establishes a covenant with His people.

APPLICATION

God’s salvation cannot be earned, and neither can His grace and mercy be earned.  Because we were lost, God said that He would send His Son so that His righteousness could afford us a chance at salvation. (Isaiah 59:16-17)  The Holy Spirit of God, which is within us, is given to us. (John 14:16)  His doctrine shall be in our hearts and minds, and it shall be spoken by us, by our children, and by our children’s children and their descendants.  The Holy Word of God will be eternal.  This is God’s promise to believers, and it is not conditional.  Christ is coming back (Isaiah 59:17-20 and Romans 11:26)  So, all of us should repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, and Mark 1:15)  Because of our sins, the only way to salvation is through Christ. (John 14:6)  If we confess and believe in Him, we will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

THE LORD WILL GUIDE US AND SATISFY OUR NEEDS

THE LORD WILL GUIDE US AND SATISFY OUR NEEDS

PROCLAMATION

“The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”  Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  Here He presents the things which they are doing wrong with respect to fasting, praise, and worship. (Isaiah 58:3-7)  Then He presents the good that would happen to them if they would do the right thing.  This is followed by a series of “if … then …” statements which present some conditional blessings which they could receive. (Isaiah 58:8-14)

APPLICATION

Our fasting, praying, and worship does not mean much when afterwards we go about doing the same sinful things, or when we fight with our brothers and sisters afterwards. (Isaiah 58:3-4)  It is as if we do not take our time with Him seriously.  It is not possible for us to leave a serious encounter with The Lord God and be exactly the same as we were before the encounter.  Time spent with Him changes us (Ezekiel 11:19 and 36:26) and we are transformed into new creatures. (2 Corinthians 5:17)  We do not become perfect, but we become less sinful.  If we follow in the direction that He leads us, then we will stay on the straight and narrow path. (Matthew 7:13-14)  He will protect us, provide for us, and strengthen us along our Christian journey.  The Good Lord wants to bless us, but He also wants us to do the right things.  If we would heed His counsel and obey His word, our lives would be much better.

THE LORD GOD WILL COMFORT US

PROCLAMATION

“I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips.  Peace, peace, to those far and near, says The Lord.  And I will heal them.”  Isaiah 57:18-19 (NIV)

EXPLANATION
These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  Chapter fifty-seven of The Bible Book of Isaiah begins by stating that the righteous die in order to be spared from evil, and so that they may find rest and God’s peace. (Isaiah 57:1-2)  Then He presents the abominable idolatries which were committed by the children of Israel. (Israel 57:3-13)  Afterwards He states that He punished them because of their behavior but that He would revive them, restore them, and comfort the mourners among them.

APPLICATION

The Lord God knows our sins and He has seen the suffering which we brought upon ourselves.  He said that He would heal us and our land if we would seek Him and turn from our wicked ways. (2 Chronicles 7:14)  He also said that He would guide us and comfort those of us who are mourners. (Isaiah 57:18)  We need to understand that death is a part of life and that people die for a reason. (Isaiah 57:1-2)  None of us came here to stay here forever.  When believers die, they transition from earthly labor to a heavenly reward. (1 Corinthians 3:8)  If they are absent from the body that means that they are present with The Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)  We may miss them and wish that they were still here with us, but that is us just being selfish because I am sure that no one wants to leave the presence of God and return to the suffering on earth.  We need to make sure that we will join them and be with Christ when our time comes.  That can only happen if we believe. (John 3:16, Acts 16:31, and Romans 10:9)

PROMISED BLESSINGS

PROCLAMATION

“This is what The Lord says: ‘Maintain justice and do what is right, for My salvation is close at hand and My righteousness will soon be revealed.  Blessed is the one who does this …’”  Isaiah 56:1-2 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  The Lord God charged His people to keep His Holy Word, to be just, and to do that which is right.  He said blessed is he who does this and blessed is he who keeps the Sabbath. (Isaiah 56:1-2)  Foreigners who have accepted The Lord God and all those who serve Him will also be blessed. (Isaiah 56:3-7)  Then He blasts the weak and inadequate religious leaders and rulers of Israel. (Isaiah 56:9-11)

APPLICATION

Once we become believers it is expected that we will do that which is right.  We are to be fair and just with our fellowman.  All too often those who claim to be believers, and are regular church-going Christians, are committing gross injustices to some of God’s people.  In case you did not know it, some of the slave ship traders, and some of the slave owners, and some of those who lynched folk, bombed churches, and burned down communities were church-going Christians.  By allowing us to remain among the living, The Lord God still blesses all of us, the sun shines on all of us and the rain falls on all of us, the just and the unjust, the good and the evil. (Matthew 5:45)  However, we are not blessed because we are church-going people.  We are promised this conditional blessing for treating our brothers justly and for doing that which is right in the eyes of The Lord.  He is currently blessing us, and He has promised us additional special blessings if we would obey His Holy Word. (John 13:34 and 15:12)

AN INVITATION TO RECEIVE THE BLESSINGS OF THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“Seek The Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.  Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.  Let them turn to The Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.”  Isaiah 55:6-7 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  Chapter fifty-five of The Bible Book of Isaiah is an invitation to the lost and unsaved to come to The Lord God to be forgiven and blessed. (Isaiah 55:1-3)  All people are welcomed to come, and to turn from their wicked and unrighteous ways. (Isaiah 55:5-7)  The Lord God does not think or act like man. (Isaiah 55:8-11)  In Him there is joy and peace which He is willing to share. (Isaiah 55:12)

APPLICATION

All people are offered the opportunity to be saved regardless of whatever sins they may have committed in the past.  We will remain lost until we choose to accept the invitation to accept Christ.  There is only one way to salvation and that is through Jesus, The Christ. (John 14:6)  The lost should seek Him now for there will come a day when it will be too late. (Luke 13:27)  One day the unrighteous and all of their ways will perish. (Psalm 1:6)  Those who come to The Lord will be blessed and will go out from Him in joy and peace. (Isaiah 55:12)  Those who do not accept Him will not have their name written in The Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 20:15)

NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST US WILL PROSPER

PROCLAMATION

“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.  This is the heritage of the servants of The Lord …”  Isaiah 54:17 (NIV)

EXPLANATION
These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah as a prediction of things to come.  He said that the church will increase and grow by conversion and conviction as multitudes of Jews and Gentiles join the church and increase in their knowledge of God and holiness. (Isaiah 54:1-3)  The Lord God swore to the people that He would never again depart from them. (Isaiah 54:9-10)  All of the new Christians would learn of The Lord God and He promises them protection, safety, and security. (Isaiah 54:13-15)  He promises His servants that no weapon made to be used against them will be successful, and that anyone who speaks against them will be condemned.

APPLICATION

When all is considered, said, and done, The Lord God has promised us that all of the people who oppose His people will lose.  We, the people of God, have already been assured of the victory. (1 Corinthians 15:57)  Man can do nothing unless God gives him the power. (Isaiah 54:16 and Acts 17:28)  Man himself, and all that he builds, is subject to the will of God.  As believers we are protected within the hand of God, and no one or thing can harm us or remove us from His hand. (John 10:28-29)  For this we ought to be truly thankful and grateful.