What is the purpose of fasting, just a religious duty, or humility and a change of life? Let’s look at Isaiah 58.
Why do people sometimes perform religious actions, but God takes no notice?
Shout aloud! Don’t hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Declare to my people their rebellions, and to the house of Jacob their sins. They seek me day after day, and are eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practices righteousness and has not forsaken the justice of their God. They ask me to reveal just decisions; they are eager to draw near to God. ‘Why have we fasted,’ they ask, ‘but you do not see? ‘Why have we humbled ourselves,’ they ask, ‘but you take no notice?’” “Look! On your fast day you serve your own interest and oppress all your workers.” (Isa 58:1-3 ISV)
Are our motives and actions in line with our professed faith or are we just hypocrites? Is this the kind of fast that impresses God?
Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? (Isa 58:4-5 KJV)
What kind of fast does God really want, one that is accompanied by repentance, and helping the needy?
Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To release the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the afflicted homeless into the house; When you see the naked, you cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? (Isa 58:6-7 LSB)
What will happen when we fast with the right motives, repent and change our ways?
Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will spring up quickly; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; You will cry for help, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you remove the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, And if you offer yourself to the hungry And satisfy the need of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in darkness, And your gloom will become like midday.
And the Lord will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell. (Isa 58:8-12 NASB)
Was another condition for right fasting Sabbath keeping? How would that apply under the new covenant, which does not require resting in a day, but resting in Jesus?
“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (Isa 58:13-14 NIV)
How did Jesus instruct us to fast? Was it to be done in private?
Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Mat 6:16-18 NKJV)
Did Jesus even once command a Sabbath day for the Church? Is our rest now in Jesus rather than a day?
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Mat 11:28 NLT)
What does Hebrews 3-4 tell us about Sabbath rest, rest in the promised land, rest from human efforts, and our eternal rest? If Moses did not give a Sabbath keeping people rest, and Joshua spoke of another day, is there another Sabbathing for the people of God, a rest from our works?
There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his [own] works, as God did from his. (Heb 4:9-10 WEB)
What is the purpose of fasting, just a religious duty, or humility and a change of life? You decide!
Humility (Isaiah 57)
Is a righteous person sinlessly perfect, or one who is humble and mourns and repents of their sins, with faith in the sacrifice of Christ? Let’s look at Isaiah 57.
When someone seems to die prematurely, do we consider these words?
The righteous person perishes, and no one takes it to heart; And devout people are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous person is taken away from evil, He enters into peace; They rest in their beds, Each one who walked in his upright way. (Isa 57:1-2 NASB)
What does God think of the sexually immoral who mock God, liars who murder their children as offerings to idols?
But you—come here, you children of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! Who are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not a brood of rebels, the offspring of liars? You burn with lust among the oaks and under every spreading tree; you sacrifice your children in the ravines and under the overhanging crags. The idols among the smooth stones of the ravines are your portion; indeed, they are your lot. Yes, to them you have poured out drink offerings and offered grain offerings. In view of all this, should I relent? (Isa 57:3-6 NIV)
Did Israel worship foreign gods with debased practices that only wearied them?
On a lofty and high mountain You have set your bed; Even there you went up To offer sacrifice. Also behind the doors and their posts You have set up your remembrance; For you have uncovered yourself to those other than Me, And have gone up to them; You have enlarged your bed And made a covenant with them; You have loved their bed, Where you saw their nudity. You went to the king with ointment, And increased your perfumes; You sent your messengers far off, And even descended to Sheol. You are wearied in the length of your way; Yet you did not say, ‘There is no hope.’ You have found the life of your hand; Therefore you were not grieved. (Isa 57:7-10 NKJV)
What can a fake idol do in comparison to what the one true God can do?
Are you afraid of these idols? Do they terrify you? Is that why you have lied to me and forgotten me and my words? Is it because of my long silence that you no longer fear me? Now I will expose your so-called good deeds. None of them will help you. Let’s see if your idols can save you when you cry to them for help. Why, a puff of wind can knock them down! If you just breathe on them, they fall over! But whoever trusts in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain. (Isa 57:11-13 NLT)
Will God remove whatever stands in the way between Him and His people? Who will God choose to dwell with?
He will say, “Build up, build up, prepare the way! Remove the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.” For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend forever, neither will I always be angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls whom I have made. I was angry because of the iniquity of his covetousness and struck him. I hid myself and was angry; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart. (Isa 57:14-17 WEB)
Will God heal those who mourn their ways, while the unrepentant wicked lack peace?
I have seen their ways, but I will heal them. I will guide them, and reward them with comfort. And for those who mourn, I will create reason for praise: utter prosperity to those far and near, and I will heal them, says the Lord. But the wicked are like the churning sea that can’t keep still. They churn up from their waters muck and mud. There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked. (Isa 57:18-21 CEB)
Does God choose to dwell with those who have a contrite and humble spirit?
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 5:3 ESV)
What ultimately counts a person as righteous before God, our sinless perfection or faith in Jesus’ blood?
For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Mat 26:28 HCSB)
Is a righteous person sinlessly perfect, or one who is humble and mourns and repents of their sins, with faith in the sacrifice of Christ? You decide!
When someone seems to die prematurely, do we consider these words?
The righteous person perishes, and no one takes it to heart; And devout people are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous person is taken away from evil, He enters into peace; They rest in their beds, Each one who walked in his upright way. (Isa 57:1-2 NASB)
What does God think of the sexually immoral who mock God, liars who murder their children as offerings to idols?
But you—come here, you children of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! Who are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not a brood of rebels, the offspring of liars? You burn with lust among the oaks and under every spreading tree; you sacrifice your children in the ravines and under the overhanging crags. The idols among the smooth stones of the ravines are your portion; indeed, they are your lot. Yes, to them you have poured out drink offerings and offered grain offerings. In view of all this, should I relent? (Isa 57:3-6 NIV)
Did Israel worship foreign gods with debased practices that only wearied them?
On a lofty and high mountain You have set your bed; Even there you went up To offer sacrifice. Also behind the doors and their posts You have set up your remembrance; For you have uncovered yourself to those other than Me, And have gone up to them; You have enlarged your bed And made a covenant with them; You have loved their bed, Where you saw their nudity. You went to the king with ointment, And increased your perfumes; You sent your messengers far off, And even descended to Sheol. You are wearied in the length of your way; Yet you did not say, ‘There is no hope.’ You have found the life of your hand; Therefore you were not grieved. (Isa 57:7-10 NKJV)
What can a fake idol do in comparison to what the one true God can do?
Are you afraid of these idols? Do they terrify you? Is that why you have lied to me and forgotten me and my words? Is it because of my long silence that you no longer fear me? Now I will expose your so-called good deeds. None of them will help you. Let’s see if your idols can save you when you cry to them for help. Why, a puff of wind can knock them down! If you just breathe on them, they fall over! But whoever trusts in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain. (Isa 57:11-13 NLT)
Will God remove whatever stands in the way between Him and His people? Who will God choose to dwell with?
He will say, “Build up, build up, prepare the way! Remove the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.” For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend forever, neither will I always be angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls whom I have made. I was angry because of the iniquity of his covetousness and struck him. I hid myself and was angry; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart. (Isa 57:14-17 WEB)
Will God heal those who mourn their ways, while the unrepentant wicked lack peace?
I have seen their ways, but I will heal them. I will guide them, and reward them with comfort. And for those who mourn, I will create reason for praise: utter prosperity to those far and near, and I will heal them, says the Lord. But the wicked are like the churning sea that can’t keep still. They churn up from their waters muck and mud. There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked. (Isa 57:18-21 CEB)
Does God choose to dwell with those who have a contrite and humble spirit?
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 5:3 ESV)
What ultimately counts a person as righteous before God, our sinless perfection or faith in Jesus’ blood?
For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Mat 26:28 HCSB)
Is a righteous person sinlessly perfect, or one who is humble and mourns and repents of their sins, with faith in the sacrifice of Christ? You decide!
Foreigners Included (Isaiah 56)
Is God’s plan to include people from all nations who may worship Him anywhere? Let’s look at Isaiah 56.
Was Sabbath important under the Old Covenant? Why did Jesus only command us to rest in Him, not Sabbath or Sunday?
Yahweh says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is near and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.” (Isa 56:1-2 WEB)
Does God include immigrants and eunuchs or exclude them?
Don’t let the immigrant who has joined with the Lord say, “The Lord will exclude me from the people.” And don’t let the eunuch say, “I’m just a dry tree.” (Isa 56:3 CEB)
If Sabbath was the sign of the Old Covenant, are the Lord’s Supper, Baptism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit signs of the New Covenant?
To them, I, the Lord, say: Respect the Sabbath, obey me completely, and keep our agreement. Then you will be like monuments in my temple with your names written on them. This will be much better than having children, because these monuments will stand there forever. (Isa 56:4-5 CEV)
What blessings did God guarantee to foreigners who join themselves to Him? How does the New Testament address that?
“And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.” (Isa 56:6-8 ESV)
Who had religious leaders failed, acting more like dogs instead of discerning shepherds?
All you animals of the field and forest, come and eat! Israel’s watchmen are blind, all of them, they know nothing; all of them are mute dogs, they cannot bark; they dream, lie down, and love to sleep. These dogs have fierce appetites; they never have enough. And they are shepherds who have no discernment; all of them turn to their own way, every last one for his own gain. “Come, let me get some wine, let’s guzzle some beer; and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!” (Isa 56:9-12 HCSB)
How did Jesus quote Isaiah regarding the Temple when merchants had abused it?
Then he began to teach them: “It is written, is it not, ‘My house is to be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you’ve turned it into a hideout for bandits!” (Mark 11:17 ISV)
Though Jesus not once commanded the Sabbath for the new covenant, did He transform it into the Spirit of the law?
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:28 KJV)
With the Sabbath transformed, is temple worship in Jerusalem also transformed into worshiping God anywhere?
But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24 LSB)
Is God’s plan to include people from all nations who may worship Him anywhere? You decide!
Was Sabbath important under the Old Covenant? Why did Jesus only command us to rest in Him, not Sabbath or Sunday?
Yahweh says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is near and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath without profaning it and keeps his hand from doing any evil.” (Isa 56:1-2 WEB)
Does God include immigrants and eunuchs or exclude them?
Don’t let the immigrant who has joined with the Lord say, “The Lord will exclude me from the people.” And don’t let the eunuch say, “I’m just a dry tree.” (Isa 56:3 CEB)
If Sabbath was the sign of the Old Covenant, are the Lord’s Supper, Baptism and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit signs of the New Covenant?
To them, I, the Lord, say: Respect the Sabbath, obey me completely, and keep our agreement. Then you will be like monuments in my temple with your names written on them. This will be much better than having children, because these monuments will stand there forever. (Isa 56:4-5 CEV)
What blessings did God guarantee to foreigners who join themselves to Him? How does the New Testament address that?
“And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.” (Isa 56:6-8 ESV)
Who had religious leaders failed, acting more like dogs instead of discerning shepherds?
All you animals of the field and forest, come and eat! Israel’s watchmen are blind, all of them, they know nothing; all of them are mute dogs, they cannot bark; they dream, lie down, and love to sleep. These dogs have fierce appetites; they never have enough. And they are shepherds who have no discernment; all of them turn to their own way, every last one for his own gain. “Come, let me get some wine, let’s guzzle some beer; and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!” (Isa 56:9-12 HCSB)
How did Jesus quote Isaiah regarding the Temple when merchants had abused it?
Then he began to teach them: “It is written, is it not, ‘My house is to be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you’ve turned it into a hideout for bandits!” (Mark 11:17 ISV)
Though Jesus not once commanded the Sabbath for the new covenant, did He transform it into the Spirit of the law?
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:28 KJV)
With the Sabbath transformed, is temple worship in Jerusalem also transformed into worshiping God anywhere?
But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24 LSB)
Is God’s plan to include people from all nations who may worship Him anywhere? You decide!
Invitation to Life (Isaiah 55)
Does God invite us to really live an abundant life, instead of a counterfeit? Let’s look at Isaiah 55.
Does God invite us to come and enjoy something real instead of this world’s fakery?
Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the waters! Also, you that have no money, come, buy, and eat! Come! Buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why spend your money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in rich food. (Isa 55:1-2 ISV)
Will other nations that have not known God run to Him?
Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. (Isa 55:3-5 KJV)
Are the wicked invited to return to God? Will He compassionately and abundantly pardon?
Seek Yahweh while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to Yahweh, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. (Isa 55:6-7 LSB)
Why would God forgive what many of us would not?
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:8-9 NASB)
Does precipitation mirror a divine purpose, planned for all humanity?
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isa 55:10-11 NIV)
Does that divine plan include a blessing pictured by beautiful trees, where once was ugliness?
For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the Lord for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. (Isa 55:12-13 NKJV)
Did Jesus repeat the invitation of this passage, when He said that anyone who is thirsty may come?
On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) (John 7:37-39 NLT)
Does God invite us to really live an abundant life, instead of a counterfeit? You decide!
Does God invite us to come and enjoy something real instead of this world’s fakery?
Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the waters! Also, you that have no money, come, buy, and eat! Come! Buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why spend your money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in rich food. (Isa 55:1-2 ISV)
Will other nations that have not known God run to Him?
Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. (Isa 55:3-5 KJV)
Are the wicked invited to return to God? Will He compassionately and abundantly pardon?
Seek Yahweh while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to Yahweh, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. (Isa 55:6-7 LSB)
Why would God forgive what many of us would not?
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:8-9 NASB)
Does precipitation mirror a divine purpose, planned for all humanity?
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isa 55:10-11 NIV)
Does that divine plan include a blessing pictured by beautiful trees, where once was ugliness?
For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the Lord for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. (Isa 55:12-13 NKJV)
Did Jesus repeat the invitation of this passage, when He said that anyone who is thirsty may come?
On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) (John 7:37-39 NLT)
Does God invite us to really live an abundant life, instead of a counterfeit? You decide!
Rejoice (Isaiah 54)
Despite any suffering in this life, do we trust that God has prepared incredible joy awaiting us? Let’s look at Isaiah 54.
Who is the childless woman that will rejoice, because she now has more children than a married woman?
“Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor. For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband,” says the Lord. “Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense! For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.” (Isa 54:1-3 NLT)
Will the childless woman forget the shame of her youth because God has decided to be her husband?
“Don’t be afraid, for you will not be ashamed. Don’t be confounded, for you will not be disappointed. For you will forget the shame of your youth. You will remember the reproach of your widowhood no more. For your Maker is your husband; Yahweh of Armies is his name. The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer. He will be called the God of the whole earth. For Yahweh has called you as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off,” says your God. (Isa 54:4-6 WEB)
Though God had punished Israel in the past for her many sins, would He love them forever?
For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great mercy I will bring you back. In an outburst of rage, I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting love I have consoled you, says your redeemer, the Lord. (Isa 54:7-8 CEB)
What had God promised Noah? What does God promise His people?
I once promised Noah that I would never again destroy the earth by a flood. Now I have promised that I will never again get angry and punish you. Every mountain and hill may disappear. But I will always be kind and merciful to you; I won't break my agreement to give your nation peace. (Isa 54:9-10 CEV)
When we are suffering is it easy to believe that God doesn’t care? Do we trust that in His time we will be vindicated by God?
“O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles [garnet], and all your wall of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.
In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you.
Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” (Isa 54:11-17 ESV)
Explaining how we are not under the law of Moses, did Paul quote this passage?
For it is written: Rejoice, childless woman, who does not give birth. Burst into song and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate are many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband. Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. (Gal 4:27-28 HCSB)
Despite any suffering in this life, do we trust that God has prepared incredible joy awaiting us? You decide!
Who is the childless woman that will rejoice, because she now has more children than a married woman?
“Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor. For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband,” says the Lord. “Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense! For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.” (Isa 54:1-3 NLT)
Will the childless woman forget the shame of her youth because God has decided to be her husband?
“Don’t be afraid, for you will not be ashamed. Don’t be confounded, for you will not be disappointed. For you will forget the shame of your youth. You will remember the reproach of your widowhood no more. For your Maker is your husband; Yahweh of Armies is his name. The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer. He will be called the God of the whole earth. For Yahweh has called you as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off,” says your God. (Isa 54:4-6 WEB)
Though God had punished Israel in the past for her many sins, would He love them forever?
For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great mercy I will bring you back. In an outburst of rage, I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting love I have consoled you, says your redeemer, the Lord. (Isa 54:7-8 CEB)
What had God promised Noah? What does God promise His people?
I once promised Noah that I would never again destroy the earth by a flood. Now I have promised that I will never again get angry and punish you. Every mountain and hill may disappear. But I will always be kind and merciful to you; I won't break my agreement to give your nation peace. (Isa 54:9-10 CEV)
When we are suffering is it easy to believe that God doesn’t care? Do we trust that in His time we will be vindicated by God?
“O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles [garnet], and all your wall of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.
In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you.
Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” (Isa 54:11-17 ESV)
Explaining how we are not under the law of Moses, did Paul quote this passage?
For it is written: Rejoice, childless woman, who does not give birth. Burst into song and shout, you who are not in labor, for the children of the desolate are many, more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband. Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. (Gal 4:27-28 HCSB)
Despite any suffering in this life, do we trust that God has prepared incredible joy awaiting us? You decide!
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