Bible Pathway - Aug. 2, 2011
Read Isaiah 5
Highlights:
The brilliance of the holiness of the Lord reveals the darkness of our sin (6:5). Send me (6:8). Will you go? God always leaves a seed (6:13)! Prophecies of Jesus, the Light of the World (7:14-16; 9:1-7). Whatever the circumstances, keep trusting God (8:19-20).
The Prophet Isaiah lived in Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. His ministry continued for 50 to 60 years during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and possibly Manasseh. Isaiah saw himself as utterly unfit to stand in the presence of the Almighty Holy One. For guilty people there is cleansing; and lips, once unclean, can be made holy. One of the great obstacles to this cleansing — to seeing ourselves as we really are — is self-sufficiency.
When we recognize God as the Holy and Mighty Creator, then we can't help but see ourselves as unclean: I am undone . . . a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts (Is. 6:5). This self-evaluation is made in response to the fact that we have experienced the Most Holy God.
The Heavenly King is identified as the Lord of hosts 62 times in the Book of Isaiah. Isaiah also foretold: Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (9:6).
Isaiah submitted himself in self-surrender as an instrument in the hand of God. He was ready to go where God might lead him. In the midst of evil and unbelief, God gave Isaiah the privilege of proclaiming the coming Messiah to an evil king (Ahaz): Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel (7:14). The name Immanuel means "God with us." Not only did the prophet foretell the virgin birth of Jesus, but he also revealed His deity.
Isaiah was called to prophesy to an unbelieving and sinful generation that had forsaken God (6:9-12). It was an age of international political tension and prosperity when only a minority in the Southern Kingdom of Judah remained faithful to Jehovah. The Northern Kingdom of Israel, under Jeroboam II, also was enjoying prosperity; but it was even more corrupt than Judah — socially, politically, and morally.
The call of God demands that we be faithful — not always successful. Men measure by success, but God by faithfulness. It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful (I Cor. 4:2).
Thought for Today:
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God (II Cor. 3:5).
Christ Revealed:
Isaiah reveals that a Child shall be born; a Son shall be given; and that the government shall be upon His shoulder (Is. 9:6). The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever (Rev. 11:15).
Word Studies:
5:1 vineyard the Israelites; 5:5 go to listen to Me; 5:23 reward bribes; 7:16 abhorrest hate, despise; 8:21 hardly bestead sorely distressed, hard pressed; 9:9 stoutness arrogance.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts: In honor of Isabella & Olivia Kaufman • Staff: Chris Robison • Government Officials: Rep. Dan Boren (OK) and Rep. Michael Ross (AR) • Country: Saudi Arabia (20.9 million) on the Arabian Peninsula in southwestern Asia • Major language: Arabic • Christian worship services for foreign personnel are tolerated, but those who seek to convert Muslims to Christianity face persecution • 86% Sunni (Wahabi) Muslim; 10% Shi'ite Muslim; 1% Ismaili Muslim; 3% Others (including 600,000 Christians and some Hindus and Buddhists) • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for understanding of His will as you read the Word of God (Ps. 25:5).
Optional Reading:
Memory Verse for the Week:
Psalms 34:19
