Foundations of the Earth

September 18, 2016 Background Scripture: Isaiah 40 Lesson Passage: Isaiah 40:21 – 31 Isaiah Chapter 40 is the start of a very distinct change in the prophet’s writing. Some believe the change to be drastic enough to suggest that the latter chapters were not written by the same person who wrote the first thirty-nine chapters. Others go so far as to call the two groups by different names: First Isaiah and Second Isaiah. For those familiar with the parallel similarities of the book of Isaiah and the bible, it should be expected that the first thirty nine chapters would be different from the last twenty seven chapters. However, the prophecy is complete because it includes all sixty six chapters. This is no different than the Holy Bible. Although the Old Testament (thirty nine books) and the New Testament (twenty seven books) are quite different, nevertheless, the bible is made complete by including both Old and New Testaments (or all sixty six books). Each group supports the other. The Old Testament provides a foundation for the New Testament and the New Testament provides light, or understanding, of the Old Testament. Isaiah’s prophecy can be viewed in a similar fashion. Isaiah’s message, which had often confronted God’s people with impending punishment because of their sins, now turns to comforting them because of the blessed hope of God’s salvation. This new hope will come after the punishment of God’s people. This should remind us that though we fall, we will not be utterly cast down because God upholds us with His hand. God will send a herald to announce the coming salvation and prepare His people to receive it. Isaiah reminded Israel that God’s word stands forever. God will send a Comforter to gather his people as a shepherd gathers his lambs in his arms to comfort and protect them. God is their provider and He cannot be compared to an idol made by man. God is superior to everything including man’s unholy imagination. God laid the foundation of the world and now oversees it. There is nothing or no one in this world or in this universe that can be compared to God. God created all things. God is perfect in His holiness and in His mercy. When He extends mercy to His people it is not because of them but in spite of them. No matter what titles or positions we bestow on each other, we are still far below God. Everywhere we go is somewhere God created before He created the first man. Even if we look to the far reaches of space at night, God created everything we see and everything we are not capable of seeing. How can we compare God to anyone or anything when all that we know or could experience exist because He created it? When God spoke the world into existence, He did not consult with a counselor. He laid the foundation of the world using His own wisdom and ability. God is too great for us to comprehend. His wisdom is beyond our ability to understand. God is all powerful and yet merciful and kind. When we come to the end of our own strength and ability, God is willing to help all who put their faith in Him. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Robert C. Hudson September 7, 2016

The Mountain of God

September 11, 2016 Background Scripture: Isaiah 25 Lesson Passage: Isaiah 25:6 – 10a In today’s lesson, Isaiah looks through the telescope of prophecy to a time beyond Calvary’s crucifixion, the day of Pentecost, and the current Church Age. He peers at the Millennial Age and observes God’s celebration on Mt. Zion. On either side of the celebration Isaiah observed the judgment of God against His enemies. But the central focus of the lesson is the banquet celebration God has planned and made ready. Of significance, it should be noted that it was not a Jewish celebration but one that involved all people(s). This is what made the Church Age necessary. The sowing of the gospel into the world and the reaping of the saints from among all nations of the earth were necessary as part of the banquet preparation. This is part of the covenant God made with Abram when He promised that all nations of the world would be blessed through Abram. The current Church Age is the fulfillment of it. Central to all things in the bible is the Calvary crucifixion. If the banquet were held prior to Calvary, the description of the guests would be very different. Isaiah 25 is a sandwich presentation of the blessings of the millennial kingdom cast between two judgments of God against His enemies and the enemies of His people. The beginning of the chapter details God’s judgment against the once proud earthly nations that were rebellious against God. Their rebellion led to oppressive measures against the people of God. The prophet noted that God’s plan of judgment is not spur-of-the-moment or reactionary. Rather, God’s plan was from long ago. God’s judgment is so complete that those cities will never be rebuilt. After the judgment, the millennial kingdom is set up on Mt. Zion. There, the people of God from every nation and tongue will be gathered. God has an elaborate banquet layout waiting. This is reminiscent of Jesus’ parable of a great feast being prepared and the honored guests being summoned when it is ready. The Lord of the feast expected a crowd and when it did not materialize with the arrival of the guests, he requested that all be invited from the highways and hedges of life. In the text, Isaiah described a lavish banquet that was prepared for all people(s) invited to the mountain. The description given of the banquet indeed reflects the luxuries of a wealthy Eastern host. No expense is spared in entertaining the invited guests. This celebration will proceed the ushering in of eternal life for the people of God. The declaration is given that death will be destroyed and tears will be removed. Whatever has caused shame to come to the people of God will be removed. This will happen because God has decreed that it will happen. Then we will celebrate our salvation because the patience of the saints will be exonerated. We will worship God in the beauty of holiness and joy will indeed overflow. All the promises of God will come to fruition on the Holy Mountain. All of the enemies of God’s people will be utterly destroyed, forever. That’s worth celebrating so God is planning the banquet. Robert C. Hudson September 2, 2016