A Redeemer in Zion

August 2, 2015 Background Scripture: Isaiah 59; Psalm 89:11 – 18 Lesson Passage: Isaiah 59:15 – 21 Isaiah was the most prolific of the writing prophets. The scope of his prophecy covers the range of the bible from Genesis to Revelation. Although much of the prophecy contains warnings about God’s judgment, it ends with a strong message of hope for the people of God. One message that comes across loud and clear is that God will judge Israel and her enemies. Although God may use unjust nations to punish Israel, those nations will face the wrath of God. If God punishes His people for iniquity, then how much more will God pour out His wrath against the unrighteousness of the wicked. Israel will be saved because it pleases God to honor His covenant with her forefathers. However, Israel has to repent and return to God for redemption. Because of sin, Israel was sold into captivity. The message of hope is that the captivity is for a limited time. Afterwards, Israel would be redeemed and restored to a right relationship with God. Today’s lesson points toward Zion’s ultimate redemption. It will only be necessary for the Redeemer to redeem Israel once because His work is eternal. This redeemer would stand in the gap and intercede between God and His people. The redemption would be once for all because the Redeemer ever lives to make intercession for the people of God. Hidden in the message of hope is God’s role in the redemption. God declared that there was no intercessor to stand between mankind and Him. Therefore, God took on the task Himself. The role would require spiritual warfare. Therefore, God clothed Himself for the spiritual battle. The Lord put on His armor of vengeance and came against his enemies and the enemies of His people. Unlike the Christian’s armor that is designed to withstand the attacks of Satan and his evil demons, the Lord’s armor includes provision for vengeance and zeal. Perhaps the Lord’s zeal, or eagerness to execute vengeance, lies in the absence of justice among His people. This warfare will not be waged in Heaven but rather the Lord will come to Zion. The enemy will be powerless to overcome the Lord. The enemy will attempt to attack the people of God but his effort will be thwarted. When the enemy goes on the attack, the Lord will lift up a protective spiritual barrier that the enemy will not be able to penetrate. God will destroy the enemy in the midst of His people. Israel’s long awaited Messiah will bring vengeance against her adversaries. Since the days of David, Israel had looked for the promised redeemer to deliver her and rule over her in peace. The prophet’s message reassured Israel that the Deliverer would come. After seasons of apostasy and punishment, the final redemption will take place and Israel will enter into the glory of the Lord. She will not have to go and seek redemption; for the Redeemer will come to Zion. Robert C. Hudson July 17, 2015

God’s Matchless Mercy

July 26, 2015 Background Scripture: Micah 7:11 – 20 Lesson Passage: Micah 7:14 – 20 The bible presents so many qualities and attributes that stand out when it speaks of God. At the risk of over-simplifying it, I believe it is reasonable to say that there are two qualities that people of God should identify with perhaps more than others; these are love and mercy. In fact, I believe the scriptures make detailed references to both when one considers the entire bible. Oftentimes, it is easy for me to boast of the love of God that He makes available to whosoever. After all, who doesn’t want to receive unmerited love? Once you have received it, it’s worth boasting about. God’s mercy, on the other hand, stands in contrast to the backdrop of human ethical and moral depravity and failure. We can speak of our reciprocating love as a proper response to the expression of God’s love in our lives. Reciprocating is not so easy when we reflect on our continuous need of God’s mercy. In fact, it takes a bit of spiritual maturity to admit that our need for God’s mercy is indeed continuous. God’s mercy is a reminder of just how frail human nature is and how our natural person is an enemy of God. Mercy is not just received but it demands the acknowledgement of guilt and the desire for mercy. We know this. On a human level, it is not always easy to extend mercy to others but we find it easier when the offending party admits wrong doing. Even then, we will sometimes only grant mercy conditionally. We might offer a probationary period or we might insist on seeing some fruits of contrition. That’s where I believe the greatest division happens that separates human mercy from God’s mercy. God’s mercy is unparalleled. God can and often does grant us mercy unconditionally. Sometimes before we even know we stand in need of mercy, God grants mercy without us so much as repenting or confessing our guilt. Such was the case when God sent the prophet, Nathan, to talk to King David about his sin. David confessed his sin while the prophet talked with him and Nathan told David that God had already put his sin away. God had provided mercy even before David was confronted with his sin and requested mercy. Note that God’s mercy did not remove all of the consequences of David’s sin. The ultimate goal of sin is to destroy the sinner but God’s mercy prevents the destruction of people who are kept by Him. David’s life faced much turmoil after his sin but he was not destroyed. In our lesson today, Israel is reminded by the prophet, Micah, that in spite of her sins and ensuing punishment, God’s mercy will prevail and the enemies of God were going to see it and be confounded. God would once again bless His people openly. (He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies.) God’s delight in giving mercy will be on display. God will remember the covenant He made with the forefathers of Israel and again honor it. Everyone is capable of showing mercy but none can compare to God’s matchless mercy. Robert C. Hudson July 10, 2015