September 14, 2020, The Major Prophets, Proverbs cont... Chapter 22

 The Purpose:

• In past times the prophets were God's voice to the people
• But today that voice is Jesus Christ....Hebrews 1: 1-8, "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven
• God speaks to us through the Son

Jesus Christ

(No one on the earth is worthy of this position)

He is able to defeat Satan for us and in him we experience greater victory; more than others in past times but they did have prophets who were very much respected by the people. 

They were always bringing a message from God.

What does God want to say today:

Its easy... 

Believe on him whom I sent and listen to him. (Jesus Christ)

He purified himself

He made atonement for our sins

He is the Lamb worthy to open the seals

No man is worthy except Jesus Christ.

"So he became as much superior to the angels as the name inherited is superior to theirs."

"For to which of the angels did God ever say, You are my Son; today I have become your Father

Or again, 

"I will be his Father, 

and he will be my Son

And again when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, 

"Let all God's angels worship him, 

in speaking of the angels he says, 

He makes his angels spirits, 

and his servants flames of fire. 

But about the Son he says

"Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;

a scepter of Justice will be the scepter of your Kingdom.

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

Therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.

Our Purpose:

Today we do not have a prophet today telling us about our sins and what is going to happen to us. He speaks to us through the son:

But as we look at the major and minor prophets we are going to pull out different verses. Sometimes it may be a story about one of the prophets in order to learn about the voice of God. What does he tell man. What has he been telling mankind. What is God's desire. 

We all know the old testament reveals that Israel fell over and over again. I know that we fall too. My hope and goal is too magnify the hope and expectation that God would save his people. He wants to heal and save us. 

For example the Messiah is here and is our hope in a dark world.

There is also a lot of faithful men in the old testament who endured a lot of pain because they had to live a life worthy of God. For example they did not participate in the things every one else was doing. Jesus lived or let us say fulfilled the will of God for his life.

They lived discipline lives and spent time praying and fasting.

Lastly they had to speak things that was not always pleasant to the people. 

But my focus is on God among men. In order to know some one we say what do you like? What is important to you. What bothers you or what makes you happy.

I may skip over some passages. I want to look at these men sacrifices, their life styles, their customs, and most importantly God. 

Once again  Jesus Christ is our High Priest. When I read the book of Acts, and so forth, Paul and the apostles focus was establishing the church. What is the mission of a church? They are building and converting people into believers. The mission is too preach the gospel (the good news). 

The old testament prophets were conveying messages to the people and most times God was not happy with their behavior but he is going to save them. They wanted the people to REPENT. Today we still have to repent the holy spirit convicts us and works on us. 

In the days of the prophets they had a two fold message from God: My people go astray and they are far from me; as well as I am going to save my people from their sins. In him was their hope. The Messiah would please God and reconcile man to God. 

Does God ever give up on mankind?

I see a God who is faithful even when we are not.

He also sent them warnings through the prophets because the people would ignore God.

The old testament was before Christ: But God is still speaking and his desires have not changed. His son is on the throne and his desires remain the same.

The Book of Isaiah

Isaiah was the son of Amoz

He is known in history as the greatest writer of the Prophets

His name means ("THE LORD IS SALVATION")

He was married with two sons

He lived in Jerusalem most of his life under the reign of King Uzziah.

He uses fire as figure of punishment

He references the Holy mountain in Israel

Themes and Theology

Isaiah unveils the full dimensions of God's Judgement and salvation,

It is noted that God is the holy one and he has to punish the rebellion in his people but afterward he will redeem them. 

Israel is called blind and deaf. 

They cannot see and they cannot hear God. God sends them someone to speak on his behalf. 

Among them they lack justice and righteousness

The awful judgement to come is called the day of the Lord and it was a judgement to be unleashed. 

God used Isaiah to reveal a harsh reality..... Judgement: It was so bad that at times the people wanted to kill the prophets. They did not like what they had to say. But today let us hear with  our hearts and consider that the descendant of David would reign in righteousness: Jesus Christ. We are in Christ so we have everything we need to live righteously. 

Chapter one:

The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Does it matter who the president is?

Yes

The bible always references who is the King...

When the wicked rule the people mourn

when the righteous are in office the people rejoice. 

It is voting season. 

In Jerusalem and Judah they were under the reign of the Kings. The Prophet will address whom he is speaking to.

Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!

For the Lord has spoken.

I reared children and brought them up

but they have rebelled against me, 

The ox knows its master, 

the donkey its owner's manger, 

but Israel does not know, 

my people do not understand. 

Woe to the sinful nation, 

a people whose guilt is great, 

a brood of evildoers, 

children given to corruption.

They have forsaken the Lord: 

they have spurned the Holy One of Israel

and turned their backs on him. 

(Ever had someone talk to you and instead of hearing their heart you get defensive. You feel exposed but let us hear with our hearts and give our minds to understanding God. As I read this passage I see that God is big on justice. He does not like injustice. 

Have you ever been in a group of people who are nothing like you; for example they are corrupt and mean, and you don't do those things; how uncomfortable is that? What about a man sitting among a group of women? Do you think God feels uncomfortable with sin, he is righteous. He is not subject to a low nature. He wants us to come up high. He will not come down to our dirty ways. 

 He loves us but there are things he cannot be apart of it. He knows that it comes from Satan and he refuses to accept them; So he tells them look I love you; I need this rebellion to stop but once I stop it or punish it I want to redeem you. 

God is not angry with the people it seems like he wants better for them and if it means punishment I think that is how deep his love is. 

Or think about it like this: you invite God almighty; the Holy one to your church. He gets there and there is robbery and killing. People mistreating other people. Do you think God will stay in a place like that? If he stayed do you think he will enjoy the evil happening? 

Why should you be beaten anymore?

Why do you persist in rebellion?

Your whole head is injured, 

your whole heart is afflicted.

From the sole of your foot to the top of your head

there is not soundness-----

only wounds and welts

and open sores, 

not cleansed or bandaged

or soothed with olive oil.

Your country is desolate, 

your cities burned with fire, 

your fields are being stripped by foreigners

right before you, 

laid waste as when overthrown by strangers.

Daughter Zion is left 

like a shelter in a vineyard, 

like a hut in a cucumber field, 

like a city under siege.

Unless the Lord Almighty

had left us some survivors, 

we would have become like Sodom, 

we would have been like Gomorrah. 

He knows our hearts!

He sees beyond our thoughts!

He knows us. 

Hear the word of the Lord, 

You rulers of Sodom;

listen to the instruction of our God, 

you people of Gomorrah!

The multitude of your sacrifices--

what are they to me?

says the Lord.

I have more than enough of burnt offerings, 

of rams and the fat of fattened animals; 

I have no pleasure

in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 

Hear his heart...

I hear the Lord saying that animal blood is not strong enough.

God needed to be appeased. 

When Jesus died on the cross he paid the price. He suffered.

Your incense is detestable to me.

New moons, Sabbaths and convocations----

I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.

Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals

I hate with all my being. 

 This is not worldly unbelieving people he is referring too he is speaking to people who say they belong to him. Today it would include believers not so much the cursing neighbor or the atheist next door.

They have become a burden to me; 

I am weary of bearing them.

When you spread out your hands in prayer, 

I hide my eyes from you;

even when you offer many prayers, 

I am not listening. 

You hands are full of blood!

Wash and make yourselves clean.

Take your evil deeds out of my sight;

stop doing wrong.

Learn to do right; seek justice.

Defend the oppressed. 

What does God want us to do? To defend the oppressed. Who are the oppressed in our land? Those who are bound by Satan. I think we can turn any ship around with making an effort. God said learn to do what is right. If you take the time to educate yourself I think God would honor it. 

we can say old testament or old school because it is in your face.

What do we learn so far about God?

He likes justice

He wants the oppressed defended; stop pretending it is not happening. 

He is firm.

he is revealing his likes and dislikes. 

Take up the cause of the fatherless;

plead the case of the widow.

Come now, let us settle this matter, says the Lord.

Though your sins are scarlet, 

they shall be white as snow; 

though they are red as crimson, 

they shall be like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, 

you will eat the good things of the land;

but if you resist and rebel, 

you will be devoured by the sword. 

For the mouth of the lord has spoken. 

He has spoken, it has been decreed. In summary no man is speaking this but God himself has said this. 

Why is God detested ...what is happening in this city?

See how the faithful city

has become a prostitute!

She once was full of justice;

righteousness used to dwell in her---

but now murderers!

Your silver has become dross;

your choice wine is diluted with water.

Your rulers are rebels, 

partners with thieves, 

they all love bribes!

and chase after gifts.

They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; 

the widow's case does not come before them.

Therefore the Lord, the Lord Almighty, 

the mighty One of Israel, declares; 

Ah! I will vent my wrath on my foes; 

and avenge myself on my enemies! 

I will turn my hand against you; 

I will thoroughly purge away your dross.

These were not small things they were doing they were committing murder, bribes, corruption, hate, the widows and the fatherless are suffering. Everyone does not fit into the same boat. What he is going to do is determined by what the person has done. Not everyone is doing all these bad things but it seems like the majority is; and the entire land is bad but God wants to clean the land so he has to go after the problem.

I will remove your impurities.

I will restore your leaders as in the days of old, 

your rulers as at the beginning. 

Afterward you will be called

the city of Righteousness, 

the Faithful city. 

Zion will be delivered with justice, 

her penitent ones with righteousness

but rebels and sinners will both be broken, 

and those who forsake the Lord will perish.

You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks

in which you have delighted.

you will be disgraced because of the gardens

that you have chosen.

You will be like an oak with fading leaves, 

like a garden without water.

The mighty man will become tinder

and his work a spark; 

both will burn together; 

with no one to quench the fire. 

He told them the good things and the bad things. 

He corrected them but he said he will change it. 

If you think God is being hard; do you accept murder? do you think its okay to let people be oppressed? Do you like bad leaders over you? I know we are human and we struggle with angry thoughts or things we should not have said but God is faithful to see the heart. He knows your intentions and what you meant. 

Proverbs 22

 A good name is more desirable than great riches;

to be esteemed is better than silver and gold.

Rich and poor have this in common;

The Lord is the maker of them all.

The prudent see danger and take refuge;

but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Humility is the fear of the Lord; 

its wages are riches and honor and life.

In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, 

but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. 

Start children off on the way they should go, 

and even when they are old they will not turn from it. 

The rich rule over the poor, 

and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity;

and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. 

The generous will themselves be blessed, 

for they share their food with the poor.

Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; 

quarrels and insults are ended.

One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace

will have the king for a friend.

The eyes of the Lord watch over knowledge, 

but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. 

The sluggard says, "There's a lion outside!

I'll be killed in the public square!

The mouth of an adulterous woman is a

deep pit;

a man who is under the Lord's wrath falls into it.

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, 

but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.

One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth

and one who gives gifts to the rich---both come to poverty. 

Have a great day