July 31. Isaiah 59-63

Written by Dana Parriera:)

Isaiah 59-63


Why do we need Saving?
Why do we need a God who would save people?
Why did He send His Son to die for people?
Why is sin such a big deal?
Can't we have our sin and still be loved by God?
All these questions have answers...  Read on.

Isaiah 59.

Verses 1-2: States that God's Hand has the ability to save. Our sins have made a separation between the God of the Universe and ourselves. And since our sins are abhorrent to the Lord (Which means He hates them) it even causes our voices to be drowned out to Him.

Verses 3-4: Gives us a glimpse of what sin looks like to the Lord. Our hands that steal, look as though they are bloody with guilt. Our lips that lie, look as though our mouths have snakes coming out of them hissing. Our hearts that plan wickedness and scheme ways to get out of trouble, and look towards sin as a way to get us out of problems, look to the Lord as if our heart was frozen or stone. We cheat and have the words 'stolen goods' written on our forehead. We covent and have the lust of things wrapped as vines around our feet. We hate others, and it appears to the Lord as if the blood of the dead are on our hands as we have verbally murdered our fellow brothers.

Verses 5-6: This reminds me of :

James 1:15

Then desire (of sinning) when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

The sins that we help grow and hatch are likened to something that we don't have any longer. I looked at this verse. And thought, "What kind of Viper or Adder (Which are different kinds of snakes) can spin a web?" Well none that I know of. So I looked up the original Hebrew and the word for this animal.
The word in Hebrew. Is an 'Cockatrice'. I was uncertain of it. So I looked into it. Apparently it is a real animal that is now extinct. It is a mix between a small dragon with the head of a rooster. They laid eggs and somehow spun webs to catch their prey.




Some argued that it was a 'mythical' creature or something. But if that was true. Why then on the shield emblem of the Arms of the Vale Royal of England, from 1656 is one of their Code of Arms the Cockatrice? And if you look at all the rest of the shields, you will see all the other animals that are well known and still alive today, such as Grey Hound dogs, Leopards, Squirrels, and Lions...

What is more interesting. Or at least to me. Is there is a new "My Little Pony" video out about a pony named "Shutter-fly" defeating a "Cockatrice" and how the Cockatrice turns other living things into stone (Notice how above I wrote how sin makes us "look towards sin as a way to get us out of trouble, look to the Lord as if our heart was frozen or stone."). And how they spin spider webs to catch its victims... Anyhow. Interesting. Isn't it...





So this weird 'extinct' animal. Is used to describe what sin is like. They weave webs for their food. They hatch eggs. And even if they eggs are eaten or crushed - they still win. If you eat one of their eggs, you will die as it must be poison. And if you crush their eggs, they will hatch and still be birthed out, ready to defeat or devour you. And even if you think that you are in control of the web that you are in and brag that you aren't caught in your sin, but instead 'wearing them as clothing' as some form of silk- it alludes to counterfeit clothes instead of the wedding garments that are given to us by God, that are our Righteous deeds that cover our nakedness (in Revelation 19:8).

Verses 7-15: These people that are caught in their webs of sin are quick to run towards evil, instead of running away from it. They are on a 'Highway to Hell' and loving it. Those that are considered 'Wicked' in the Lord's eyes, are living in opposition to Him and these people don't care. They love their sin and are proud of their destination. And those apart from the Lord, know no peace. If we are living in the darkness of sin without Jesus, there is no light for us even if we would look for it. We can hope for justice but there will be none. For those who live apart from the Lord and live in sin, somehow they have their sins as witnesses against them. And 'righteousness' and 'goodness' is far away from those whose desire is not the Lord. Truth departs from them and even if they try to depart from evil, they make themselves targets for more sin... And the Lord sees this lifestyle away from Him and He doesn't like that there is no 'Justice' with them.

Verse 16: God the Father sees all of this. And for even those of us, who are Christians now - were at one time apart from the Lord, living in the verses above. As we are all sinful people who needed saving. The Lord who looked down and saw the sinful man and how there was no way for man to redeem himself, brought His Own salvation, by sending Jesus - His Son to die for us. To take of the Wrath of the Almighty so that we might be given the Holy Spirit and live in Righteousness to the Lord. Saving us from the 'Highway to Hell'.

Verse 17 : States that God didn't leave us alone to fight this battle of salvation and obedience alone. But instead gave us a Leader to prepare the way for us and will win the war for us. And the Lord gave Jesus armor to wear for His mission to Earth. Armor that He used to defeat the Enemy. And then He turned around and gave us that same armor to wear to fight in this world, and survive the battle against the Enemy. And He gave it to us for free.
This echoes :Ephesians 6:10-18English Standard Version (ESV)

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Verse 18-21: States that God's Wrath will take care of those that are against them. And that we who Fear the Lord need to repent of our sins and seek the Lord. And that the Lord will not leave us. He will not leave us to ourselves, but instead He will put His Own Words in our mouths, that everything that we say and do will be pleasing to Him.

Isaiah 60

Verses 1-5: States that the Lord has given us a hope. He promised light to a dark world. He promised us hope to the Nations. And hope of seeing salvation for all people. And that Hope was the promise of a child. Jesus. This man that is God, would change things forever - for all people. Jesus' name in Hebrew is 'Yeshua' which means, "Yahweh Saves". Which means that every time you hear or utter the name Jesus. You are hearing and saying, "Yahweh Saves". 

Verses 6-7a: Shadows the History of the Wisemen visiting Jesus and His parents in Matthew 2. As well as the Shepherds who came in from the fields, with their sheep, to visit the baby Jesus in Luke 2:8-19.

Verse 7b: The house of the Lord, which was His Temple - is now our bodies for those of us who love the Lord. Our bodies are now His Temple as He lives inside of us. This is not a reference to 'eating right' or 'working out' as that is a pagan idea. Instead our bodies are Temples, mean that we are holy to the Lord. And that we aught to not sin in or with our bodies. But instead honor God with our bodies, as He lives Spiritually inside us who believe. Just as the Temple was not to be defiled with sin, neither should our humanly bodies be defied with sin. 

Verses 8-11: Christians are those who are from far way and those who are close. Those who are from around the world and those from Israel. We will be like the clouds, free to fly wherever the Spirit will take us. We will be like doves of peace, going to the other people to spread the Gospel of our Lord, just as doves fly and land on open windows. These 'doors' or 'windows' that the Lord opens, will be for us to be able to share our Faith with others. And we will express to others how He has made us clean and beautiful. Foreign lands shall welcome Christianity, as it has. And Christian kings shall serve the people.  The Gospel shall be open and the doors of Salvation will not shut. 

Verse 12: Kingdoms the thwart the Gospel shall fall. As the King of Heaven is in charge of all Kings and Nations. 

Verses 13: Is a reference to the Temple of God. The cedars of Lebanon were used to build the house of the Lord. And in the middle of Kingdoms against God. Shall He rise up His physical Temple, as He rises up His Spiritual people. In between verses 12 and 14 - verses of adversity, will the Lord still have His way and push out His plan for Salvation. 

Verse 14: Men that thwart the Gospel shall fall. As the King of Heaven will make the disobedient men fall at His Feet. 

Verse 15: Since Kings don't have 'breasts' - we need to understand what is being said here. Right:) Ok. So Calvin states, that this is a reference of the Church and how the decedents of Kings, Gentiles, and other nations will be turned to the God of the Bible and that these new 'converts' to Christianity will come from all nations and from the palaces of human kings. If nursing and sucking milk is life-giving and beneficial to life to a child - so will be Christians who will get benefits from kings and Gentiles to help further the Kingdom of God. And by this, we will know that it is the Lord God who is our Savior and Redeemer. Think of History and the King of England who commissioned the King James Bible.

Verses 15-22: These verses are all referencing the New Earth, which is what we consider 'Heaven'. God is letting us know that people will live forever with Him. Here is a excerpt from Revelation 21. And I will bold the similarities to show you that this is referencing the New Earth that we will live in with Jesus in the Afterlife... 

Revelation 21English Standard Version (ESV)

The New Heaven and the New Earth

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

The New Jerusalem

9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal.17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. 18 The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

²² And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. ²³ And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. ²⁴ By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, ²⁵ and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. ²⁶ They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. ²⁷ But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Isaiah 61

So. Heaven or the New Earth (Whatever you wanna call it) sounds great. But how do get there? Well. This next Chapter points us to the Savior. Jesus the Christ. As the earlier chapter eluded to the birth of  Jesus. This Chapter points to the Ministry of Jesus when He grew up. So let's take a look. 

Verses 1-7: Point straight to Jesus and the beginning of His Ministry as revealing Himself as the God of the Universe. Just imagine Jesus Himself reading this Chapter - about Himself. 

Here is proof. Jesus read this in:

Luke 4:17-19English Standard Version (ESV)

17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him (Jesus). He (Jesus) unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and recovering of sight to the blind,
    to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

Jesus read this about Himself. If we wondered who Isaiah was referencing, now we know. We see the heart of Jesus, who is Yahweh. And we get the full understanding of His purpose for coming to Earth. To save His people. 

Verses 8-11: Oh man how I love Jesus. How can you not? Seriously! He loves justice. He hates wrong. He rejoices in the Lord Yahweh and is clothed with armor from the Lord to complete His mission on Earth and afterwards. As we already talked about in Isaiah 59:17.  And it is only Jesus who will birth a new Nation of Christians out of Himself. And He will turn these Sinners into Saints. Only a God could do that. Only the One True God could do that. 

Isaiah 62

Jesus is still talking here. So let us, please, pay attention... 

Verses 1-5: Jesus is calling us. He is calling us a new name. A name that is named after Him. A Christian. Jesus is speaking of many things here. Not only Israel, but His people too. No longer will Israel be called 'forsaken' but filled. We know this means the 'New Earth' and how we will live in the New Jerusalem. And we will be His Bride. (As we mentioned Yesterday.) 

Verse 6-9: On the imaginary walls of this new movement of Christianity, He has placed His Watchmen - those who look out for evil and warn the people of God. And there will be no rest for us, until the end has come and the New Earth reigns with Jesus as King. But until then, the Lord will take care of us and protect us Spiritually and not let the Enemy take anything that He guards. And Jesus promises us that He won't stop protecting us until the day our battle is over. 

Philippians 1:6English Standard Version (ESV)

6 And I am sure of this, that He (Jesus) who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Verses 10-12: And our salvation will be like entering a City built by the Hands of the Almighty, which will not be forsaken. And we will be called 'A Holy People' by the Lord Almighty. 

Isaiah 63

Verses 1-6: Shows us that our Merciful Yahweh, has a Justice side to Him. This Justice - He will pour out on mankind. His Wrath will be righteous, as He has given a way of salvation through Jesus (verse 5) and that in His Anger against those who are wicked and rebelled adjacent Him, will get Justice delivered. 

Verses 7-14: Speaks of the defense of the Wrath of God. Like I mentioned yesterday, is the jury evil for pronouncing justice? Just like this, Isaiah is reminding us, that the Lord is a Good God. That He is slow to anger and abounding in Love. He is not just an 'Angry' God but instead patient and compassionate. And Isaiah reminds us that God sent us the option of salvation first through Moses and the Law. And that then He sent salvation through Jesus and through Grace, and it is us who chose poorly. That it was God who offered us the Spirit of the Lord to give us peace. 

Verses 15-19: Speaks of God being up in Heaven, looking down at men. That Yahweh is our Father, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. That He is in control of all things. He is in control of our obedience. And in charge of our disobedience. And even those who forsake the Lord are in the Lord's Hands. And that He is the One who keeps us. That it is His Hands that don't let us fall. And that we need to beg Him to hold us and never let us go. And He promises that once we are in His Hands, He will guide us into Salvation. 

What an Awesome God we serve... 

 

July 30. Isaiah 54-58

Isaiah 54-58

A post by: Dana Parriera:)

It is often said that the God of the Bible is a loving God. But is that True? I have a friend that is a non-believer and she told me that she thinks that the God of the Bible is an angry, mean God. 

I totally get what she means. I mean... look at the Bible. It is full of God taking vengeance on those who forsake His Name. It is fluttered with imagery of judgment and wrath. The Lord God of the Bible is a wrathful God, taking the term ‘Judge’ to a whole new level. But isn’t that also a part of what it means ‘to Fear the Lord’? I mean it was Jesus Himself that stated that we are to Fear the Lord, who has the power to throw us, body and soul, into hell. 

Matthew 10:28

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him (God) who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

But I have a question for you…

Does a courtroom jury who executes justice to a crime, make them guilty of evil? 

Well. Do they?

In this same way, the Lord - who is the executer of justice, is not guilty of doing evil. 

The Lords ability to Judge, doesn’t cancel out the fact that God is the most loving. Apart from the means of justice that needs to be herald. The Lord God doesn’t just leave us to ourselves. The fact that in the previous chapter of Isaiah in 52-53 points to Jesus, a savior that was sent to save us. 

So is the Lord a loving God? Yes, He is. And I can prove it…

Isaiah 54.

Isaiah starts out with words from the Most High God. These words echo a Future Covenant that they didn’t have in the times of the Old Testament, but we do now. They echo a time of hope. 

Verse 1: States that the Lord is going to birth something that no man or peoples have planned for. Under the rules and regulations of the Old Covenant, the Lord is going to birth a New Covenant for those that Love Him. This New Covenant is a Relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior. 

Verse 2-3: This New Covenant will extend beyond the previous boundaries and borders. It will spread across to the whole world. 

Verse 4: This New Covenant will make new people. New creations. That our past will no longer be dictating our future. That we can be free in Christ, and that the time that we were a ‘widow’ (Means a time, that we didn’t live with Christ as our Spiritual Husband and were living in disobedience to Him) will be relevant to the times of being married to the Lord. 

Verse 5-6: The Lord is our Spiritual Husband? This is especially hard to understand for men. But that just shows you how much the Lord loves women and honors them, giving them something to understand. 

If you want to read more about my understanding of being a ‘Bride of Christ’ go here:) 

Now you have to understand. That being the Lord’s Bride referred to Israel, as well as personally to His people. This idea is littered throughout the Bible. The Lord is jealous of His Bride and doesn’t want her to go after other men (aka: other gods). We have to think like this. We have a ‘relationship’ with Jesus. That means we are in a relationship with Him. That means that we are called to love and obey Him, out of gratitude for His death and salvation for us. 

Verse 7-8: These verses reiterate this idea. That we are the unfaithful wife, prone to leave the Lord and wander to other lovers (Lovers of other things, whether it is the lust for money, sex, pornography, beauty, coveting, lying, ect. All these things prove our disloyalty to the Lord God) and therefore have grieved the Lord. He cast us off, to let us go do what we wanted to. But it was only for a brief moment, as He couldn’t take it any longer and pulled our hearts towards Him, in obedience and love. As He pours out His everlasting love towards us. And He ends with calling Himself, out Redeemer. Telling us, that it is only through Him that we can be saved. 

Verse 9-12: Our disobedience to the Lord, reminds Him of the days of Noah and the generation that hated God. We too, live in a generation that hates God. And He sees it. But even when the world is good enough to destroy at the end of the ages, spiritually it will be as the days of Noah - He instead still will have compassion of those whom He loves. He will give us His Covenant of Peace and it will not be removed. 

If you notice. A lot of this verbiage is in last book of Bible, Revelation 16, and of the Day of the Lord (Ohhh, the End of the World;). This mentioning of ‘hills being removed and mountains departing’ lets us know that even when the Lord is pouring out His Judgment to destroy the World with fire. That His Steadfast Love will not depart from His people. That is an amazing promise to those who love Him and to those He loves as He prepares for them the glories of Heaven. 

This also echoes Revelation 21 and what the New Earth will look like, with beautiful stones that decorate the walls and ground floor of those who live with Jesus, in the afterlife. 

Verse 13-14a: Is a promise to those who love the Lord. That He will personally teach His children. And for us parents. If we honor the Lord by living in Righteousness.

Verse 14b: Is another reference to the End of the World. And that we too will be saved on the Day of the Lord, and not have terror of what is to come, because we will be spared from the wrath of God, as we are His people. This reference shadows Isaiah 2 verbiage of the “Coming Day of the Lord”. This word ‘terror’ mimics being afraid of the Lord when He casts Judgment on the Earth. But those who are in the Grace and Peace of the Lord, will be spared ‘Terror’. 

Isaiah 2:10

Enter into the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of his majesty.

Isaiah 2:19

And people shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground, from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth.

Isaiah 2:21

to enter the caverns of the rocks and the clefts of the cliffs, from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth.

Verse 15: States that anyone who is a troublemaker, isn’t from the Father God. But because of how they treat His Children, will be dealt with by God. The Lord takes care of His own and He writes this so that you know, that whomever is maligning you, being unkind to you, hating you, persecuting you, and causing problems for you. Will not go unnoticed or unpunished by the Lord. Allowing those who follow the Lord, to have peace knowing that God has got all of this. "Vengeance is Mine, declares the Lord."

Verse 16-17: Sates that the Lord is the Creator of all. He is the Creator of those that are evil and those that are good. He is the one who creates evil armies and He is the one that will destroy evil armies. But He also has the power to save those He loves. Evil armies might have the power to kill the body. But they can not dictate were the soul goes. Only God can. And in the Day of Judgement our voices will go out against those who did evil to us. In all these things, the Lord promises us a heritage. A birthright. A  legacy. A future beyond this body, with Him forever. And for these reasons - We will die for the Lord. Knowing that our justice goes beyond this physical world. 

Isaiah 55

How can we have life everlasting with the One True God? 

What must we pay? What must we do? 

Verse 1-3: States that we who long for something greater, than can be satisfied through physical means, is offered by God. This longing of the heart. This longing of the soul. This peace. This grace. All these things can be given to us. Free of charge. We don't deserve any of it. But that makes the gift greater, doesn’t it? We can buy from the Lord, without money. 

In this World we buy physical things hoping to fill the longing inside. Instead, what we really long for is something that can never be physically boughten from a store. Jesus says this in John 7:37. That He is the One who has the freedom to give living water (The Holy Spirit) and come and eat that our soul may live (Which points to the Communion of Bread and Wine, a physical thing in which to remember a Spiritual thing.) And who is the love for David? The house of David? The True Messiah - Jesus the Christ. 

Verse 4-5: States that Jesus will lead His people and they will not be a people like Israel, just one nation. But the idea of Gentiles (Non-Israelites) running to the Lord Jesus, to make a new nation. An invisible nation. Those who belong to the Body of Christ. Those who belong both to the invisible Church and the visible Church. The Bride of Christ.

Verse 6: You must obey and follow the Lord, while there is still time. Call upon the Lord, who hears, while He is calling you to Himself. Because there will come a day, when the calling - is sadly over. 

Verse 7-9: States that we are to continue to do the things that god has called us to do. For those of us, who seek the YHWH of the Bible. We are to continue in righteous living as instructed in 1 John 3. And those who hate God, will continue to be lovers of sin. But we must not be lovers of sin, who say we love God. For this is the way that He has determined it to be. We must not fight this. For the Lord is wiser and smarter than man. And if this is the way that He has destined it to be. Then we must submit and fulfill what He has called us to do. 

Verse 10-11: States that the Lord has a system. Just as the rain cycle waters the Earth. So the Lord’s system of His Word cycling though the hearts of men on Earth - causing the outcome that He has designed. The Lord is in control of all things. Including the salvation of all the men and women He choses. 

Verse 12-13: States that for those of us whose Joy is the Lord. Will rejoice with the creation that God has made, as well as His plan for salvation for men. Instead of evil, we will have peace. Instead of problems, we shall have praise. Not because we will have an easy life. But because we will have the right perspective. And nothing can hinder those whose hope is the Lord. And in our hearts we know that if the Lord is for us - Who could be against us?

Psalm 30:11-12

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth (mourning attire) and clothed me with gladness,that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

Isaiah 56

The Lord God of the Bible. Started His Covenant with the people of Israel. But in the days of Isaiah he prophesied about times, like today. Where someone can come to faith to the God of the Bible. No matter what his background. No matter who her family is. No matter how much money he makes. No matter what she looks like. No matter the race or previous religion. No matter anything other than the heart of those who long to love the God of the Bible. This New Covenant will stretch beyond the seas and into the hearts of anyone who hears the Name of the Lord - Jesus - and believes in His Name. But it doesn’t end there. Instead it is just the beginning of the journey. And after the starting point of bedeviling is established. We move onto the next point. And that is living… How is a New Believer and an Old Believer to live? How is one who worships the Lord of the Bible to act? 

Verse 1-2a: States the heart of God. This echoes Micah 6:8. 

Micah 6:8 

He has told you, O man, what is good;

    and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

    and to walk humbly with your God?

Here. The Lord speaks to His people about what He expects from them. To those who ‘Do this’. Not to those who know this, or talk like this. But to those who do it. Those who live it. 

Verse 2b-8: This is all about keeping the Sabbath. Now the Sabbath is NOT a reference to going to church on Sunday. In fact that never has been something that God has asked us to do. If you want some more study on this subject, please go to this link. Where I have already hit this topic…So we don’t spend a year writing and reading this blog post:)

Anyhow. Entering the Lord's Sabbath Rest is super important. As it is our reliance on the saving power of Jesus and His sacrifice for us. We also must keep our hands from evil. In this day and age, that isn’t very easy. But with the Holy Spirit. We can do it. And when we keep the Sabbath and as we enter into His Rest, we will never have to worry about being kicked out or being separated from God. Because it is the Lord who joins us all to Himself. And He will not leave us. This new group. This new invisible nation. This new universal and global Church. Will hold tight to Jesus and the Commandments. As we know that it is His leading for us. This new universal and global Church will be considered a house of prayer. And He will gather new ones (Like the Gentiles - those who are not Israelites and who are the Church) and join them with the original ones (Those who are Hebrews, Israelites, and Jews: His original people) to make up His complete Bride.

Verse 9-12: Now we are talking about those who hear but do not do. Remember how the Lord told us ‘to do’ things and blessed is that man? (Isaiah 56:2)

Now we have the revealing of those who say that they are followers of the Lord and in high positions of leadership. Yet they are disobedient and not doing what they are supposed to be doing. The God of the Bible has eyes that see all things. He is telling us that He sees us, when we are disobedient. He sees us when we are ‘loving to slumber’. Those who love their sin. This refers to Philippians 3:2. Which warns us about False Teachers. False Prophets. And False Leaders. And False Pastors. Those who preach only for a price. Those who fill their bellies and starve their sheep. While they preach peace and hoard their money. Even though this goes on today. The Lord is not blind. And He will have vengeance against those that are leading His people in the wrong way.

Isaiah 57

Verse 1-2: States that a good man dies and no one thinks twice. And no one knows why they die. But they leave this sinful world and enter into peace. 

What about those people that don’t listen to the words of the Lord?

Verse 3-10: States that those who are disobedient to the Lord. Better come close and listen to the warning that the Lord has for them. He speaks to those who have grown up in false religions and curse the Lord of Heaven. He asks them, “Who are YOU mocking?” The Lord states: Aren’t you all just sinners who love your sin? Aren’t you the ones who have committed spiritual adultery against the Lord? And have loved sexual immorality? Have killed your children in abortion? Have delighted yourselves around immorality? delighted yourself with worldliness? Sexuality and beauty? Money and power? Pride and things? Busied yourself with dieting and fitness? Busied yourself with hours in front of the television watching things that are evil? Have you not delighted yourself with the love of self? You have given yourself over to other gods. Like a wayward wife, you have taken to the beds of these gods and slept with them in a union of adultery. With the love of these other gods, the Lord of Hosts has looked upon your shame and mocked the journey you made to get were your are at. Instead of turning to the Lord, you have journeyed to the gates of hell and in sin found new strength for life. A new purpose and a new hope. But that Hope wasn’t Jesus. 

Verse 11-13a: States. Who was it for, that these people wandered? It wasn’t fear of the Lord that makes the sinner love sin. Who is the fear directed at? It is the fear of man? It is the love of self? 

The Lord will declare to these sinners their righteous deeds, but it is no use. As it will not count for anything good. As their evil deeds, far outweigh their good. And when it is revealed. There will be a plethora of idols that are uncovered. These idols of the heart, will give away their unfaithfulness to the Lord. 

Verse 13b: But for those who get rid of their idols and fear the Lord, will inherit the afterlife with Him. 

Verse 14-19: States that the Lord is preparing His Way to be the Best Way. This God of Holiness, has the name ‘Holy’. He lives in the heavens and will give newness of life to those He loves, despite their evil pasts. The Lord promises that He will not be angry forever and explains why He was angry and that it was because of sin. But instead of continuing in His anger, that He will forgive and let us, who love Him, live in Peace with Him. 

Verse 20-21: The Lord ends with a warning for those who long to still do wicked. And for those who still long to be wicked. And that is that they will not have the peace that the Christians will have. And He ends His thought process, as He does in Isaiah 48:22. That there is no peace for the wicked. 

Isaiah 58

Fasting. 

In today’s modern day. Fasting is used and abused. We have books and diets which use the idea of Fasting. My aunts growing up would ‘Fast because bathing suit season was around the corner’. But this only shows a hint into the using of the term 'Fasting'. What bout the books at the 'Christian Book Store'? The Daniel Fast. The 40 Day Fast. The Jesus Fast. The Fit and Fast. Blah - Blah - Blah. It all makes me sick.  

The Lord knew that the idea of Fasting would be stripped naked and drug across of the mud, and the idea of giving something up for His Name - contaminated. But thankfully. He set up real guidelines and warnings to those who Fast for the Lord. 

Verse 1-2: We are called to Seek the Lord. He knows the True Believers will seek the Lord, and follow His Commandments. We will honor Him in Spirit and in Truth. 

Verse 3a: But there will be those that “Fast” for the Lord, but complain that the Lord didn’t answer them or acknowledge them. These people complain. And the Lord reveals to them the answer they seek… 

Verse 3b-4: States that the reason that the Lord didn’t honor their fast. Is because… they fasted for themselves and dishonored others. This goes exactly opposite of the original intent. These people instead Fast for their own purposes and their true colors come out, as they fight and bicker with others instead of loving each other. Do you Fast for your own body? Do you long to loose weight and ‘Fast’ to get the results you long for? Do you long to look spiritual to others? And tell everyone about your prideful ‘Fasting’ experiences? Do authors sell the idea of ‘Fasting’ as getting healthy and fit? Do authors exploit the idea of ‘Fasting’ to get other things out of it, instead of just obedience and seeking the Lord? If so… this is dangerous territory. As the Lord takes these things serious. 

The True idea for Fasting. Is to deny yourself of pleasure to put the Lord in the number one position in life. Usually it is food. But it can be other things as well. 

Verse 5-8: States the True rules for Fasting. And for Living. 

1. Humble yourself.
2. Bow before the Lord God.
3. Get rid of all your wickedness and sin.
4. Give all your cares and worries to the Lord.
5. Give your food to the poor. The food you would have eaten, make and give away.
6. Let the homeless stay at your house and serve them.
7. Clothe those who have no clothes. 
8. Put your own needs last. 

This is the kind of "Fasting" that the Lord honors.

There is a great balance between Fasting and Living for the Lord. Fasting is just a extra shot, in the cup of a latte’. If I am making sense to you. It isn’t that we are to Fast and Seek God only while we “Fast” but instead it is extra love and time that we seek, to honor Him and get our priorities straight.

This is an example of how we are to be living. For the Lord. “Seek Justice. Love Mercy. And walk Humbly before God.” 

Verse 9-11: Now the Lord tells us about more rules of ‘Fasting’. And for Living. And how the Lord will hear you when you call to Him. 

1. Take away the man-made rules.
2. Stop blaming others.
3. Take responsibility for yourself. 
4. Stop speaking evil things. 
5. Pour yourself out for the needy and hungry. 
6. Help the ones that need help. 

This is the kind of "Fasting" that the Lord honors. The Lord will honor this kind of Fast and answer the person that longs for the Lord. 

Verse 12: Then the Lord will take the broken person and restore him to life. The Lord will make him a new creation. 

Verse 13-14: And once your a new creation in Christ. You will get to enter His Sabbath Rest. That is, you get to enter into the New Covenant with Jesus. As He did all the work for our salvation. And we will enter into that ‘Sabbath’ rest. That peaceful rest. That peace that passes all understanding. That peace - that God promised to those who believe in Him and in the Name of Jesus Christ. 

And that is love. All this. He did for us. In all this. He guided us. 

Because He is a God of Love. 

He is Love...

And He Loves you...

Isaiah 55:6English Standard Version (ESV)

6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call upon him while he is near;

If you feel the Lord calling you. To love Him. To come and buy from Him - Free of Change. To come and buy Salvation. Do not delay. While there is still time. While His love is still near to us. Click here to Surrender your life to Jesus.  And start your journey, with the Most Loving God of the Universe. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. And may the Lord make His Face Shine upon you and give you Peace. Peace that passes all understanding.