Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

“Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
    Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
    and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
For day after day they seek me out;
    they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
    and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
    and seem eager for God to come near them.
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say,
    ‘and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
    and you have not noticed?’
“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
    and exploit all your workers.
Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
    and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
    and expect your voice to be heard on high.
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
    only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
    and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
    a day acceptable to the Lord?
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
    with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
    and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
    and your night will become like the noonday.
The Lord will guide you always;
    he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
    and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
    like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
    Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
    and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
    and the Lord’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
    and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
then you will find your joy in the Lord,
    and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
    and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

• Isaiah 58:1-14

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
    nor his ear too dull to hear.
But your iniquities have separated
    you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
    so that he will not hear.
For your hands are stained with blood,
    your fingers with guilt.
Your lips have spoken falsely,
    and your tongue mutters wicked things.
No one calls for justice;
    no one pleads a case with integrity.
They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies;
    they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.
They hatch the eggs of vipers
    and spin a spider’s web.
Whoever eats their eggs will die,
    and when one is broken, an adder is hatched.
Their cobwebs are useless for clothing;
    they cannot cover themselves with what they make.
Their deeds are evil deeds,
    and acts of violence are in their hands.
Their feet rush into sin;
    they are swift to shed innocent blood.
They pursue evil schemes;
    acts of violence mark their ways.
The way of peace they do not know;
    there is no justice in their paths.
They have turned them into crooked roads;
    no one who walks along them will know peace.
So justice is far from us,
    and righteousness does not reach us.
We look for light, but all is darkness;
    for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.
Like the blind we grope along the wall,
    feeling our way like people without eyes.
At midday we stumble as if it were twilight;
    among the strong, we are like the dead.
We all growl like bears;
    we moan mournfully like doves.
We look for justice, but find none;
    for deliverance, but it is far away.
For our offenses are many in your sight,
    and our sins testify against us.
Our offenses are ever with us,
    and we acknowledge our iniquities:
rebellion and treachery against the Lord,
    turning our backs on our God,
inciting revolt and oppression,
    uttering lies our hearts have conceived.
So justice is driven back,
    and righteousness stands at a distance;
truth has stumbled in the streets,
    honesty cannot enter.
Truth is nowhere to be found,
    and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
The Lord looked and was displeased
    that there was no justice.
He saw that there was no one,
    he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm achieved salvation for him,
    and his own righteousness sustained him.
He put on righteousness as his breastplate,
    and the helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on the garments of vengeance
    and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.
According to what they have done,
    so will he repay
wrath to his enemies
    and retribution to his foes;
    he will repay the islands their due.
From the west, people will fear the name of the Lord,
    and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory.
For he will come like a pent-up flood
    that the breath of the Lord drives along.
“The Redeemer will come to Zion,
    to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,”
declares the Lord.
“As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.

• Isaiah 59:1-21

“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
    and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
    and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
“Lift up your eyes and look about you:
    All assemble and come to you;
your sons come from afar,
    and your daughters are carried on the hip.
Then you will look and be radiant,
    your heart will throb and swell with joy;
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
    to you the riches of the nations will come.
Herds of camels will cover your land,
    young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
    bearing gold and incense
    and proclaiming the praise of the Lord.
All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you,
    the rams of Nebaioth will serve you;
they will be accepted as offerings on my altar,
    and I will adorn my glorious temple.
“Who are these that fly along like clouds,
    like doves to their nests?
Surely the islands look to me;
    in the lead are the ships of Tarshish,
bringing your children from afar,
    with their silver and gold,
to the honor of the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has endowed you with splendor.
“Foreigners will rebuild your walls,
    and their kings will serve you.
Though in anger I struck you,
    in favor I will show you compassion.
Your gates will always stand open,
    they will never be shut, day or night,
so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations—
    their kings led in triumphal procession.
For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish;
    it will be utterly ruined.
“The glory of Lebanon will come to you,
    the juniper, the fir and the cypress together,
to adorn my sanctuary;
    and I will glorify the place for my feet.
The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you;
    all who despise you will bow down at your feet
and will call you the City of the Lord,
    Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
“Although you have been forsaken and hated,
    with no one traveling through,
I will make you the everlasting pride
    and the joy of all generations.
You will drink the milk of nations
    and be nursed at royal breasts.
Then you will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior,
    your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
Instead of bronze I will bring you gold,
    and silver in place of iron.
Instead of wood I will bring you bronze,
    and iron in place of stones.
I will make peace your governor
    and well-being your ruler.
No longer will violence be heard in your land,
    nor ruin or destruction within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation
    and your gates Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day,
    nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
    and your God will be your glory.
Your sun will never set again,
    and your moon will wane no more;
the Lord will be your everlasting light,
    and your days of sorrow will end.
Then all your people will be righteous
    and they will possess the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,
    the work of my hands,
    for the display of my splendor.
The least of you will become a thousand,
    the smallest a mighty nation.
I am the Lord;
    in its time I will do this swiftly.”

• Isaiah 60:1-22

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Isaiah 58:3-7 ‘Why?’: “The people complained when God did not recognize their religious actions, but God responded that their fastings had been only half-hearted. Hypocritical fasting resulted in contention, quarreling, and pretense, excluding the possibility of genuine prayer to God. Fasting consisted of more than just an outward ritual and a mock repentance; it involved penitence over sin and consequent humility, disconnecting from sin and oppression of others, feeding the hungry, and acting humanely toward those in need.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Isaiah 58:8 ‘an army in enemy territory’: “The church of God is an army marching through enemy territory. Christians can never count on a moment’s peace. If we were of the world, the world would love us as its own, but because we as true saints are not of the world, the world hates us.”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

Isaiah 58:8 ‘illustration’: “Just as the Amalekites suddenly fell on the children of Israel, unprovoked and without giving any warning of their hostile intention, so it is not only in times of persecution but in apparently softer days when the world does not use the stake and the sword, that the world is ready to pounce on the church of God and to call in its grand ally the devil to overthrow and destroy, as far as possible, the people of God. Every Christian, then, must be a soldier and take his share in the battles of the cross. We must not look on our life as being a pleasant journey through a friendly land but as a military march, a march through the midst of foes who will dispute every foot of our way. Now, if we thus view the church of God as an army, it is comforting to know we have a rear guard. We take our Lord Jesus Christ to be our rear guard. He is also our forerunner who has gone before us, even through death and up to the skies, so that he may prepare a place for all those who have enlisted under his standard. He is also our rear guard. There is always danger where God’s people travel, and it is comforting to them to behold so glorious a shield borne in their rear by so mighty an arm.”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

Isaiah 58:9 ‘Here I am’: “See 65:1. In contrast to the complaint of verse 3, a time will come when the Lord will be completely responsive to the prayers of His people (65:24). This will be done when they are converted and give evidence of the transformation in the kind of works that reflect a truly repentant heart (vv. 9, 10). At the time of Christ’s return, Israel will demonstrate true repentance, and the fullness of blessing will be poured out (vv. 10b, 11).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Isaiah 58:13 ‘turn away your foot from the Sabbath’: “The Sabbath was holy ground on which no one should walk. Keeping the Sabbath was symbolic of obedience to all the law of Moses (56:2). For the setting aside of Sabbath law in the NT, see notes on Romans 14:5, 6; Colossians 2:16, 17.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Isaiah 58:14 ‘delight yourself in the Lord’: “Repentant people walking in fellowship with the Lord experience satisfaction of soul (Ps. 37:4). Their satisfaction will not come from material goods (contrast 55:2).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Isaiah 59:2 ‘iniquities … sins’: “Abraham’s physical lineage had not yet experienced the Lord’s deliverance because of the barrier created by their wrongdoing. This is a universal truth applying to all people—-sin separates people from God (cf. Rom 3:23).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Isaiah 59:7-8 ‘Their feet … shall not know peace’: “From Isaiah’s pen, the words focused on the national depravity of Israel that stood in the way of God’s deliverance. Paul showed that what was true of sinful Israel is indicative of the depravity of all mankind (Rom. 3:15-17).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Isaiah 59:9 ‘In despair, a Redeemer will come’: “Israel had greatly revolted against her God, and in consequence she had brought on herself great sorrow. Still, instead of repenting of their faults and returning their allegiance to Jehovah, the nation continued to be duped by false prophets and presumptuous pride in expectation of better days. The better days did not come; they looked for the sunshine, but they wandered in the mists; they waited for brightness, but they walked in gloom. Unhappy Israel. The Israelites turned aside from Jehovah to worship Baal; they went after the gods of the heathen that were not gods, and from that hour their land was afflicted with pestilence and famine. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came up against them; he stopped her wells, cut down her vines, and stripped her fig trees; and in the end he carried the Israelites away captive, made the sons and daughters of Zion to sit down by the waters of Babylon and weep at the remembrance of the beloved city. Sin is evermore a bitter thing, and they who follow it while expecting to arrive at the light of joy are duped and deceived. Such people will be plunged into denser and denser darkness until they arrive at an unending midnight unbroken by a solitary star. This historical example might be used by way of warning to any seekers after happiness who foolishly expect to find it in the pleasures of sin and the neglect of God. Sinners must enter into a covenant of peace with God. They must move toward holiness and God, or in vain will they expect the dawning. To sinners there is reserved the blackness of darkness forever and even now his way is hard, and his path is darkened with fear and disquietude. There are people who sincerely seek better things; they desire to obtain the true and heavenly light of God. They have waited, hoping to receive it, but instead of obtaining it, they are in a worse or at least sadder state than they were. Today they are almost driven into dark thoughts that no light will ever shine on them. The only hope for them is to run to the God of mercy, who promised, ‘The Redeemer will come to Zion’ (v. 20).”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

Isaiah 59:12-14 ‘transgressions … sins’: “The prophet supplies the answer to the nation’s frustrations: their sins and transgressions remain as an obstacle to God’s deliverance. Though their external rituals may be proper, the hindrance of impure motives remains between God and His people (Matt. 12:34; Mark 7:21, 22). The presence of iniquity eliminates righteousness.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Isaiah 59:17 ‘righteousness as a breastplate … helmet of salvation’: “Figuratively speaking, the Lord armed Himself for the deliverance of His people and for taking vengeance on enemies who would seek His destruction. Paul drew on this terminology in describing a believer’s spiritual preparation for warding off the attacks of Satan (Eph. 6:14, 17; 1 Thess. 5:8).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Isaiah 59:19 ‘shall they fear’: “All surviving peoples throughout the world are to have added reason to worship the Lord, seeing how He defeated all enemies by the power of His Spirit in bringing salvation to His people Israel. All over the earth, submission to Him will be the only path to survival in the coming kingdom.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Isaiah 60-61 ‘Israel in the Messianic Kingdom’: “Verses 1-3 describe the Shekinah glory that will now return to Israel. This Shekinah light will come when the darkness reaches greatest blackness (verse 2)—that is, the darkness of the Tribulation. Afterward the Lard will ‘rise upon you’ and the glory ‘will appear upon you’—these are references to the second coming. As a result, Israel will become the center of world attention (verse 3).
“According to verses 4-9, the Gentiles will aid in the regathering of the Jewish people, and all the nations will be brought to Israel. This will lead to the subservience of the Gentiles (verses 10-14). The Gentiles, who will be the servants of Israel, will also be used in the building up of the millennial Jerusalem (verse 10). The 12 gates, named after the 12 sons of Jacob, will continually remain open, never to be closed throughout the messianic kingdom. The Gentile nations and kings will bring their wealth through these gates (verse 11), and failure to do so will bring swift judgment (verse 12). The Gentile nations will bow in submission to Jerusalem’s authority when they pass through Jerusalem (verses 13-14).
“Isaiah then describes the exaltation of Jerusalem, when nations and kings will restore their vital energies upon the city (verses 15-16). Jerusalem will be beautified with stones and be in service to the leader of peace and righteousness (verse 17). Violence and desolation will no longer exist, so the walls symbolize salvation and the gates will sing praise (verse 18), and the Shekinah glory will be the light in the kingdom (verses 19-20). Isaiah concludes with a word about the status of Israel, stating that the whole nation will be righteous (verses 21-22).
“In Isaiah 61:1-11, the prophet again focuses on the Servant of Jehovah and again brings together events that were either covered by Christ’s first coming or refer to His second coming. The purpose of the first coming was to fulfill the five elements mentioned in verses 1-2a. The second coming will be for the purpose of restoring Israel (verses 2b-3). It is then that the restoration of Israel will be brought about. All the wasted cities will be rebuilt (verse 4), the Gentiles will become servants to the Jews (verse 5), Israel will at long last become a nation of priests and receive the wealth of nations (verse 6), and in place of double punishment (Isaiah 40:1-2) it will receive double blessing (verses 7-8). The result is that Israel will receive Gentile acknowledgment that it is the offspring of the Lord (verse 9). Isaiah 61 concludes by describing the righteousness of Israel in that day (verses 1o-11). Righteousness is given to them when they are clothed with the garments of salvation and the robes of righteousness.”

• Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson, Exploring Bible Prophecy

Isaiah 60:1 ‘the Light, God’s glory’: “It is wonderful that God would not only give us light, but that that light should be his own glory. Creation is a part of God’s glory, but it is only a moonlight glory compared with that of redemption. God, in the gift of Jesus Christ, displayed the whole of his nature. Creation is not a canvas large enough for the whole image of God to be stamped on it. Some speak of God’s face being mirrored in the sea, but there is not space enough for the face of deity to be fully reflected in the broad Atlantic or in all the oceans put together. The image of God is to be fully seen in Jesus Christ—and nowhere else—for there you behold attributes that creation cannot display. Creation can manifest love, power, wisdom, and much else, but creation cannot manifest justice—justice lying side by side with mercy, like the lion and the lamb. Only in Christ can you see this wondrous sight—God hating sin with perfect hatred yet loving sinners with much more than the tenderness of a mother toward her child.”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

Isaiah 60:3 ‘Gentiles shall come’: “Jerusalem’s light will attract other nations seeking relief from their darkness (2:3). Only believing Jews and Gentiles will enter the earthly kingdom after the eschatological Day of the Lord, but as the one thousand years goes along, children will be born and nations will become populated by those who reject Jesus Christ. The glory of the King in Jerusalem and His mighty power will draw those Gentiles to His light.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Isaiah 60:7 ‘Kedar … Nebaioth’: “The descendants of Kedar, a son of Ishmael (Gen. 25:13), lived in the desert between Syria and Mesopotamia. The Nabateans, inhabitants of the Arabian city Petra, were probably the descendants of Nebaioth, the oldest son of Ishmael (Gen. 25:13). acceptance on My altar. Animal sacrifices brought by other nations during the millennial kingdom will glorify the house of God’s glory even more (v. 13). See notes on Ezekiel 40-48 for the description of the operation of worship and sacrifices in the millennial temple.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Isaiah 60:10 ‘build up your walls.’: “The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, helped by Persian kings, was merely a foretaste of the final rebuilding of the city, assisted by Gentiles, when Christ returns to earth. in My wrath … in My favor. God’s past dealings with Israel have largely been in wrath, but His future merciful work will demonstrate His favor.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Isaiah 60:19 ‘sun shall no longer … everlasting light.’: “Isaiah, looking beyond the millennial kingdom, sees a view of the New Jerusalem following the Millennium (Rev. 21:23; 22:5). His prophetic perspective did not allow him to distinguish the eternal phase of the future kingdom from the temporal one, just as the OT prophets could not distinguish between the first and Second Advent of Christ (cf. 1 Pet. l:10, 11).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Isaiah 60:20 ‘Lost light, and in darkness’: “Israel of old had the light of God while all the rest of the world sat in darkness; in consequence of receiving moral and spiritual light from God, the nation prospered, and under the smile of heaven, it was greatly enriched and multiplied. But, alas, the sun went down, and the moon withdrew itself, for Israel turned aside and followed after idols, and the land was struck by the hostile sword. On her repentance her sun arose again, and the daughters oi Judah rejoiced, but again they went astray and provoked the Lord so that the light of his countenance was withdrawn. Another dispensation came. Jesus Christ was born at Bethlehem, and he became a light to the Gentiles as well as to Jews. The sun shone from the Son on the earth as it had never done before. A visible church was called out to walk in the light of God, and this church still exists on the earth. From the day of Pentecost until now, its sun has never altogether gone down, neither has its moon withdrawn herself. That, however, was only a prelude, a commencement to the full heavenly triumph. This passage also refers to the promise of the church in its fullness—in its triumphant condition, whether on earth in the millennial period or in the new heavens and new earth, world without end.”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

Isaiah 60:21 ‘inherit the land forever’: “Israel will inherit the land promised to Abraham (Gen. 12:1, 7; 13:15; 15:18). During the millennial kingdom, that will be the land of Israel as we know it today. In the eternal kingdom, it will be the New Jerusalem, capital of the new creation. I may be glorified. The ultimate mission of Israel is to glorify the Lord (49:3; 61:3).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Isaiah 60 ‘challenge’: “As written in Isaiah 60, God said about Jerusalem, in effect, ‘I am going to bless you. I am going to put a crown on you and I am going to send my blessings over you like doves to their nest. Everybody that passes by will point and say “That is the city which the Lord has blessed.“ ‘ That is what I want to see in our church. We should become the kind of church that the Lord has blessed. This is the reformation necessary within Protestantism.”

• A. W. Tozer, Rut, Rot or Revival

 

My Thoughts

Isaiah 58 is a sad tale of a rebellious nation.  God even rejects the fasting due to not having the right attitude, only doing it for a day, and not helping the poor with the food they did not eat and turning their backs on their family.  God is making a point of worshipping from the heart rather than vain ceremonies.

God said for them not to point the finger, probably referring to judging others, but they themselves do not do right before the Lord.  God speaks of Judah not showing Mercy, but that word may not have been used.

Yet for those who do not break the Sabbath and delight in the Lord, they will be called Repairer of Broken Walls.  Note that Isaiah is writing this before the walls of Jerusalem are destroyed.

Isaiah 59 is further condemnation.  The Lord speaks of their sins being so bad, God hid His face from them.  Their tongues mutter wicked things, and the tongue seems to be a common thread.  In speaking of no justice, no integrity, no peace, and all in darkness, the prophecy keeps returning to all that is said is lies.  Honesty cannot enter and truth cannot be found.

Yet, like the last chapter, there is a glimmer of hope if people would just put on the breastplate of righteousness.  Compare Isaiah 59:17 to Ephesians 6:14, in Paul’s admonition to put on the Gospel Armor.

The mood completely shifts in Isaiah 60.  The description must set this chapter during the millennial reign.  Israel will be prominent in the world.  No nation that does not serve Israel will survive.  Where in the previous chapter it was all lies and no peace, here peace will be the governor and well-being will be their ruler.

The city of Jerusalem will never close their gates.  Many of these statements can also be found in the Apostle John’s description of the New Jerusalem.  No sun, no moon, for the Lord is present and will be everlasting Light.

Isaiah 60 even starts off with the children of Israel being reunited.

Some Serendipitous Reflections

“Isaiah 58: 1. In which religious activities do you find yourself just going through the motions: Attending church? Reading the Bible? Prayer? Communion services? Fasting?
“2. How should these activities affect us individually and as a community? How are they affecting you now? What attitudes are needed for these activities to be ‘acceptable to the Lord’?
“3. If we direct an attitude of self-denial (or fasting) toward social action, where will our ‘pointing finger’ (be likely to) point first? Are you guilty of any forms of oppression to others at work, church, or socially?
“4. When should God’s people fast? When should we act? Would you be willing to fast from food and other forms of ‘self-fulfillment’ for one day this week? How can you use that spiritual activity to help ‘satisfy the needs of the oppressed and hungry’?
“5. Do you know any models of this combination of piety and practical concern for others? How has their example affected you? How could you imitate their example this week?
“Isaiah 59: 1. How did you feel as you read the description of sin (vv.3-8)? How does that compare with Romans 3:9-17? What does it mean to you that this is the situation within the heart of all people, including you? What wrong action or inaction, words or silence, thoughts or thoughtlessness was yours this week?
“2. When have you experienced blindness like that described in verse 10? What effective aids or artificial props did you use to grope through life‘s darkness? Did God break through to you in that dark time? How?
”3. What New Testament passages come to mind that emphasize Jesus‘ role as the Redeemer and the Judge in Isaiah‘s prophecy? (See Jn 3:16-21 and Ro 11:22-27, for starters.) What determines which way he will relate to you?
“4. Paul exhorts Christians to wear the armor that God wears (v.17; see Eph 6:13-17). How might this help you face evil and injustice? What is one way you can suit up and join in the process of bringing salvation to others this week?
“Isaiah 60: 1. How does this song parallel the whole movement of the Christian’s experience from conversion, to spiritual growth, to eternity with Christ?
“2. Where in the range of ‘dull’ (v.2) to ‘dazzle’ (v.5) are you this week? What aspects of the Christian life have lost their shine since your salvation? Which have gained new sparkle? What can help you shine more brightly?
“3. ls the light prophesied by Isaiah a future hope, a present reality, or both? Why do you think so (see Jn 4:23; Rev 21:23-25)?
“4. What is the relationship between ‘peace’ and ‘righteousness’? What would be different if those qualities dominated in your community’s civic life? ln your church life? in your family life?
“5. How can this song encourage you at a time when peace and righteousness do not dominate in any of those spheres (v.2)? What can you do to help nurture peace and righteousness within yourself and those around you?
“6. Daydream as a group about what it would be like if Jesus returned tomorrow and set up his throne in Jerusalem. Would you go there? How? What would it be like? What would it be like to see Jesus in person? How would you feel then about the ‘important’ and ‘urgent’ matters of your daily life? Spend some time together in praise and worship.”

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

Each chapter has one set of questions.

Substitute whatever group for any reference to a small group or ask who could come to your aid.

If you like these Thursday morning Bible studies, but you think you missed a few, you can use this LINK. I have set up a page off the home page for links to these Thursday morning posts. I will continue to modify the page as I add more.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.