Something Greater

Isaiah 3: Supply and Support God takes away food and water. He intends to allow the government to fester with superstition, immaturity and oppression. All of this because the people have defied the LORD in word and deed. They have flaunted their sin and ignored their doom. God stands in judgement against the leaders, condemning their mistreatment of the poor, and scorning their proud affluence. All of their shallow appearances of beauty will become rottenness; their tinkling songs will fade into mournful lament. GOD TAKES AWAY SUPPORT AND SUPPLY (Verses 1-7) God has determined that the people of Judah suffer severe shortage of food and water. Worse, their political, military, and religious leaders will deteriorate. Infantile rulers will allow insolent oppression to become rampant, and the people desperately look for a savior. But none will be found. Isaiah 3:1 (ESV) For behold, the Lord GOD of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all suppo...

Isaiah 2: The Mountain Of The LORD Isaiah describes a vision given him by God concerning Jerusalem, capital city of the Israelite tribe of Judah. He describes the city as a mountain of justice and peace, drawing together all nations in earth. Yet Isaiah feels that God has rejected the people of Israel because of their affluent idolatry. He warns the people of God's imminent terror, bringing low the haughty and raising high the LORD. THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD (Verses 1-4) God gave Isaiah a vision of the LORD as the highest of mountains, a source of judgement, justice and peace for all the nations. Isaiah 2:3 (ESV) And many peoples shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. What do you think? In how many different ways is a mountain a fitting description of God? ...

The Book of Isaiah: At a Glance This study of the Book of Isaiah began in May, 2014. Week by week we looked at the Hebrew word origins, sketched out the events and arguments described in each chapter, and attempted to apply the passages to our own lives. It is now July, 2015. We've arrived at Chapter 21, but there is a need to stop and look back. It's clear that this book is a collection of visions and messages given to Isaiah by God. However, it is not a chronological narrative. There are passages that foreshadowed the future, and flashbacks to previous events. There are emotional outbursts of despair, fear, joy and celebration. This outline, "At A Glance", is that look back. More importantly, it attempts to answer three basic questions that should be asked of every passage: What does this passage teach us about ourselves? What does this passage teach us about God? If this passage is true, how should we respond to it? This At A Glance overview of the ...

Isaiah 1, Part 1: Rebuke and Redemption Isaiah 1:1-9 God lays upon Isaiah a vision of rebuke and judgement against the nation of Judah and the capital city of Jerusalem. God rebukes their sin and rejects their shallow religion. Yet in his mercy God offers a choice and promises relief and restoration. God rebukes the nation's sin. Isaiah 1:1-9 (ESV) The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be st...

Servant of God Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness... (Titus 1:1) Paul calls himself a servant of God . Servant, translates a Greek word meaning slave, whether literally or figuratively, involuntary or voluntary. It carries the sense of subjection and service. This Greek word comes from a root word meaning to tie or bind. It is closely related to a word meaning to beg. Putting all the meanings together, Paul was describing an intimate, all-consuming relationship with God , one which bound him to obedience and faithful service. It was a relationship based upon need: Paul was compelled to serve God as a poor, starving man is compelled to beg. Is this an unique experience? Did Paul expect his readers to emulate this all-consuming slave-relationship with God? Did Paul endorse slavery as an acceptable soci...

Bible Study: My Method (Currently) How do you teach others about the Bible? What study method seems to help you most in understanding and communicating the truth contained in God's Word? For about a year now I've been thinking about how I best learn and teach. Gradually I've established a habit of study that seems to fit my mind and personality, and I'd like to share it with others. Perhaps it, or some form of what I describe, will help others develop their own style of study and communication. Note: The following steps have their genesis in a book titled "Miraculous Movements", by Jerry Trousdale, copyright 2012 by CityTeam, published by Thomas Nelson, Inc. I've adjusted and adapted Jerry's original ideas to fit my own preferences. My method of studying and preparing to teach from the Bible involves four distinct steps: Brief Overview Main Ideas and Key Verses Trust and Obey Digging Deeper I tend to follow these four steps in order, b...

Psalm 13: Consider And Answer Me To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. What do you think? David felt as if God had forgotten him - as if God had mislaid him, or was oblivious of him. In this emotional song, David says that he feels this way because of enemies and foes (hateful people; crushing, crowding things). What circumstances have recently made you feel this way? David begs God to "consider" (to look ...