September 19, 2011
"Here I am. Here I am." In Isaiah 65, God says He made Himself known to people even if they weren't looking for Him. God pursues us—each of us. It says He "stood ready" to accept those who had turned away from Him. Unfortunately, many of the people then (and today) do not make the choice to turn from their ways and follow Him. Isaiah 65:2-3 - "...the way they continue to live is not good; they do anything they want to do. Right in front of me they continue to do things that make me angry." Oh, they act as if they are holy. They are arrogant. They tell others, "Stay away, and don't come near me. I am too holy for you." But God says, "These people are like smoke in my nose... they continue to make me angry." God goes on to say, "I will not be quiet; instead, I will repay you in full. I will punish you for what you have done..."
Always though, God is looking to see if anyone will respond to his, "Here I am." God says, if there is any juice left in the grape you don't get rid of it. If there is anyone who will listen to Him he won't destroy them. "But as for you who left the LORD... who worship Fortune and Destiny—I decide your fate, and I will punish you... I called you, but you refused to answer. I spoke to you, but you wouldn't listen. You did the things I said were evil and chose to do things that displeases me."
Choices ALWAYS brings consequences, both good and bad. Blessings—and—Curses. God goes on to list the consequences.
My servants will eat—evil people will be hungry
My servants will drink—evil people will be thirsty
My servants will be happy—evil people will be shamed
My servants shout for joy—evil people will cry
Goodness of heart—spirits will be broken
God is faithful. His promises are true. Isaiah 65:16 - "I will make those troubles go away." A new day is coming. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Never again will the work of one be given to another. Those who build a house, will live there. Those who plant vineyards, will eat their grapes. They will never again work for nothing, and they and their children will be blessed. Isaiah 65:24 - "I will provide for their needs before they ask, and I will help them while they are still asking for help."
God is in control, and he will judge all people and all nations. Isaiah 66:1-2 - "Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool... These are the people I am pleased with: those who are not proud or stubborn and who fear my word." Then God goes on to again describe how He feels about people who bring their sacrifices and offerings to Him when their hearts are not pure. He absolutely abhors their actions and detests what they do when they "act" one way and in reality are not what they seem. Isaiah 66:3–4 - "These people choose their own ways, not mine, and they love the terrible things they do. So I will choose their punishments, and I will punish them with what they fear most. This is because I called to them, but they did not listen. I spoke to them, but they did not listen. I spoke to them, but they did not hear me. They did things I said were evil; they chose to do things I did not like."
You people who obey the words of the LORD, listen to what He says. You will be mistreated. Your family will turn against you. But God is the One who will avenge what has been done wrong to you. He will give them the punishment they should have. Just remember this, "I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born," says the LORD. Something good will come from the pain I have allowed you to have. "The LORD's servants will see his power (KJV - the hand of the LORD), but his enemies will see his anger."
And then again, the contrasts. "I know they have evil thoughts and do evil things, so I am coming to punish them." But for those who follow the LORD, "I will make new heavens and the new earth, which will last forever," says the LORD.
Isaiah ends with the promise of eternal life for those who follow the LORD's ways and with the promise of destruction for those who refuse to follow the LORD's way. Our choice, always our choice. But if we refuse to follow His ways, then it is His choice on how to punish. It all goes back to IF—THEN.
IF—we follow His ways, THEN—we receive His blessings and promises. IF—we refuse to follow His ways, THEN—we receive His punishment and it is His choice on how to punish those who willfully chose to disobey. IF—THEN.
Next Entry: Jeremiah 1:1–19
"Here I am. Here I am." In Isaiah 65, God says He made Himself known to people even if they weren't looking for Him. God pursues us—each of us. It says He "stood ready" to accept those who had turned away from Him. Unfortunately, many of the people then (and today) do not make the choice to turn from their ways and follow Him. Isaiah 65:2-3 - "...the way they continue to live is not good; they do anything they want to do. Right in front of me they continue to do things that make me angry." Oh, they act as if they are holy. They are arrogant. They tell others, "Stay away, and don't come near me. I am too holy for you." But God says, "These people are like smoke in my nose... they continue to make me angry." God goes on to say, "I will not be quiet; instead, I will repay you in full. I will punish you for what you have done..."
Always though, God is looking to see if anyone will respond to his, "Here I am." God says, if there is any juice left in the grape you don't get rid of it. If there is anyone who will listen to Him he won't destroy them. "But as for you who left the LORD... who worship Fortune and Destiny—I decide your fate, and I will punish you... I called you, but you refused to answer. I spoke to you, but you wouldn't listen. You did the things I said were evil and chose to do things that displeases me."
Choices ALWAYS brings consequences, both good and bad. Blessings—and—Curses. God goes on to list the consequences.
My servants will eat—evil people will be hungry
My servants will drink—evil people will be thirsty
My servants will be happy—evil people will be shamed
My servants shout for joy—evil people will cry
Goodness of heart—spirits will be broken
God is faithful. His promises are true. Isaiah 65:16 - "I will make those troubles go away." A new day is coming. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Never again will the work of one be given to another. Those who build a house, will live there. Those who plant vineyards, will eat their grapes. They will never again work for nothing, and they and their children will be blessed. Isaiah 65:24 - "I will provide for their needs before they ask, and I will help them while they are still asking for help."
God is in control, and he will judge all people and all nations. Isaiah 66:1-2 - "Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool... These are the people I am pleased with: those who are not proud or stubborn and who fear my word." Then God goes on to again describe how He feels about people who bring their sacrifices and offerings to Him when their hearts are not pure. He absolutely abhors their actions and detests what they do when they "act" one way and in reality are not what they seem. Isaiah 66:3–4 - "These people choose their own ways, not mine, and they love the terrible things they do. So I will choose their punishments, and I will punish them with what they fear most. This is because I called to them, but they did not listen. I spoke to them, but they did not listen. I spoke to them, but they did not hear me. They did things I said were evil; they chose to do things I did not like."
You people who obey the words of the LORD, listen to what He says. You will be mistreated. Your family will turn against you. But God is the One who will avenge what has been done wrong to you. He will give them the punishment they should have. Just remember this, "I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born," says the LORD. Something good will come from the pain I have allowed you to have. "The LORD's servants will see his power (KJV - the hand of the LORD), but his enemies will see his anger."
And then again, the contrasts. "I know they have evil thoughts and do evil things, so I am coming to punish them." But for those who follow the LORD, "I will make new heavens and the new earth, which will last forever," says the LORD.
Isaiah ends with the promise of eternal life for those who follow the LORD's ways and with the promise of destruction for those who refuse to follow the LORD's way. Our choice, always our choice. But if we refuse to follow His ways, then it is His choice on how to punish. It all goes back to IF—THEN.
IF—we follow His ways, THEN—we receive His blessings and promises. IF—we refuse to follow His ways, THEN—we receive His punishment and it is His choice on how to punish those who willfully chose to disobey. IF—THEN.
Next Entry: Jeremiah 1:1–19
No comments:
Post a Comment