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Jesus: The Messiah of the Prophets. Prayer of the Week Isaiah 2. 3 Many peoples will come and say,
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Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Jesus: The Messiah of the Prophets
Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Prayer of the WeekIsaiah 2 3Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 5 Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.
Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Red Letter Points • What does the Lord think about offerings made to Him by His people? Why? What does He demand instead? • How is Jerusalem like Sodom and Gomorrah? Why is it a shocking insult to call Jerusalem “Sodom” or “Gomorrah”? • How is Jerusalem different from Sodom & Gomorrah? Why does Isaiah call it a “booth in a vineyard, a hut in a melon patch”? • What are the consequences of Israel’s sins “like scarlet”? What is the promise for their obedience? • What is a “harlot” and why is Israel called one? • What are some Christian themes in Isaiah 1?
Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Isaiah 1 What does the Lord think about offerings made to Him by His people? Why? What does He demand instead? • He is tired of them; will close His eyes to them; will not listen • He is angered by the injusticeand sinfulness of His people • He demands justice (for “orphan” and “widow”), and that His people should “learn to do good” • Isaiah, in brief, blames Israel’s woes on its rejection of the Lord and failure to rely truly on Him.
Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Isaiah 1 How is Jerusalem like Sodom and Gomorrah? Why is it a shocking insult to call Jerusalem “Sodom” or “Gomorrah”? • Sodom and Gomorrah were famously sinful cities that were destroyed by the Lord because of their wickedness. • Jerusalem too is under threat for the same reason, as it has rejected goodness and the will of the Lord • It is a shocking insult to link Jerusalem to Sodom or Gomorrah, since it is the place of the Lord’s temple, the center of worship of the Lord, and should be alight to the peoples • It is an indication of how far God’s people have turned from where they should be as His chosen.
Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Isaiah 1 How is Jerusalem different from Sodom & Gomorrah? Why does Isaiah call it a “booth in a vineyard, a lodge in a cucumber field”? • God has left them a remnant – “a few survivors” (an important theme in Isaiah) – a portion is left • Though Judah and Jerusalem is under siege, the city remains safe within its walls, only due to the Lord’s continued protection. • It stands out amidst the conquered waste surrounding it, like a booth in a field.
Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Isaiah 1 What are the consequences of Israel’s sins “like scarlet”? What is the promise for their obedience? • To “eat” or “be eaten”: eat the “good of the land” if they repent; or be eaten “by the sword” is they remain in their sins • Isaiah predicts what will happen at the hands of their enemy (Sennacherib) if they do not turn to the Lord. • Ultimately, Isaiah predicts a restoration in righteousness
Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Isaiah 1 What is a “harlot” and why is Israel called one? • A harlot is a prostitute: selling of one’s self (sexually) for profit • Israel has been unfaithful to God, turning to other gods; • They have traded their righteousness for bribes and profit; • Idolatry has often be linked to harlotry and adultery: failure to live up to their commitment to God
Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Christian prophetic themes in Isaiah 1 What are some Christian themes in Isaiah 1? • A rebellious and sinful people, we have rejected God and His laws; • Our world, our existence, has been affected by our sinfulness and we suffer from it; • Our feeble efforts to appease God are self-serving and hypocritical • God desires for us to set things right with Him, and they will be if we turn to Him • What applied in Isaiah’s specific moment in history also applies more generally over all human history.
Christian Doctrine 1 / Dr. Billings Jesus: The Messiah of the ProphetsIsaiah