The exiles in Babylon faced three insurmountable obstacles: the nations, their rulers and their religions. These 3 obstacles dominated and permeated every aspect of their daily lives. How could they be overcome? In 40:12-31, Isaiah contrast these three formidable adversaries with the power of God as author and creator of history. He concludes this new kingdom God is announcing is so powerful nothing will threaten it and it will stand forever because it is build by the word of the Lord.
02 Isaiah 40:1-11 Announcement of the New Kingdom
The nation of Judah was facing exile, the destruction of their land, their community, their temple, and their religion. The critical question before them was: Have we forfeited the promises God made to Abraham and David? Into that despair and doubt, Isaiah announces the end of the exile, the birth of a new kingdom and the arrival of its King.
01 Isaiah 6:1-13 Servant Songs Introduction
Isaiah wrote these prophecies of the Servant about a time when all God’s people are scattered and the Davidic throne has disappeared into the sands of Babylon. Does the exile mark the end of the history of God’s people? Have they forfeited the divine promises made to Abraham?
#TBT Who is better off: the rich or the poor?
For “throwback Thursday” here is one of my favorite passages for James. In James 1:9-18, James raises a new question as an example of how understanding the gospel changes your perspective: Who is really better off: the rich or the poor?
17 Romans 11:1-32 Did God Reject His People?
Twice Paul raises the question: “Did God reject His people?” Twice he answers: “By no means!” In Romans 11:1-15, Paul gives five reasons why it is evident that God has not forgotten His people, the Jews.
#TBT You won’t always be pretty
My birthday reminded me of this 2014 post on Romans 5:1-11 (one of my all time favorite passages). You won’t always be pretty, but once you are justified by faith, you will always have reason to exat in the hope of the glory of God.
16 Romans 10 Prayer & Legalism
In Romans 10, Paul is answering the question of why some people who have little knowledge are saved while some who have much knowledge are not saved. He gave part of his answer in Romans 9. All of us are born lost, and God in His mercy and grace chooses to call some people to him. Paul continues his answer into chapter 10. Taking religion seriously is not the answer.
15 Romans 9:14-33 God’s Sovereign Choice
On what is the basis does God choose the elect? Paul’s answer is that God — as God — has a sovereign right to choose who receives mercy.
14 Romans 9:1-13 Is the gospel too good to be true?
Romans 9-11 must be read as a unit that builds to a wonderful climax. It contains some of the most difficult material in the Bible.
Isaiah: Servant Songs
Isaiah gives us the fullest revelation of Christ in the Old Testament, most notably the Servant Songs. The exile raised the question: Can fail such that God will abandon us and we forfeit His God? In the Servant Songs, God demonstrates that not only will He remain committed to His people, He will willingly choose to endure suffering in order to forgive and redeem His people.
13 Romans 8:26-39 Confidence in Christ
Paul argues that because of the activity of the Spirit, we can have confidence that everything that happens to us is in our own best interests.
12 Romans 8:12-25 Grief over Sin
Paul argues that the Holy Spirit produces within believers grief over sin and eager hope for their inheritance.