Scripture Readings:
Isaiah 30:12-33:9; Galatians 5:1-12;
Psalm 63:1-11; Proverbs 23:22
Blessed are those who wait for Him to help them.
~Isaiah 30:18
~Isaiah 30:18
Isaiah 30:12-33:9
Chapter 30:
As the Israelites and all believers wait for this time, God promises some wonderful things in the future during Christ's millennial reign:
- He will come and be your teacher. You will see him with your own eyes. Vs. 20-21
- Bountiful food supply. Vs. 23-24
- Enemies will be slaughtered and there will be a great water supply for the land. Vs. 25
- Sun and moon even more bright. Vs. 26
- Judgment upon the proud nations of the earth will occur prior to the millennial reign. Vs. 27-28
- Joy and rejoicing by believers as God justly judges the earth. Vs. 29-31
- The Antichrist (symbolized by the Assyrian King) will be put in the lake of fire (symbolized by Topheth-the place of burning). This is the final destruction of the greatest enemy of Israel. Vs. 32-33
The Southern Kingdom is warned against making an alliance with Egypt in order to prevent being overtaken by Assyria. The Southern Kingdom heeds God's warning and does avoid being taken captive by Assyria.
Mixed into this prophecy and warning are images of a future day when Israel will no longer be tempted to follow idols. This is a future time when Israel is gathered back to her God and is drawn by Him to be faithful.
The lesson for us today as believers is that we are not to trust in the world to solve our problems. Egypt in Scripture represents the world. Do you trust in the stock market for your future well-being? Do you rely on politicians to secure your safety? This portion of the Bible teaches us to rely on God for our security. This world cannot promise us safety or peace.
Chapter 32:
We are once again introduced to the future righteous king who will rule on this earth in righteousness. Jesus Christ has taken the "heat" of judgment on the cross and is now a shelter for Israel and a cool shadow for believers. This is a day when everyone will be able to see God with their own eyes.
Verses 5-8 describe an earth where ungodly fools will not be considered heroes. Don't we in our day elevate these silly ungodly celebrities to hero status? That will not be the case during the millennial reign of Christ. Wealthy cheaters will not be considered upstanding citizens. Nice. The smooth tricks of evil people will be exposed. But good people who help others will flourish and will be blessed.
There is great warning to lazy women who live in luxury and are wrapped up in themselves. Their time of self indulgence will be over. Their prosperity will turn to poverty. But, the Lord will cause the wildernesses to become fertile and the land will be at peace. When God's Spirit is poured out upon the earth, quietness and confidence will replace fear. People will be at rest and will be comfortable in their homes. Can you imagine an earth like this? God is promising this to you and me!!
Chapter 33:1-9
This chapter begins the idea that God will not be mocked. Those who try to destroy Israel will be destroyed. Although Assyria is singled out, this prophecy also looks forward to the enemies of Israel in the end times. Listen to verse 5, "Though the Lord is very great and lives in heaven, He will make Jerusalem His home of justice and righteousness."
Isaiah warns the ambassadors of the Israel that Assyria cannot be trusted. This is also a look into the future when the nation of Israel will make a peace agreement with the Antichrist, but this peace agreement will be broken by the Antichrist and will result in great persecution that will be stopped only by the return of Christ.
How do Isaiah's prophesies affect you? What do God's promises of a future earthly reign mean for you? Do you long for justice on earth? Would you like to live in peace without fear? This is a promise that you can look forward to if you fear the Lord and have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you waiting?
Galatians 5:1-12
Paul is teaching about being free in Christ. The early Christians had to learn that they could throw off the shackles of the Law. Jesus had fulfilled the Law and taken our punishment for breaking the Law.
Paul is fighting against the Jews who are trying to keep people trapped in traditions that were representations of Jesus. With His death and resurrection, many practices that pictured his role on earth are not needed anymore. The picture is complete and the practice is obsolete. Circumcision is one of those representations. It was designed to show that Christ would circumcise our hearts by cutting away sin. He would create a clean heart.
The fact that these Jews want to make Gentile Christians be circumcised angers Paul to the point of him suggesting that these false teachers should just mutilate their own private parts and leave everyone else alone. Paul is fighting for people to understand that faith, alone, saves us. We must be vigilant to follow this teaching.
Verse 6 states,
"For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love."Are you experiencing freedom in Christ or are you dreaming up rules that everyone must follow in order to prove they are Christians?
Psalm 63:1-11
David really "gets it" in this psalm. The parched and weary land that David is so thirsty in will one day be a lush and fertile place. God takes our dry deserts and makes them spill with life-giving water. He does this spiritually in our lives, but also promises to do this physically one day on the earth.
Proverbs 23:22
Here is a good reason to honor your parents.
What did you learn today? Please share.
Blessings,
Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
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