In Isaiah 66:18-24, the end of Isaiah speaks of the end of this age. God sets a sign among his people. And he sends survivors out to the ends of the earth. They raise the sign as a standard. It is time to gather in the nations, time for every knee to bow and every …
Continue reading "Isaiah 66:18-24 A Sign Among the Nations"
The post Isaiah 66:18-24 A Sign Among the Nations first appeared on Observe the Word.
Sep 22, 2023
53 min
In Isaiah 65:17-66:17, God’s response to the watcher’s lament reaches a climax with the promise of a recreation. God will create the heavens and earth anew as an eternal dwelling place for his chosen ones. Who are the chosen ones? Who are these servants of God that dwell with him forever?
The post Isaiah 65:17-66:17 New Heavens and New Earth first appeared on Observe the Word.
Sep 22, 2023
49 min
In Isaiah 63:7-65:16, we move from the triumphant vision of glorious Zion to the struggle of holding onto the promise of that glorious future in the painful present. A human watcher cries out to God in a theological rich lament. God challenges the watcher to accept a more accurate perspective of what he is doing.
The post Isaiah 63:7-65:16 Lament and Response first appeared on Observe the Word.
Sep 22, 2023
46 min
In Isaiah 61:10-63:6, we encounter two further songs of a mysterious figure committed to the establishment of an ideal society for God’s people. In the first song he comes dressed as a groom for a wedding. In the second song he comes dressed as a champion for battle.
The post Isaiah 61:10-63:6 Four Songs of the Conqueror first appeared on Observe the Word.
Sep 22, 2023
45 min
In Isaiah 61:1-9 God pours out his Spirit, anointing a chosen servant to proclaim good news to the afflicted. That good news transforms God’s people. 700 years later Jesus stood up in a synagogue, read the first two verses of this passage, sat down and declared, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
The post Isaiah 61:1-9 The Favorable Year of the Lord first appeared on Observe the Word.
Sep 22, 2023
38 min
In Isaiah 60, the glory of God shines out from Zion as a glorious city on a hill. Many peoples respond to that light bringing gifts of tribute to the Holy One of Israel, tribute including frankincense and gold. How does this vision of Zion relate to the church? Is this our mission to build …
Continue reading "Isaiah 60 The Coming Glory"
The post Isaiah 60 The Coming Glory first appeared on Observe the Word.
Sep 22, 2023
49 min
In Isaiah 59, the prophet first condemns the wickedness of his society and then includes himself in with all the rest as he confesses, “our sins testify against us…we know our iniquities.” Seeing no man to intercede, the Lord arms himself to bring justice and salvation. But who is this divine conqueror who comes to …
Continue reading "Isaiah 59 The Conqueror Comes"
The post Isaiah 59 The Conqueror Comes first appeared on Observe the Word.
Sep 22, 2023
38 min
In Isaiah 58, the prophet calls out religious hypocrisy. As the paganism of chapter 57 represents the progressive idolatry of the left, the human-centered religiosity of chapter 58 represents the conservative idolatry of the right. In this lesson we raise our third big picture interpretation question, “How does the gospel of Jesus Christ help me …
Continue reading "Isaiah 58 A True Fast – Desiring God and Loving People"
The post Isaiah 58 A True Fast – Desiring God and Loving People first appeared on Observe the Word.
Sep 22, 2023
49 min
In Isaiah 56:9-57:21, we shift from the ideal of God’s people depicted in 56:1-8 to the actual reality of God’s people. This gives us an opportunity to ask the critical interpretive question, “Who is Isaiah’s primary audience?” Who were the people of God he was talking to and what were they like?
The post Isaiah 56:9-57:21 Two Parties in Judah first appeared on Observe the Word.
Sep 22, 2023
42 min
In Isaiah 56:1-8, we introduce the Book of the Conqueror, chapters 56-66, asking a critical interpretive question, overviewing this book’s structure, and considering in its first 8 verses the inclusion of eunuchs and foreigners into covenant community with God.
The post Isaiah 56:1-8 World People, Sabbath People, Praying People first appeared on Observe the Word.
Sep 22, 2023
34 min
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