Archives for July 2012

TODAY’S READING: ISAIAH 19-25

 

OVERVIEW:

The judgment of Egypt; the judgment of Babylon; the judgment of Edom; the judgment of Arabia; the judgment of Jerusalem; the judgment of Tyre; the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom; the blessings of the Millennial Kingdom.

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Isaiah points to the judgment ofEgyptas we come into chapters 19 and 20.  He pictures the “Lord riding upon a swift cloud” coming in judgment intoEgypt(19:1) causing such havoc and upheaval that is sendsEgyptinto a massive civil war (19:2).  Once again, though there was certainly an historic fulfillment of this prophecy in Isaiah’s day, it is also pointing to a different day!  Specifically, “that day”!  What day? The day of the Lord!  The day of the Lord Jesus Christ’s Second Coming.  The Assyrian judgment ofEgyptis simply a prefigure of our Lord’s judgment uponEgyptin the near future!  Isaiah sees a time when thelandofJudahis preeminent in the world (19:17), and both the Egyptians and the Assyrians will be subject toIsrael’s Messiah and worship Him (19:18-23).  During the Millennium, Isaiah sees these three former enemies,Israel,EgyptandAssyrialiving in harmony, blessed of the Lord (19:24-25).

 

In chapter 20, God uses Isaiah to be an object lesson to warn the people ofJudahwho were seeking an alliance withEgyptagainstAssyria.  God tells Isaiah to remove his outer garment and his sandals to picture what would become of the Egyptians and Ethiopians:  they would become humiliated and destitute (“naked” and “barefooted”).  He says that the Assyrians would expose the Egyptians “behinds” (20:4), and becauseJudahhad sought an alliance with them, they too, would be ashamed, and realize that rather than trustEgypt, they should have trusted the Lord!

 

As chapter 21 begins, “the desert of the sea” is a reference to the Babylonian plain by theTigrisandEuphratesRivers.  Babylon is identified in 21:9 as the object of this prophecy, and once again, it becomes obvious that there is both an historic and prophetic fulfillment of God’s prophecy through Isaiah, as the words “Babylon is fallen, is fallen” (21:9) are repeated in Revelation 14:8 and 18:2, to be fulfilled at the time of the Second Coming.  Verse 10 lets us know thatBabylon’s destruction will spell freedom for God’s peopleIsrael, who will have been “threshed” (i.e. beat down, or afflicted).  The remainder of chapter 21 deals with the judgment ofEdom(21:11-12) and the judgment ofArabia(21:13-17).

 

Having prophesied God’s judgment upon the nations surroundingJerusalem, in chapter 22, Isaiah prophesies God’s judgment uponJerusalem.  It is called “the valley of vision” in 22:1 becauseJerusalemwas surrounded by valleys on three sides. From an historic standpoint, this is the judgment found in II Kings 25, as Babylon invaded Jerusalem under Nebuchadnezzar in 588-586 B.C., but notice the tell-tale signs of a futuristic fulfillment at the Second Coming of Christ in 22:8, 12, 20 and 25 – “in that day”!

 

In chapter 23, God prophesies thatTyre, the commercial trading center of the Mediterranean world would be destroyed because of her pride.  This prophecy was fulfilled in an historical sense by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C. when he laid waste the city.

 

Note the word “Behold” in 24:1.  “Behold” always points to a future event.  What Isaiah describes in chapter 24 is the establishment of theMillennialKingdom.  In the first six verses Isaiah describes a universal judgment of the entire earth.  Verse one is tremendously graphic: “Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.”  In verses 13-16, Isaiah points to the fact that the godly remnant that survives the Tribulation Period will praise the Lord for His righteous judgments.  The Apostle John sees the same fulfillment in Rev.  7:1-10; 15: 3-4; 16:5, 7; 19:2.  The remainder of the world will be judged in a horrific fashion, as described in 24:17-23.

 

In chapter 25, the millennium is described as a feast, or a banquet at which Gentiles from all over the entire world will bow their knee and worshipIsrael’s king who sits on His throne inJerusalem(“this mountain” – 25:6, 7, 10).

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

           19:16    –  “in that day”

           19:18    –  “in that day”

           19:19    –  “in that day”

           19:21    –  “in that day”

           19:23    –  “in that day”

           19:24    –  “in that day”

            20:6      –  “in that day”

            22:5      –  “it is a day of trouble”

            22:8      –  “in that day”

           22:12    –  “in that day”

           22:20    –  “in that day”

           22:25    –  “in that day”

           23:14    –  “in that day”

            24:21    –  “in that day”

            25:9      –  “in that day”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In ELIAKIM, MASTER OF HEZEKIAH’S HOUSEHOLD – Isa.22:20-22 (What is said of him is true of Christ Who is the master over the household of faith – Rev. 3:7; Heb. 3:6; Gal.6:10).

 

 

TODAY’S READING: ISAIAH 13-18

 

OVERVIEW:

The judgment ofBabylon; the judgment ofAssyria; the judgment ofPhilistia; the judgment ofMoab; the judgment ofDamascus; the judgment ofEthiopia.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we move into chapter 13 today, we find ourselves in a transition.  Whereas chapters 1-12 dealt with judgments specifically related toJudahandJerusalem, chapters 13-23 broaden the prophecies concerning judgment to include the Gentile nations.

 

BecauseBabylonwas the nation that destroyedJerusalemand took the people ofJudahcaptive in 586 B.C., it is not mere coincidence thatBabylonis at the top of God’s list concerning judging the Gentile the nations.  In 13:1-5, God prophesies concerning those that would wield the judgment, “they come from a far country.”  In an historical sense, it isPersia, which was positioned 350 miles east ofBabylon.  In a prophetic sense, it is referring to heaven itself, and the judgment will be delivered by the Lord Himself “in that day” – “the day of the Lord” (13:6, 9, 13). 

 

Once God has executed His judgment “in that day,” Isaiah says to the nation ofIsraelin 14:3 – “And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve.”  Obviously, this is a reference to the peace and restIsraelwill experience in the Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I love the way God described what it will be like in His Kingdom in 14:7 – “The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.”  I’m with the Apostle John, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”!  (Rev. 22:20)

 

Just as Ezekiel 28:11-17 is referring to the literal King of Tyrus in an historic sense, but is referring to the power that was working through the King of Tyrus as well,Eden’s first “King,” none other than Lucifer himself, Isaiah 14:8-23 does the same basic thing.  It has application to the King of Babylon, but is obviously also referring to the power working behind and through that earthly king, and provides us with vital information concerning Lucifer’s fall.  It may be sound a little “Redneck” to some, but if I had a Bible that didn’t identify “Lucifer” in Isaiah 14:12, I’d get me one that did!  Satan has done a masterful job of writing himself right out of almost every book on church history on the market, and in the past several decades, he’s written himself out of almost every Bible on the market!  Some Bibles refer to him (Lucifer) as the Morning Star in verse 12, and actually have cross references in the margin pointing you to II Peter 1:26, and then to Rev. 22:16 where the “Morning Star” is specifically identified as the very Lord Jesus Christ Himself!!!  I don’t parade myself as knowing Greek or Hebrew or every little nuance concerning the version debate (though we did take a year and half to study this subject in our church on Wednesday nights), what they’ve done with Isaiah 14:12 is spooky enough to me to keep me “toting” (nice southern word) a Bible where I can at least find Satan when I need to!

 

Obviously, in the context, Isaiah 14:27 is talking about what God purposed concerning Babylon and Israel, but it is a “dandy” verse to claim about any and everything God has promised that is in accordance with His purposes for us as New Testament believers: “For the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?”

 

In chapters 15 and 16, Isaiah prophesies the destruction of Moab, but again, it has futuristic implications and applications, as 16:5 refers to the time when Moab will seek refuge in Judah (16:3-4), and the rescue will come from the Lord Jesus Christ as He rises to his throne at His Second Coming, “judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.” (Compare Isa. 16:5 with 9:7; 11:4; 28:6; 32:16; 33:5; 42:1, 3, 4; 51:5).

 

Chapters 17 and 18 prophesy both the destruction ofDamascusandEthiopia, and yet is filled with icons pointing to the time of Christ’s Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation Period, and the beginning of His Millennial reign (17:4, 7, 9, 11; 18:4).

 

 

 

   SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

            13:6  –  “the day of the Lord”

            13:9  –  “the day of the Lord”

           13:13–  “in the day”

            14:3  –  “in the day”

            17:4  –  “in that day”

            17:7  –  “at that day”

            17:9  –  “in that day”

           17:11–  “in the day”

            18:4  –  “I will take my rest”

 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE WHO WILL SIT ON THE THRONE OF DAVID – Isa. 16:5 (Luke1:32-33)

TODAY’S READING: ISAIAH 7-12

 

OVERVIEW:

Isaiah’s message for King Ahaz; Christ’s birth and Kingdom foretold;Assyriato be broken; the promise ofIsrael’s restoration; Christ, the Branch.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The chapters in today’s reading (Isaiah 7-12) have been called “The Book of Immanuel” because of their clear prophecies concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Keep in mind as you’re reading that Isaiah prophesied during the time period that fell between II Kings 16-25, during the reigns of King Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah.

 

You will recall that the nation ofIsraeldivided after the death of Solomon, the 10 northern tribes being referred to asIsrael, and the two southern tribes being referred to asJudah.  The capital city ofIsraelwasSamaria, and the capital city ofJudahwasJerusalem.  Though Isaiah’s ministry was centered inJerusalem, his messages influenced both the northern and the southern tribes.  As we pick up in chapter 7 today, understand that because ofAssyria’s menacing power, the surrounding nations wanted to form a coalition to stand against her.  King Ahaz ofJudah, however, refused to join the confederacy, soSyriaandIsraelactually joined forces (Isa. 7:1-2) to attackJudahto try to force her to cooperation with them.  II Kings 16:1-9 lets us know that rather than trusting the Lord to help, Ahaz was secretly bargaining with Assyria to protect to him.  While Ahaz was inspecting the safety of the water supply, God sent Isaiah and his son Shearjashub (meaning “the remnant!  shall return”), to give the king a message of confidence and hope.  They tell him not to fear, becauseIsraelandSyriawould be “broken” within 65 years.  In the fulfillment of the prophecy,AssyriadefeatedSyria(Damascus) in 732 B.C., and defeatedIsraelin 721 B.C.

 

In7:10-16, God wanted Ahaz to ask for a sign to confirm the prophecy, but Ahaz piously refused.  The Lord then determined to give a sign to the entire “house of David” (7:13).  The sign was spelled out in7:14– “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”  As with so many of the prophecies in the Old Testament, there is a double-fulfillment.  In other words, to affirm and confirm that the prophecy would be fulfilled in the future, God would often allow there to be a partial fulfillment of the prophecy in more of the immediate present.  That seems to be the case in prophecy of Isaiah 7:14.  This is an obvious reference to virgin birth of Jesus Christ, who was conceived of the Holy Ghost in Mary’s womb, Mary having never known a man (Luke 1:31-35).  But the partial fulfillment of the prophecy was a child that was to be born to Isaiah’s wife, as detailed in Isaiah 8:1-8.  Apparently, Isaiah’s first wife, the mother of Shearjashub had died, and Isaiah took a new wife shortly after giving this prophecy, and the virgin he took to wife gave birth to a child by the name of Mahershalalhashbaz (meaning “speed to the spoil, haste to the pray”) within the next year.

 

From chapter 7:17 through 10:34, Isaiah is preaching to apostate Israel, warning the northern kingdom that Assyria would come upon them and completely annihilate them.  It was at this point that Mahershalalhashbaz was born, his very name pointing to the soon destruction ofSamariaandSyria(8:4).

 

In chapter 9:1-7, Isaiah gives a second prophecy concerning the coming Messiah.  (Compare this prophecy with Matt. 4:13-16).  In 9:8-10:34, Isaiah continues to warnIsraelof her impending ruin.  At the same time he warnsAssyrianot to become proud of her victories, because she is simply a tool in the hand of God, and that she would be defeated as well.  Do note thatAssyriais a type of the Antichrist (“The Assyrian”) who will gather the nations of the world together in battle againstIsraelat Armageddon at the end of the Great Tribulation!

 

In chapters 11 and 12, Isaiah prophesies thatIsraelandJudahwill unite in the Kingdom.

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

           7:18– “in that day”

           7:21– “in that day”

           7:23– “in that day”

            9:7 – “and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it”

            9:1 – “in one day”

            10:3 – “in the day of visitation”

           10:17– “in one day”

           10:20– “in that day”

           10:27– “in that day”

           10:32– “that day”

           11:10– “in that day”

           11:11– “in that day”

           11:16– “in that day”

            12:1 – “in that day”

            12:4 –  “in that day”

 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In the SON WHO IS BORN OF VIRGIN, CALLED IMMANUEL – Isa.7:14(Matt.1:23; Luke 1:26-35).

 

In the CHILD UPON WHOM THE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER – Isa. 9:6 (Rev. 11:15).

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH                               

 

The Book of Isaiah is one of the most intriguing Books of the Entire Bible.  There are either some very strange “coincidences” found in this Book, or some very incredible things God reveals to us through it!

 

Is it mere coincidence that the Bible is comprised of 66 Books and that the Book of Isaiah is comprised of 66 chapters?

 

Is it mere coincidence that chapter one of Isaiah begins, as does Genesis, talking about the “heavens” and the “earth” (Gen. 1:1 c.f. Isa. 1:2). 

 

Is it mere coincidence that chapter 40 of Isaiah, corresponding to the 40th Book of the Bible, or the first book of the New Testament, talks about, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God,” just as does the Book of Matthew (Isa. 40:3 c.f. Matt 3:1-3)?

 

Is it mere coincidence that Isaiah 66 (corresponding, of course, to the last Book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation) talks about the new heaven and the new earth, just as the Bible does in Revelation 21 (Isaiah 66:22 c.c.  Rev. 21:17)?

 

Is it mere coincidence that the first 39 chapters of Isaiah (i.e. representative of the Old Testament) is so different in content from the last 27 chapters (i.e. representative of the New Testament), that many have insisted that there are actually two Isaiah’s that authored this Book? The first 39 chapters, coincidently enough, point to man’s tremendous need for salvation, and the last 27 chapters point to God’s gracious provision of it!

 

Obviously, we’re not dealing here with mere coincidences!  The Book of Isaiah is actually a microcosm of the Bible.  If you are unfamiliar with the term “microcosm,” it is a miniature, a representation of the whole.  We could say thatNew York Cityis a microcosm of the world, or the capstone of a pyramid is a microcosm of the pyramid itself.

 

The Book of Isaiah begins the Books of the Bible referred to as “the Prophets.”  Of course, the Prophets are divided into two main categories or headings, the Major Prophets and the Minor Prophets.  What determines the distinction is not the significance of their content, but very simply the amount (or length) of their content.

 

The theme of Isaiah is the same as in all of the Prophetic Books, “the day of the Lord,” or the second coming of Christ.   Regardless of the situations that Israel was facing, regardless of the sins that Israel was committing, regardless of the subject on which the prophet was preaching, the theme in the Prophetic Books always going to be the same.  It always ends and/or is pointing to the Day of the Lord.

 

The time of Isaiah’s prophecy is approximately 814 to 769 B.C., and takes place during the last half of the Book of II Kings, chapters 16 through 25.  Primarily, Isaiah writes to the two southern tribes.

 

TODAY’S READING: ISAIAH 1-6

 

OVERVIEW:

Israel’s backslidden condition; Isaiah’s exhortation for repentance; the coming of Christ’s kingdom; Jerusalem’s glorious future; God’s judgment upon sinners; Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Israel’s spiritual condition in chapter one is a familiar inIsrael’s history.  Once again, they have allowed themselves to spiral downward into apostasy.  Isaiah uses seven different terms in verse 4 to describe their backslidden state: 1) sinful; 2) laden with iniquity; 3) evildoers; 4) corrupters; 5) forsaken the Lord; 6) provoked the Holy One; 7) gone away backward.  The pitiful thing about it is that though those terms were descriptive of their true spiritual condition, it did not stop them from going through the motions of all kinds of activity that made them think they were doing okay spiritually.  They continued all of their religious observances – the feasts, sacrifices, new moons and sabbaths long after they had any meaning in their hearts or bearing on their lives.  God says toIsraelthrough Isaiah, “I’m sick of all of your religiousness!  Don’t bring me any more of your vain oblations!  I can’t stand it!  You’re wearing me out will all of this stuff you’re doing!  I’m going to close my eyes so I don’t have to see any more of your hypocrisies!  When you lift up your hands in prayer, all I see is all of the sinful things you’ve been doing with them!  Spare Me!”

 

It is quite interesting how much this passage in Isaiah 1 mirrors the letter our Lord wrote to the Laodiceans in Rev. 3:14-22, describing the spiritual condition of His church in our day.  God’s people come to church in Laodicea looking the part, they participate faithfully in the offering, they stand and sing the songs, they take copious notes, they nod their head in all of the right places, and yet their heart is not in it, and somehow all of these things they do on Sundays has little, if any, bearing on what will take place in their lives Monday through Saturday!

 

God’s answer in Isaiah’s day, just as it is now, is “Get your heart right!  And then, get your heart into it!”  “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it” (Isa.1:16-20).  The parallel passages in the New Testament are numerous: II Cor. 6:14-18; II Cor. 7:1;

 

Notice a key phrase in Isaiah 1:19; “If ye be willing AND obedient.”  Perhaps the key word in this phrase is the word “AND.”  Laodicean churches are filled with “WILLING” people.  They’re willing to serve in a children’s class; they’re WILLING to be involved as a cleaning servant of the facilities; they’re WILLING to offer the Lord a gift of love upon the first day of the week; they’re WILLING to do any number of things!  The only problem is, they just seldom DO! Willing? Yes!  Obedient? No!

 

On the other hand, Laodicea is filled with “OBEDIENT” people.  They would never think about not obeying Hebrews 10:25 by missing a service; they would never not obey I Cor. 16:2 by not participating in the offering; they would never miss filling out a study sheet during the message on Sunday morning; they would never not DO a lot of things!  The only problem is, their obedience is strictly a matter of duty.  It is ritualistic, legalistic, hypocritical, and the result of self-disciplining and suppressing their real desires, and “cranking out” spiritual-looking activity, rather than the joyous, passionate, heart-felt, Spirit-led response of a WILLING heart.  May we surrender ourselves to be “WILLING AND OBEDIENT”!

 

As we start down the path of the “Prophets,” I would challenge you to underline every specific reference to “the day of the Lord” (the Tribulation/Second Coming of Christ/the Millennium).  I’ll list the ones I see each day, but it’ll be a whole lot more fun if you underline them as you find them yourself first.  By doing this, you’ll understand in a whole new way why we say that “the day of the Lord” is the theme of the Bible!

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

            2:2        – “And it shall come to pass in the last days”

            2:11      – “in that day”

            2:12      –“For the day of the Lord”

            2:17      – “in that day”

            2:19      – “when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth”

            2:20      – “in that day”

            2:21      – “when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth”

            3:7        – “in that day”

            3:18      – “in that day”

            4:1        –“in that day”

            4:2        – “in that day”

            5:30      –“in that day”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE WHO WILL JUDGE THE NATIONS – Isa. 2:2-4 (The Lord Jesus Christ… shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing – II Tim. 4:1).

As the BRANCH OF THE LORD, BEAUTIFUL AND GLORIOUS – Isa. 4:2  (Zech. 3:8;6:12; Jer. 23:5; 33:15; Isa. 11:1).

TODAY’S READING: SONG OF SOLOMON 1-8

 

OVERVIEW:

The song of all songs that describes the love between a man and a woman; this is one of 1005 songs written by Solomon (I Kings4:32).     

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

This is a love story that involves three main characters: a lovely maiden, who was forced to work by her selfish family (1:5-6, 2:15); her beloved, a man who had won her heart, who also happened to be a shepherd (1:7); and King Solomon, who is known for his attraction to beautiful women (I Kings 11:3).

 

While on one of his trips to survey his lands, Solomon meets this lovely maiden and takes her to his palace.  There she can think only of her beloved back home (see chapters 1 & 2).  She tells the other women (the “daughters ofJerusalem” – 2:7, 3:5, 8:4) not to try to persuade her to forsake her true love.  In 2:8-3:5 she even dreams about her beloved!  Solomon visits her to try to win her love but it is to no avail, because she cannot forget about her true love back home (3:6-4:16).  Her beloved then has a dream about her (5:1-6:3).  Once again, King Solomon tries to win her love, but just as before, she refuses (6:4-7:9).  She is not impressed with the King’s wealth, spices, lands, or flattery.  Finally, true love wins out and the maiden is set free.  She flees to her beloved and is restored to her family again (8:4-14).

 

In this story, Solomon is a picture or type of the world that tries anything and everything to lure the believer away from the beloved Shepherd!  We, as believers are the bride of Christ and should not allow anything in this world come between us and the love we have for our Savior!  We are commanded by God to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark12:30), and to not love this world at all (James 4:4; I John2:15)!  Let’s remember daily, the love that our beloved Savior showed us, so we can return that same love to Him.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As THE SHEPHERD – Song of Solomon 1:7. (Jesus is the Shepherd of our souls – I Peter 2:25).

As THE BELOVED – Song of Solomon 1:14, 2:8, and 8:5; see Matthew3:17and12:18.

 

 

TODAY’S READING: ECCLESIASTES 7-12

 

OVERVIEW:

The vanity of wisdom apart from God (chapter 7); the vanity of hoping in government (chapter 8); the vanity of life’s unfairness (chapter 9); the vanity of foolish living (chapter 10); the vanity of selfish living (chapter 11); the vanity of forgetting God (chapter 12); and Solomon’s conclusion of the whole matter.              

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

While we are commanded by God to incline our ears unto wisdom (Prov. 2:2), we will be without fulfillment if it is done apart from God.  You can’t pursue wisdom (Eccl.7:23).  You have to pursue God, and by pursuing God you get wisdom!

 

Chapter 8 deals with the vanity of hoping in government or politics to make everlasting change.  As believers, if we are going to change the world, it will be done by changing one heart at a time with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The laws of government or the policies of politicians can only change behavior.  God is into changing hearts and lives forever.  Read Psalm 19 to remind you of the power of God and His Word.  No law on earth is perfect, but God’s Law is just that…perfect (Psalm 19:7).  No judgment on earth is true and righteous altogether, but God’s judgments are (Psalm 19:9).  Place your hope in God and the gospel, not the government!

 

Some interesting observations from chapter 8:

 

1. Verse 4 states that “Where the word of a king is, there is power.”  Is it mere coincidence that God’s Word for English speaking people is preserved for us in what is commonly called the KING James version?  It is one powerful Book!

 

2. Verse 11 states that “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil”.  This verse is a perfect explanation as to why the death penalty here inAmericais not the effective deterrent to crime that it should be (the average wait on death row is over 10 years!).  The more practical application to this verse though for a believer would have to do with training our children.  Have you found yourself as a father or mother telling your kids to do or not to do something more than once before the command is obeyed?  The Bible is clear as to what we as parents should be doing to train our children before we get to the point of frustration and anger because of their disobedience.  Parents to need to be consistent and biblical in their discipline of their children so that their hearts are not “fully set in them to do evil”.           

 

Chapter 12 is a description of old age and the dying process:

            Verse 1 – old age is a burden

            Verse 2 – one health crisis after another

            Verse 3a – you start to shake

            Verse 3b – the bowing of the back

            Verse 3c – your teeth are few

            Verse 3d – eyesight is dimmed

            Verse 4a – hearing is fading

            Verse 4b – anything wakes you up

            Verse 4c – voice is weakened

            Verse 5a – difficult walking up steps

            Verse 5b – everything causes fear

            Verse 5c – no drive for life/sex

            Verse 7 – then you die and your spirit returns to God who gave it.

 

In light of all he experienced under the sun, Solomon concludes that it all comes down to this…”fear God and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As THE POOR WISE MAN – Eccl. 9:14-16; II Corinthians 8:9 tells us that Jesus Christ became poor to be able to deliver us.

As THE CREATOR – Eccl. 12:1; see John 1:1-3,14. 

 

TODAY’S READING: ECCLESIASTES 1-6

 

OVERVIEW:

The vanity or emptiness of life under the sun (apart from God); the vanity in life’s cycles (chapter 1); the vanity in life’s pursuit (chapter 2); the vanity of time (chapter 3); the vanity of social status (chapter 4); the vanity of religion and riches (chapter 5); the vanity of long life (chapter 6).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

To help fit the Book of Ecclesiastes into the big picture, understand that whereas the Book of Psalms reveals the HEART of GOD, and the Book of Proverbs reveals the MIND of CHRIST, the Book of Ecclesiastes reveals to us the MIND of the SPIRIT.  It is a Book that shows the great contrast between the workings of the spirit of man and the Spirit of God.

 

Ecclesiastes is written by King Solomon, the son of King David, in his old age after a life full of selfish living and many regrets.  He writes this book under the inspiration of the Spirit to spare us the bitterness of learning through experience that nothing under the sun really satisfies the human heart apart from God.  This small book in the Old Testament gives us undeniable evidence of our need for a Savior in order to provide us a purpose for living on earth.  Without Jesus Christ, and the mission for which he left us to accomplish, we also would be living empty lives without any meaning, as Solomon so eloquently describes for us in this book.

 

Jeremiah 2:13 says, “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.”  From this verse we learn three things about people in general:

1. They are empty (they have no God),
2. They are stubborn (determined to be filled with something), and
3. They will ultimately be disappointed (because they cannot be filled). 

 

Ecclesiastes is a book written about things that will not satisfy that men still continually seek after (see John 4:13): wisdom (1:16-18), pleasure (2:1-3), superiority (2:15), hard work/labor (2:19-21), alcohol (2:3), possessions (2:4-6), power (2:7), money (2:8-9, 5:10-11), and music (2:8), just to name a few.  Thankfully, Jesus came to meet our every need and to give us an eternal purpose for our lives here on earth.  I Corinthians15:58says… “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”  Solomon was correct in concluding that all is vanity under the sun, but our labor is not in vain in the Lord!

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As THE SON OF DAVID – Eccl. 1:1.  (Matt. 1:1— Jesus Christ is the Son of David)

 

TODAY’S READING: PROVERBS 29-31

 

OVERVIEW:

More warnings and instructions; the words of Agur; the words that Lemuel’s mother taught him.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Because of the vast number of subject changes in each day’s reading in the Book of Proverbs this has been perhaps the most difficult of all of the Books we have read thus far in our365 Days of Pursuitto adequately formulate the “Highlights and Insights” Section.  As has been mentioned repeatedly, it is a Book that merits continual reading, study, and memorization.

 

Whereas the Book of Psalms presents the HEART of GOD, the Book of Proverbs presents the MIND of GOD, or perhaps more specifically, the MIND of CHRIST (I Cor. 2:16).  It is the most intricate Book in the entire Bible to show us how God thinks, or to show us “the mind of the Lord” (I Cor.2:16).  It basically reveals to us God’s viewpoint and opinion on every issue of life.  If, as God’s people, we would simply make God’s opinion as it is revealed in the Book of Proverbs, our opinion, and if we would adopt God’s viewpoint as it is revealed in the Book of Proverbs, as our viewpoint, not only would it SIMPLIFY our lives, it would REVOLUTIONIZE our lives!

 

Whereas the Book of Leviticus is an intricate Book detailing God’s instruction concerning the PHYSICAL aspects ofIsrael’s life, I like to view the Book of Proverbs as an intricate Book detailing God’s instruction concerning the SPIRITUAL aspects of a believer’s life.  Any squabble or conflict we face in life, whether it be relational or financial, whether it be in our home, church, workplace or neighborhood, it can invariably be traced back to a violation of something God specifically revealed in this Book.  The Book of Proverbs is that comprehensive and that practical!

 

If we would simply allow this Book to be our wise Counselor for living life, by the time we apply God’s wisdom as it is revealed in the first 30 chapters, we would be the “Virtuous Woman” of chapter 31. (Remember, as Christians, we are identified biblically as women.  We are a bride – Rev. 21:9.  We are a virgin – II Cor. 11:2).  The question of Proverbs 31:10 is a good one:  “Who can find a virtuous woman?”  The answer in the Laodicean Church Period is, NOT MANY!  She is hard to find.  She is extremely rare.  She is almost extinct.  Are you a “virtuous woman”?

 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As THE ONE WHO DESCENDED FROM AND ASCENDED TO HEAVEN – Prov. 30:4 (John3:13– Jesus came down from heaven, even the Son of Man Who is (now) in heaven.)

 

TODAY’S READING: PROVERBS 25-28

 

OVERVIEW:

Similitudes and instructions; warnings and instructions.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

This is the third and final section of the Book of Proverbs (chapters 25-31), as we saw that God neatly “divides” (II Tim.2:15) into three sections for us by the three times He inspired Solomon to pen the words, “The proverbs of Solomon.” The first three chapters in today’s reading (chapters 25-27) are different in structure than we have seen thus far. They are different in that they are in groups of verses on the same topic, often referred to as epigrams (a brief, clever, pointed remark or observation typically marked by an antithesis). The last chapter in today’s reading (chapter 28) goes back to the comparative, completive, or contrastive couplets proverbs. (There will be 55 in all in this section through chapter 29.)

 

The first part of chapter 25 refers to kings.

1. Kings like to “search out a matter.” (vs. 2)
2. A king’s heart is “unsearchable.” (vs. 3)
3. Kings’ thrones are established by righteousness. (vs. 5)
4. Kings reject people who praise themselves. (vs. 6)
5. Kings have no patience with pushy people. (vs. 7)

 

The second part of chapter 25 is sort of a “hobo stew” mix of information concerning communication, relationships, and attitudes (attitudes such as pride, strife, impatience, argumentation, generosity, and backbiting).

 

In chapter 26:3-12, Solomon gives us a discourse concerning fools.

1. The fool requires the rod of correction. (vs. 1-3)
2. The “committed” fool will conform you to himself if you converse with him, so don’t! (vs. 4)
3. The “simple” fool can be turned from becoming like the “committed” fool, so, answer his questions. Give him wise counsel. (vs. 5)
4. The fool is unable to express a proverb clearly. (vs. 7)
5. The fool, given honor, is dangerous to himself and others. (vs. 8)
6. The parable in a fool’s mouth is as a wound (i.e. he’ll hurt you with it). (vs. 9)
7.  Any reward a fool receives comes from the God of all creation. (vs. 10)
8. The fool always returns to his folly. (vs. 11)
9. There is more hope for a fool, than for a self-proclaimed wise man. (vs. 12)

 

In the next four verses, 26:13-16, Solomon gives us a discourse concerning sluggards.

1. The sluggard gives exaggerated reasons for not leaving the house. (vs. 13)
2. The sluggard has restless sleep. (vs. 14)
3. The sluggard doesn’t even like to exert the energy to feed himself. (vs. 15)
4. The sluggard is very skilled in creating ways to avoid work. (vs. 16)

 

The final two chapters in today’s reading (chapter 27-28) should be read in a way that allows one to ponder the powerful truth in each verse. In so doing it will almost record itself in our memory with little effort. Consider these examples…

• “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips” (27:2).
• “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied” (27:20).
• “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds” (27:20).
• “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” (28:9)
• “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (28:13).

 

Allow these and other verses to become your meditation; they will be the promptings our Lord will use to lead you in the way today.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE WHO REWARDS THOSE WHO REPAY EVIL WITH GOOD – Prov. 25:21-22. (If your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink. Rom.12:20)

 

TODAY’S READING: PROVERBS 21-24

 

OVERVIEW:

Warnings and instructions about life.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

In the “Introduction to Proverbs,” we talked about the inspirational/devotional application of the kings’ instruction to his son (1:1) in the Book of Proverbs lining up with the years of his life. In light of that, it is interesting to note the instruction and warnings that are given in chapters 21-24. During these “years,” so to speak:

• His heart is to be “in the hand of the Lord: (21:1).
• He is cautioned about women.

“It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house” (21:9).

“It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman” (21:19).

• He is warned about how wealth is vanity and easily lost, and that having a “good name” (possessing character and integrity), makes you more “wealthy” than riches. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all” (22:1-2). “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” (23:5)
• He is admonished to learn the value of humility, and the fear of the Lord. (The two go hand in hand.  The only way to really see yourself for who you really are is to see the Lord for who He really is!)  “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life” (22:4). (I love Andrew Murray’s definition of humility: “Humility is not thinking meanly of ourselves; it is not thinking of ourselves at all.” Until we “fear the Lord,” we will continue to be preoccupied with thoughts about self.)
• He is instructed about training his children. “Train up a child in the way he should go: when he is old, he will not depart from it” (22:6). “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (22:15). “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell” (23:13-14).
• He is cautioned about his finances, and the dangers associated with debt. “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Prov. 22:7). “Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?” (Prov. 22:26-27). “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men” (22:29). “Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom” (23:4).
• He is warned about the friends he makes and the company he keeps. “Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease” (22:10). “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go. Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul” (22:24-25).
• He is warned about losing sight of his roots. “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set” (22:28). “Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless” (23:10).
• He is cautioned about being envious. “Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long” (23:17). “Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studieth destruction and their lips talk of mischief” (24:1-2).

 

 

• He is admonished concerning alcohol. “Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags” (23:19-21). “Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright” (23:29-31).
• He is instructed about how to have a home that is built by the Lord and filled with satisfaction. “Through wisdom is a house built; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches (i.e. the things money can’t buy)” (24:3-4).
• He is encouraged to seek wise counsel from more than one person when making important decisions. “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counselors there is safety” (24:6).
• He is admonished to learn how to work hard. “I went by the field of the slothful and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man” (24:30- 34).

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED

As HE THAT IS PURE, WHOSE WORK IS RIGHT – Prov. 21:86 (John 4:34; 17:4).