4/2/12

Reach out!!!

Interesting adaptation of the famous painting!!!  All you have to do is to REACH OUT and then you are close to God!!!  But, Why?  The answer is simple; because God loves you and wants the very best for you, that's why!!!  Listen to what God says in the book of Jeremiah...

WEB: Jeremiah Chapter 29

[11] For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future. [12] You shall call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. [13] You shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.

Unlike the pantheon of ancient Greek or Roman gods, The God of Heaven is not capricious or wavering in his desire towards each one of us.  All He really wants is fellowship with his creation, but without sin.  We all have a choice each day as to whether or not to accept his invitation and hopefully we will make the correct one.  I wonder what we will do??? Its like the lady in the picture above; we know that she is reaching out, but the question is:  Which button will she push when she is in the elevator.... the UP or the Down????

Apr. 2 Leviticus 21, 22


Apr. 2
Leviticus 21, 22

Lev 21:1 Yahweh said to Moses, "Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, 'A priest shall not defile himself for the dead among his people;
Lev 21:2 except for his relatives that are near to him: for his mother, for his father, for his son, for his daughter, for his brother,
Lev 21:3 and for his virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband; for her he may defile himself.
Lev 21:4 He shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.
Lev 21:5 " 'They shall not shave their heads, neither shall they shave off the corners of their beards, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.
Lev 21:6 They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God; for they offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire, the bread of their God; therefore they shall be holy.
Lev 21:7 " 'They shall not marry a woman who is a prostitute, or profane; neither shall they marry a woman divorced from her husband: for he is holy to his God.
Lev 21:8 You shall sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread of your God: he shall be holy to you: for I Yahweh, who sanctify you, am holy.
Lev 21:9 " 'The daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the prostitute, she profanes her father: she shall be burned with fire.
Lev 21:10 " 'He who is the high priest among his brothers, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head hang loose, nor tear his clothes;
Lev 21:11 neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;
Lev 21:12 neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him. I am Yahweh.
Lev 21:13 " 'He shall take a wife in her virginity.
Lev 21:14 A widow, or one divorced, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute, these he shall not marry: but a virgin of his own people shall he take as a wife.
Lev 21:15 He shall not profane his seed among his people: for I am Yahweh who sanctifies him.' "
Lev 21:16 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Lev 21:17 "Say to Aaron, 'None of your seed throughout their generations who has a blemish, may approach to offer the bread of his God.
Lev 21:18 For whatever man he is that has a blemish, he shall not draw near: a blind man, or a lame, or he who has a flat nose, or any deformity,
Lev 21:19 or a man who has an injured foot, or an injured hand,
Lev 21:20 or hunchbacked, or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye, or an itching disease, or scabs, or who has damaged testicles;
Lev 21:21 no man of the seed of Aaron the priest, who has a blemish, shall come near to offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire. Since has a blemish, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.
Lev 21:22 He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy.
Lev 21:23 He shall not come near to the veil, nor come near to the altar, because he has a blemish; that he may not profane my sanctuaries, for I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.' "
Lev 21:24 So Moses spoke to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel.
Lev 22:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Lev 22:2 "Tell Aaron and his sons to separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, which they make holy to me, and that they not profane my holy name. I am Yahweh.
Lev 22:3 "Tell them, 'If anyone of all your seed throughout your generations approaches the holy things, which the children of Israel make holy to Yahweh, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from before me. I am Yahweh.
Lev 22:4 " 'Whoever of the seed of Aaron is a leper or has an issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he is clean. Whoever touches anything that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goes from him;
Lev 22:5 or whoever touches any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatever uncleanness he has;
Lev 22:6 the person that touches any such shall be unclean until the evening, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he bathe his body in water.
Lev 22:7 When the sun is down, he shall be clean; and afterward he shall eat of the holy things, because it is his bread.
Lev 22:8 That which dies of itself, or is torn by animals, he shall not eat, defiling himself by it. I am Yahweh.
Lev 22:9 " 'They shall therefore follow my requirements, lest they bear sin for it, and die therein, if they profane it. I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.
Lev 22:10 " 'No stranger shall eat of the holy thing: a foreigner living with the priests, or a hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing.
Lev 22:11 But if a priest buys a slave, purchased by his money, he shall eat of it; and such as are born in his house, they shall eat of his bread.
Lev 22:12 If a priest's daughter is married to an outsider, she shall not eat of the heave offering of the holy things.
Lev 22:13 But if a priest's daughter is a widow, or divorced, and has no child, and has returned to her father's house, as in her youth, she may eat of her father's bread: but no stranger shall eat any of it.
Lev 22:14 " 'If a man eats something holy unwittingly, then he shall add the fifth part of its value to it, and shall give the holy thing to the priest.
Lev 22:15 The priests shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer to Yahweh,
Lev 22:16 and so cause them to bear the iniquity that brings guilt, when they eat their holy things: for I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.' "
Lev 22:17 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Lev 22:18 "Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, 'Whoever is of the house of Israel, or of the foreigners in Israel, who offers his offering, whether it be any of their vows, or any of their freewill offerings, which they offer to Yahweh for a burnt offering;
Lev 22:19 that you may be accepted, you shall offer a male without blemish, of the bulls, of the sheep, or of the goats.
Lev 22:20 But whatever has a blemish, that you shall not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.
Lev 22:21 Whoever offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh to accomplish a vow, or for a freewill offering, of the herd or of the flock, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.
Lev 22:22 Blind, injured, maimed, having a wart, festering, or having a running sore, you shall not offer these to Yahweh, nor make an offering by fire of them on the altar to Yahweh.
Lev 22:23 Either a bull or a lamb that has any deformity or lacking in his parts, that you may offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.
Lev 22:24 That which has its testicles bruised, crushed, broken, or cut, you shall not offer to Yahweh; neither shall you do thus in your land.
Lev 22:25 Neither shall you offer the bread of your God from the hand of a foreigner of any of these; because their corruption is in them. There is a blemish in them. They shall not be accepted for you.' "
Lev 22:26 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Lev 22:27 "When a bull, or a sheep, or a goat, is born, then it shall remain seven days with its mother; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for the offering of an offering made by fire to Yahweh.
Lev 22:28 Whether it is a cow or ewe, you shall not kill it and its young both in one day.
Lev 22:29 "When you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to Yahweh, you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted.
Lev 22:30 It shall be eaten on the same day; you shall leave none of it until the morning. I am Yahweh.
Lev 22:31 "Therefore you shall keep my commandments, and do them. I am Yahweh.
Lev 22:32 You shall not profane my holy name, but I will be made holy among the children of Israel. I am Yahweh who makes you holy,
Lev 22:33 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. I am Yahweh."

Apr. 2, 3 Luke 3


Apr. 2, 3
Luke 3

Luk 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
Luk 3:2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.
Luk 3:3 He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins.
Luk 3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.
Luk 3:5 Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight, and the rough ways smooth.
Luk 3:6 All flesh will see God's salvation.' "
Luk 3:7 He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Luk 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and don't begin to say among yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father;' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones!
Luk 3:9 Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire."
Luk 3:10 The multitudes asked him, "What then must we do?"
Luk 3:11 He answered them, "He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise."
Luk 3:12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?"
Luk 3:13 He said to them, "Collect no more than that which is appointed to you."
Luk 3:14 Soldiers also asked him, saying, "What about us? What must we do?" He said to them, "Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages."
Luk 3:15 As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,
Luk 3:16 John answered them all, "I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the latchet of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire,
Luk 3:17 whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and will gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
Luk 3:18 Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people,
Luk 3:19 but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,
Luk 3:20 added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.
Luk 3:21 Now it happened, when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened,
Luk 3:22 and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying "You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased."
Luk 3:23 Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,
Luk 3:24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,
Luk 3:25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,
Luk 3:26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,
Luk 3:27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri,
Luk 3:28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er,
Luk 3:29 the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,
Luk 3:30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim,
Luk 3:31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David,
Luk 3:32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon,
Luk 3:33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Aram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
Luk 3:34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
Luk 3:35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,
Luk 3:36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
Luk 3:37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,
Luk 3:38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

"THE BOOK OF ISAIAH" The One True God Versus Idols (40-48) by Mark Copeland

 "THE BOOK OF ISAIAH"

                 The One True God Versus Idols (40-48)

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS SECTION

1) To see how God used Isaiah to comfort to a generation of Israel long
   after his own death

2) To consider the challenge made to the nations of men and their idols
   proves the existence and identity of the One True God

3) To note the prophetic references that were fulfilled with the coming
   of Jesus Christ

SUMMARY

We now begin a new section that continues through the rest of the book
of Isaiah.  Chapters 40-66  contain prophecies and proclamations that
were designed to comfort God's people when they found themselves in
Babylonian captivity.  Though Isaiah himself did not live during the
period of Babylonian captivity, as a prophet he was able to speak words
of comfort to those who would experience that difficult time of Israel's
history.  In chapters 40-48, a recurring theme is the challenge that the
God of Israel makes to idols and those who worship them:  to prove their
existence by proclaiming what shall happen and then bring it to pass.

Chapter 40 serves as a prologue offering comfort and assurance, not only
in view of the coming deliverance (ultimately fulfilled with the coming
of Christ, 40:3-5), but in light of the incomparable greatness of God,
who supports and strengthens all who place their trust in Him.

In chapter 41, God's greatness is illustrated by His challenge to the
nations.  He challenges those who trust in idols to do as He did in
announcing His plans and bringing them to pass.  He also challenges
Israel to not fear, for He will not forsake them.  Chapters 42-43
describe God's care for Israel, especially through His coming Servant
(Christ, 42:1-4), and His superiority over the nations including
Babylon.  Chapters 44-45 reassure the people of Israel as God's chosen,
as the Lord promises to deliver them through Cyrus of Persia.  Such
deliverance will cause many others to turn to God.

Chapters 46-48 reveal God's coming judgment on Babylon and His plans for
Israel.  The idols of Babylon are nothing, and certainly unable to do as
God has done in announcing His plans beforehand and then bringing them
to pass.  God's judgment will humiliate Babylon, and then He will redeem
Israel, having refined her for His glory.

These chapters (40-48) contain one of most powerful arguments for the
existence of God.  Through prophecies uttered by His servants hundreds
of years before they are fulfilled, we find evidence that God exists,
and that He is the God of Israel!

OUTLINE

I. PROLOGUE OFFERING COMFORT AND ASSURANCE (40:1-31)

   A. TAKE COMFORT IN THE COMING OF THE LORD...
      1. A charge to comfort God's people - 40:1-2
      2. The voice of one preparing people for the coming of the Lord
         - 40:3-8
      3. Zion (Jerusalem) to announce the coming of the Lord God
         - 40:9-11

   B. THE INCOMPARABLE GREATNESS OF GOD...
      1. He is beyond human measure and counsel - 40:12-14
      2. Before Him the nations are nothing - 40:15-17
      3. Men try to make images in His likeness - 40:18-20
      4. God is too great, for no likeness can be equal to Him
         - 40:21-26
      5. Lack of trust in God rebuked, for He provides strength to the
         weary - 40:27-31

II. THE LORD'S CHALLENGE (41:1-29)

   A. CHALLENGING THE NATIONS...
      1. It is He Who raised up one from the east (Cyrus of Persia?)
         - 41:1-4
      2. While the nations seek comfort in their idols - 41:5-7

   B. CHALLENGING ISRAEL...
      1. To fear not, for as God's servant He will help them - 41:8-13
      2. To fear not, for He will not forsake them - 41:14-20

   C. CHALLENGING THOSE WHO SERVE IDOLS...
      1. To prove their case by declaring what will come and bringing it
         to pass - 41:21-24
      2. Even as He has raised up one from the north (Cyrus of Persia?)
         - 41:25
      3. Who among idolatrous men has declared things from the
         beginning? - 41:26-29

III. THE LORD'S CARE FOR ISRAEL (42:1-43:28)

   A. THROUGH HIS SERVANT...
      1. His Elect One (the Messiah?), through Whom He will bring
         justice to the Gentiles - 42:1-9
      2. Let all praise the Lord and give Him glory - 42:10-12

   B. THROUGH HIS REDEMPTION...
      1. While those who trust in idols will be turned back - 42:13-17
      2. Though Israel has been slow to learn - 42:18-25
      3. For He has ransomed Israel - 43:1-7

   C. THROUGH HIS SUPERIORITY...
      1. Over the nations, challenged to declare and deliver as He has
         done - 43:8-13
      2. Over Babylon, which He has purposed to destroy - 43:14-17
      3. Doing a new thing, making a road in the wilderness and rivers
         in the desert - 43:18-21

   D. THROUGH HIS PLEADING...
      1. To Israel, for her unfaithfulness to Him - 43:22-24
      2. Whom He will forgive, though her sins had led to her reproach
         - 43:25-28

IV. THE LORD'S DELIVERANCE OF ISRAEL (44:1-45:25)

   A. ISRAEL SHOULD NOT FEAR...
      1. For Israel is God's Chosen, and He will pour His Spirit on
         their descendants - 44:1-5
      2. The Lord, their King and Redeemer, is the only true God
         - 44:6-28
         a. Only He can declare events that are to come - 44:6-8
         b. Idols are made by men who are blind and foolish - 44:9-20
         c. The Lord has redeemed and will restore Israel through Cyrus
            - 44:21-28

   B. THE LORD PROMISES TO DELIVER ISRAEL...
      1. He, the only True God, has anointed Cyrus to be their deliverer
         - 45:1-13
      2. Israel's deliverance will cause many to turn to God - 45:14-25
         a. The effect of Israel's redemption upon the Gentiles - 45:
            14-17
         b. The Creator calls upon all, especially Israel, to come to
            Him - 45:18-25

V. THE LORD'S JUDGMENT ON BABYLON (46:1-47:15)

   A. THE LORD OF ISRAEL VERSUS THE GODS OF BABYLON...
      1. Babylon must carry their gods - 46:1-2
      2. Israel is upheld by the Lord - 46:3-4
      3. The idols made by men cannot answer nor do they save - 46:5-7
      4. The Lord declares the end from the beginning, and brings His
         salvation to pass - 46:8-13

   B. THE LORD'S JUDGMENT PRONOUNCED ON BABYLON...
      1. The Lord will humiliate Babylon - 47:1-7
         a. Upon her He will take vengeance - 47:1-3
         b. For she showed no mercy when He used her to judge His people
            - 47:4-7
      2. Babylon will not escape her judgment - 47:8-15
         a. Because of the arrogance of her sorceries, wickedness, and
            knowledge - 47:8-11
         b. Her sorceries and counselors will be unable to save her
            - 47:12-15

VI. THE LORD'S REDEMPTION OF ISRAEL (48:1-22)

   A. ISRAEL WILL BE REFINED FOR GOD'S GLORY...
      1. Israel has not leaned on the Lord in truth and righteousness
         - 48:1-2
      2. To cure their hardness and idolatry, God told them in advance
         what He would do - 48:3-8
      3. For His Name's sake He will not cut Israel off, but refine her
         - 48:9-11

   B. ISRAEL WILL BE REDEEMED AS GOD FORETOLD...
      1. Israel called to heed, as God will do His pleasure on Babylon
         - 48:12-15
      2. God had not spoken in secret; if only Israel had heeded!
         - 48:16-19
      3. Even so, Israel will go forth from Babylon, redeemed by the
         Lord! - 48:20-22

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THIS SECTION

1) What is suggested in the Introduction as the theme of Isaiah chapters
   40-66?
   - Hope For Troubled Times

2) According to the Introduction, what period of Israel's history do
   chapters 40-66 relate to?
   - The Babylonian captivity (ca. 690-620 B.C.)

3) How was Isaiah able to speak such words of comfort to people who
   lived after he died?
   - Through inspiration by the Holy Spirit

4) What is suggested in this study as the theme of Isaiah chapters
   40-48?
   - The One True God Versus Idols

5) What are the six main divisions of this section as outlined above?
   - Prologue Offering Comfort And Assurance (40)
   - The Lord's Challenge (41)
   - The Lord's Care For Israel (42-43)
   - The Lord's Deliverance Of Israel (44-45)
   - The Lord's Judgment On Babylon (46-47)
   - The Lord's Redemption Of Israel (48)

6) In what would Israel be able to take comfort? (40:1-9)
   - Her sins will be forgiven and warfare ended
   - The Lord is coming and His glory will be revealed

7) What two qualities are noted regarding the Lord when He comes? (40:
   10-11)
   - He will rule with judgment
   - He will care for His flock

8) How does Isaiah describe the incomparable greatness of God? (40:
   12-17)
   - He is beyond human measure and counsel
   - Before Him the nations are as nothing

9) Why was it folly to make images in His likeness? (40:18-26)
   - God is too great in His judgment and creative power

10) Why is lack of trust in God rebuked? (40:27-31)
   - Because He who neither faints nor is weary provides strength to the
     weary

11) What claim did God make in challenging the nations?  Who was He
    talking about? (41:1-4)
   - He raised one from the east to rule the nations
   - Cyrus of Persia

12) How would the nations try to find comfort? (41:5-7)
   - By encouraging one another with their idols

13) Why should Israel not fear? (41:8-20)
   - As their Redeemer, He will help them
   - As their God, He will not forsake them

14) What challenge does God make to those who serve idols? (41:21-24)
   - To declare what will come, and bring it to pass

15) Who was able to declare from the beginning what would happen? (41:
    25-29)
   - Other than God, no one

16) How does the Lord show His care for Israel? (42:1)
   - By foretelling the coming of His Servant (Jesus)

17) Who else would the Servant bless? (42:1,6)
   - The Gentiles

18) How did Jesus fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah 42:2-3?
   - Through the nature of His earthly ministry (cf. Mt 12:15-21)

19) What does God say about His glory? What does this say about Jesus?
    (42:8; cf. Jn 17:5)
   - My glory I will not give to another
   - Jesus must have been Deity to pray as He did

20) What response is called for by those among the nations? (42:10-13)
   - Let them sing to Lord, give Him glory and declare His praise

21) What does the Lord promise to do for those who were spiritually
    blind and deaf? (42:14-16
   - After judgment, restoration

22) For those who trust in idols, what will happen? (42:17)
   - They shall be turned back and greatly ashamed

23) Why had Israel as God's servant been robbed and plundered? (42:
    18-25)
   - Their spiritual deafness and blindness necessitated God's judgment

24) What did God promise to do for Israel following her judgment? (43:
    1-7)
   - To redeem and gather her from the nations where she had been
     scattered

25) What challenge to the nations is once against extended? (43:8-9)
   - To declare what is to come, to present witnesses of such ability

26) Who were God's witnesses of His ability to deliver what He has
    declared? (43:10-13)
   - The Israelites

27) What did God promise regarding Babylon? (43:14-17)
   - To make her people fugitives and destroy her army

28) While Israel had been unfaithful, what did God promise? (43:22-28)
   - To blot out her transgressions, though her sins will bring reproach
     upon her

29) Why is Israel, God's Chosen, told not to fear? (44:1-3)
   - For God will pour His Spirit and His blessing on their descendants

30) What evidence proves that the Lord, the King of Israel, is the only
    true God? (44:6-8)
   - Only He can appoint and proclaim things to come

31) What is said of those who make idols? (44:18-20)
   - They are foolish, their eyes and hearts shut by God

32) Through whom does God promise to restore Jerusalem and the temple?
    (44:28)
   - Cyrus (cf. 2Ch 36:22-23)

33) Through whom does God promise to deliver Israel from exile? (45:
    1,13)
   - Cyrus (cf. Ezr 1:1-11)

34) What effect will Israel's deliverance have among the Gentiles? (45:
    14-17)
   - It will cause many to turn to the God of Israel

35) Whom does God call to come to Him and be saved? (45:22-23)
   - All the ends of the earth

36) In whom shall the descendants of Israel be justified? (45:25)
   - In the Lord

37) What two things illustrated the weakness of the gods of Babylon?
    (46:1-2)
   - They had to be carried on beasts; they could not prevent their own
     captivity

38) Who had upheld Israel from birth to old age? (46:3-4)
   - The Lord

39) What were idols made out of gold or silver unable to do? (46:5-7)
   - Answer man's cries, nor save him out of his trouble

40) What distinguished the Lord God from all other gods? (46:8-11)
   - Declaring the end from the beginning, and fulfilling what He
     purposed

41) What did the Lord promise to Israel? (46:12-13)
   - To place His salvation and glory in Zion

42) What did the Lord promise to do to Babylon? (47:1-3)
   - To take vengeance on her, humiliating her

43) Why was God angry with Babylon? (47:4-7)
   - For showing no mercy when He used her to judge His people

44) Why would Babylon not escape her judgment? (47:8-11)
   - Because of the arrogance of her sorceries, wickedness, and
     knowledge

45) What would be unable to save Babylon? (47:12-15)
   - Her sorceries and counselors

46) How had Israel failed in their leaning on the Lord? (48:1-2)
   - By not doing so in truth and righteousness

47) How would God cure their hardness and idolatry? (48:3-8)
   - By telling them in advance would He would do

48) Why would God not totally cut Israel off, but instead refine her?
    (48:9-11)
   - For His own Name's sake

49) As Israel is called to pay heed, what did God promise to do? (48:
    12-15)
   - To do His pleasure on Babylon, with His arm against the Chaldeans

50) What passage strongly implies three distinct personalities in the
    Godhead?
   - Isa 48:16 ("the Lord God and His Spirit have sent Me")

51) What plaintive cry by God is made? (48:17-19)
   - If only Israel had heeded, for God had not spoken in secret

52) Despite His judgment on Israel, what wonderful assurance was given
    by God? (48:20-21)
   - Israel would go forth from Babylon, redeemed by the Lord!

53) What ominous warning is given? (48:22)
   - There is no peace for the wicked