Vistas, quietness and birds...

I live in a retirement community; its a nice one, with activities of all sorts and a very nice pool.  As often as I can, I like to use it, especially in the early evening, when it is not so crowded.  Its quite relaxing and quiet before sundown and often the birds come for a drink and flocks of them fly overhead.  When they do, I often wonder what it must be like to be a bird; to be able to soar over the landscape, free of the constraints of gravity.  The closest I have ever came to such an experience is during airplane flights back to New Jersey and I must say that the view above the clouds is truly awesome.  So, being a bird involves vistas and freedom that give a new perspective to existence, but I wonder what God thinks about them?  I found a couple of verses that seem to tie in nicely...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 6

[25] Therefore, I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? [26] See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?

WEB: Psalms Chapter 50

[10] For every animal of the forest is mine,
and the livestock on a thousand hills.


[11] I know all the birds of the mountains.
The wild animals of the field are mine.

Birds are cared for by God and they belong to HIM.  God's care and ownership of these animals gives us an example for ourselves.  WE are God's possession and HE cares for us as well.  We are different, though, and have a different purpose in life. Its nice to ponder what might be, or what could be, but, reality dictates returning to what is and what will be.  We will eventually dwell far beyond realms that the birds of the sky could never, ever dream of and the thought of that is more calming than any dip in the pool or vista we could ever see from an airplane portal.  Nice thought; reassuring, relaxing.... and its only morning.  I can't wait to see what the rest of the day will be like....

Apr. 3 Leviticus 23, 24

Apr. 3

Leviticus 23, 24

Lev 23:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Lev 23:2 "Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, 'The set feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my set feasts.

Lev 23:3 " 'Six days shall work be done: but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no manner of work. It is a Sabbath to Yahweh in all your dwellings.

Lev 23:4 " 'These are the set feasts of Yahweh, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their appointed season.

Lev 23:5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, is Yahweh's Passover.

Lev 23:6 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to Yahweh. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.

Lev 23:7 In the first day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work.

Lev 23:8 But you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh seven days. In the seventh day is a holy convocation: you shall do no regular work.' "

Lev 23:9 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Lev 23:10 "Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, 'When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap its the harvest, then you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest:

Lev 23:11 and he shall wave the sheaf before Yahweh, to be accepted for you. On the next day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.

Lev 23:12 On the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a male lamb without blemish a year old for a burnt offering to Yahweh.

Lev 23:13 The meal offering with it shall be two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire to Yahweh for a pleasant aroma; and the drink offering with it shall be of wine, the fourth part of a hin.

Lev 23:14 You shall eat neither bread, nor roasted grain, nor fresh grain, until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your God. This is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Lev 23:15 " 'You shall count from the next day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven Sabbaths shall be completed:

Lev 23:16 even to the next day after the seventh Sabbath you shall number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal offering to Yahweh.

Lev 23:17 You shall bring out of your habitations two loaves of bread for a wave offering made of two tenth parts of an ephah of fine flour. They shall be baked with yeast, for first fruits to Yahweh.

Lev 23:18 You shall present with the bread seven lambs without blemish a year old, one young bull, and two rams. They shall be a burnt offering to Yahweh, with their meal offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of a sweet aroma to Yahweh.

Lev 23:19 You shall offer one male goat for a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings.

Lev 23:20 The priest shall wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering before Yahweh, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to Yahweh for the priest.

Lev 23:21 You shall make proclamation on the same day: there shall be a holy convocation to you; you shall do no regular work. This is a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

Lev 23:22 " 'When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap into the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest: you shall leave them for the poor, and for the foreigner. I am Yahweh your God.' "

Lev 23:23 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Lev 23:24 "Speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest to you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.

Lev 23:25 You shall do no regular work; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh.' "

Lev 23:26 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Lev 23:27 "However on the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation to you, and you shall afflict yourselves; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

Lev 23:28 You shall do no manner of work in that same day; for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you before Yahweh your God.

Lev 23:29 For whoever it is who shall not deny himself in that same day; shall be cut off from his people.

Lev 23:30 Whoever it is who does any manner of work in that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people.

Lev 23:31 You shall do no manner of work: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Lev 23:32 It shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall deny yourselves. In the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall keep your Sabbath."

Lev 23:33 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Lev 23:34 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say, 'On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of tents for seven days to Yahweh.

Lev 23:35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation: you shall do no regular work.

Lev 23:36 Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh. On the eighth day shall be a holy convocation to you; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh. It is a solemn assembly; you shall do no regular work.

Lev 23:37 " 'These are the appointed feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh, a burnt offering, and a meal offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, each on its own day;

Lev 23:38 besides the Sabbaths of Yahweh, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings, which you give to Yahweh.

Lev 23:39 " 'So on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you shall keep the feast of Yahweh seven days: on the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest.

Lev 23:40 You shall take on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your God seven days.

Lev 23:41 You shall keep it a feast to Yahweh seven days in the year: it is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall keep it in the seventh month.

Lev 23:42 You shall dwell in booths seven days. All who are native-born in Israel shall dwell in booths,

Lev 23:43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.' "

Lev 23:44 Moses declared to the children of Israel the appointed feasts of Yahweh.

Lev 24:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Lev 24:2 "Command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually.

Lev 24:3 Outside of the veil of the Testimony, in the Tent of Meeting, shall Aaron keep it in order from evening to morning before Yahweh continually: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.

Lev 24:4 He shall keep in order the lamps on the pure gold lampstand before Yahweh continually.

Lev 24:5 "You shall take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes of it: two tenth parts of an ephah shall be in one cake.

Lev 24:6 You shall set them in two rows, six on a row, on the pure gold table before Yahweh.

Lev 24:7 You shall put pure frankincense on each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

Lev 24:8 Every Sabbath day he shall set it in order before Yahweh continually. It is on the behalf of the children of Israel an everlasting covenant.

Lev 24:9 It shall be for Aaron and his sons; and they shall eat it in a holy place: for it is most holy to him of the offerings of Yahweh made by fire by a perpetual statute."

Lev 24:10 The son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel; and the son of the Israelite woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp.

Lev 24:11 The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name, and cursed; and they brought him to Moses. His mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.

Lev 24:12 They put him in custody, until the will of Yahweh should be declared to them.

Lev 24:13 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

Lev 24:14 "Bring out of the camp him who cursed; and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him.

Lev 24:15 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin.

Lev 24:16 He who blasphemes the name of Yahweh, he shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him: the foreigner as well as the native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.

Lev 24:17 " 'He who strikes any man mortally shall surely be put to death.

Lev 24:18 He who strikes an animal mortally shall make it good, life for life.

Lev 24:19 If anyone injures his neighbor; as he has done, so shall it be done to him:

Lev 24:20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; as he has injured someone, so shall it be done to him.

Lev 24:21 He who kills an animal shall make it good; and he who kills a man shall be put to death.

Lev 24:22 You shall have one kind of law, for the foreigner as well as the native-born: for I am Yahweh your God.' "

Lev 24:23 Moses spoke to the children of Israel; and they brought forth him who had cursed out of the camp, and stoned him with stones. The children of Israel did as Yahweh commanded Moses.

"THE BOOK OF ISAIAH" Salvation Through The Suffering Servant (49-53) by Mark Copeland

"THE BOOK OF ISAIAH"

            Salvation Through The Suffering Servant (49-53)

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS SECTION

1) To consider the role of the Servant in providing comfort and
   salvation for Israel

2) To observe that light and salvation would also be extended to the
   Gentiles

3) To note the remarkable prophecy concerning the Suffering Servant, who
   would bear the sin of many and make intercession for the transgressors

SUMMARY

In this section God continues to extend words of comfort for those who
would experience exile in Babylon.  While there is some reference to
their deliverance from captivity (52:1-12), the focus is on the
Suffering Servant to come, who would bring ultimate redemption.

In chapter 49, the Servant Himself speaks of His commission to bring
salvation to Israel and to be a light to the Gentiles.  The Lord will
offer the Servant as a covenant to the people, providing restoration and
comfort to the afflicted.  Zion, who fears that the Lord has forsaken
her, is reassured that she is remembered.  She will overflow with new
children, and those who would oppress her will have to contend with the
Lord.

In chapters 50-52, the Servant is offered as Israel's true hope.
Rebuked for thinking that their sufferings were due to the Lord's
inability, the exiles are admonished to trust in the Lord to save them
in response to their plea.  Zion (Jerusalem, the holy city) is called to
awake, for those who have experienced His righteous judgment will find
that He offers redemption and comfort.

The last of chapter 52 and all of chapter 53 contain a description of
the Suffering Servant.  Despised and rejected by men, smitten and
afflicted by God, the Servant would bear the sin of many and make
intercession for the transgressors.  Of course, this prophecy was
fulfilled when God sent His Son Jesus Christ to be crucified for our
sins.  Thus God would provide salvation for Israel, and for all mankind.

OUTLINE

I. THE SERVANT IS COMMISSIONED (49:1-26)

   A. HE WILL BRING SALVATION...
      1. He has been called to be the Lord's Servant - 49:1-3
      2. His work has been difficult - 49:4
      3. He will bring salvation to both Israel and Gentiles - 49:5-6
      4. Kings and princes will arise and worship Him - 49:7

   B. HE WILL COMFORT GOD'S PEOPLE...
      1. He will become a covenant to the people - 49:8a
      2. He will provide restoration and comfort for the afflicted
         - 49:8b-13

   C. GOD WILL REMEMBER ZION...
      1. He has not forgotten her, her destroyers will go away
         - 49:14-17
      2. She will overflow with new children who come to her - 49:18-21
      3. The nations shall bring her children, kings and queens will
         foster them - 49:22-23
      4. The Lord will contend those who oppress Zion and her children
         - 49:24-26

II. THE SERVANT WILL BE ISRAEL'S HOPE (50:1-52:12)

   A. ISRAEL ADMONISHED TO TRUST IN THE LORD...
      1. The exiles rebuked for thinking their sufferings were due to
         the Lord's inability - 50:1-3
      2. The Lord will help His Servant - 50:4-9
      3. Therefore those who fear the Lord should rely on God, not
         themselves - 50:10-11

   B. THE RIGHTEOUS ENCOURAGED TO LOOK TO THE LORD...
      1. God's righteous people called to listen to the Lord who will
         save them - 51:1-8
      2. A plea to the Lord, and His response promising comfort
         - 51:9-16

   C. JERUSALEM CALLED TO AWAKE...
      1. God will deliver her who has suffered from His righteous
         judgment - 51:17-23
      2. God will redeem and comfort the holy city - 52:1-12

III. THE SERVANT WILL SAVE THROUGH SUFFERING (52:13-53:12)

   A. HIS DESTINY...
      1. To be exalted and extolled - 52:13
      2. Though subjected to great humiliation - 52:14
      3. He will startle and amaze even kings by what they will see
         - 52:15

   B. HIS LIFE...
      1. Some would not believe - 53:1
      2. His humble beginnings and ignoble appearance - 53:2
      3. Despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows not highly
         esteemed - 53:3

   C. HIS SUFFERING...
      1. Bearing our grief and sorrow, He is esteemed smitten and
         afflicted by God - 53:4
      2. His wounds and stripes were for our sins and healing - 53:5
      3. The Lord laid on Him our sins because we like sheep have gone
         astray - 53:6

   D. HIS SUBMISSION...
      1. Though oppressed and afflicted, like a lamb He did not open His
         mouth - 53:7
      2. With an unjust death He was stricken for our transgressions
         - 53:8
      3. His grave was with the wicked and the rich, though innocent of
         violence and deceit - 53:9

   E. HIS REWARD...
      1. The Lord would be pleased by His offering for sin - 53:10
      2. The Lord would be satisfied by the Righteous Servant justifying
         many - 53:11
      3. The Lord would reward Him for bearing the sin of many, making
         intercession - 53:12

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THIS SECTION

1) What is suggested in this study as the theme of Isaiah chapters
   49-53?
   - Salvation Through The Suffering Servant

2) What are the three main divisions of this section as outlined above?
   - The Servant Is Commissioned (49)
   - The Servant Will Be Israel's Hope (50:1-52:12)
   - The Servant Will Save Through Suffering (52:13-53:12)

3) Who is the Servant in this section? (49:1-3)
   - Some believe it has reference to the people of Israel because of
     verse 3; yet the overall context clearly points to the Messiah
     (Jesus)

4) To whom will the Servant bring salvation?  Who will worship Him? (49:
   5-7)
   - Both Israel and Gentiles
   - Kings and princes

5) How will the Servant comfort God's people? (49:8-13)
   - By providing restoration and deliverance for the afflicted

6) Who has God not forgotten? (49:14-17)
   - Zion

7) What is promised to Zion?  Where will they come from? (49:18-23)
   - She will overflow with new children who come to her
   - The nations shall bring her children

8) How will all flesh know that the Lord is Zion's Savior and Redeemer?
   (49:24-26)
   - By saving her children from those who would contend with her

9) Why were the exiles rebuked? (50:1-3)
   - For thinking that their sufferings were due to the Lord's
     inability, when it because of their sins

10) When the Servant suffers abuse, who helps Him? (50:4-9)
   - The Lord God

11) Upon whom should one rely in times of darkness? What of those who do
    not? (50:10-11)
   - The name of the Lord and the voice of His Servant
   - They shall lie down in torment

12) Where are the righteous encouraged to look? (51:1-2)
   - To the example of Abraham and Sarah

13) What does God promise for Zion? (51:3)
   - Comfort, joy, gladness, thanksgiving and the voice of melody

14) What does God promise to do with His salvation and righteousness?
    (51:4-8)
   - To extend it to the Gentiles and make it last forever

15) What does Isaiah offer at this point in his prophecy? (51:9-11)
   - A plea to the Lord to show His strength to those He will ransom

16) How does the Lord respond? (51:12-16)
   - With a promise of comfort in the middle of a mild rebuke for being
     afraid

17) Why is Jerusalem called to awake? (51:17-23)
   - Though she has suffered from His righteous judgment, God will plead
     the cause for His people

18) Why is Zion (Jerusalem, the holy city) called to awake? (52:1-3)
   - To put on her strength and beautiful garments, for God will redeem
     her

19) Though Israel has suffered both in Egypt and Assyria, what is she
    promised? (52:4-6)
   - Clear evidence that is the Lord God who speaks to them

20) What does Isaiah see happening one day in Israel? (52:7-9)
   - A messenger with glad tidings, watchmen rejoicing over the
     redemption of Jerusalem

21) What will all the ends of the earth see? (52:10)
   - The salvation of God

22) In view of such things, what are the people of Israel told? (52:
    11-12)
   - To depart (from Babylon captivity), with the Lord going before and
     after them

23) What will be the destiny of the Servant? (52:13-14)
   - To be exalted, though subjected to great humiliation

24) What impact will He have among the nations? (52:15)
   - He will startle and amaze even kings by what they see

25) What is first revealed about the Suffering Servant? (53:1-3)
   - Some would not believe
   - He would have humble beginnings and an ignoble appearance
   - He would be despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows not
     highly esteemed

26) Why would He suffer, and who afflicted Him? (53:4-6)
   - Because of our sins and for our healing
   - Smitten by God, who has laid on Him the iniquity of us all

27) How would the Suffering Servant submit to such oppression and
    affliction? (53:7)
   - He would not open His mouth, but be led as a lamb to the slaughter

28) Why would He be taken from prison and cut off from the land of the
    living? (53:8)
   - For the transgressions of God's people

29) With whom would He make His grave? (53:9)
   - With the wicked; but also with the rich, because He done no
     violence nor spoken deceit

30) What would the Suffering Servant receive from all this? (53:10-12)
   - The Lord would be pleased by His offering for sin
   - The Lord would be satisfied by the Righteous Servant justifying
     many, bearing their iniquities
   - The Lord would reward Him for bearing the sin of many, and
     interceding for the transgressors

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