3/29/12

Safe on the ROCK!!!!!


Is the person who built this house crazy?  Build a house in the middle of a river?  But, wait; look how high it is above the water!  And what a foundation!!!  This surprising image reminded me of the sermon on the mount and the words of Jesus...

WEB: Matthew Chapter 7

[21] Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ [23] Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’

[24] “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. [25] The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. [26] Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. [27] The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”"

Talk is cheap!!!  Anyone can say they are a Christian.  But, to turn from a sinful lifestyle and do everything in your power to honor God; now, that is a challenge!!!  Jesus says his words are a foundation; one that is as sure as a rock.  That's good enough for me.  It also makes sense as well.  Think about it; if Jesus is the one paying the price for my Spiritual freedom from sin, WHY WOULDN'T I DO AS HE SAYS?  So, if you want to be correct in what you believe, have the only foundation that will do you any good: Book, Chapter and Verse for what you believe.  Even if the troubled waters of life rise around you, you will be save if you are on the ROCK!  Simple message, but so true.  My only problem with this post is that I am wondering how they put the house on that rock that is in the middle of the river?????

Mar. 29 Leviticus 13, 14


Mar. 29
Leviticus 13, 14

Lev 13:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
Lev 13:2 "When a man shall have a rising in his body's skin, or a scab, or a bright spot, and it becomes in the skin of his body the plague of leprosy, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest, or to one of his sons, the priests:
Lev 13:3 and the priest shall examine the plague in the skin of the body: and if the hair in the plague has turned white, and the appearance of the plague is deeper than the body's skin, it is the plague of leprosy; and the priest shall examine him, and pronounce him unclean.
Lev 13:4 If the bright spot is white in the skin of his body, and its appearance isn't deeper than the skin, and its hair hasn't turned white, then the priest shall isolate the infected person for seven days.
Lev 13:5 The priest shall examine him on the seventh day, and, behold, if in his eyes the plague is arrested, and the plague hasn't spread in the skin, then the priest shall isolate him for seven more days.
Lev 13:6 The priest shall examine him again on the seventh day; and behold, if the plague has faded, and the plague hasn't spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean. It is a scab. He shall wash his clothes, and be clean.
Lev 13:7 But if the scab spreads on the skin, after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he shall show himself to the priest again.
Lev 13:8 The priest shall examine him; and behold, if the scab has spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is leprosy.
Lev 13:9 "When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought to the priest;
Lev 13:10 and the priest shall examine him. Behold, if there is a white rising in the skin, and it has turned the hair white, and there is raw flesh in the rising,
Lev 13:11 it is a chronic leprosy in the skin of his body, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. He shall not isolate him, for he is unclean.
Lev 13:12 "If the leprosy breaks out all over the skin, and the leprosy covers all the skin of the infected person from his head even to his feet, as far as it appears to the priest;
Lev 13:13 then the priest shall examine him; and, behold, if the leprosy has covered all his flesh, he shall pronounce him clean of the plague. It has all turned white: he is clean.
Lev 13:14 But whenever raw flesh appears in him, he shall be unclean.
Lev 13:15 The priest shall examine the raw flesh, and pronounce him unclean: the raw flesh is unclean. It is leprosy.
Lev 13:16 Or if the raw flesh turns again, and is changed to white, then he shall come to the priest;
Lev 13:17 and the priest shall examine him; and, behold, if the plague has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him clean of the plague. He is clean.
Lev 13:18 "When the body has a boil on its skin, and it has healed,
Lev 13:19 and in the place of the boil there is a white rising, or a bright spot, reddish-white, then it shall be shown to the priest;
Lev 13:20 and the priest shall examine it; and behold, if its appearance is lower than the skin, and its hair has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is the plague of leprosy. It has broken out in the boil.
Lev 13:21 But if the priest examines it, and behold, there are no white hairs in it, and it isn't deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest shall isolate him seven days.
Lev 13:22 If it spreads in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a plague.
Lev 13:23 But if the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn't spread, it is the scar from the boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean.
Lev 13:24 "Or when the body has a burn from fire on its skin, and the raw flesh of the burn becomes a bright spot, reddish-white, or white,
Lev 13:25 then the priest shall examine it; and behold, if the hair in the bright spot has turned white, and its appearance is deeper than the skin; it is leprosy. It has broken out in the burning, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is the plague of leprosy.
Lev 13:26 But if the priest examines it, and behold, there is no white hair in the bright spot, and it isn't lower than the skin, but is faded; then the priest shall isolate him seven days.
Lev 13:27 The priest shall examine him on the seventh day. If it has spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is the plague of leprosy.
Lev 13:28 If the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn't spread in the skin, but is faded, it is the swelling from the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him clean; for it is the scar from the burn.
Lev 13:29 "When a man or woman has a plague on the head or on the beard,
Lev 13:30 then the priest shall examine the plague; and behold, if its appearance is deeper than the skin, and the hair in it is yellow and thin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is an itch, it is leprosy of the head or of the beard.
Lev 13:31 If the priest examines the plague of itching, and behold, its appearance isn't deeper than the skin, and there is no black hair in it, then the priest shall isolate him the person infected with itching seven days.
Lev 13:32 On the seventh day the priest shall examine the plague; and behold, if the itch hasn't spread, and there is no yellow hair in it, and the appearance of the itch isn't deeper than the skin,
Lev 13:33 then he shall be shaved, but he shall not shave the itch; and the priest shall shut him up who has the itch seven more days.
Lev 13:34 On the seventh day, the priest shall examine the itch; and behold, if the itch hasn't spread in the skin, and its appearance isn't deeper than the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean. He shall wash his clothes, and be clean.
Lev 13:35 But if the itch spreads in the skin after his cleansing,
Lev 13:36 then the priest shall examine him; and behold, if the itch has spread in the skin, the priest shall not look for the yellow hair; he is unclean.
Lev 13:37 But if in his eyes the itch is arrested, and black hair has grown in it; the itch is healed, he is clean. The priest shall pronounce him clean.
Lev 13:38 "When a man or a woman has bright spots in the skin of the body, even white bright spots;
Lev 13:39 then the priest shall examine them; and behold, if the bright spots on the skin of their body are a dull white, it is a harmless rash, it has broken out in the skin; he is clean.
Lev 13:40 "If a man's hair has fallen from his head, he is bald. He is clean.
Lev 13:41 If his hair has fallen off from the front part of his head, he is forehead bald. He is clean.
Lev 13:42 But if there is in the bald head, or the bald forehead, a reddish-white plague; it is leprosy breaking out in his bald head, or his bald forehead.
Lev 13:43 Then the priest shall examine him; and, behold, if the rising of the plague is reddish-white in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, like the appearance of leprosy in the skin of the flesh,
Lev 13:44 he is a leprous man. He is unclean. The priest shall surely pronounce him unclean. His plague is on his head.
Lev 13:45 "The leper in whom the plague is shall wear torn clothes, and the hair of his head shall hang loose. He shall cover his upper lip, and shall cry, 'Unclean! Unclean!'
Lev 13:46 All the days in which the plague is in him he shall be unclean. He is unclean. He shall dwell alone. Outside of the camp shall be his dwelling.
Lev 13:47 "The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it is a woolen garment, or a linen garment;
Lev 13:48 whether it is in warp, or woof; of linen, or of wool; whether in a skin, or in anything made of skin;
Lev 13:49 if the plague is greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, or in the warp, or in the woof, or in anything made of skin; it is the plague of leprosy, and shall be shown to the priest.
Lev 13:50 The priest shall examine the plague, and isolate the plague seven days.
Lev 13:51 He shall examine the plague on the seventh day. If the plague has spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in the skin, whatever use the skin is used for, the plague is a destructive mildew. It is unclean.
Lev 13:52 He shall burn the garment, whether the warp or the woof, in wool or in linen, or anything of skin, in which the plague is: for it is a destructive mildew. It shall be burned in the fire.
Lev 13:53 "If the priest examines it, and behold, the plague hasn't spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in anything of skin;
Lev 13:54 then the priest shall command that they wash the thing in which the plague is, and he shall isolate it seven more days.
Lev 13:55 Then the priest shall examine it, after the plague is washed; and behold, if the plague hasn't changed its color, and the plague hasn't spread, it is unclean; you shall burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is inside or outside.
Lev 13:56 If the priest looks, and behold, the plague has faded after it is washed, then he shall tear it out of the garment, or out of the skin, or out of the warp, or out of the woof:
Lev 13:57 and if it appears again in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in anything of skin, it is spreading. You shall burn with fire that in which the plague is.
Lev 13:58 The garment, either the warp, or the woof, or whatever thing of skin it is, which you shall wash, if the plague has departed from them, then it shall be washed the second time, and it will be clean."
Lev 13:59 This is the law of the plague of mildew in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp, or the woof, or in anything of skin, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.

Lev 14:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,
Lev 14:2 "This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing. He shall be brought to the priest,
Lev 14:3 and the priest shall go forth out of the camp. The priest shall examine him, and behold, if the plague of leprosy is healed in the leper,
Lev 14:4 then the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed two living clean birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop.
Lev 14:5 The priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.
Lev 14:6 As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water.
Lev 14:7 He shall sprinkle on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird go into the open field.
Lev 14:8 "He who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and bathe himself in water; and he shall be clean. After that he shall come into the camp, but shall dwell outside his tent seven days.
Lev 14:9 It shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off. He shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his body in water, then he shall be clean.
Lev 14:10 "On the eighth day he shall take two male lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb a year old without blemish, and three tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil.
Lev 14:11 The priest who cleanses him shall set the man who is to be cleansed, and those things, before Yahweh, at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
Lev 14:12 "The priest shall take one of the male lambs, and offer him for a trespass offering, with the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh.
Lev 14:13 He shall kill the male lamb in the place where they kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the place of the sanctuary; for as the sin offering is the priest's, so is the trespass offering. It is most holy.
Lev 14:14 The priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot.
Lev 14:15 The priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand.
Lev 14:16 The priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle some of the oil with his finger seven times before Yahweh.
Lev 14:17 The priest shall put some of the rest of the oil that is in his hand on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering.
Lev 14:18 The rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed, and the priest shall make atonement for him before Yahweh.
Lev 14:19 "The priest shall offer the sin offering, and make atonement for him who is to be cleansed because of his uncleanness: and afterward he shall kill the burnt offering;
Lev 14:20 and the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the meal offering on the altar. The priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be clean.
Lev 14:21 "If he is poor, and can't afford so much, then he shall take one male lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make atonement for him, and one tenth of an ephah of fine flour mingled with oil for a meal offering, and a log of oil;
Lev 14:22 and two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, such as he is able to afford; and the one shall be a sin offering, and the other a burnt offering.
Lev 14:23 "On the eighth day he shall bring them for his cleansing to the priest, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, before Yahweh.
Lev 14:24 The priest shall take the lamb of the trespass offering, and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh.
Lev 14:25 He shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering. The priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering and put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot.
Lev 14:26 The priest shall pour some of the oil into the palm of his own left hand;
Lev 14:27 and the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before Yahweh.
Lev 14:28 Then the priest shall put some of the oil that is in his hand on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, on the place of the blood of the trespass offering.
Lev 14:29 The rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed, to make atonement for him before Yahweh.
Lev 14:30 He shall offer one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he is able to afford,
Lev 14:31 even such as he is able to afford, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, with the meal offering. The priest shall make atonement for him who is to be cleansed before Yahweh."
Lev 14:32 This is the law for him in whom is the plague of leprosy, who is not able to afford the sacrifice for his cleansing.
Lev 14:33 Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
Lev 14:34 "When you have come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put a spreading mildew in a house in the land of your possession,
Lev 14:35 then he who owns the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, 'There seems to me to be some sort of plague in the house.'
Lev 14:36 The priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest goes in to examine the plague, that all that is in the house not be made unclean: and afterward the priest shall go in to inspect the house.
Lev 14:37 He shall examine the plague; and behold, if the plague is in the walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, and it appears to be deeper than the wall;
Lev 14:38 then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days.
Lev 14:39 The priest shall come again on the seventh day, and look. If the plague has spread in the walls of the house,
Lev 14:40 then the priest shall command that they take out the stones in which is the plague, and cast them into an unclean place outside of the city:
Lev 14:41 and he shall cause the inside of the house to be scraped all over, and they shall pour out the mortar, that they scraped off, outside of the city into an unclean place.
Lev 14:42 They shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other mortar, and shall plaster the house.
Lev 14:43 "If the plague comes again, and breaks out in the house, after he has taken out the stones, and after he has scraped the house, and after it was plastered;
Lev 14:44 then the priest shall come in and look; and behold, if the plague has spread in the house, it is a destructive mildew in the house. It is unclean.
Lev 14:45 He shall break down the house, its stones, and its timber, and all the house's mortar. He shall carry them out of the city into an unclean place.
Lev 14:46 "Moreover he who goes into the house while it is shut up shall be unclean until the evening.
Lev 14:47 He who lies down in the house shall wash his clothes; and he who eats in the house shall wash his clothes.
Lev 14:48 "If the priest shall come in, and examine it, and behold, the plague hasn't spread in the house, after the house was plastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed.
Lev 14:49 To cleanse the house he shall take two birds, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop.
Lev 14:50 He shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.
Lev 14:51 He shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times.
Lev 14:52 He shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, with the living bird, with the cedar wood, with the hyssop, and with the scarlet;
Lev 14:53 but he shall let the living bird go out of the city into the open field. So shall he make atonement for the house; and it shall be clean."
Lev 14:54 This is the law for any plague of leprosy, and for an itch,
Lev 14:55 and for the destructive mildew of a garment, and for a house,
Lev 14:56 and for a rising, and for a scab, and for a bright spot;
Lev 14:57 to teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean. This is the law of leprosy.

Mar. 29, 30 Luke 1


Mar. 29, 30
Luke 1

Luk 1:1 Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us,
Luk 1:2 even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us,
Luk 1:3 it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus;
Luk 1:4 that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
Luk 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
Luk 1:6 They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
Luk 1:7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
Luk 1:8 Now it happened, while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his division,
Luk 1:9 according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
Luk 1:10 The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
Luk 1:11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Luk 1:12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him.
Luk 1:13 But the angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
Luk 1:14 You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth.
Luk 1:15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
Luk 1:16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God.
Luk 1:17 He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
Luk 1:18 Zacharias said to the angel, "How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
Luk 1:19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news.
Luk 1:20 Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn't believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time."
Luk 1:21 The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple.
Luk 1:22 When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.
Luk 1:23 It happened, when the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house.
Luk 1:24 After these days Elizabeth, his wife, conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying,
Luk 1:25 "Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men."
Luk 1:26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Luk 1:27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary.
Luk 1:28 Having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!"
Luk 1:29 But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.
Luk 1:30 The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Luk 1:31 Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name 'Jesus.'
Luk 1:32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,
Luk 1:33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."
Luk 1:34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?"
Luk 1:35 The angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.
Luk 1:36 Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
Luk 1:37 For everything spoken by God is possible."
Luk 1:38 Mary said, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word." The angel departed from her.
Luk 1:39 Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah,
Luk 1:40 and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.
Luk 1:41 It happened, when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, that the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luk 1:42 She called out with a loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
Luk 1:43 Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Luk 1:44 For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!
Luk 1:45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!"
Luk 1:46 Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord.
Luk 1:47 My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
Luk 1:48 for he has looked at the humble state of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
Luk 1:49 For he who is mighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name.
Luk 1:50 His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.
Luk 1:51 He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Luk 1:52 He has put down princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly.
Luk 1:53 He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.
Luk 1:54 He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
Luk 1:55 As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever."
Luk 1:56 Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
Luk 1:57 Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she brought forth a son.
Luk 1:58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her.
Luk 1:59 It happened on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of the father.
Luk 1:60 His mother answered, "Not so; but he will be called John."
Luk 1:61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name."
Luk 1:62 They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.
Luk 1:63 He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, "His name is John." They all marveled.
Luk 1:64 His mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God.
Luk 1:65 Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea.
Luk 1:66 All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, "What then will this child be?" The hand of the Lord was with him.
Luk 1:67 His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
Luk 1:68 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and worked redemption for his people;
Luk 1:69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
Luk 1:70 (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old),
Luk 1:71 salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all who hate us;
Luk 1:72 to show mercy towards our fathers, to remember his holy covenant,
Luk 1:73 the oath which he spoke to Abraham, our father,
Luk 1:74 to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, should serve him without fear,
Luk 1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.
Luk 1:76 And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the face of the Lord to make ready his ways,
Luk 1:77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,
Luk 1:78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn from on high will visit us,
Luk 1:79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death; to guide our feet into the way of peace."
Luk 1:80 The child was growing, and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

"THE BOOK OF ISAIAH" Judah's True Hope: The Messianic King (7-12) by Mark Copeland 

"THE BOOK OF ISAIAH"

              Judah's True Hope: The Messianic King (7-12)

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS SECTION

1) To note the prophecies of Isaiah during reign of Ahaz, king of Judah,
   those related to the Assyrian invasion and those that looked to the
   coming of the Messiah

2) To glean principles related to God's use of the nations in exercising
   His judgment

3) To consider "prophetic suggestion" as a concept to understanding
   Biblical prophecy

SUMMARY

Chapters seven through twelve complete the first major section of the
book of Isaiah (Prophecies Concerning Judah And Jerusalem, chs. 1-12).
They contain historical narrative and prophecies delivered during the
time of Ahaz, king of Judah (ca. 735-732 B.C.).  Jerusalem was being
threatened by Syria and Israel for refusing to join them in their
resistance against Assyria.  Ahaz and Judah were tempted to seek help
from Assyria in the north and Egypt in the south.  Isaiah and his sons
were used by God to encourage Ahaz and his nation to trust in the Lord,
not political alliances.  Isaiah's prophetic utterances not only looked
to the more immediate deliverance from God, but also to the time in
which God would provide ultimate deliverance for Judah.  This section
can therefore be entitled, "Judah's True Hope: The Messianic King
(7-12)" (as outlined by Edward J. Young).

Chapter seven describes The Syrian-Israel Crisis in which God sent
Isaiah and his son to encourage Ahaz and offer a sign from the Lord.
Though rebuffed by Ahaz, the Lord provides a sign related to a son to be
born of a virgin whose name would be Immanuel ("God with us").  Some
commentators opine that this prophecy had an initial fulfillment during
the time of Ahaz, but was intended by God to offer hope for a time yet
in the future:  "...nothing is more common in Isaiah than for him to
commence a prophecy with reference to some remarkable deliverance which
was soon to occur, and to terminate it by a statement of events
connected with a higher deliverance under the Messiah. By the laws of
'prophetic suggestion,' the mind of the prophet seized upon resemblances
and analogies; was carried on to future times, which were suggested by
something that he was saying or contemplating as about to occur, until
the mind was absorbed, and the primary object forgotten in the
contemplation of the more remote and glorious event." (Barnes).  That
this sign finds its ultimate fulfillment in the birth of the Messiah is
evident from Matthew's inspired application of it in his gospel (Mt
1:18-23).  While the sign was intended to show that Judah would be safe
from the threatened invasion by Syria and Israel, Isaiah does foresee
that Judah will later suffer desolation from Assyria and Egypt, the very
nations from which Ahaz was seeking help (7:1-25)!

Beginning with another sign (though some relate it to the same sign in
7:14) involving a son of Isaiah, we find prophecies pertaining to The
Assyrian Invader.  Syria and Israel will fall at the hands of the kings
of Assyria, who will then pass through Judah seeking to destroy it as
well.  Judah is encouraged to place their trust in God and His Word with
the assurance that better days are ahead.  This sparks another glimpse
into the time of the Messiah, when His coming and government will usher
in peace and justice.  In the meantime, Assyria's schemes are restricted
by God, who will allow the invader to do only what fits the Divine
Purpose in disciplining Judah and preserving a remnant of Israel.  Once
that purpose is accomplished, God will judge Assyria for its own
arrogance (8:1-10:34).

The prophecies concerning the invasion by Assyria and its aborted end
are followed by prophecies related to Judah's Hope In The Messiah.  From
the branch of Jesse (the father of David) will come One who will reign
in righteousness and peace, in Whom even the Gentiles will seek.  The
Lord will recover a remnant of Israel "a second time" to participate in
His reign.  They will be moved to offer hymns of praise for God's
wonderful salvation, inviting others to join with them (11:1-12:6).

As suggested before, the Messianic prophecies may be looking to the time
of the Messiah as a whole (prophetic foreshortening), in which the
inauguration of the Lord's kingdom and its culmination are described as
one picture seen from a great distance.  The actual fulfillment, its
timing (what relates to the first coming of Christ, what relates to His
second coming) and nature (is it literal or figurative), can be fully
understood only as it comes to pass and with the help of inspired
interpretations provided by the Lord and His apostles (e.g., Lk
24:44-47; 2Pe 3:13-14).

OUTLINE

I. THE SYRIAN-ISRAEL CRISIS (7:1-25)

   A. AHAZ THE FEARFUL...
      1. Jerusalem besieged by Syria and Israel - 7:1-2; cf. 2Ki 16:5
         a. In the days of Ahaz (ca. 735-732 B.C.)
         b. A coalition of Rezin king of Syria and Pekah king of Israel
         c. Ahaz and his people shaken
      2. Isaiah and his son sent to encourage Ahaz - 7:3-9
         a. He and Shear-Jashub ("A Remnant Shall Return") sent to Ahaz
         b. Ahaz told not to fear the plotting of Rezin and Pekah
         c. For within sixty-five years Ephraim (i.e., Israel, where
            Syria's forces were deployed) will be broken
         d. Ahaz must have faith for him to be established

   B. THE LORD'S SIGN...
      1. Ahaz refuses a sign from the Lord - 7:10-13
         a. Ahaz offered the opportunity to ask for a sign
         b. He refuses, hypocritically refusing to test the Lord
      2. The sign of the child Immanuel - 7:14-16
         a. A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, whose name shall be
            Immanuel
         b. Before the child to know right from wrong, the land will be
            forsaken by both kings

   C. THE COMING DESOLATION...
      1. The Lord will call for Assyria and Egypt - 7:17-20
         a. Nations that Ahaz thought might deliver him - cf. 2Ki 16:7
         b. Whom the Lord will use to bring desolation upon Judah!
      2. The desolation in those days - 7:21-25
         a. Curds and honey for those left in the land
         b. It will become a place of briers and thorns

II. THE ASSYRIAN INVADER (8:1-10:34)

   A. THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS AND SAMARIA FORETOLD...
      1. The sign of Mahar-Shalal-Hash-Baz ("Speed the Spoil, Hasten the
         Booty") - 8:1-3
         a. Isaiah told to record the name in the presence of witnesses
         b. He and the prophetess have a son, his name
            Mahar-Shalal-Hash-Baz
      2. Before the child would know his parents, the riches and spoil
         of Damascus and Samaria would be taken by the king of Assyria
         - 8:4

   B. ASSYRIA WILL PASS THROUGH JUDAH...
      1. Because the people rejected the waters of Shiloah, trusting
         more in Rezin and Pekah - 8:5-6; cf. Jer 2:13,18
      2. The 'waters' of Assyria will fill Judah (Immanuel's land) to
         the neck - 8:7-8
      3. Yet the plans of Assyria will not stand, for "God is with us"
         (Immanuel) - 8:9-10

   C. CONFIDENCE TO BE PLACED IN GOD...
      1. Fear Him - 8:11-15
         a. Not conspiracy theories or threats
         b. The Lord will be a sanctuary, but a stumbling block and rock
            of offense to those who don't believe - cf. 1Pe 2:7-8
      2. The prophet's own trust and confidence in the Lord - 8:16-18
         a. The testimony (i.e., prophecy) to be bound and sealed - cf.
            the scroll, 8:1-2
         b. He will wait on the Lord and hope in Him
         c. He and his children are signs from the Lord of hosts - cf.
            7:3; 8:1-4
      3. Mediums and wizards not to be consulted - 8:19-22
         a. People should seek their God!
         b. They should look to the law and testimony (His Word) - cf.
            8:1-4,16-17
         c. If not, they will wander in trouble and darkness, gloom of
            anguish
      4. Better days are coming (i.e., the days of the Messiah) - 9:1-7
         a. Those in Zebulun and Naphtali (Galilee) will see a great
            light - cf. Mt 4:12-17
         b. The yoke and rod of oppression will be broken, as in day of
            Midian - cf. Judg 7:22-25
         c. A Child will be born, His government of peace and justice
            will have no end - Lk 1:30-33

   D. THE COMING DESTRUCTION OF ISRAEL...
      1. Israel (Ephraim and Samaria) to fall despite their arrogance
         - 9:8-12
         a. Despite their arrogance and attempts to rebuild
         b. The Syrians and Philistines shall devour Israel
         c. Even so, God's anger is not turned away
      2. Israel to fall for refusing to repent - 9:13-17
         a. They do not turn to God nor seek Him
         b. Their leaders will be removed, for they have misled Israel;
            the young men, the fatherless, the widows, they are all
            hypocrites and evildoers
         c. Even so, God's anger is not turned away
      3. Israel's punishment described - 9:18-21
         a. The land is burned up, the people as fuel for the fire
         b. Brother will turn against brother, Manasseh against Ephraim
         c. Even so, God's anger is not turned away
      4. Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees - 10:1-4
         a. Who rob the needy of justice, prey on widows and the
            fatherless
         b. Desolation from afar will come, they shall be taken captive
            or fall among the slain
         c. Even so, God's anger is not turned away

   E. THE FUTILE BOASTING OF ASSYRIA...
      1. It arrogantly believes it conquers by its own strength
         - 10:5-11
         a. It is the rod of God's anger, used to punish His people
            (Israel, then Judah)
         b. It presumes that it can do to Jerusalem what it did to other
            nations and their gods
      2. God will punish Assyria when He through using it - 10:12-19
         a. When the Lord has finished His work on Mount Zion and
            Jerusalem
         b. The Lord will then punish the king of Assyria for his
            arrogance
         c. Assyria is but an instrument in the hand of God
         d. The Lord will send leanness, a burning fire to consume the
            glory of his forest and field

   F. THE DELIVERANCE BY THE LORD...
      1. A remnant of Israel will be saved - 10:20-23
         a. Those who will never again depend on him (Assyria) who
            defeated him
         b. They will depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel
         c. A remnant will return after the Lord makes a determined end
            in the land
      2. Therefore those in Zion (Judah) should not fear the Assyrian
         - 10:24-27
         a. Though he strike you with the rod and lift his staff against
            you, as did Egypt
         b. Yet a little while, and God's indignation and anger will
            cease
         c. The Lord of hosts will then stir up a scourge for him like
            He did Midian and Egypt - cf. Judg 7:25; Exo 14:21-31
         d. The Assyrian's burden and yoke will be removed and destroyed
      3. The march and defeat of Sennacherib (king of Assyria) foretold
         - 10:28-34
         a. He will advance through Aith, Migron, Michmash, Geba, Ramah,
            Gibeah, etc.
         b. He will threaten Zion and Jerusalem
         c. The Lord of hosts will cut his forest (army) down - cf.
            2Ki 19:32-37

III. JUDAH'S HOPE IN THE MESSIAH (11:1-12:6)

   A. THE REIGN OF THE "BRANCH"...
      1. A reign of righteousness - 11:1-5
         a. A "Rod" or "Branch" will come from the stem of Jesse
            (David's father)
         b. The Spirit of the Lord will be upon Him, His delight in the
            fear of the Lord
         c. He will judge with righteousness, equity, and the rod of His
            mouth
         d. He will be adorned with righteousness and faithfulness
      2. A reign of peace - 11:6-10
         a. The wolf and the lamb, etc., will dwell together and a
            little child shall lead them
         b. No harm shall be in His holy mountain, the earth full of the
            knowledge of the Lord
         c. The Root of Jesse will stand as a banner, Gentiles will seek
            Him
         d. His resting place will be glorious

   B. THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL...
      1. The Lord shall recover them - 11:11
         a. Setting His hand "the second time" (the restoration being
            the first?)
         b. From areas where they have been taken into captivity
      2. They shall be restored and reign over the nations - 11:12-16
         a. Those outcast and dispersed of Judah shall be assembled from
            the four corners
         b. The rivalry between Judah and Ephraim (Israel) shall cease
         c. They shall dominate their former enemies (Edom, Moab, Ammon,
            Egypt)
         d. There will be a highway for the remnant of His people left
            from Assyria

   C. THE HYMN OF PRAISE...
      1. Because of the salvation God brings them - 12:1-3
         a. Though once angry, the Lord will be the source of comfort
            - cf. 2Co 1:3-4
         b. God will become their salvation, their strength and song
            - cf. Ep 6:10; Php 4:13
         c. With joy they will draw from the wells of salvation - cf. Jn
            4:13-14
      2. Inviting others to join in songs of praise - 12:4-6
         a. To praise the Lord, call upon His name, declare His deeds,
            exalt His name
         b. To sing to the Lord for the excellent things He has done
         c. To cry out and shout, inhabitant of Zion, for great is the
            Holy One of Israel in your midst - cf. 1Pe 2:9; Re 21:2-3

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THIS SECTION

1) What is suggested as the theme of Isaiah chapters 7-12?
   - Judah's True Hope:  The Messianic King

2) Who was the king of Judah at this time?  Was he good or evil?  (7:1;
   2Ki 16:1-4)
   - Ahaz; a very wicked king who burned his children in the fire (cf. 2
     Chr 28:3)

3) What two kings of what two nations were besieging Jerusalem? (7:1)
   - Rezin king of Syria and Pekah king of Israel

4) What was Isaiah told to tell Ahaz and the house of David about these
   kings? (7:4-7)
   - Do not fear, their plans will fail

5) What sign did the Lord give to the house of Israel?  To whom did it
   ultimately refer? (7:14)
   - The virgin shall conceive and bear a Son whose name shall be called
     Immanuel
   - Mary and the birth of Jesus (cf. Mt 1:18-23)

6) What would happen within the time frame of the sign? (7:16)
   - The two kings feared by Ahaz would be gone

7) Instead of the two nations Ahaz feared, what two nations would
   desolate Judah? (7:17-19)
   - Assyria and Egypt

8) What was the name of Isaiah's second son?  What does it mean? (8:3)
   - Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz; "Speed the Spoil, Hasten The Booty"

9) What would happen before the child was old enough to know his
   parents? (8:4)
   - The riches of Damascus (capital of Syria) and the spoil of Samaria
     (capital of Israel) would be taken away by the king of Assyria

10) Why would this desolation come upon Judah? (8:6)
   - The people rejected the "waters of Shiloah" (i.e., God) and
     rejoiced in the kings of Syria and Israel

11) What did God tell Isaiah he should do?  To those who heeded the
    Lord, what would He be? To those who did not?  (8:13-14)
   - To hallow the Lord, to fear the Lord
   - As a sanctuary; a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense

12) To whom was Isaiah not to turn? Where was he to look instead?
    (8:19-20)
   - Mediums and wizards; to the law and the testimony

13) What hope was offered to those who lived in Galilee (northern
    Israel)?  When was this prophecy fulfilled? (9:1-2)
   - Upon those who walked in darkness, a light will shine; during
     Jesus' ministry (cf. Mt 4:13-18)

14) What would the Child or Son who would govern be called? (9:6)
   - Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
     Peace

15) What would be the nature of His government? (9:7)
   - Peace and justice on the throne of David and His kingdom, ever
     increasing without end

16) Why would judgment come upon Israel, the northern kingdom? (9:8-9,
    13)
   - Because of their arrogance, and for refusing to return to the Lord

17) What means would God use to chasten Israel? (9:11-12,19-21)
   - The adversaries of Rezin (king of Syria) in Syria, along with the
     Philistines
   - Civil war among the Israelites themselves as brother turns against
     brother

18) What other misdeeds of Israel angered God? (10:1-4)
   - Leaders who decreed unrighteous decrees, robbing the needy of
     justice and oppressing the poor, widows and fatherless

19) What phrase is repeated four times to show that worse was yet to
    come? (9:12,17,21; 10:4)
   - "For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is
     stretched out still."

20) How did God view Assyria in His plans?  (10:5-6)
   - The rod of His anger, the staff of His indignation, sent to spoil
     His people

21) How did the king of Assyria view his conquests? (10:7-11)
   - They were the results of his own design and power

22) What would God do to the king of Assyria once His work on Jerusalem
    was done? (10:12)
   - Punish him for his arrogance

23) What would be the end result of God's use of Assyria on Israel? (10:
    20-23)
   - A remnant would return to God and never depend on such nations
     again

24) So what does the Lord tell His people who live in Zion or Jerusalem?
    (10:24-27)
   - Do not fear the Assyrian, for yet a little while the indignation
     will cease

25) When the king of Assyria made his way near Jerusalem, what would he
    do? (10:28-32)
   - Shake his fist at the mount of the daughter of Zion

26) What would the Lord do in return? (10:33-34)
   - Humble the haughty and cut down his forest, i.e., army (cf. 2 Kin
     19:32-37)

27) What was to come from the roots of Jesse? (11:1)
   - A Rod and a Branch

28) What was to rest upon Him?  What would be His delight? (11:2-3)
   - The Spirit of the Lord; the fear of the Lord

29) How shall He judge the poor and meek?  How shall He slay the wicked?
    (11:4-5)
   - With righteousness and equity; with the breath of His lips

30) How is the peaceful nature of His kingdom depicted? (11:6-9)
   - The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, etc.; a little child shall lead
     them
   - The infant shall not be harmed playing among a poisonous snake;
     they shall not hurt nor destroy in His holy mountain

31) Who shall seek the Root of Jesse? What is said of His resting place?
    (11:10)
   - Gentiles shall seek Him; it shall be glorious

32) Whom shall the Lord set His hand to recover a second time? (11:11)
   - The remnant of His people

33) In that day what would the remnant do? What would they encourage
    others to do? (12:1,4)
   - Praise the Lord as the God of their salvation; praise the Lord and
     call upon His name
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