Contributor: Esther Alajiki

Introduction
As we continue to glean wisdom in our study of the book of Proverbs, we will be exploring Chapters 18 -24 for additional wisdom and contrasting the ways of the wise and unwise and how this impacts on our daily living and relationships with God and men.

Chapter 18 - Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
Verses 1-7: "1He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. 2A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity].6A fool’s lips bring contention and strife, And his mouth invites a beating. 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul. 10The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil]."

Verse 15: "The mind of the prudent [always] acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise [always] seeks knowledge."

Verses 20-21: "A man’s stomach will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; He will be satisfied with the consequence of his words. 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words."

• Revelation
The verses talk about the fools and way of life, A fool has no delight in understanding, is haughty, trusts in his wealth, spreads gossip lies. Slothfulness .etc. the wise man or woman has great satisfaction in knowledge, understanding, wisdom, diligence, is humble and trusts in the Lord.

• Application
We must intentionally reflect on the choices we make as these directs the course of our lives and relationships. We need to desire and pursue wisdom.

Chapter 19: On Life and Conduct
Verse 8: "He who gains wisdom and good sense loves (preserves) his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good and prosper."

Verses 15-16: "Laziness casts one into a deep sleep [unmindful of lost opportunity], And the idle person will suffer hunger. 16He who keeps and obeys the commandment [of the LORD] keeps (guards) his own life, But he who is careless of his ways and conduct will die."

Verse 18: "Discipline and teach your son while there is hope, And do not [indulge your anger or resentment by imposing inappropriate punishment nor] desire his destruction. Verse 23: The fear of the LORD leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil."

Verse 29: "Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of [thickheaded] fools."

• Revelation
Our lives and conduct must align with the word of God is we want to prosper and live long, the fear of the Lord will protect us from evil. It is a must to train the children at the appropriate age and time in the appropriate way, There is not an endless window of opportunity to chasten and wisely discipline our children. Age and circumstances limit the opportunity for effective training, so it must be done while there is hope.

• Application
We must allow God to guide us and we will enjoy the peace that passes all understanding and will not be visited with evil but the wicked will not escape penalty. God wants us to choose wisely.

Chapter 20: On Life and Conduct
Verses 3-4: “It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife [by handling situations with thoughtful foresight], But any fool will [start a] quarrel [without regard for the consequences]. 4The lazy man does not plow when the winter [planting] season arrives; So he begs at the [next] harvest and has nothing [to reap].”

Verses 17-18: “Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. 18 Plans are established by counsel; So make war [only] with wise guidance.”

Verse 24: “Man’s steps are ordered and ordained by the LORD. How then can a man [fully] understand his way?”

Verse 27: “The spirit (conscience) of man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching and examining all the innermost parts of his being.”

• Revelation
Lack of consequential thinking has consequences. Sin. Laziness, evil… may be sweet at first, but later its consequences bring despair]. Don’t only plan ensure you have wise counsel, ensure God is the one that leads you, he is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent.

• Application
If God seats upon the throne of our heart, our lives will reflect his blessing. Press in to God.

Chapter 21 – God is Sovereign
Verse 2: "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts"
God’s discernment goes beyond unmasking those who fool others; he even finds out those who have fooled themselves.

Verse 16: “A man who wanders from the way of understanding, Will rest in the assembly of the dead.”
Solomon began on the way of understanding, the departure from the way of understanding doesn’t have to be calculated and deliberate; it may feel like wandering.

Verse 21: “He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor”            This is the path of wisdom, God’s path for those who will listen and surrender to God, it isn’t easy and is often opposed and mocked yet it is rewarded by God.

Verse 27: “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!”
When a sacrifice is offered, the priest or observers may not be able to see wicked intent, but God can.

Verses 30-31: “There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD.”
God is sovereign

• Application
Take heed, God sees in secret and open and we must fear him above all.

Chapter 22 How to Live a Life of Wisdom
Verse 3: “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself . . .”
Prevision is the best means of prevention

Verse 6: “Train up a child in the way he should go . . .”
With the gift of a child is the responsibility to train

Verses 17-21: “The value of the words of the wise . . .”
The heart and mind must be open to receive wisdom, true wisdom makes us more dependent on God

Verses 22-23: “Treat the poor fairly . . .”
God Himself will plead their cause and will plunder the soul of those who plunder the poor.

Verses 24-25: “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, . . .”
Warning against the angry man - Wisdom chooses friends carefully and should make no friendship with an angry man.

Verses 26-27: “Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;”
Stay away from the debts of others - personal debt is to be avoided don’t become surety for debts of another person.

Verse 29: “Do you see someone skilled in their work?”
The reward of excellent work: Wisdom pushes us toward excellence- excellence of a man or woman’s work can give them great standing in the world. More importantly, it gives them standing before the King of kings, who promises to reward the one who works diligently unto Him (Colossians 3:23-24).

• Application
We must daily and intentionally allow the wisdom of God to order our lives

Chapter 23 Warnings
Verses 1-3: “When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, . . .”
Curb your appetite or control yourself - Consider carefully what is before you; - Don’t grab everything set before you, it could fill your stomach but empty your spirit. (most initiation into witchcraft is through food, there are so many examples of people destroyed by food)

Verses 4-5: “Do not wear yourself out to get rich . . .”
Do not make an idol of wealth- Though working hard is a mark of wisdom, God must be first in our heart.

Verses 6-8: “Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies . . .”
Do not eat at the table of a stingy man. - He doesn’t want you to really enjoy yourself at his table, be discerning.

Verse 9: “Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.”
Do not waste your words on the fool. The fool will not receive or appreciate your wisdom. It will be as Jesus later described – like throwing pearls before pigs (Matthew 7:6). Pray instead.

Verses 10-11: “Do not move an ancient boundary stone”
Do not steal from others – God is watching and there is a special curse for the thief. Zechariah 5:3

Verse 12: “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.”
Do not neglect wisdom. - wisdom can be given out, but it must be received to be of any lasting good. The reception of wisdom isn’t passive; it is active, it must be received and applied.

Verses 13-14: “Do not withhold discipline from a child . . .”
Do not fail to correct your children. – connect and correct not brutalize.

Verses 17-18: “Do not let your heart envy sinners . . .”
Do not envy sinners - Be zealous for the fear of the LORD don’t be jealous of the wicked. Ps 73.

Verses 19-21: “Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path . . .”
Warnings about wine and women. The self-indulgent are reduced to destitution, Their full stomachs empty their minds

Verse 23: “Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction and insight as well.”
The attitude to have towards wisdom - Buy the truth, and do not sell it, and wisdom and instruction and understanding.

Verse 26-28: “My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways . . .”
The danger of the immoral woman - Solomon could point to his own life as an example of wisdom when it came to the dangers of an immoral woman - Samson broke the bonds of his enemies, but he could not break the bonds of his own lusts

Verses 29-35: “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? . . .”
The misery of abusing alcohol - eventually, the abuse of alcohol or drugs will bite and sting.

• Application
As a Christian Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people] Ephesians 5:15.

Chapter 24
Verses 3-9: Wisdom for the home
“Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. . .”
Moral and spiritual values must be built through wisdom and established through understanding. The blessing of building a home with God’s wisdom, God’s understanding, and God’s knowledge will bring precious and pleasant riches in the spiritual sense and often in the material sense. God’s blessing is on the home that seeks and honors His wisdom. Wisdom strengthens, lack of wisdom results in folly.

Verses 11-12: Help those on their way to destruction
“Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.”

Verses 15-20: The resilience of the righteous
“For a righteous man may fall seven times, and rise again. . .”

Verses 21-22: Respect for God and king.
“My son, fear the LORD and the king . . .”

Verses 23-25: The importance of true justice.
“It is not good to show partiality in judgment. . .”

Verse 27: Order your work wisely.
“Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house.”
Work should be done with proper planning and in the proper order.

Verses 30-34 The tragedy of the lazy man.
“I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense. . .”
The lazy man did not plant the thorns or nettles, and he did not deliberately break down the stone wall. Yet his laziness made these things happen just as much as if he had deliberately done them. the spiritual sluggard has a neglected spirit - barren, instead of being sown with the seeds of grace becomes overgrown with thorns and nettles.

• Application
Build your life with God’s wisdom, and you will be fruitful and prosperous physically and spiritually.

Contributor: Wale Abiona

Introduction
In continuation of our study in the book of Proverbs, we will be looking at Chapters 11-17 for additional wisdom on how to live righteously with the understanding of consequences of failure to take counsel from God.
These chapters touch on the issue of making wise choices and the blessings and curses of pride. May the Holy spirit gives us understanding in Jesus' name.

Chapter 11 – The upright and the wicked.
Verse(s): 1–3, 7-8
"1 The Lord hates false scales, but he loves accurate weights. 2 Proud and boastful people will be shamed, but wisdom stays with those who are modest and humble. 3 Good people are guided by their honesty, but crooks who lie and cheat will ruin themselves." 

"7 When the wicked die, all their hopes are lost; everything they thought they could do comes to nothing. 8 Good people escape from trouble, but the wicked come along and are trapped by it."

Revelation: An upright, godly life leads a person in the right path. Those who reject wisdom are consumed and destroyed by their own evil.

Application: this chapter urges us to cultivate virtues and shun vices, illustrating the profound consequences that our actions can bring (Proverbs 11:30–31).

Chapter 12 – Wisdom and Foolishness.
Verse(s): 1-4; 15
"1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid. 2 A good man obtains favour from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn. 3 A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved. 4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones."

"15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise."

Revelation: Those who embrace discipline will be wise and behave themselves wisely. They will keep themselves from destruction that follow those who are wicked.

Application: The knowledge of what is good and acceptable comes from following God’s instruction. When we are divinely guided, by instruction we will be established in righteousness (Proverbs 12:7).

Chapter 13 – Wise Choice
Verse(s): 3, 16, 17 & 20
"3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction."

"16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly."

"17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, But a faithful ambassador brings health."

"20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed."

Revelation: It is better to be wise than to be foolish. Keeping right company is a sign of wisdom and spiritual maturity.

Application: We are to demonstrate wisdom in our utterance and avoid keeping company with the wicked because they lack understanding of spiritual things (Psalm 1:1).

Chapter 14 – Life and Death by choice
Verse(s): 1-3, 7 & 11-12

"1 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands. 2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him. 3 In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them."

"7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge."

"11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death."

Revelation: It is foolish to reject God's truth and instruction. This will only lead to disaster.

Application: (Psalm 14:1; Proverbs 1:7). Sin is deceptive in nature and can make rejecting God instruction seem like a good idea, but the result is tragedy. To avoid negative earthly consequences, we should follow godly counsel and stay away from the ungodly. In either case, that which a person chooses—selfishness or godliness—is repaid to them. Proverbs 14:11–14).

Chapter 15 – A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath – (Common sense)
Verse(s): 1- 5

"1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. 5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent."

Revelation: A wise person carefully chooses their response, rather than babbling out whatever comes to mind. Closely connected to this is the need to humbly accept correction (Proverbs 15:1–5). Also, God observes everything, despising the wicked's sacrifices but loving the prayers of the upright.

Application: If we are to follow peace with all men…, then we must learn to control our emotions. Cautious and gentle answers do not only prevent additional strife, but they also reduce whatever tension already exists. We must be careful and sensible to listen to godly wisdom. It is a sign of humility that comes through a reverent honor of God (Proverbs 15:33).

Chapter 16 – Calls for aligning our plans with God's purposes.
Verse(s): 1-3,  16 & 19

"1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits. 3 Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established."

"16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver."

"19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud."

Revelation: Human nature can lead us to arrogance and ignorance. Failure to seek God's will or examine our own motives can lead to disaster. Lord sees the heart, weighs the spirit, and determines what will happen. The Lord is sovereign; He has a purpose for everything He created. (vs 9). God detests arrogance—spiritual pride that causes a person to reject God—but is pleased when one turns away from evil. Godly wisdom is better than any material wealth.

Application: There is a clear distinction between evil people and those who are righteous. A righteous life is deemed better than silver or gold. A righteous life is the one that follow God’ original plan. Trusting in own strength or wisdom will only take us away from God’s presence. We should rather seek to align self with God’s plan for our life by taking counsel from his word.

Chapter 17 – Wisdom for righteous and godly daily living.
It outlines various life situations and offers timeless wisdom on how to navigate them.
The first section of this chapter deals with virtues such as family harmony and honesty. God cannot be deceived, and He knows precisely what's on each person's heart (Proverbs 17:1–6).
(Proverbs 17:7–21) These verses cover a wide range of ideas, which include sins that cause anger or division between people, friendship, and careful use of one's resources.
(Proverbs 17:22–28) These verses end with wisdom centered on godly spirituality and a controlled tongue.

Contributor: Tobi Morakinyo

Introduction
Proverbs are truths expressed in a somewhat obscured or coded way—short sayings filled with wisdom. The Book of Proverbs is one of the “Wisdom” Books in the Bible, alongside Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. King Solomon authored Proverbs during the early years of his reign after receiving the gift of wisdom he asked of God, and before he turned away from God. The book is like a father’s letter to his sons, and given the spirit of wisdom (God) in Solomon, he was writing the mind of God to his children as an earthly father speaking to his son. The primary purpose of the book is to teach wisdom, reaching not
only the young and inexperienced but also the learned. May the Lord open our understanding as we study this book afresh this month in Jesus' name.

Chapter 1 – The benefit of Proverbs , the enticement of sinners and the warning of wisdom
Proverbs 1 has three broad themes starting with the usefulness of Proverbs. For instance, vs 4 says, “To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.” This implies that though wisdom is attained by experience, young people, through listening to the wise and keeping to their instructions, can obtain wisdom that would normally take time to garner, thereby saving time and achieving desired results.
The point here is some life lessons should not necessarily be learned through personal experience; we leverage the lessons from the experience of others included in the Bible to lead an effective, productive, and kingdom-focused life. The Bible says in Romans 15:4, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

The enticement of sinners (Proverbs 1:8-19) – Righteous (not moral) living is uncommon; this makes it common for believers to be enticed (vs 10), and as sons of God, we must be determined not to consent. Temptation will come, and it is not sinful to be tempted; yielding to temptation is sin.

Wisdom warns (1:20-33) - The tone changes here to the first person as Wisdom speaks of her loud invitation to people on a platter, but despite her effort, there was no response. She warns of a payback time when she will be sought after and needed but says, “I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh…” (vs 26-28) but “whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from the fear of evil” (vs 33). The key point here is that we should hearken diligently to the instructions of God so that we have Him as our ally as we proceed into the new year.

Chapter 2 – The pursuit of Wisdom.
Given our understanding of the benefits of wisdom and the danger of rejecting wisdom, this chapter reveals the extent we should be ready to go in the pursuit of wisdom. For instance, it says we should seek wisdom as silver; and search for her as hidden treasure (2:4). It further reveals that the Lord is the giver of wisdom (vs 6). This means to have wisdom; we should seek the custodian. “…If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever” (1 Chronicles 28:9c). However, God hides himself to be found by intentional and diligent seekers. He says “he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him.”
So wisdom is one of the rewards of diligent seekers. This received wisdom, among others, will deliver the receiver from the ways of evil men (2:12), crooked ways (2:15), and strange women (2:16).

Chapter 3 – The blessing (rewards) of wisdom.
The chapter, like the previous one, highlights some nuggets for living, e.g., “bind mercy and truth around your neck (vs 3) to obtain favor of God and men; trust in the Lord and lean not on your understanding (vs 5-6); despise not correction from the Lord (vs 11-12); if you are to choose, buy wisdom not gold or silver (vs 14); and each coming with individual benefits. However, vs 35 sums up the benefit of living by godly wisdom - “to inherit glory and good testimonial of God and men.”

Chapter 4 –the Father’s instruction.
This chapter starts with a father's admonishment to his children to obey his commandment as their blessings are attached to their obedience. We can relate this to many other conditional blessings in the scripture, e.g., Deuteronomy 28:1-13 and Isaiah 1:19 – “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” It also highlights the importance of guarding one's heart with all diligence, for from it flows the issues of life (vs 20-23) – actions are first decided from the heart, and the consequences of our summed actions are what we have as our lives outcome. So we must be careful at what goes on in our hearts.

Chapters 5 & 7.: Warning against immoral women
Both chapters focus on the danger of adultery and the importance of marital fidelity. The father to his son describes the cunningness of a “strange woman” who through sweet mouth (5:3; 7:1-8) and warns that transactions with her will ultimately lead to destruction. “Let not thine heart decline to her ways; go not astray in her paths. For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.” (vs 25-27). For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life (6:26). The Father subsequently encourages young men to be satisfied and faithful to the wife of their youth, avoiding by all means the walking on the path with a strange woman.

Chapter 6 – Parental counsel.
It provides more nuggets for various aspects of life, including financial responsibility, work ethics, and relationships. For instance, it encourages diligence and hard work following the example of ants, emphasizing the importance of preparing for the future and avoiding laziness (6:6-11). Another important aspect can be found in vs 16-20, which highlights the seven abominations that the Lord hates - A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. (vs 16-19).

Chapters 8 & 9 –Wisdom calls for hearing and Wisdom invitation.
Both structures as a contrast between wisdom and folly, both personified as a woman. Proverbs 8 – 9:12 portrays a feast prepared by wisdom and her effort in inviting people to her banquet, especially the simple (young and inexperienced). Accepting her invitation yields longevity. On the other hand, folly similarly prepares her banquet and sends out an invitation targeting the simple with a catchphrase “stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is sweet” (vs 17). But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell (vs 18).

Chapter 10 –Contrast of righteous and wicked.
The chapter contrasts the lifestyle and outcomes of the wise and foolish. Overall, wisdom is portrayed as a source of blessing; prosperity and protection while foolishness lead to destruction and adversity (vs 8, 21). It also emphasizes the importance of speaking wisely and truthfully as opposed to gossip and spreading lies (vs 13, 18-21). It also encourages hard work and diligence as conditions for success and abundance (vs 4, 22).

May the Lord help us to be doers of His word in Jesus' name.

Contributor: Alex Kokobili

INTRODUCTION
The previous session dwelt on the righteous judgment of God (Isaiah 65: 1-25). This also pointed our attention to persistence in communion with God and rejection of idolatry, God’s desire for us to live without corruption in the newness of Him, a prosperous life of peace, love through the nature of Christ, the emphasis on prayer and God’s divine judgment which is a blessing for the righteous and condemnation for the wicked. This discussion of the sixty-sixth chapter of Isaiah will deepen our understanding of God’s expectation for humanity in this dispensation so that we can partake in His glorious blessings reserved for the saints.

• Isaiah 66: 1A. The Heaven is God’s throne and earth His footstool.
This reveals the sovereignty of kingly worship. Heaven is God’s throne implies the authority of a king whose throne is the highest and most esteemed. This implies the weight of God’s glory is on His throne in Heaven and that is why as believers we also partake in this glory through Christ (Eph. 2:6 And God raised us with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus). The significance of His footstool refers to his doings on earth because the earth cannot handle the full weight of His glory. It is royal etiquette for a king to put his leg on a stool while on his throne and this stool here is described as the earth. V1. God looks for His throne in heaven to his footstool where his leg is laid and He sees the activities of the earth. He doesn’t have to jump down to the earth, because from His Footstool He sees His creation. He sees the heart of humanity and if we truly tremble before Him as a King. V2. God’s expectation for true worship from humanity: One who is poor with a remorseful heart (contrite).

• Isaiah 66: 1B -4. God’s temple and its significance.
Since heaven is God’s throne and the earth His footstool this means God wants a relationship with His people (Israel) in a manner that He will dwell with them bringing the need for a temple “Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?”. The temple became a reference point or a place of fellowship with God, but the people became too familiar and their heart was on religiosity but without communion with God “Says the LORD. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word”.
True fellowship with God is beyond the ordinances that make us feel that we are Christians i.e. going to church, having a Christian name, giving to the poor, etc. but a life that is yielded to God in Spirit and truth. We also see the case of the temple and true worship in Haggai chapter 1 and 2 which reminds us about true worship that entails us living as the temple of God at all times. This does not diminish the relevance of physical fellowship in church

“Hebrews 10: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another”.

To access God’s throne which is in heaven, we have to be poor in the spirit which means not attributing anything to ourselves but God. Such a person will tremble at his word. V3 tells what was happening in Israel as many approached outside of God’s alignment (“He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man; He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog’s neck…..) those they thought they were sacrificing God was seeing atrocity being committed.

• Isaiah 66: 5-6. Zion is vindicated for true worship.
Zion was hated because of her desire to worship God and not to embrace falsehood “Hear the word of the LORD You who tremble at His word: “Your brethren who hated you”. Zion shall rejoice and not be ashamed. These were the remnants who desired to follow God in spirit and truth.

• Isaiah 66: 7-9. Before Zion travailed, she births forth a male child V7.
This refers to salvation birthing out of Zion to the entire world which is a description of the birth of Christ. “Rev 12: 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne”. God’s salvation through Christ is available to all who partake of the Sonship of Christ (John 1: 12, Gen 25:5 tells us about the significance of inheritance and sonship – male child).

• Isaiah 66: 10-11. The rejoicing shall be the glory of Zion shall be upon Jerusalem (God’s city).
This is the joy that a mother experiences after the birth of a child. Zion shall be full of God’s glory. Those who mourn shall be satisfied with comfort and strength from Zion which is the city of God’s manifestation.

• Isaiah 66: 12-13. The Gentiles shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
For God will extend His glory to the Gentiles (all nations and people) and they shall experience God’s comfort from Jerusalem.

• Isaiah 66: 14-17. God’s judgment upon all flesh.
“V14 When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, And your bones shall flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants, And His indignation to His enemies”. This is twofold: the first part tells us how those who would enjoy God’s comfort with rejoicing and gladness, and the next is the repercussion for those who rebel against God's prescribed true worship. They will be called God’s enemies (V17 Those who reject God’s righteousness in exchange for idol worship and defile themselves with abominables).

• Isaiah 66: 18-19. God shall reward people from all nations with His glory.
He will gather people from all nations. The sign (V19) shall be that the word of God will be declared to the people of Tarshish, Pul, Lud, Javan, and the Gentile world shall see His glory.

• Isaiah 66: 20-21. The wall of partition between the Jews and Gentiles shall be broken
“Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the LORD out of all nations, on horses and in chariots and in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the LORD, “as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD. 21 And I will also take some of them for priests and Levites,” says the LORD.” We also see this in Ephesians 2: 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.

• Isaiah 66: 22-24. The promise of a new heaven and a new earth and those who will inherit this are those who will remain before the Lord.
The new heaven and earth shall be glorious. It is important to know the significance of the new moon and Sabbath. The new moon represents glory and there will be no fatigue but rest (Sabbath) unto the Lord. Humanity will serve God in the fullness of His glory without corruption. (Isaiah 65:17-19 God will create a new heaven and earth for His pleasure so that He can take delight in us as His people.) This is what awaits us as God's people (Revelation 5:9-10. God will take people from every tribe and tongue, and “all flesh shall come to worship before Me, says the LORD”.

CONCLUSION
This is a call for a return to God for humanity which requires us to manifest His glory until the end of this human civilization. (Romans 8: 18-21 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God).

Contributor: Clem Roberts

INTRODUCTION
Isaiah 64 is a chapter in the Book of Isaiah, known for its heartfelt and impassioned prayer for divine intervention and restoration. It is a prayer from the remnant of Israel, pleading for God’s intervention and mercy. The historical context of Isaiah 64 is the Babylonian exile, a time of great suffering and uncertainty for the people of Judah. The chapter 64 is divided into two parts: the first part (verses 1-7) is a prayer requesting God to come down and intervene in their situation, while the second part (verses 8-12) is a confession of Israel’s sins and a plea for God’s forgiveness.

ISAIAH 64 – PART 1
The prayer in the first part of the chapter is a plea for God to reveal His power and glory to the nations, so that they may tremble at His presence. The remnant of Israel acknowledges that they have sinned and are unclean, but they still plead for God’s mercy and intervention. They remember God’s past works and ask Him to act on their behalf once again.

ISAIAH 64 – PART 2
The second part of the chapter is a confession of Israel’s sins and a plea for God’s forgiveness. The remnant of Israel acknowledges that they have sinned and that their sins have caused them to be consumed by God’s wrath. They plead with God to remember His covenant with them and to have mercy on them.
• Yearning for God's Presence:
The chapter opens with a cry expressing the deep longing for God to rend the heavens and come down. This vivid language conveys a profound desire for God's direct and powerful intervention in the affairs of humanity. The people of Israel are yearning for a tangible experience of God's presence.
• Acknowledgment of Sin and Need for Forgiveness:
The prayer in Isaiah 64 is marked by a recognition of the people's sinfulness and unworthiness. The plea for God to "remember not iniquity forever" reflects a genuine repentance and a desire for forgiveness. The acknowledgment of sin is a crucial aspect of the prayer, recognizing the need for God's mercy and grace.
• Appeal to God's Past Deeds:
The prayer recounts the mighty deeds of God in the past, especially in relation to the people of Israel. There is an appeal to God's historical acts of deliverance, emphasizing that God is their Father and Redeemer. This serves as a basis for the plea for divine intervention in the present circumstances.
• Contrast Between God's Holiness and Human Sinfulness:
Isaiah 64:6 highlights the vast difference between God's perfect holiness and the people's sinful state. It emphasizes that even their righteous deeds are like filthy rags in comparison to God's purity. This stark contrast underscores the need for God's grace and redemption.
• Lament Over the Desolation of Jerusalem:
The chapter expresses a lament over the desolation of Jerusalem, portraying the city as a place where God's presence is not felt. The devastation is seen as a consequence of the people's sin, and there is a plea for God to act on behalf of His holy city.
• Trust in God's Sovereignty:
Despite the lament and acknowledgment of sin, there is a profound trust in God's sovereignty and ability to shape the destiny of His people. The prayer expresses confidence that God is the potter and His people are the clay, emphasizing God's authority and the people's dependence on Him.

ISAIAH 65
Isaiah 65 is a chapter in the Book of Isaiah is a prophetic text that addresses the issues of life regarding God’s people on the premise of divine judgment, restoration, and the future messianic age. Major key points in this chapter are outlined as follows:
• Divine Judgment and Rejection of Idolatry:
The chapter begins with God expressing his willingness to be found by those who did not seek him and his willingness to be known to those who did not inquire after him. However, it also highlights the contrast between those who sought God and those who persisted in idolatry and rebellion. God declares judgment upon the disobedient and idolatrous, using strong language to convey the severity of their actions.
• Promise of a New Heaven and a New Earth:
Isaiah 65:17 introduces the concept of a new heaven and a new earth. This theme is often associated with the idea of renewal and restoration. It suggests a time when God will make all things new, free from the corruption and sin that plagued the old creation.
• Joy and Prosperity in the Messianic Age:
The chapter paints a vivid picture of the messianic age, characterized by joy, peace, and prosperity. It describes a time when people will build houses and inhabit them, plant vineyards and eat their fruit, and enjoy the work of their hands without fear of harm. This imagery is often seen as a vision of the ultimate fulfilment of God's promises to His people.
• Longevity and Blessings:
Isaiah 65:20-25 describes a time when people will live long and full live that is free from the threat of premature death. It depicts a harmonious relationship between humans and the animal kingdom, reflecting a state of peace and well-being.
• Response to Prayer:
The chapter emphasizes the responsiveness of God to the prayers of His people. It suggests that before they even call, God will answer, underlining the close and intimate relationship between God and those who seek Him in righteousness.
• Judgment for Sin:
While there is a vision of restoration and blessings, Isaiah 65 also underscores the principle of divine judgment for those who persist in rebellion and sin. God's mercy is available, but there are consequences for those who reject Him.

CONCLUSION
Isaiah 64 is a prayerful and repentant plea for God's intervention and mercy, marked by a deep acknowledgment of sin, a yearning for God's presence, and a trust in God's sovereignty. It reflects a desire for a renewed relationship with God and a restoration of the covenantal bond between God and His people. It is also a reminder that even when we have sinned and are unclean, we can still turn to God and ask for His forgiveness and mercy.

Isaiah 65 is a prophetic passage that presents a vision of divine judgment, renewal, and the blessings of the messianic age. It emphasizes the themes of repentance, righteousness, and the ultimate fulfilment of God's promises to His people.
Isaiah 64 and 65 offer timeless themes that connect with our human experience today. It addresses the need for repentance, hope for renewal, a longing for justice, and the importance of a trusting relationship with God. These passages invite us as individuals and as God's congregation to reflect on our lives, seek positive change, and pursue a vision of a more just and righteous walk, work and world.

Contributor: Adewale Abiona

INTRODUCTION

Last week in Isaiah 60-61 the picture of God’s faithfulness to his promises and His ability to restore and transform His children to His original plan was painted in our heart. We were encouraged to see God’s profound love and concern for His children in any circumstance that we may be going through, we were assured of God’s favour, justice, and the hope of His eternal covenant. In today’s lesson, we will again discover God's love and faithfulness to redeem His children from the hands of the enemies and how He had planned to pour out His indignation on those who oppose Him and His plan for His children.

Chapter 62 - God’s Redemption promise

Verse 1 – Continued advocacy for Zion - Romans 8:34 62 vs 2-3 – Christ's intervention will bring God’s goodness and honour to His chosen elect. Nations and kings will see it We will have a new name that God Himself will give to us Wonderful description of what these will look like; “You will be like a beautiful crown that the Lord holds up, like a king’s crown in the hand of your God.” 62 vs 4 – You will no longer be termed forsaken, your land will no longer be destroyed, but you will be God’s delight and your land His bride because the Lord loves you.

Verse 5 - The Bible always uses the things we know and can understand to describe God’s relationship with His people. God in this verse wanted us to know the depth of the love He has towards us, so He said, “As a young man takes a bride and she belongs to him, so your land will belong to your children. Note that He didn’t say as a young woman takes a groom, so those who think the woman should go and marry the man, the head of the Church is the one that marries the church. So, if you are a man and you are married to a woman, now you know. Rebecca did not marry Isaac.

Verses 6-7 Emphasises the role of continuous prayer as a way to remind God of His promise and to hasten Him to come to our aide or to fulfil His promises.

Verses 11-12 – God is coming to save us and also bringing our reward. Revelation 22:12. We are and will again be known as His holy People 1 Peter 2:9

Chapter 63:1-14 - God’s Day of Vengeance

2 Corinthians 10:6 – God will punish all disobedience when our obedience to Him is complete. When we have become fully obedient, everyone who remains disobedient will be punished. When we consider the atrocities of this present world and how some so-called believers are conducting themselves and appeared to be doing well. You may even ask yourself; "How are they getting away?" It is almost tempting to want to say maybe they know something that I don’t know or perhaps God is not that difficult, He is a loving Father and surely He will forgive them. Maybe there are no consequences after all. This chapter makes us understand that God’s Vengeance, His judgement, and punishment await disobedient ones.

Verses 1-6 – Demonstrates the punishment that will be inflicted on the abominable nations and disobedient children.
1.Understanding Edom and Edomites
Events in the Bible were for us to learn and to know more about God. The story of Jacob (Israel) and Esau (the foundation and growth of the nation of Edom) Malachi 1:2-3 declares, “‘I have loved you,’” says the LORD. But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’ ‘Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?’ the LORD says. ‘Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.’” Malachi 1:3 is quoted in Romans 9:10-13,

The quote referred to God's decision to choose one and reject the other, nothing to do with human emotional love and hate pattern. He chose Abraham of all the people on the face of the earth, He chose Isaac not Ishmael. Two nations in the womb struggled so much the mother Rebecca was feeling the pain Genesis 25:23. We know the event that happened between the two brothers and how they later settled their differences. Genesis 33:9 and God also blessed Esau Hundreds of years after Jacob and Esau had died, the Israelites and Edomites became bitter enemies. The Edomites often aided Israel’s enemies in attacks on Israel. Esau’s descendants brought God’s curse upon themselves.

Genesis 27:29 tells Israel, “May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.”

This is simply to show how the Edomites became God’s enemy as described in these passages which show God avenging Israelite people of all the afflictions they suffered from the hands of the Edomites. So is the case for all disobedient nations and all children that are in disobedience to God’s command. Because of God pronouncement upon Israel, anyone that opposes Israel have God to fight. The same is for everyone that is a genuine child of God every of their opposition will experience the wrath of God. It so easy for anyone to make himself or herself the enemy of God. Just disobey God’s Word concerning His people, nations, and servants that He has called His own, God Himself will take vengeance on the wicked.

2. Christ's robe of righteousness is fine linen, clean and white; the garment of His human nature, or hisform as man, was white and ruddy; but this, through His bloody sufferings, became red but here the red colour not with His own blood, but with the blood of His enemies at His vengeance.

3.He was trodden as a vine in their time, but here, the winepress is a symbol of the wrath of God onHis enemies, He had trodden them.

4.God resolved with Himself and has fixed by Him, the desirable day He has it at heart, in a time to come that He avenge the blood of His saints. When He shall pour out all His wrath on the anti-christ, and revenge the cause and quarrel of His people Revelation 16:1 and the year of my redeemed is come; the time when those who are already redeemed by the blood of Christ shall be redeemed again from the anti-christ, bondage and slavery.

5.He will wage the war alone with His might, strength and righteousness. A salvation which Hiown omnipotent arm could only bring, fired up by His zeal for His church and people, and His indignation against their enemies Revelation 19:1.

6.The wrath of God is signified by a cup, which He gives wicked men to drink, as we see in Psalms 75:8
Revelation 18:4 – God does not want His children to have any part in these vengeance, So He called us to come out 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

Chapter. 63:7-14 – I will have mercy on whom I will…

Romans 9:15. These verses demonstrate God’s mercy and kindness towards His people. For those who have made the decision to trust Him and abstain from all manners on ungodliness:

• He became their Savior.
• In all their affliction He was afflicted.
• The Angel of His Presence saved them.
• In His love and in His pity He redeemed them.
• And He bore them and carried them.

As we read in verse 10 (But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; So, He turned Himself against them as an enemy, And He fought against them) How can someone turn against the one who has been very kind and merciful to them. It not much of a surprise because humans at the very best are just mere mortals except for those that have been regenerated 1 Peter 1:23 and have their senses exercised…. Hebrews 5:14.

In Mark 4:38 the disciples were angry at Jesus simply because He was sleeping through the storm. They thought He didn’t care about them. In Luke 7:18 John the Baptist sent a messenger to Jesus when he was in prison asking "should we be expecting another Messiah?" Why have you not come to save me from prison? Each time we fail to trust God, and wait patiently on His promise and His timing, we run the risk of moving ourselves out of His plan for us. This will always lead to frustration and ultimately sin.

In Exodus 32:1; 7-10

"1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

"7 The LORD told Moses, “Quick! Go down the mountain! Your people whom you brought from the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. 8 How quickly they have turned away from the way I commanded them to live! They have melted down gold and made a calf, and they have bowed down and sacrificed to it. They are saying, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” 9 Then the LORD said, “I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are. 10 Now leave me alone so my fierce anger can blaze against them, and I will destroy them. Then I will make you, Moses, into a great nation.”

God’s anger and vengeance will come upon disobedient children. My prayer is that by His Spirit, He will lead us in the right path in Jesus’ name.

Verses 15-19 – Humble yourself before God and Trust Him to see you through.

But If we will come back to our senses like the prodigal son and acknowledge His power and His wonderful works and then trust Him with our future, He will definitely come to our aide and deliver us for His name sake. You may ask: 

“What are we to be delivered from? Am I not a Christian? Should I not be free from all things?"

Yes you should be free from sins and the condemnation of the same. But not from occasional temptation that will arise because of needs, not from afflictions and the trial of our faith. For these and many others, you need Christ to deliver you daily.

Psalms 34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Matthew 6:33-34 after Christ had told us not to worry about our needs because God knows what they are and will meet us all at that particular point, He admonished us to focus on God’s kingdom and doing what is right. He concluded by saying every day has enough trouble of its own. Another version says "sufficient for the days are the evil thereof".

What Christ is telling us is that anytime we allow our needs to get us down, we are not trusting God, we are living in denial of God’s ability to come through for us. This is why many children of God have gone away from His presence to seek their own salvation, thereby sinning against God. Instead, we are to acknowledge God’s power and His sovereignty over all things rather than fearing the challenges in front. By doing this, God is moved to come and demonstrate His power in us and through us.

CONCLUSION
God’s redemption promise awaits those that trust in Him and that wait upon Him for help. Psalm 121:1-8

Contributor: Dolapo Williams

INTRODUCTION
In the last bible study, we looked at “Falsehood, Hypocrisy and Sins” and concluded that God never cast away His beloved. His plan of redemption remains valid, if only the backslider will look back and repent like the prodigal son. God is a jealous God. We must be sensitive as to what we worship secretly in this end time. Spiritual adultery is not of old. It is all around us.
This week, we will look at Isiah 60-61. Isaiah 60-62 has years of materials if you understand prophetic language in these 3 chapters. We will see in chapter 61 where the Spirit of God comes upon Jesus to do the impossible – it is chapter 61 that makes 60 and 62 work. It’s the same combination of chapters, they fuel each other and make it possible. WE the CHURCH need to start to see our place in the scripture. I see it’s not an easy road, but when you see God’s intentions then you know how to pray. There are 2 things we will see as we study today:

1. The world as God intends for it to be, and
2. God’s people as God intends us to be.

Isaiah 60 Verses 1-5:
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. 4 “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip. 5 Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come."

Remember when Jesus told the disciples to lift up their eyes (in John 4) – Lift up your eyes look into the fields….

Let’s go to verse 5 again – one of the translations says, “you will tremble” There is a connection between the trembling of the fear of the Lord and extreme joy.
You have to understand prophetic terminology to really get these chapters. It starts by saying "ARISE shine", so here we are waiting for something to happen, and God says arise, Shine. I mean, I know how to get up, but I don’t know how to shine! Take your place and shine because your light has come. John 1 says Jesus is the Light that enlightens every person that comes into the world! Shine because your light has come – Jesus is the light there is no other light coming….

When you arise, in the glory that God has placed in your life, it attracts the glory of the Lord, it would actually be seen over you. In the same way that water attracts water, money attracts money, favour attracts favour, mercy attracts mercy, so Glory attracts GLORY! That’s why in the gospel of Mark, Jesus taught: Guide your ears because whatever standard you set, it will be given to you. So, if you have a standard for testimony guess what? – it attracts Testimonies.

It is all about the manifestation of the Glory of God in the earth! That is, the target from Day one that the Glory, the manifestation of Jesus will be seen, realised, visibly recognised all over the earth! Everything is building to this ONE plan! And the crowning moment of humanity is when the Glory of God becomes manifested and, in these verses, he is saying, whenever you take your place, and you shine it attracts the Glory and His Glory will be seen upon you! – we need to become fully who God has designed us to be, that the Nation of the earth celebrates who God has made the Church to be! We would be people that take our rightful place not in ruling – in servicing, in yielding to the presence of God. As a result, they will gather to you, they will come to you.

The Old Testament terminology for ZION often time in prophecy is Old Testament terms that point to a new reality that is THE CHURCH! – A new name would be given to her.
Your success am not talking money (however, it is included in a minor way), your success in knowing how to reign in life is what the nations ache for. They ache for why they are alive and how to do it well, they ache for fulfilment on why they are alive, for some its business, for some its raising family, for others it’s in art the list is endless but there is ache in the heart for fulfilment by stepping into God’s design for Life. And we (the Church – the body of Christ) have access to what nobody else has access to: Something in the Lord!

A City (our Church once light up) cannot be hidden – recognised when dark and people will look to that direction because they are in darkness and they need nourishment they need safety, they need refuge, they need community, they need all the things that the City on a hill speaks of – and they are attracted in darkness to that place in hope that they will find what they were born for. We were sent to the Nations of the world – World Mission!

We are to be a watchman – it’s an area of responsibility, a watchman is not a gossip who gathers information to spread a watchman is a person who looks for activities even outside the walls of the city and when seen, they sound the alarm (pray for the people – partner with God). You have been given sight so that what you see will cause you to pray, we have not been given sight so that we can gather information (ain ’t nobody doing studies of the city here) – we need to see so as to take it to Him in prayer.

Isaiah 60 Verses 6-9:
6Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. 7 All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you; they will be accepted as offerings on my altar, and I will adorn my glorious temple. 8“Who are these that fly along like clouds, like doves to their nests? 9 Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your children from afar, with their silver and gold, to the honor of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.

Wealth of the seas, Riches of the Nations, Camel from Midian, Gold and Incense from Sheba, Flocks from Kedar, Rams from Nebaioth, the ships of Tarshish with their silver and gold! All these nations that are named are enemies of Isaiah and this is saying they are to bring everything that they have TO Isaiah – Interesting!

Isaiah 60 Verses 10-14:
10 “Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion. 11 Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations—their kings led in triumphal procession. 12For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined. 13 “The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the juniper, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place for my feet. 14 The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Vs.14 summarises this scene very well. All life in this new earth is going to be focused on a City – A City called Zion (the Church). The only light in this world is going to be focused on this City and this people and everyone around the world will bring their best to this City. The City is to be like a cultural centre where the best of human beings who have worked with their hands will be on display and FOR the use of everyone present. So, unlike a world where depression and hurting seems to rule, this world is to be a world of robot sharing.

Isaiah paints a picture of a world where the people of God don’t gain by going out and taking, they gain by invitation. That is, the people of the world see what the people of God have (the Presence of God), and they bring everything that they have to that space. This is the world where the overwhelming centre of existence is not greed, but God! Not man, and money and profits but YAWEH!

Isaiah 60 Verses 15-22:
15 “Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations. 16 You will drink the milk of nations and be nursed at royal breasts. Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. 17 Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler. 18No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. 19 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. 20 Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will
be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. 21 Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor. 22 The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will do this swiftly.”

The Lord is telling these people through Isaiah that not only is the world going to be different when he works his final redemption, but the people are going to be different too. Go back to vs 17-18. Picture this restoration – so these people have lost their land, their temple and their King and what God is saying here is that they are going to get it all back. The land is going to be restored and its not going to be a nation, it’s going to be a City – ZION. They will also get a King back – they will get the King they were always meant to have – God himself.

A future where the community is different, a community full of Joy, Peace, Prosperity where the world is to be different. We don’t think about that future very often, it is very easy for us to get cut up in the day-day and forget how much our future are meant to shape our present. In Christ, we have the fulfilment of every single promise of God which means there is something about Jesus that fulfils the promise of Isaiah 60.

The restoration of the world has already begun, and the church is supposed to be an actual physical place where those things are actually present – the Church is suppose to be the place where the Spirit redeems people from the consequences of sin – this Church is suppose to be the space where the Spirit morally transforms us and equip us to put to death the deeds of the flesh and teach us to work according to the Spirit. The Church is supposed to be the place where one rejoices, all rejoice, where we fight the injustice of the world by eliminating them in the Church. The Church is to be the place where because we are all on same page about Jesus been our Lord and no one else, if we can actually become a community of peace, of love, free of poverty and oppression. The most regular way God works through the world is through the Church – so that when the world tells us turning from sin is impossible, we respond with a vision of a world where all things are made new. You can go to school with the assumption that your fellow students are not your competitors to be crushed, but rather people to be loved.

Isaiah 61 Verses 1-3:
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

These verses speak about Christ, before Christ but which would end up been fulfilled by Christ. Jesus read these same verses in Luke 4 vs 17-20. Isaiah here mentions, and Jesus confirms by reading this in in Luke 4, four things about the ministry of Jesus:

1. To preach the good news to the poor: now when the word poor is used here, it doesn’t mean materially of financially, it means spiritually poor.
2. To bind up the broken-hearted: There are a lot of broken-hearted people in this world, people have experienced tremendous loss and heart ache – people dealing with medical issues, bankruptcy, there is no shortage of pain in this world. But you will never find more compassion and hope for the broken hearted than with Jesus.
3. To proclaim freedom for the captives: As the word implies, captive means that we are in bondage to something and people can be in bondage to a lot of things (drugs, alcohol, anger, unforgiveness etc). By nature, we are all captive to sin BUT the good news is there is freedom in Christ and therefore we can never be master again by sin in the way that we were before we came to know God.
4. To release the prisoners from darkness: Before we came to Christ, we lived in darkness – spiritually blind – prisoners of that darkness. And when you come to know Christ, you step into LIGHT and
begin to see things as you had never seen them before – you begin to understand things like you never understood before.
In vs 3 he summarises by saying in addition to all these, he has come to give a crown of beauty instead of ashes, oil of gladness instead of mourning, and garment of praise instead of spirit of despair. In other words, it is telling us here that God takes spiritually bankrupt, broken-hearted lives that are captive to sin and spiritually blind and he brings beauty out of them.

Isaiah 61 Verses 4-11:
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. 5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. 6 And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. 7 Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. 8 “For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.” 10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.

Promise of restoration – God announces a new time for his people. A time of renewal, a time of encouragement. These 5 verses show a powerful show of what God can do for his children when they face extremely painful/dangerous situations. Note the verbs used in these passages: Rebuild, Restore, Renew, Rejoice, Inherit: Wonderful promises. These promises must be seen as God’s words in announcing good news of redemption even today.

Vs 5 says he is going to send strangers (believers that you don’t know) to bless us! Some people won’t even know why they are blessing you – it’s called the anointing, some will even tell you “I don’t know why am been nice to you, I don’t know why am doing so much for you” – that’s God’s anointing. Foreigners (unbelievers that you don’t know). It doesn’t have to be a saved person that blesses, an unsaved person can bless you as well – God decides.

God will change your name! You are a royal priesthood. When God called us out of darkness into light, you have to understand that you now have royalty. When you are over in the light, you need to remember each day that where you are going is better than where you are. Whatever God gives you he gives you knowing your need. God said you will now be called priest of the Lord not only that, you will be well spoke of!
And the remaining vs promises reward and blessing and even your children’s children will be blessed – you don’t have to earn it. He said: Am giving it to you – you shall possess it.

CONCLUSION
Isaiah 60 paints a powerful picture of God's faithfulness to His promises and His ability to restore and transform. It encourages us to remember that no matter how miserable the situation, the light of God's glory can break forth, bringing restoration, transformation, and elevation and Isaiah 61 powerfully reminds us of God's profound love and concern for the oppressed and broken-hearted, His divine plan of restoration and renewal, and the joy and celebration that follow redemption. Amid life's ruins and desolation, we can be assured of God's favour, justice, and the hope of His eternal covenant. Isaiah's message continues to inspire us to seek, recognize, and rejoice in God's transformative work in our lives and the world around us.

Contributor: Martins Olubiyi

INTRODUCTION
Fortnight ago, we learnt from the book of Isaiah 53 about the vicarious sacrifice of Christ, Jehovah’s servant. Last week, we studied the book of Isaiah 54-56 that focused on the blessings accrued to us through that vicarious sacrifice in terms of our restoration, salvation and the reward of living an obedient life as we follow on to know the Lord. Today by the grace of God, we shall continue from Isaiah 57-59 to learn about falsehood, hypocrisy and sins. We shall conclude with a reality check on our relationship with the Lord.

ISAIAH 57: THE SPIRITUAL ADULTERY OF GOD’S PEOPLE
A. Judah’s adultery is like spiritual adultery
1. Isaiah 57: 1-2. The persecution of the righteous
(a). The righteous perishes- carrying on the rebuke of Judah’s leaders from the previous chapter, the Lord speaks about the persecution of the righteous, that it is the persecution through neglect (the righteous perish and no man takes it to heart).
(b). The righteous is taken away from evil. He shall enter into peace: Though the righteous were ignored and persecuted by the wicked leaders of Judah God would not forsake them. When merciful men were taken away. God used it to bless the righteous, to take them away from evil and to allow them to enter into peace.

2. Isaiah 57: 3-10. The spiritual adultery of God’s people
(a). Whom do you ridicule? The wicked among God’s people made fun of the righteous. They mocked them, and God heard it. Here, the Lord challenges them, simply asking “who do you think you are? Who are you mocking. This speaks to a common perspective of how we address the sin of others at the neglect of our own sins.
(b). Inflaming yourselves with gods under every green tree: Here the Lord begins to expose the spiritual adultery of His people. They are ‘hot’ with passion for other gods, worshipping them in ritual worship places of Canaanite paganism (every green tree among the smooth stones of the stream… on a high and lofty mountain). In this picture, the Lord is the husband of Israel, and their passionate, chronic attraction for idols was like the lust of an adulterer. His people pursued the false gods like a lover runs after the focus of their love, and they yield themselves to the idols as a lover yields themselves to their beloved. The picture of “spiritual adultery” is especially fitting, because many of the pagan gods the Israelites went after were “worshipped” with debased sex rituals. A green tree might be a place of such idolatry because the ever-green tree spoke of constant fertility.
(c). Slaying the children in the valleys: This is about one of the Canaanites gods the Israelites worshipped was named Molech, and he received children as sacrifices.
(d). Even to them you have poured a drink offering, you have offered a grain offering: True oblation that that should have been given to the Lord. But His faithful people gave them to idols instead.
(e). Also, behind the doors and their posts you have set up your remembrance: In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, God told Israel to inscribe His name and His words on every door post. Here, there was a perverse twisting of that- they remembered their pagan gods behind the doors and their posts.
(f). You are wearied in the length of your way: As time went on, the spiritual adultery of God’s people wasn’t rewarding. After the initial thrill of their spiritual adultery wore off, they were wearied. But even then, they would not repent.

B. God describes His dealing with His disobedient people.
1. Isaiah 57: 11-13. The end of God’s patience with His people.
(a). And of whom have you been afraid, or feared, that you have lied and not remembered Me. Here, the Lord confronts the fact that His people do not fear Him, and that they do fear someone or something else.
(b). Is it not because I have held My peace from of old that you do not fear Me? God’s people lack respect for Him because He showed mercy and did not punish their sin immediately. They mistook God’s mercy and forbearance for weakness or lack of resolve.
(c). I will declare your righteousness and your works, for they will not profit you: God’s people didn’t trust in Him, and the things they trust in- themselves and their idols (let your collection of idols deliver you) could not help them. Their idols were so weak and helpless that a breath will take them.
(d). He who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain: Trust in the Lord makes a person secure, while trust in one’s self or in idols ends in ruin.

2. Isaiah 57: 14. A stumbling block removed.
(a). Heap it up! Heap it up. This doesn’t describe setting things in the way of those coming to God. Instead, using the same imagery as Isaiah 35:8, which describes a high way for God’s people, meaning a raised road that is above all obstacles. Heap it up refers to the building of this road, so that God’s people can return to Him without obstacle.
(b). Prepare the way, take the stumbling block out of the way of my people: Whatever gets in the way of our getting right with God must be taken out of the way. In the following verses, the Lord deals with those obstacles.

3. Isaiah 57: 15-21: God describes the way of peace and restoration.
(a). For thus says the High and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: To be right with God, the first thing to do is to understand His great majesty. The Lord introduces Himself to His people with titles reflecting His great majesty and expects His people to respond to Him as such a glorious God.
(b). To revive the spirit of the humble: Though God is the High and Lofty One, and lives in the high and holy place, at the same time He will live with men- with him who has a contrite and humble before the God of great majesty.
(c). For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry: The third thing to understand in getting right with God is His great love. Here, the Lord shows His mercy to His people but promises to relent and not be angry forever. Though God discipline His people, He now says, I have seen his ways, and will I heal him; I will also lead him, and restore comforts to him.
(d). Peace, peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near. In His mercy, God invites all men to peace- both him who is far off and him who is near. Each one can receive God’s shalom, which is more than the absence of hostility; it is the gift of precious well-being. In Eph. 2:17, Paul speaks of Jesus fulfilling this promise exactly.
(e). But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest…..there is no peace…for the wicked: In contrast to those return to God, the wicked are still without peace. God’s great mercy is held out to man- but it must be received.

ISAIAH 58: THE BLESSING OF TRUE WORSHIP.
A. The Lord exposes the shallow worship of His people.
1. Isaiah 58: 1-3a God’s people ask: “why do our prayers go unanswered?”
(a). Cry loud, spare not …tell My people their transgression: God spoke loudly and directly. His people need to hear their transgression- but would they hear?
(b). They seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways: God first described the appearance of their spiritual life. On the surface, it seemed that God’s people loved Him and were devoted to Him. They had the reputation of a nation that did righteousness and they looked like people who would take delight in approaching God.
(c). Why have we fasted….and You have not seen? With this spiritual veneer, they felt God was unfair to them. It was as if they said, “Lord, we have fasted, but You still don’t answer our prayer. Don’t you know that we seek you daily, delight to know Your ways, do righteousness, and take delight in approaching You? Yet You do not answer our prayers!”

2. Isaiah 58: 3b-5 God exposes the shallow worship of His people.
(a). In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exploit all your laborers: Enough with the image; now God exposes the reality. The reality was that His people didn’t fast with the right heart and did it only as an empty ritual. The reality was that even on a day when they fasted, they still exploited their employees. God didn’t accept their fasting when it wasn’t connected with a sincere heart of obedience.
(b). Indeed you fast for strive and debate, and to strike with the fist of wickedness: They fasted for needs, certainly; but selfish needs like “Lord, help me win this argument,” “Lord, help me defeat this person” Though their prayer was accompanied with fasting, it was still a selfish, even wicked prayer- so God did not answer.
(c). You will not fast as you do this day, to make your voice heard on high: The purpose of their fasting was to glorify themselves, to make their voice heard on high. God says, “No more. You will not fast as you do this day.”
(d). Is it a fast that I have chosen: The kind of fast rebukes here is a hollow, empty, show, without the spiritual substance behind it. This isn’t the kind of fast God has chosen. Even though they do all the right things in fasting (bow down his head like a bulrush …. spread out sackcloth and ashes). God does not even call this a fast. Check Mat. 17:21; Luke 18: 9-14.; Mat. 23: 23.

B. The character and blessings of true worship.
1. Isaiah 58: 6-7. The kind of worship and fasting most acceptable to God.
(a). Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To lose the bonds of wickedness. God tells His people. “If you want to fast the way that pleases Me, begin with getting right with your brothers and sisters. Stop oppressing others and reach out to help others.”
(b). Lose the bonds of wickedness …undo the heavy burden …let the oppressed go free …break every yoke: First they have to stop acting wickedly towards others. This means that getting right with God continues by doing loving things for other people.

2. Isaiah 58: 8-12. The blessings God promises for the true worshipper.
(a). Then your light shall break forth like the morning: If God ‘s people would couple their fasting with lives of righteousness and love, then they would see their prayers answered. They would have lives full of light, full of healing, full of righteousness, full of the glory of the Lord. When they call out to God, then the Lord will answer.
(b). If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness: Again, the Lord gives them three things to stop doing. Stop oppressing others, treating them as animal bound with a yoke; stop pointing …the finger at others; stop speaking wickedness. These are sins of commission. They are sins that we go out and do against the Lord and against others. If we will walk right with God, we must stop and guard against sins of commission.
(c). If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul: Again, the Lord gives them two things to start doing. They needed to minister to the hungry with more than food; they had to extend their soul to the hungry. They had to look for the afflicted soul and seek to satisfy it. Failing to do these are sins of omission. They are things that we should have done, yet we have not. If we walk right with God, we must open our eyes and do what is our loving duty before Him.
(d). Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday: To the repentant, God promises blessing. Not only will they have light, but even their darkness shall be as noonday!
(e). The Lord will guide you continually: This is a promise for those who do more than just empty religious rituals. To have the guidance of the Lord, empty religious ritual isn’t enough. We need to seek God with both sincere hearts and sincere actions.
(f). And satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones: Those who serve God with sincere hearts and actions enjoy a health and life of the soul that is impossible for the superficial follower of God to know.
(g). Those from among you shall build the old waste places: Those who serve God with sincere hearts and actions also accomplish things for God’s kingdom. They build and are called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell in. You can’t build anything for God’s kingdom on the foundation of a superficial walk with God.
All in all, these passages show several characteristics of a life right with God
• It is an enlightened life: Your light shall dawn in the darkness.
• It is a guided life: The Lord will guide you continually
• It is a satisfied life: And satisfied life: And satisfy your soul in drought
• It is a fragrant life: Like a watered garden
• It is a freshly sustained life: Like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
• It is a productive, healing life: You shall build the old waste places.

3. Isaiah 58: 13-14. True Sabbath keeping and the blessings of it.
(a). Call the Sabbath a delight …the holy day of the Lord honourable: The Sabbath was another empty religious observance for the Jewish people of Isaiah’s day. God calls them to take a delight in the heart and in the purpose of the Sabbath- to honour Him, not doing your own ways.
(i). The fulfilment of the Sabbath is in the light of the finished work of Jesus. We keep the Sabbath when we set aside every day to honour Him, and by not doing your own ways as a means of justifying ourselves. (ii). Are Christians required to keep the Sabbath today? The New Testament makes it clear that Christians are not under obligation to observe a Sabbath day. Colossians 2: 16-17; Gal. 4: 9-11, because Jesus fulfils the purpose and plan of the Sabbath for us and in us heb.4: 9-11 (iii). Gal. 4; 10 tells us that Christians are not bound to observe days and months and seasons and years. The rest we enter into as Christians is something to experience every day, not just one day a week- the rest of knowing we don’t have to work to save ourselves, but that our salvation was accomplished in Jesus Heb. 4: 9-10. (iv). The Sabbath commanded here and observed by Israel was a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ Col. 2: 16-17. We have a rest in Jesus that is ours to live in every day. Therefore, since the shadow of the Sabbath is fulfilled in Jesus, we are free to keep any day- or no day- as a Sabbath after the custom of ancient Israel. However, though we are free from the legal obligation of the Sabbath, we dare not ignore the importance of a day of rest- God has built us so that we need one. (v). If anyone would insist on the Sabbath, they must also insist on the six-day work week. Exod. 20:9, in the command regarding the Sabbath, says Six days you shall labour and do all your work.
(b). Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord: When we keep the meaning of the Sabbath, not merely as an empty religious ritual, then you shall delight yourself in the Lord. God will bless us, and we shall delight, not only in the blessing, but in the Lord Himself. We know it is sure because the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

In this chapter, God exposed the emptiness of two religious rituals as practiced in Isaiah’s day: fasting and Sabbath keeping. Both of these are expressions of not doing things. In fasting, you don’t eat. In Sabbath keeping, you don’t work. An important aspect of this chapter is showing us that what we don’t work. An important aspect of this chapter is showing us what we don’t do isn’t enough to make us right before God. Our walk with God shouldn’t only be defined by what we don’t do. What do we do for the Lord?

ISAIAH 59: THE REALITY CHECK
A. The sin God sees
1. Isaiah 59: 1 - The problem of God’s people: what the cause is not?
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save: God people wondered why God did not seem to rescue them from their trials. They wondered if perhaps God had diminished in strength. Nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. The problem isn’t that God lacks power. Or He lacks knowledge of our problem or interest in our problem. But Isaiah reminds us God’s ear is not heavy. He can hear us just fine.

2. Isaiah 59: 2 The problem of God’s people: what the cause is? But your iniquities have separated you from your God. The problem is with our iniquities. Sin has separated you from your God. It separates from fellowship with God, we no longer think alike with God. It separates us from the blessing of God, because at the point of sin we are not trusting God and relying on Him. It separates us from some of the benefits of God’s love, just like the Prodigal son (Luk. 15:11-32)

3. Isaiah 59:3-8 A detail description of the sins of God’s people.
(a). Your hands are defiled with blood- They practiced and approved of violence and murder.
(b). Your lips have spoken lies- They lied with ease and regularity.
(c). No one calls for justice- They did not share God’s heart for what was fair and good.
(d). They conceived evil and bring forth iniquity- as if they were snakes giving birth to a more venomous serpent, bringing nothing but death

B. The effects of sin the people see.
1. Isaiah 59: 9-11. Because of their sin, darkness comes
(a) God’s people had no interest in justice, God did not bless them with it. Because God’s people did not care about righteousness, God did not bless them with it.
2. Isaiah 59: 12-15b Confessing their sin and admitting their guilt.
(a). Our sins testify against us … righteousness stands afar off: Now God’s people are in a better place. They have had their reality check and see things as they are. No longer do they blame the “the shortened hand “of God, or His heavy ear”. They know it is because of their own sins that the righteousness stands afar off.

C. The salvation and redemption the Lord sees.
1. Isaiah 59: 15b-16a What the Lord saw.
(a). The Lord saw it, and it displeased Him, that there was no justice. The state of God’s people was no mystery to the Lord. They cried out in Isaiah 59: 12-15b stating how desperate their condition was- and the Lord knew it all along.
(b). He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: None was available to stand in the gap to plead God’s case to the people, and the people’s repentance to their God.

2. Isaiah 59: 16b-19. What the Lord did.
(a). Therefore, His own arm brought salvation for Him- God waited to work through an intercessor. But God’s work would still be accomplished if none arose.
(b). He put on righteousness as breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head. It reveals a great connection between Isaiah 59: 17-18 and Paul’s comments on our spiritual amour in Eph. 6:10-17. The amour belongs to Him and He allows us to use it to fight for Him.

3. Isaiah 59: 20-21. What the Lord said.
(a). The Redeemer -the goel-will come to Zion. The word redeemer is Jesus. He is the one who buys us out of slavery (Lev. 25:48). He is the one who avenges wrongs done to us. He protects our inheritance and blesses and guards our posterity. (Num.3 5:19; Lev. 25:25; Deut. 25:5-10

CONCLUSION
This is a call to eschew evil by walking in the spirit and in obedience to God’s word. God never cast away His beloved. His plan of redemption remains valid, if only the backslider we look back and repent like prodigal son. God is a jealous God. We have to be sensitive as to what we worship surreptitiously in this end time. Spiritual adultery is not of old. It is all around us. For the mystery of iniquity doth already at work: only he who letteth will let, … (“Thes. 2:7-8).
Reference: Message partly culled from Blueletterbible.org © David Guzik.

Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

INTRODUCTION
In last week’s study of Isaiah 53, we considered the vicarious sacrifice of Christ for the entire world. A completely selfless sacrifice of the Servant King prophesied hundreds of years before His birth. Prophecies that were undeniably accurate of the death, resurrection, sanctification and glorification of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Today’s study spans three chapters; divided into 3 parts. The Word of God is packed with very many precious promises; but two of the chapters we are studying today (54 & 55) are packed full of God’s promises to restore His people, His offer of salvation, and His many blessings – for both the Jews and the Gentiles. They contain some of the more quoted verses in Scripture, as well as our anchor scripture for last month. Isaiah 54:2-3.

PART 1: RESTORATION (ISAIAH 54:1-17)
After the prophet had foretold the sufferings of Christ in chapter 53, he foretells the flourishing of the church in chapter 54. Here, in Isaiah 54, we transition from the suffering to the result of that suffering – the deliverance of, and blessing for Israel. The death of Christ is the life of the church and of all that truly belong to it.

• Verses 1-6: The LORD Speaks to Israel as His Wife
The promises that the Lord bestows on His people following the work of the Messiah is amazing. The one that never had children will have more children than a woman who still has a husband. Israel will be restored like a barren woman who bears many children. The consequence of this increase is the call for enlargement. Israel will also be restored like a widow who is rescued from her reproach. “You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.”

• Verses 7-8: God Explains His Restoration of Israel.
Despite the length of time the Israelites were away in bondage, the Lord reckons it as only a moment. The contrast is between the moment of feeling forsaken and the everlasting nature of the kindness that will come. When we feel tried and forsaken, we should recognize that it is just for a moment, and the everlasting blessing will certainly come. 2 Corinthians 4:17 says: “For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” See Psalm 30:5

• Verses 9-13: Comfort and Assurance to Restored Israel.
Here, the prophet Isaiah compares the strength of this promise with that of the covenant God made with Noah after the flood (Genesis 9:11). He relates the suffering of the people with the tempest of the flood God used in destroying the earth. The Messianic kingdom is clearly seen in this passage, the main emphasis being God's prosperity, peace and protection for Israel. Even though enemies may contemplate coming against the inhabitants, they will not succeed

• Verses 14-17: Promises of Prosperity, Peace, and Protection.
These verses apparently foretell the growing number of unregenerate people during the millennium who will unite with Satan at the end of the 1,000 years and go to war (although a very short war) against the Messiah (Revelation 20:7-9). They will be destroyed, along with Satan, once and for all.

Verses 15 & 17: " Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake." 17 " No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn.."

PART 2: SALVATION (ISAIAH 55:1-15)
• Verses 1-5: An Invitation to Receive God’s Blessing, to be Led and Richly Fed
All call for everyone to be saved. The prophet calls out, loud and clear, to all that can hear. This is an important announcement and is therefore prefaced with this unique call. “Ho”. It is a short, significant appeal, urging you to be wise enough to attend to your own interests. We see here in verses 1-2 that eternal life cannot be bought; it may only be received as a gift. In Acts 13:34 Paul quotes a portion of verse 3, "Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David." He does so before his Jewish audience as supporting evidence that Jesus is the Messiah.

• Verses 6-7: An invitation to be Forgiven.
Here, Isaiah prophesies regarding the appeal that will be made by the Messiah to the Gentiles for salvation. The millennium (and thereafter) will not be inhabited by only Jewish people, but by all the righteous coming out of the tribulation, Jew or Gentile. However, we must seek the LORD while He may be found. He can only be found when our hearts are inclined to look for Him, and that inclination itself is a gift from God! We must receive the gift and make the most of it while we have it.

• Verses 8 -11: The Glorious Ways and Operation of the Word of God.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Here, Isaiah prophesies regarding the glorious ways and operation of the Word of God.
God is not just “talk.” When He talks, His words accomplish His intended purpose. The word of the LORD has power, and it never fails in His intended purpose.

• Verses 12 -13: The Joy and Blessing of Restoration.
Here, the prophet prophesies about the joy and blessing of restoration. When God’s people turn to Him, listen to Him, and His Word does His work in them, joy and peace are always the result. The joy is so great, that even the mountains and the hills, and the trees of the field join in.

PART 3: REWARD AND HOPE (ISAIAH 56:1-12)
God, through Isaiah's prophecy, has expressed his disappointment in the Jews for their disobedience and idolatrous practices. One obvious indicator of Israel's disobedience was their disregard for the Sabbath (mentioned in verses 2, 4 and 6). In the preceding chapters, God has promised Israel restoration during the millennium under the worldwide rule of the Messiah. In addition to Jews, here we find the extra benefit of the Messiah's rule during the millennium - blessings upon Gentiles (non-Jews) as well. In this passage Gentiles are referred to as strangers (in relationship to Israel).

• Verses 1-8: A Promise for Those Outside the Borders of Israel.
Verses 1-2 is a call to righteousness.
Keep justice, and do righteousness, for My salvation is about to come: This prophetic Word is directed to God’s discouraged people, who have slacked in obedience and righteousness. They see no reason to repent as long as things look down. God shakes them out of this by calling them to keep justice, and do righteousness in anticipation of what He will do.
God’s promise also extends to the eunuchs and to those outside the borders of Israel.

Verses 5 - 6 say:
“Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant”

Also observe the stipulations of verse 7,
"Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people."

This is the verse that Jesus quotes in the temple when he overthrows the money tables in Matthew 21:13, Mark 11:17, Luke 19:46.
Also, in these verses, special attention is given to the inclusion of those who were previously "cut off" from Israel i.e. eunuchs, as seen in Deuteronomy 23:1-2. This mention is apparently designed to show the extent to which all will be accepted during the millennium, including Gentiles, eunuchs. everyone.

• Verses 9-12: A Promise to Judge the Blind Leaders of God’s People.
Isaiah's prophecy takes up the issue of the wicked leadership in Israel. These leaders were immediately responsible for the nation's fall to the Assyrians and will in the future (to this prophecy) to the Babylonians. The Gentile armies (Assyrian and Babylonian) are referred to as beasts in this passage while the leaders of Israel/Judah have the distinction of being referred to as lazy, gluttonous watchdogs. It's a pretty vivid description - dogs that never bark, always sleep, but are always ready to eat. He also compares them to incompetent shepherds.
Verse 12 says: ““Come,” one says, “I will bring wine, And we will fill ourselves with intoxicating drink; Tomorrow will be as today, And much more abundant.”
Worse than being passively ignorant and blind, these leaders are actively wicked. As judgment approaches, they simply drink and get drunk. Proverbs 31:4-5 says: “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes strong drink lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights."

CONCLUSION
Hebrews 12:6 says: “For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”. Israel was chastised as a beloved child and restored as a barren wife. Because according to Psalm 30:5a, the Bible says: “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime”
Today, as “outsiders”, now accepted in the beloved, (Eph.1:6-7) we must remain eternally grateful to God for the redemptive work of the blood of Christ.

Contributor: Peter Folikwe

INTRODUCTION
Last week we had an insightful study of God’s comfort and assurance/promises of salvation for Zion (physical and spiritual) in Isaiah 51 and deliverance for Jerusalem in Chapter 52. Two major take outs from the study were God’s desire for us to live holy and that we do not get discouraged in the face of provocation. Chapter 52 gave a summary of the whole prophecy, and contains in brief the whole story of Messiah's sufferings and the glory which should follow.

Towards the end of chapter 52, the sin bearing Servant of God was introduced. Today, we shall be reviewing Vicarious Sacrifice of Christ, Jehovah's Servant: Is 53:1-12. With continuation from Is 52:13 - end, without necessarily repeating what we learnt last week.

The vivid account of the prophecy recorded by Isaiah in chapter 53 of the coming of the Messiah - Jesus, the servant of God, His sufferings, His sanctification and glorification proved beyond reasonable doubt Jesus is the Messiah and the soon coming King.
By definition Vicarious simply mean “suffering by one person as a substitute for another”. As a righteous King, Jesus was to suffer for the sins of others.

Isaiah 52:13-15
“Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high. Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men; So shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider.”

• Described as a servant - He came humbly to serve not to be served.
• Deal prudently - He will achieve His purpose of purging us of sin.
• He shall be exalted and extolled very high - He will be glorified.
• His visage was marred more than any other man - His sufferings and torture we brutal, yet was without sin.
• Sprinkle many nations - His blood shall atone for the sins of many. He will be offering His blood as sacrifice for nations.

Verses 1-3
“Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”

Isaiah is here asking in verse 1, who will believe a contradiction that a suffering Messiah will turn out to be a Saviour of mankind.
The Word of the Lord being revealed talks to the strength and might of the coming Messiah, despite His ported weakness and suffering has the power to save. The Centrepoint of our Christian faith is our ‘believe’. Having an unquestionable faith in the risen Lord. 2 Chron 20:20
“………“Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your says God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”

He came weak and vulnerable like a tender plant. He was to be killed by Herod, but they fled with to Egypt. 1Cor 1:27 tells us “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty”

• As a root out of dry ground - There were no records major spiritual activities or incidents in Israel before Jesus suddenly came to the scene.
• He has no form or comeliness - There was nothing physically special about Him, and He is not to come as a royal king. He was ultimately born in a manger.

Verse 3 “He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”

Isaiah - a Jew, here is writing to his fellow Jews about a future deliverer who they will reject. A prophecy that eventually came to past. Not only was he rejected by the Jew, Gentiles whom he also died for rejected him. Isiah further described Him as despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. His sorrows and griefs were for the fallen, desperate condition of humanity.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him”: Mankind naturally hid their faces from His purity and humility.

Verse 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.

Our greatest grief and sorrows He was to bear was our sins. We esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. Isiah’s prophecy here is that during His travails to the cross, when he was beaten, scorched and eventually crucified, the Jew believed that He was suffering for His sins - blasphemy. Little did they know that God simply looked away from Him because of the enormous sins of the world He decided to shoulder.

Verse 5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”

The film Passion of the Christ, by Mel Gibson tried to dramatically display the excruciating torture our saviour Lord Jesus experienced on His way to and on the cross. He went through all these torture because of my sins.
Chastisement of my peace simply meant that I was at war with God for reasons of sin, until He brought peace between me and God. Here we see His Vicarious Sacrifice - substitutionary atonement for our sins.

Verse 6 “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

We like sheep gone astray means, we have strayed away from our maker because of our sinful ways. God decided to place all our iniquities on Him.

Verse 7 “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.”

He had the powers to release Himself but chose to be a lamb led to the slaughter. Even when false accusers libel led against Him, He offered no defense . He needed to be condemned and crucified for our sins.

Verse 8 “He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.”

He was cut off from the land of the living. He was killed extrajudicially. Again for our transgressions He was stricken.

Verse 9 “And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.”

He was crucified with and like a criminal. The tomb where He was buried was for the rich.

Verse 10 “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.”

It pleased God to see Him bruised and crucified because, of the ultimate peace of seeing the sins of the world taken away. Seeing His seed is seeing rebirths in Christ: 2Cor 5:17.
Prolonging His days talk to His resurrection from the dead. This is one place in the Old Testament, the resurrection of Jesus Christ was prophesied.

Verse 11 “He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.”

His death and resurrection brought us justification. A sincerely born again Christian is absolved from the wrath of God because of justification.

Verse 12 “Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.”

Again this verse clearly resonate with Phil 2:9-11. His name is revered among the high and might up until today and forever. Here we see that He bore the sins of many; not everybody. Only those who believe on His works of salvation.

CONCLUSION
The prophecy of Isaiah was undeniably accurate of the death, resurrection, sanctification and glorification of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Modern Rabis have tried denying the obvious, but the Deas Sea scroll of Isiah that they can never deny keeps haunting their foolish denial of the truth that we have in Christ Jesus.
Glory be to God for what Jesus did for us on the cross of Calvary.