Sometimes things are just communicated better through song or three:
I apologize this should have posted yesterday. Since it did not you will receive two posts today. One early and one later today.
I very much appreciated all 5 chapters from the book of Isaiah today. There are nuggets of beauty that can be taken from each chapter, like chapter 55 that holds one of my all time favorite life promises,
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” -Isaiah 55:10, 11
What a tremendous promise for those who are called to be witnesses and to share the good news of Jesus with others.
But in today’s post I want to focus on Isaiah chapter 53.
This is one of the most beautiful, complete, thorough prophecies about the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Read it through and see several of the characteristics of Jesus.
Humble in looks and comportment. While I am sure there were happy times Jesus was carrying sorrow for humanity as He looked around. Think about yourself when you see some of the wicked in the world, how much your heart aches, now imagine being the Creator and perfect and then seeing the decaying of society, the world, and your prize possession your people…you and I would have sorrows and grief also.
But in Isaiah 53 the great theme that jumps out at me is that Jesus died for us and because of our mistakes.
This theme jumps out in the following verses: 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, and 12.
Out of 12 verses 6 of them have reference to Jesus dying for you and for me.
Jesus was many things, He is many things for you and me but the greatest of all is Savior!
Next Reading: Matthew 26-28
Today a good friend sent me a text teasing me a ‘bit about it being “Job” reading day. She’s been reading my blog and knows I’ve been struggling through this book of the Bible, and today’s reading was no different.
I said to her that at one point the book of Job ministered to me so I don’t know why I am struggling through it so much now, and I teased, “My life just may be too chipper at the moment.” And when I texted that, though it was in a ‘bit of jest I realized I’ve been sorta down on this book, but there was a time when I was younger and battling some depression that the angst of Job ministered to my heart.
At that point in my life I could relate better to what Job was communicating through his words. Often times when I am going through hard times even though I know better…or at least I know better when I am not going through the hard times I still ask…”God why are You doing this to me?” It is not God it is the devil, but sometimes I like Job lay it at the feet of God.
Here is a whole book that speaks to people going through those moments. Having those questions and doubts and misunderstandings of the character and actions of God. A misunderstanding of the Great Controversy.
With that realization I reminded of something important, The Bible is not written for one type of person, dealing with just one area of life, or one challenging topic. The Bible is written to minister to all people, to all of us at all the various phases of our lives.
Job is not speaking to me now…
But Job has ministered to me in the past…
And maybe someday this book will again…
If Job is ministering to you right now, where you are at in your life. Know that that is a sign of God’s love for you. He inspired this book to be written for you at this point in your life, so that you would know He understands and though you may feel like Job like this is God’s punishment even if it is not, He does love you and He doesn’t forsake those who doubt that love in moments or even those who may blame Him.
Job is a reminder that God is big enough for every situation of our lives.
Thanks to my friend, you know who you are, for in your little teasing text God used you to remind me of His great love for all of us in all situations!
Tomorrow’s Reading: Isaiah 51-55
Psalm 27 I desire to be the consistent prayer of my heart.
May this be the psalm of my heart!
Boaz in the book of Ruth in Hebrew is referred to as the “go’el” which means Kinsman-Redeemer. This is significant because I believe Boaz is type for Christ. Foreshadowing what Jesus would do for all mankind through His death on the cross.
Boaz in this book shows great concern for the widow Naomi through his kindness towards Ruth who is now without her family (father), just as Jesus is the “go’el” of the widows and fatherless (Proverbs 23:10, 11).
Boaz pleads the case of Ruth and Naomi at the city gate. Just as Jesus will plead for His people (Jeremiah 50:34)
“As Boaz had the right of redemption and yet clearly was under no obligation to intervene on Ruth’s behalf, so it is with Christ. As Boaz, seeing the plight of the poor widows, came to their rescue because his life was governed by Yahweh and his laws, so also of the Messiah it is prophesied that his life would be governed by the law of God and that he would deal justly and equitably with the poor and with those who were oppressed (Ps. 72:2, 4, 12, 13; Isa. 11:4)” (The Levirate and Goel Institutions in the Old Testament With Special Attention to the Book of Ruth,Mack Publishing, 1974, p. 298).
Boaz illustrates the character of the one who would be he is descendant but also His Savior, as Jesus came from the line of Ruth and Boaz, Obed, Jesse, and David.
After the book of Judges where Godly character was hard to find, in the book of Ruth the illustrations of integrity are rich and full!
Tomorrow’s Reading: Psalms 27-29
Much has been written about all the various aspects of Joseph’s life so I will allow you to read many of those other accounts gain lessons from his life. Of course those lessons caught my attention as they always do, but beyond that what caught my attention in this reading is the various portraits of Judah.
Judah one of Joseph’s older brothers. It was he that recommended and convinced his brothers to sell their little brother Joseph into slavery,
Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt.” Genesis 37:26-28
Then all of chapter 38 is a sordid tale of Judah’s misdeeds. I will list the ones I observe:
I point all this out because of this very simple point. Jesus inspired Matthew in his gospel to reference not only Judah but to remind the people of the sin of Judah by referencing Tamar and the sons born to her in His genealogical record,
“The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar,” Matthew 1:1-3a
Jesus didn’t choose Reuben who tried to protect Joseph. He didn’t choose Benjamin who it seems didn’t ever really do anything personally wrong. He didn’t choose Joseph with all his integrity.
He chose to come through the line of Judah and Jesus didn’t reference the part of Judah’s life when he actually stood before Joseph showing a new level of integrity in Egypt. No Jesus chose to reference the lowest part of his life.
Folk if Jesus can work through Judah and his line He can work through you and me!
Praise Jesus for grace!
Tomorrow’s Reading: The book of Ruth (don’t worry it is a quick read)