Good morning People of God in Christ Jesus.
We give glory to God for the gift of another new day, we thank God for the privilege of life and for His unending mercy and grace upon us always. Praise God!
STUDYING AND UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE – PART 411
Isaiah Chapter 40 concluded…
From what we learnt yesterday, Prophet Isaiah opened the 40th Chapter with a message of hope, restoration and comfort for the people of God.
The same Message has been entrusted to every believer to propagate that Jesus Christ, the Messiah has paid for the sins of the world and all they need do is receive this deliverance (Salvation) offered in Christ by faith.
When they do that their sins will be forgiven and God will have a new beginning with them.
It was this message John The Baptist announced to the Jews, informing them about the Messiah and the work of Salvation He came to do.
That’s why John quoted Isaiah and said:
Isaiah 40:3 KJV
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Matthew 3:1-3 KJV
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, [2] And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. [3] For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
It means that Prophet Isaiah was actually prophesying into the future concerning John The Baptist as a man to prepare the way for the Messiah.
Which way was he talking about here? This is not a road construction project, neither was he talking about clearing a literal pathway.
He was actually referring to the heart of men.
John The Baptist was preaching repentance to people preparing their hearts for the arrival of the Saviour.
Now, apart from being saved, we also need to pay close attention to other specific prophecies in verses 10 and 11.
Isaiah 40:10-11
[10]Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
[11]He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
If we read the verses again, we will notice how Isaiah figuratively describes the five fold ministry that would be needed to take care of the Church – the body of Christ.
Spiritually speaking, God will not just save you and leave you alone. He will both save you and take care of you.
We can see it’s parallel interpretation in Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians
Chapter 4:10-12
[10]He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
[11]And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
[12]For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
This implies that after Salvation, God will be using some people chosen by God to mature His Church. This is needed for the body of Christ to grow and individual will then know how to relate with God personally.
Isaiah uses verses 12-13 to describe the greatness of our infinite God that we serve and how He has enabled us to know Him through His Spirit, because no one can know Him with a carnal mind.
Read an excerpt of Paul’s letter below…
Romans 11:33-34
[33]O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
[34]For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Also this…
1 Corinthians 2:16
[16]For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
That’s why he had to pray for the Believers in Ephesus church in one of his letters that they would know the Lord through His Spirit.
Ephesians 1:17
[17]That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
In essence, Prophet Isaiah’s prophetic message in Chapter 40 is a message of both Salvation and Spiritual growth.
He wrapped up the Chapter again with the description of the greatness of God and how incomparable He is.
To be continued…Praise God.
Let’s declare this together:
I have direct access to God through His Spirit. I am strengthened with might by God’s Spirit in the inner man. I am
rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. He is the one who works in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure always. Amen!
Bible readings for today: Ephesians Chapters 1, 2 & 3 with Proverbs 23:19-35
I call you blessed now and always.
Tuesday May 12, 2020 (DDMI)