Isaiah 29:1-24 If there are questions that need answers, there is only one way to discover them; and that is to open the Word of God. Let God talk to us and reveal His buried treasures, if He would allow it, so that we can see the truth for ourselves. As believers, we have become joint-heirs with Christ as we read in Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 ¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. and if heirs then also prophets; prophets that prophesy what is revealed to them from His Word, not through dreams or visions but His Word alone and its entirety, regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ.1Corinthians 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. This is our mandate as believers as we also see in Revelation 10:11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. Therefore via the internet; we go to all nations, kindreds and tongues, as commanded, to be His witnesses to the uttermost part of the world, and may all glory be unto God forever.
1 ¶ Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.
2 Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel.
3 And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.
4 And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.
5 Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.
6 Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.
7 And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.
8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.
9 ¶ Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.
10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?
17 ¶ Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
20 For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:
21 That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.
22 Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.
23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.
24 They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.Verse 1 ¶ Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.
In this opening verse we are introduced to Ariel. This word is used 6 times in the Bible. The first time we see it is in Ezra 8:16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding. Here we see that Ezra on his return from Babylon to Jerusalem to build the temple, on behalf of a degree given by king Artaxerxes, he took with him many of the people including the chiefs who are full of wisdom to help build the house of God in Jerusalem, and one of them is Ariel. This name reference however, is different from that which is used here. Ariel in this first verse is referring to the city of Jerusalem because we are told that it is " the city where David dwelt." Israel is a nation, as we know it, is a picture of the people of God, the elect of God; those that are preordained as the people of God known throughout the Bible also as Jews. Jerusalem is also referred to as Zion or Mt Zion or the city of David (Spiritually, it is a picture of the "Holy City" or the place where the believers will end up; Heaven.) What is the significance of Ariel? Well, they are God's people and yet they have destroyed the work of God by not walking in it. They have elected to do as they feel without regard to God's laws. God is jealous against His people when they especially worship other Gods. We read in Isaiah 10:11-12 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols? 12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. So comes the warning as something is about to happen as God brings His warnings of what He is about to do because of their "high look" a phrase referring to Ariel also turning away from God and year after year they "kill the sacrifice" refers to the sacrifice that the people must give God and yet they have not because they fear not God. This is the nature of mankind as Ariel is before they are saved. However, before that God must deal with them as we shall see.
Verse 2 Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel.
God as we see in this verse, is giving a solemn warning that He will cause great sadness and sorrow to the people of Jerusalem. " It will be unto me as Ariel " refers to the relationship that He has with the children of Israel. (Remember that Jerusalem, is God's people. This is a picture of those whom God has elected to salvation) We can see the correlation and contrast between how God treats them verses the other nations of the world who are a picture of the unsaved. Had this been a different nation, God would destroy it. But because these are His people, His "chosen people" they are being chastised or refined instead of being punished. We see this in Leviticus 26:28 Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. This is this law being applied as this concept is carried out throughout the Bible We see another application of this from Hosea 7:12 When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard. God, in a similar way is bringing chastisement to Israel in this 10th chapter of the Book of Hosea, an identical situation as we encounter here. Hosea 10:9-10 9 ¶ O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake them. 10 It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows. Chastisement is a method used by God to correct His children. A method in which we will see later on, will bring them closer to their God. There is no mistaking of God way of reining in those that He loves as we also see in Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. This is the essence of what we see here as God is making it known how a gracious Father is by chastising those He loves. So grievous is their sin befitting of their chastisement that God has determined to be sufficient to turn them to Him.
Verse 3 And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.We know that God is our fortress and our shield. Psalm 144:1-2 [ 1 ¶ <<A Psalm of David.>> Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: 2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. ] As a protector for His people from enemies. In this verse we are told that He also keeps them within from the outside so His people in this case cannot leave the camp and escape their due punishment. There is no possibility of us thinking that anyone that God chooses to chastise will escape. This is what God is pointing out that there is no escaping of His will or punishments whenever it is necessary. We read that He will raise a mountain surrounding them and set up a fort to assure that they are kept within. God uses the word "camp" or "encamp" the same way as in Jeremiah 50:29 Call together the archers against Babylon: all ye that bend the bow, "camp" against it round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work according to all that she hath done, do unto her: for she hath been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel. No one will escape. There is no way out as we see the fortification of Jerusalem from the outside world. The difference is that Babylon was destroyed but Jerusalem was and is not as far as the elects are concern. As we read in Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. The application of this verse can be clearly seen here. It is God that will bring the chastisement as we read also from Isaiah 10:13 For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: It is God that will determine the length, the breath and the width of it, sufficient to change.
Verse 4 And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.
Moreover, as if securing them within isn't enough. God is doing the work of drawing His people to Himself by breaking and humbling them. One of the most profound verses that tells of the working of God in one's life we read in 2Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. What can be more plain than this? Similarly in plain language from Job 22:29 When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. There is one principle that we must not misunderstand. Even though that these verses seem to indicate that the humbling of the person's heart is the work of that individual, or that if they obey this or that , the real situation is, it is God that humbleth the person. It is God that make the person He is inclining to obey Him and not the person within himself, independent of God. This is not the case because that conclusion will not harmonize with the rest of the Bible. We find this in Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. ( NOTE: One of the fundamental principles of Bible study is; when we arrive at a conclusion, as we have seen here in this example that seem to say that men must humble themselves, and it seems plain enough that men will be able and can humble themselves as God commands. However, if it does not collaborate harmoniously with the rest of the Bible, we can not confirm or establish it as fact as we saw in this instance that it is God that takes away the stony heart and give a heart of flesh. ) We find in Deuteronomy 8:2-3 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. 3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. The work of God in humbling us may not be revealed to us as God did to the children of Israel in the wilderness. However, it goes forth without our knowledge unless we read His Word. Any and all work pertaining to salvation is all by God. The work that men do does not save anyone in itself. It is God that must do the saving otherwise our salvation is not the salvation of the Bible.
Verse 5 Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.
Here God is starting to detail out how He will bring His chastisements. When we read this verse we wonder why God is dealing with strangers who are not of Israelites by blood. Throughout the Old Testament we see how God treats those of strangers. (One point that we must make is that strangers is the name given to all the elect of God. This accentuates the concept that this world is not our home. We are citizens of the kingdom of God and not of this present world. We read in Lamentations 5:2 Our inheritance is turned to strangers <02114>, our houses to aliens.) God does not discount strangers or slaves that are bought as we see in Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. God treats all those within the household of Israel as if they are of their seed, blood descendants by birth. So the strangers will be chastised as the Israelites, Abraham's seed and the stranger, together they become God's children, (elects) which is the picture of both the Gentile nations and the Israelites by birth, are the elect of God. God is saying that they will be like small dust. This is a sense of humbling His people as we read in Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Unless we are humbled we can not recognize God as God. We have to be totally dependent on Him a a child is to his earthly father. [ The picture that is painted by God is that of the dust we find irritating and a nuisance. We deal with dust in a way as they settle on cars and on the furnitures and we have to periodically clean them off; it is unimportant and irritating. ] Firstly we look at the punishment for the stranger. We ask what does that mean. Dust of the earth is already low as a means God uses throughout in the Bible to indicate low stature. We find the use of this phrase 6 times in the Bible. In Exodus 9:9 And it shall become small dust <080> in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt. We saw how God used the small dust as a picture of what was to come from heaven that demonstrates the power of God as we read in verse 10 And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast. We see the same word used in Deuteronomy 28:24 that depicts the judgment of God. The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder <080> and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed. We see another application in Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust <080> of his feet. Our sense is that the dust that God is referring is the most unimportant part of what's around as in this verse the clouds is compared to the storm and whirlwind in it's power and devastation.
Secondly we look at the punishment for the terrible one<06184> as we are told that they will be as chaff that passeth away. The chaff is the refuse or husk of winnowed corn. We see its use in Psalm 35:5 Let them be as chaff <04671> before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them. Another example we see in Zephaniah 2:2 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff <04671>, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you. What becomes of the chaff? The destruction of the wicked, and their powerlessness, are likened to the carrying away of chaff by the wind. ( Compare this with the punishment (chastisement) of the elect. It is liken to judgment as we see God deals with His children out of love not wrath as this punishment is applied in this life and not the hereafter. This is God's love. Even though that the chastisements pertain only to the children of God, we see how God contrasts it to the rest of the wicked world.) And God say it will happen in an instant. The terrible ones in this verse who are of the unsaved of the world as God punishes them, showing us a picture of God's justice in judgment.
06184 #yr[ `ariyts aw-reets'
AV - terrible 8, terrible one 5, oppressor 3, mighty 1, power 1, strong 1, violent 1; 20
Clearly in this verse God is making a comparison between the elect and the non-elect. The punishment (chastisement) of His elects is compared to small dust that is brought low (humbled) for His purpose, but they are still is present, even though so small, and the non-elect whose punishment (judgment) is liken to a chaff that is passed away; meaning they are not around but have passed away in an instance. Judgment will occur in that day swiftly as we read in 1Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. In that day also we see in 2Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. These verses is a commentary of what the ending of what this verse is saying that " ... yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly. " There is no mistaking as we see the harmony of God's truth as He tells us of that judgment day.
Verse 6 Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.
Further we are told that when God visits His people it would not be with quietness but with thunder and earthquake and great noise. These signs are the way that God indicates that there is no way His visit will be unnoticed. He will be known to His people because of the effect of the thunder, earthquake and great noise with storm and tempest (whirlwind) and the flame of devouring fire. There can be no mistaking that the Lord's visit will not only be noticed but devour and accomplish what it was intended as it would please the Lord. All that which is unpleasant to the Lord will be done away with and consumed as we see in Isaiah 5:24 Therefore as the fire devoureth <0398> the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. This is like a punishment for the children of God. The sense that we find here is that God is applying a principle that He uses throughout the Old Testament with regard to sin as in the last part of Deuteronomy 17:12 "...and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel." as we see that God applies His chastisement for His people in order to teach them His ways.
Verse 7 And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.
The first thing that we see is that the nations of the world are sent to fight and defeat Ariel. God in His own way is using the unsaved nations of the worlds to fulfill His will by bringing great distress to His people, to chastise them. However, regardless of how strong and well prepared and how skillful they maybe, their victory is a phasad, a dream. The comparison that we are given here is that it is liken to a night vision. [ If we are familiar with the parable of Daniel in how God revealed to Daniel king Nebuchadnezzar's dream ] We read in Daniel 2 19 " Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision <02376>. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. "These vision was one of the methods God used to communicate some of the people in the Old Testatment. In this case to Daniel, one of God's faithful prophets. What we know is that this verse is talking about the same type of illusive victory by other nations against Ariel. The nations of the world appear to have victory over Ariel but it is like a dream; imagining defeat and yet it is not for real because Ariel will not be destroyed just distressed. They are being chastised not destroyed. This is so because we know that God will chastise His children as He sees fit. We are told it is happening as a dream. Therefore any misfortunes are just that nothing that would result in any permanency. They are a strong and a well fortified city because God is camped around her. God is causing these acts and torments and will cause great sorrow to Ariel and yet only for a time. It is happening in the night. What is the Gospel message here? (In our lives today; when we see things that are not going to plan we sometimes ask these questions. Why me Lord? I wish God would show us another way, which means why doesn't He give me what I want when I want it. Remember Job in his chastisement by God; Job 2: 9-10 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. If we are really children of God " saved " we could be rejoicing and thanking the Lord for His mercies. Instead of complaining, why poor me am being so unfortunate. We could be saying; What is God trying to teach me? What can I learn from this misfortune? If we read the Bible, listen and learn, if God will open our understanding, and apply it into our lives would be the response of a child of God; to whom then the chastisement would have been beneficial.)
Verse 8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion
Here's a clear picture of what is happening. As we saw in the previous verse, a picture of the world. Here we see the example of a hungry man dreaming that he is eating and yet when awaken he finds himself empty meaning that eating was only a dream.[ Notice that this is talking about spiritual eating because we are told that "his soul is empty" our soul do not eat physical food, so this verse is talking of spiritual food only because that is the only food that gives understanding.] Likewise we read about his having drank and yet he faints from the lack thereof. He desires to eat and drink. The nations of the world are a picture of the unsaved. They are brought so close to salvation and yet they will not be saved. We read in Job 24:24 They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn. For a while the unsaved seem to have it all when they appear to have the desires of their hearts in which for a time they do then they are cut-off. This whole picture that God gives reveals how He orchestrates the affairs of His elect compared to the rest of the world. There are only two types of people in the world as far as God is concerned, the elect and non-elect; the saved and the unsaved or the children of God and the children of Satan. The maker of them all is Jehovah God. We read in Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? God elects certain people to salvation and others will not. We do not know what protocol God uses nor are we given any hint as to how He goes about this process. It is entirely His to call whomever He chooses as we see in Romans 9: 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. This tells us the sovereignty of the Almighty God. But before they are called to the fulfilment of His call, they are humbled as this is how God works in the lives of His children in order that they will fear Him and worship Him and they depend on Him for daily sustenance from His Word before they can truly become saved. In the end no nation can persevere against mount Zion.
Verse 9 ¶ Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.
In our times of need whom does the child of God call out to? In the process of reconciliation where the spirit of God is about to make His will be revealed to His children we find that in our time of brokenness and hopelessness that we cry out to God. It is God that causes us to cry out to Him. We read in Psalm 74:22 Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily. We may ask how could we cry out to God if we had never known Him? Because man was created in the image of God, it is inborn in man the innate knowledge of God's law and we cognize God as Creator of all things hence his cry out to God. However, in his hour of stagger and indecisiveness, he would seek help as one who is drunk, without direction or purpose because God has kept him from understanding and having a purpose in his life. But It is God that reveals Himself in His own time to bring about the understanding of those He loves. This is a similar situation as God cause great discomfort to His elect. Remember the key phrase here is "...they stagger, but not with strong drink. Who is making them stagger? We know it's not wine. We know it has to be the Lord and it is.
Verse 10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
Clearly God goes on to say that it is He that has kept His children from understanding and knowing Him. Job 33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Those of His prophets and the kings of Israel and those with visionary sight hath He given no understanding. God reveals that He has shut up their understanding of His Word. There is no longer direction and purpose in their lives. Can we imagine life without the Word of God? Where shall we go for truth? That is why the child of God is rich toward God because he has the Word of God for correction for reproof for instruction in righteousness. To the nations of the world, the unsaved, there is no difference because he never seeks the wisdom of God from His Word. To the child of God, it is his only daily nourishment. As we read in Deuteronomy 17:19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: This is the character of the child of God. It separates his life from those of the world.
Verse 11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:What vision can we have if we cannot understand it? In this verse we are told that the vision of all. We find this word used 5 times in the Old Testament. We see it used in Isaiah 21:2 A grievous vision <02380> is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. Here we are told of the devastation by the spoiler who is Satan himself. As he goes about devouring as it is in the frightful vision, God puts an end to it for His people. Similarly we find the same use of the word vision in Isaiah 28:18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement <02380> with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. Again God intervenes for His elect and save His children from the grasp of hell. Clearly the vision we see is also that we find in verse 11; of which is delivered in a book.
05612 rps cepher say'-fer or (fem.) hrps ciphrah (#Ps 56:8) sif-raw'
AV - book 138, letter 29, evidence 8, bill 4, learning 2, register 1, learned + 03045 1, scroll 1; 184
When we search for this word "book" we find it used 184 times and some are used as follows; Deuteronomy 17:18; And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book <05612> out of that which is before the priests the Levites: So we find that this reference is to a law book that the king of Israel is to rule by. We also find a command that we should obey what is written in the book from Deuteronomy 28:58 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book <05612>, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; We also will find the believers law book as it is to teach them to fear God. Yet we know of no other book other than the Word of God that teaches us the fear of God of which is the beginning of wisdom, the wisdom in the things of God. There is no doubt that the reference is to the Bible as we have it today. This same book we are told in Deuteronomy 31:26; Take this book <05612> of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee. It brings to mind the dream by king Nebuchadnezzar; A king whose dream could not be interpreted by anyone until Daniel, a picture of a child of God was able to explain the meaning of the dream. This however was how God spoke to the world before His written Word was complete. Today we have the Bible where God speaks to His people. In this verse we are given the perfect order that God allows His wisdom to be made known. We check out this word "learned"
03045 [dy yada` yaw-dah'
AV - know 645, known 105, knowledge 19, perceive 18, shew 17, tell 8, wist 7, understand 7, certainly 7, acknowledge 6, acquaintance 6, consider 6, declare 6, teach 5, misc 85; 947
We find the use of this word 947 times and it is generally used as know, known or knowledge. It shows someone having intimate knowledge of something. This is the picture of the elect of God whom God has yet to save and therefore has yet to open his spiritual eyes to understand the word. [See the fulfillment of this when God's people will save His people in verse 18 below when the eyes of the unlearned will be opened.] We see this word used in Genesis 3:5 For God doth know <03045> that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing <03045> good and evil. We also find used in Joel 2:27 And ye shall know <03045> that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. and also in Joel 3:17 So shall ye know <03045> that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. This is what we find in this verse that even though we are elects of God we can not understand unless we read it and study it to familiarize ourselves with it; and when we read it we cannot understand it unless God gives the understanding Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. We can only hear Him through His Word, but He must give the understanding through His indwelling Spirit. Why then do we find this declaration: I cannot; for it is sealed: from this verse? We see the explanation from Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end <02856> of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up <02856> the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. What we are told in this verse is that in the specified time mentioned 70 weeks, is the time when there will be end to sin and unrighteousness before salvation is brought forth to the elects "most Holy" All this will be sealed up or closed until that time. Well that time is when His elect become saved. This is not a single time event, as in the day of Pentecost.[ but that day also fits the bill ] The reference to the number 70 as the predominant number 7 as is used in the Bible refers to the bringing of the Gospel as when the elect hears it and they are converted. [We could also refer to our previous study of 1Kings 11:3 as God uses the number 700 for Solomon's wives pointing to the bringing of the Gospel. As each elect is saved the book will be opened and they will be able to understand the Word of God as He gives them spiritual eyes to see.] All this is upon God's will and purpose in His good time. So we wait upon Him patiently for our salvation because then will He open our understanding.
When we look at the other side of this mystery we can identify with Revelations 5 as we read the first 5 verses; 1 ¶ And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. In these few verses we find that there was no one that could open the seven seals of the book. Christ went to the cross alone for the payment of our sin. There was no one in heaven and on earth that could open the seals. This is why we can not understand the Bible unless we are saved. It is then when our eyes are opened and come to the understanding of the Word of God through the brining of the Gospel as God uses that to draw us to Christ and complete our salvation.Verse 12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
Just as we read in the previous verse that God's elect, whom the Bible is written for, do not yet understand the Bible, Who is he that is not learned? This refers to all those who are unsaved. We find this so because verse 13 tells us who they are. " Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth ... " This points back to this people; Ariel to whom God is addressing. It is God that draws them to the Lord Jesus Christ They appear saved but it is apparent that they are only drawn in the flesh not with their hearts. [ John 6:44; No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. ] and gives the understanding when He opens their spiritual eyes from the deep sleep to understand. [This state is somewhat similar to those of the world that will never have any understanding of the Word. We must not confuse these two issues. They are blind and they will always be blind.The child of God's eyes will be opened once God starts working in their lives.] In the degree that God reveals His Word we read in Hebrews 5:13-14 For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. This is the reason given to God's children to study the Word as we find in 2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. This is the command to everyone who is a child of God. If we do not do these things we should be concerned or perhaps question our own salvation and see how we stand with God.
Verse 13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
We see this same verse quoted in Matthews 15:8 and [Mark 7:6] This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. We see how the natural state of mankind without God; even His own people. They do not understand God. This is the picture that God gives of His elects. How very similar to the world. We also see this from Psalm 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Because everyone that is born is unsaved, they are wicked as far as God's righteousness is concern. What is obvious here is how mankind tries to get right with God by his own terms and this is unacceptable to God. This innate reaction to God is observed with pagan religions; the sacrifice of animals today, and even children, virgins. We ask how do pagans understand sacrifice? Well we read in Romans 2:15-16; For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) This is the sense that we find in this verse because God created mankind in His image therefore knows intuitively that he is accountable to God the Creator. But because their eyes are blinded and do not recognize God as God therefore they approach this god-being without the precepts afforded by God to every child of His. [ This is the very reason why salvation is the work of God alone. Mankind is the pot and cannot know salvation as the Potter, maker of the pot, who determines the height of it, the depth of it and the width of it. Man in not even in the vicinity to consider himself worthy as his mind is sin tainted with partiality and therefore does not understand God to whom there is no partiality.] James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Therefore unless we are saved by God, where true fear of God is we are doomed for an eternity in hell forever. We can act right in the eyes of men but it doesn't mean we are right with God. God working in our lives makes us act right in His sight.
Verse 14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
The beauty of being an elect of God is that we know that our suffering will end. [ Being an elect is a divine decree issued and executed by the all-knowing and all- powerful God. There is nothing we can do to be an elect of God ] Romans 8 28-30; And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 ¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. So it is God that justifies His people as wee see in Romans 8 :33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. This is the work of God. This is what we see that regardless of all the hardships [chastisements] we see the purpose of God in our lives. They are told in not so many words to wait upon the Lord and see the salvation of the Lord. This we are reminded again when the children of Israel escaped the mighty Pharaoh only to be confronted by the Red sea. We see in Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. This is a reminder to the children of God that it is God that takes care of them in their time of trouble. More applicable to this situation, we read in Psalm 14:7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. This is what we are about to see as God has seen enough devastation for His children as He will exalt them in His time.Verse 15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
This is the other side of the coin as we have seen God deals with His yet unsaved children. The difference is that they will remain in wallow. More directly, what is a more likely scenario is that the unsaved will never be chastised. They will live a pretty normal life that is filled with hardly any hardships. They will be successful at pretty much what they do. They are not restraint from any evil counsel. They recognize their own wisdom as salient above that of God and they have no fear of God in their eyes. We see the wisdom of mankind without God in Psalm 14:1 <<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. Here the fool says in his heart that no one sees the evil they do. The are convinced that that no one knows the evil they do because the reckon that there is no God. We see the foolishness of their thinking as we read in Proverbs 28:26 ¶ He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. God gives the wisdom. God open eyes unto His wisdom. Without God, the child of God would be no better than the rest of the world that are snookered into their own thoughts.
Verse 16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?In as much as we are in the world we are disconnected from God and therefore what we do shall not be the will of God. We will be inclined to use our own wisdom in trying to figure out which way is up. And yet, because we are the potter's clay, a senseless lump of clay as far as God's wisdom is concerned, we are without a God, without direction and without sound mind. Can we imagine life without a God, we can never know what is right and what is wrong. We would be no better than a senseless lump of clay. That same lump, God would use as He pleases. It tells us that greatness belongs to a God more powerful and wiser than all the wisdom we could ever muster up. We read in Isaiah 10:15 -19 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood. 16 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire. 17 And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day; 18 And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth. 19 And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them. What are we told here? We see in verse 15 the question being asked shall the axe boast? Who is the axe? The axe is the believer that cuts down the trees (humble) or prunes those who are the elects (chastise) by bringing the Gospel. We find reference to the axe when we read in Jeremiah 51:20 Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; Who made the axe? or Who is making the axe do that? Likewise, we see the saw and its Maker, the rod and the staff and their Lifter. Verse 16 says that The "Lord of hosts" sends leanness (chastisements) against His fat one (elects) Verse 17 says that the Light of Israel / Holy One (Jesus Christ) shall be a fire ( the Judge) to burn and devour (judge) the unsaved in a day. Verse 19; The "rest of the trees" (elects) are few that a child (saved of God) will write them (know them) This is a parallel passage that defines who is behind all this. God has not discarded His people but for a chastisement He won't. This is just an outline of these verse but it gives us a sense of what God is saying that helps us understand this verse. We read in Romans 11:1-2 ¶ I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, God has not cast away His people whom He elected to salvation. In His time, after they have been chastised and brought low to realize a proper regard for God then will He save them as He shows us how to maintain that relationship through the knowledge of His Word as He guides our understanding.
Verse 17 ¶ Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?As we saw earlier that these proceedings are ordained by God's omniscient wisdom. After we have been humbled through our chastisements, we will become ready to bear fruit. Lebanon [which means "whiteness" ] is a picture of the new earth being transformed from the old world, as we see it turned from a desolate place which dwelled those that will be saved into a new fruit bearing nation; where souls would be saved. We read earlier in Isaiah 10:18 And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth. This same phrase "fruitful fields" used in Isaiah 10:18 points to His elects. This tells us how God after He brings chastisement to His elects, He will turn then into "fruitful fields"; meaning they will bear fruits of the Gospel when they are sent out. This, only God can do. He will turn deserts in wellsprings and turn fruit bearing fields into wastelands to fulfill and accomplish His will and purpose from before the world began. We read in Isaiah 32:15-16 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. 16 Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. This scenario is fulfilled as God toward these last days as His Holy Spirit is poured out (salvation is brought to His elects) as they plummet the wilderness (the world) for the rest of those that are lost (His elects ) and bring them to His fold under the guidance and care of one Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is also the same theme that we find from Ezekiel 17:5 He took also of the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful field; he placed it by great waters, and set it as a willow tree. It is God that will brings the seed (elects) and put them where they will hear the Gospel (fruitful field / great waters) and completes their salvation as a willow tree. The point that we must understand is that God is in charge of everything. 1Samuel 2:7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. There is nothing that happens both good and bad without the will of God. God saves and God judges the wicked. If anything, this study should tell is that we need to find out more about what God has in mind for our lives. If we are an elect of God or we have become His child, our role is already defined. There is nothing we, or anyone else, can do to change it. God's will will be done as we pray the Lords prayer "...thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven"
Verse 18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.What we were seeking is the result of God's chastisement. Where does it end and how. We knew it would end but how. In the end God will open the eyes of His elect and show them His salvation. This also when the Lord will give us the understanding when we become saved. We read in Daniel 12:1 ¶ And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book <05612>. Here it is talking about when we are saved. Michael, who is Christ Himself will deliver His people from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of heaven, those whose name are written in the Book of Life. We ask what day is this that the deaf will hear? We read in Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. All these events are a sign of salvation when it comes to an elect of God. On that day, he will come to understand the Word of God as we are told in Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. This is a picture of what happens when one of God's elect finds salvation. The blind who could not see, the leper who is unclean, those that are dead, dead in spirit and the poor are the poor in spirit, are all a picture of the unsaved who become saved because God has brought His will into being after having dealt and prepare the hearts of those that He will for salvation. As we read in Isaiah 10: 20-23 ¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped <06413>of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote<05221> them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. 21 The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. 22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. 23 For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land. Just as in our verse we see the emphasis on "that day" we see the remnant "elect" of Israel will be transferred from the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of God. In verse Isaiah 10:20 the use of the word "escape" is the same as it is used in Ezra 9:8 And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape <06413>, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. This refers to the elects of God (of the house of Jacob) will no longer be with Satan whom smote them. This, of course, refers to the sufferings that Christ had to endure for His people even though they personally didn't get smitten but through the Lord Jesus Christ as we read in Isaiah 53:4-5 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten <05221> of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. The word smote<05221>in Isaiah 10:20 is the same word as smitten<05221> in verse 4 of Isaiah 53. Here is something that is worth mentioning is that as God prepares our hearts for our salvation as we are studying what this whole chapter of Isaiah 29, but it is Christ that was chastised for our salvation so we never have to endure the wrath of God for our sins if we are God's elect. Christ paid it all as we are told in Isaiah 53:4 "... the chastisement of our peace was upon him;and with his stripes we are healed. This is the big picture as our salvation (peace) was of Christ. Verses 21 and 22 of Isaiah 10 tells us of the remnant (elect) of God who will return unto God as it is the purpose of the Gospel that is preached to all the world.
Verse 19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.When we study the Bible for sometime, we find that the subjects in this verse identifies with the elect of God. Initially, we find very similar language to what the Lord Jesus said on His sermon on top of Mount Olive as we read from Matthews 5:5; Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. As God finally brings His elect to their preordained destination, we are given a preview of their resultant spiritual proclamation as they realize the greatness of the LORD. We see the result of how God humbled His people for the very purpose that His desire fulfills; We find the reason why this humbling is necessary; Psalm 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. The Lord has done His work to bring His people to salvation. Likewise the poor as God also brings their affliction to an end. Also from the sermon in Matthews 5:3 ¶ Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Like the meek God has a similar blessing for them. We read in 1Samuels 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar <034> from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them. This is another way God is telling us that the poor, like the meek shall receive their reward, through the Holy One of Israel which is the Lord Jesus Christ, and that is their salvation.
Verse 20 For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:It is easy to see who the terrible one is because he is brought to nought. No elect of God is ever brought to nought or cut off; they can only be brought low as we have seen so far in this chapter. However, we must always check out our conclusions. The word "terrible" is used twenty times in the Old Testament.
06184 #yr[ `ariyts aw-reets'
AV - terrible 8, terrible one 5, oppressor 3, mighty 1, power 1, strong 1, violent 1; 20
We have seen this reference in verse 5 of this same chapter when we looked at it and whom God is referring to. We also see another application in Jeremiah 15:21 And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible <06184>. As we are in the world we are in the kingdom of Satan the terrible one. Without the mercy of God for His elect we would all perish. Likewise the scorner that is consumed also of the kingdom of Satan. Like these two all those that do iniquity in the sight of God will all be cut off. What are they cut-off from? They are cut off from the will of God. God will not have any mercy for them as they await the judgment of God.
Verse 21 That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.
We look at this rhetoric statement as if to say that the fate of God's elect is due to anyone else other than God. This cannot be so. If we are an elect, our fate is sealed from before the beginning of time. God will save us when it is His timing.We see in Psalm 68:5,6,9 -11 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. 6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. 9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. 10 Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor. 11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. As we have learned so far that sometimes God brings due chastisement for His children. In His love and in His mercy, He hath provided the Lamb. He did it all and we have no wisdom to bring recourse to God and question Him. He is the all-knowing God that created all things and disperses them howsoever He pleases.
Verse 22 Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.
Finally, without any uncertain terms, the LORD God reveals that He alone is the mastermind of all salvation. As in Abraham when He made the covenant We read in Genesis 17:4 ¶ As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. From Abraham will all the kingdoms of the world be blessed. The reference to Jacob is about the fulfillment of that promise, Isaiah 41:8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. our salvation is finally brought to being because Jacob is the father of the nation of Israel as they are the descendants from his twelve sons; [a picture of the elect.] We read in Psalm 105:6 O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. All are the seed of Abraham and the promise Moreover God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. Hence the nation of Israel is born as God promised Abraham. Jacob will not be ashamed or wax pale because God will finally bring His salvation for His people as He promised. Micah 7:20 Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old. However, what we must keep in mind is that God's promised would not have been fulfilled had not God brought the chastisement to His people. This is all God's plan. Here we see from Job 5:11 To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. The mercy of God and His ways past finding out as we try to understand His wisdom beyond our limited understanding. Regardless of how it may appear that all our hopes are lost, yet He keep His elect under His care.
Verse 23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.
This is encouraging as we see how God knows the outcome of His master plan. God declares "...they shall sanctify my name and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel." In our best day we cannot conceive how anyone would have a complete makeover. Here in His divine plan He has alone, transformed the mighty and once proud Ariel to the God fearing children they are when the work of His hand deliver the preordained outcome without remiss. We read in Job 36:7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted. The kings are the picture of the elects when they are saved. God and God alone possesses the patience to endure the iniquities of His children until such time that He would bring them low to achieve the prescribed results and then raises them as kings to reign forever with Christ. Is this some new program? No the Bible talks about How everything was foreordained from before the beginning as God works out His plan in the lives of His children. Even though we are all born in sin and are wicked in our nature, God prepares His salvation and let His elect come from the darkness of sin to the light of His Gospel and become saved. Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. The proof of that pardon is provided by Jeremiah 50:20 In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve. All of our sins will have been paid by our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ when He endured hell for His elect. These are them, again and again we are told even in this study, are the elect of God. So the Holy One of Jacob, again in this verse, refers to His elect as they one by one receive their salvation under His watchful eye and safe keeping.
Verse 24 They also that erred<08582> in spirit shall come to understanding <0998>, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.The final proof of salvation is when we have a thorough understanding of God's Word. We read in Psalm 95:10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err <08582> in their heart, and they have not known my ways: We see how the Lord has grieved because of our sinful beginnings. In spite of all that we finally are brought around as God has brought His chastisements in our lives. But glory be to God His divine grace, undescribed and unknown to us except Him and Him alone. We find this understanding from God in Deuteronomy 4:5-6 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. 6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding<0998> in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. This is part of His divine plan for why it takes a long time or short time, He knows when it is our time. As we read the final phrase of this verse that those that murmur, even though that this is a sinful act, yet God brings understanding because this is finally the salvation of His elect. Upon receiving our salvation we are given an understanding. Why is this necessary, we ask. We know that the mandate of every believer is to be an ambassador for the kingdom of God. But how can we do this if we do not know the kingdom of God? Well, God gives us the understanding of His Word, the Bible, in order that we can prophesy His will to all those in the world that are His elect. We don't know who they are, but God knows. Through this we are declaring God's Word whereby God uses our witness to draw those He elected to salvation to the Lord Jesus Christ so that they would believe Him and thereby also become saved. This is why God does not use miracles or signs, [ as we know it ] as only He truly knows when a son has been restored as He quietly does His work of salvation in the world.
Conclusion As we had hoped before we studied this chapter that in order to find answers from God we must diligently seek out the will and purpose of God from within His Word. If we do this, as we have, we will feel assured that we are truly lead by God. We will therefore, without any doubt, come to the conclusion that God had intended. As it stands, so much of what we declare is so dependent of the Spirit of God that without His leading there is no way we could bring any dependable samplence of truth. To that end, this is how God communicates with His children. who are His prophets, ambassadors, servants or witnesses in the world today. If we do not do this, that is to use the Bible as it's own dictionary and it's own commentary as we have done in this and all studies herein, we can never feel confident that we totally have the truth of God's will and wisdom at our disposal. We would be no better than reading a novel or any book that's written by the wisdom of man and not of God. That is fine, if that's what you need. But to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we are on the right track, God must do the teaching and God must give the understanding. Therefore we give thanks to our Heavenly Father who is forever after His people's salvation; Glory be to God.
5-11-2000, st
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