Squirt

Q6. (Isaiah 66:22-24). Why do you think eternal punishment is mentioned at the end of such a glorious prophecy as Isaiah? Not all will believe. It is necessary to show not only the blessings for those who are obedient, but the punishment for those who are not. Perhaps the truth of the judgment to those who do not believe will lead them to reconsider and turn from their evil ways. It seems that there are vast numbers of unbelievers who fail to understand that human beings are eternal creatures, made in the image of God. The atheists think that you die and that’s it. Period. You live, you die, you’re dust and it is all over. It is necessary to lead them to see that you cannot opt out of eternity: your choice is between eternity in heaven or eternity in hell. Why is the enduring, eternal kingdom mentioned? In the same way that eternal punishment is needful for the sinners to hear, the reassurance of an enduring, eternal kingdom is encouragement to those who are struggling. Who will be included in this kingdom? It is entered by faith and submission to the Lord. Who will be excluded from it? Those who do not repent of their rebellion and believe in the Lord will be excluded from the eternal kingdom.

Q5. (Isaiah 66:1-4) If God prescribed temple worship in the Pentateuch, why does he seem to prohibit it in 66:3? The temple is within: when Christ died on the cross, the veil separating the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom and we were granted access to God ourselves through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Israelites were performing the ritual of worship without actually worshiping God. Their offerings were worldly, surface action performed for appearance’ sake rather than honoring God. They were prideful and self-serving. They offered sacrifices from duty rather than from the heart. What is missing from their worship? Heart, worship, abandonment of self, focus only on the Lord. Have you ever had this element missing from your worship? Yes. It has often happened in the past, and still does when something during the service seriously distracts me. There have been times when I rushed into prayer time with the Lord without first actually coming into His presence. There are times when, in prayer, I lift up someone in need but my thoughts are on the person I’m lifting up rather than on the Father. What kind of heart is God looking for (66:2)? A humble and contrite spirit, and a reverential awe of God

Q4. (Isaiah 65:17-25) Why do you think the final state is referred to as the new heavens and the new earth? What is new about them? The millennial time brings Christ to earth to reign over His kingdom. The curse of sin has been lifted. Jerusalem will be a source of joy, a city where the people are filled with happiness, where a man who reaches 100 years of age is considered still a child, where children will not die prematurely. It is a time of peace rather than war. The people will plant and harvest and God will bless them. Nature will be at peace with them, and there will be instant communication with God, for before we ask He will hear. Which verse talks about the end of pain and sorrow? Isaiah 65:19b The sound of weeping and crying will no longer be heard in her. Which verse mentions instant communication? Isaiah 65:24 Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear. Which verse illustrates the peace of this Kingdom? Isaiah 65:25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but the serpent’s food will be dust! They will not do what is evil or destroy on My entire holy mountain,” says the LORD. (from Isaiah 11:6-9).

Q3. (Isaiah 63:7-64:12) What is the basis of Israel's expectation of salvation according to this prophecy? They plead the Lord’s honor, as Moses did when the Lord was angry and would have destroyed the people in the wilderness. “Your holy cities have become a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. Lord, after all this, will You restrain Yourself? They also plead His covenant relationship with His chosen people: He has always been merciful to His people throughout their history–“He lifted them up and carried them all the days of the past.” “All of us are Your people.” “You are our Father, even though Abraham does not know us, and Israel doesn’t recognize us.” What does 64:5-7 teach us about the quality of our righteousness? On our own, we are unclean and as dead as a withered leaf through our sinful nature. He turns His face away. We have no righteousness in ourselves. Jesus is our righteousness. How are we to see our relationship to God according to 63:16 and 64:8-9? He is our Father and our Redeemer and a righteous God to His people. He is the potter, we are the clay. Does the clay tell the potter how to form it, what shape it should have, what decoration is best, what use best suits it? Through our loving obedience to His work in us, we become God-shaped vessels perfected for His purposes. First comes our relationship with Him. Our loving Father wants face time with you and me. He wants us to really know Him, and He wants us to be open and loving children enjoying and trusting in Him. It is fellowship first and worship. He can cleanse us and remake us in Christ’s image if we will let Him have His way. What does this passage teach about grace? Grace is a gift we do not earn in any manner; we cannot earn or deserve the blessings He bestows on us as His children. His grace is plentiful, based on His love and compassion for His creation. In all their suffering, He suffered; the Angel of His Presence saved them; He redeemed them because of His love and compassion; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of the past.

Q2. (Isaiah 62) The Jewish people have been humbled, scorned, and persecuted through the ages. According this passage, what will be their final state? They will be mighty, righteous and holy; given a double portion of honor; given future blessings, called by a new name the LORD will bestow; firmly established in fellowship with the LORD and joyful. They will be the ones who bring God’s light to the Gentiles...this is already being carried out by the Church. Will Christians be included in these blessings? (Hint: Romans 11:11-24). Yes. The blessings and promises are all “Yea” in Christ. If God has purposed to restore his people, why is intercessory prayer called for in 62:6-7? The watchmen on the wall are to call on the Lord unceasingly in reminder until Jerusalem is restored. We’re told to prepare for His coming again. We’re told to pray without ceasing. We’re told to pray for governments, for enemies, for the lost, for brothers and sisters, and pray for Israel. He has chosen to work through His people. Notwithstanding His sovereignty, His absolute power, God allows us to participate in His work on earth through our prayers. I’m reminded of a National Geographic article on lightning. Roughly paraphrased, a cloud-to-ground lightning strike appears to strike downward, but there is a corresponding charge upward from the ground. The bolt that appears to first originate in the clouds is a negatively-charged branch that does not become a powerful lightning strike until a corresponding branch, positively charged, rises from the earth. The two connect and enormous power is released. It is this result that we see with our naked eye. Our prayers are the upward branch that make the connection with His will. Where in the New Testament are we told to pray for what God has purposed? (Hint: the Lord's Prayer). Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done.

Q1. (Isaiah 61:1-3) Are words like "captive" and "prisoner" used literally or figuratively? They are used figuratively. Captives and prisoners of sin, living in ignorance, possessed by demons, unable to free themselves and, without Jesus, lost for eternity. For those who believe in Him, He removes their chains and sets them free. When they are freed by Christ, they are free indeed. How did Jesus intend them to be understood when he read them and spoke of their fulfillment? He intended, when He read this in the synagogue at Nazareth, that the words be understood as fulfilled in Him and was saying to the Jews, “Here I AM, the Messiah come among you to free you from your bondage.” At first they marveled at His words and His manner, but by the time He finished speaking, they tried to throw Him off a cliff. This passage has been compared to the “Year of Jubilee” when debts were marked paid, land was returned to its original owners, and slaves were freed. If you believe in Jesus, you have been set free from bondage; your spiritual debt to the Lord has been paid; you are living in ‘the acceptable year of the Lord.’ How are you personally doing in adopting Jesus' agenda here? There are times still when I am going through the day without looking for the work of the Lord, not expecting Him to show me something or someone, and as a result I am slow to respond when He speaks to me. How is your congregation doing? We have a congregation increasingly both eager and trained to go out and bring the lost to Christ; who minister to the needs of members of the congregation, mothers with babies, schools, nursing homes, carnival workers at the county fairs; children and families outreach; prayer groups both in homes and on campus; and foreign missions. There is always more that could be done. This congregation is actively seeking.

Q7. (Isaiah 59:1-2) How do disobedience and lack of repentance prevent our prayers from being answered? Sin causes a separation between us and God. He is holy; He turns His face away from our disobedience because He cannot look upon sin. The more we sin, the easier it becomes to continue and the more unconscious we become of our sins. We lose the sense of what is right and wrong. As long as we continue living in this state of sinfulness, God ‘does not hear’ our prayers. According to verse 2, who is causing the separation from God? How can it be corrected? We cause the separation ourselves by our sin. We must confess our sin, agreeing with God that we are wrong and turning from it, putting it away from us forever. Only when we repent of our sin does He turn to us again and answer our prayers.

Q6. (Isaiah 58:13-14) In these verses what positive actions align themselves with a true keeping the Sabbath? As Christians, we are made new in Jesus and we become spiritual creatures in temporary residence in the world. One day a week, on the Lord’s day, He calls us to separate ourselves and, turning away from the world, enter into a day of rest and worship of our God, honoring Him, worshiping Him in praise and song, and giving back to Him our offerings from the bounty He has given us. This is not intended as mere ritual or obligation, but a willing and joyful time, pleasing to Him and beneficial to us. Wherever possible, we gather together with our brothers and sisters in Christ to study the Word of God and to refresh our spirits. And we let our love for Christ include neighbors and family and friends. What negative actions should be avoided in a true keeping of the Sabbath? Avoid those things that give no thought to God, that do not honor Him, but in fact are dishonoring to Him. Abstain from business or selfish pleasure. Abstain from worldly activities that reflect poorly on Christians and the church of God.

Q5. (Isaiah 58:9b-10a) In what ways are people injured by backbiting, judgmental attitudes, and harsh criticism? Those who are the targets are injured in spirit, made to feel inferior, sometimes shamed, sometimes angered, but carrying the weight of harsh criticism instead of love. If the injured party is angered or grieved and has difficulty forgiving, then not only have they been victimized, but they have been pushed into sinning too. They are oppressed by the ill will of their brothers and sisters and often led to doubt themselves and, much worse, to doubt God. This can lead to them severing their affiliation with the church congregation rather than face the perceived shame. Or it can lead to them 'responding' among their group of friends and the dispute widens. Those who perpetrate the backbiting, judgmental attitudes, and harsh criticism injure themselves in their walk with the Lord. Their actions are sinful and separate them from fellowship with God. If the actions are repeated, it leads to a hardening of their hearts toward others. How are they injured by false accusations and slander? False accusations and slander spread like wildfire among neighbors, among congregations, and in circles of friends and alter the attitudes of others toward the injured persons. Either they are forced to defend themselves, even in a court of law, or they are unwittingly defamed and do not understand what is happening to them. Their integrity is damaged without cause. But it is the inward effect that is the most damaging; if the accusations are taken seriously by the individual involved, then their self-worth is brought into question in their own minds. They begin to focus on self and have difficulty opening up to God. Their trust is shaken and faith is a more tenuous thread in their lives. How can we change our church cultures to banish this kind of behavior? First, encourage love among brothers and sisters in Christ, not only teaching brotherly love, but demonstrating it. If someone is seen to be taking part in backbiting, criticism, false accusations and slander, we are taught to go to them in love and gentleness and talk to them about it (Mt. 18:15-17). If someone is talking to you and speaking harshly about someone else, gently ask them to stop. Let them know that you do not participate in such talk. Then pray for them to be guided by the Word and by the Spirit to an understanding of the truth. If they do not listen, then turn away from them. It is not always easy, especially if the one doing the talking is a friend. One hopes that a gentle remonstrance will work, but often it does not and then you’re forced to speak more plainly. No one has promised that walking as a Christian is going to be easy going all the time. What would it require of us to really "spend ourselves in behalf of the hungry"? What would this look like for an individual? For a congregation? Take part in food drives, donate money and goods to food pantries and church organizations that minister to the hungry, and directly help those within our personal circle/neighborhood who are in need. Bring the needs of the community to the attention of the congregation for corporate attention. Be willing to be an active part of the solution. Pray to the Lord to open our eyes to the needs of those around us, and then look for His leading, listen for His prompting, and follow through on what He shows us. We don’t always know when a neighbor is in need, but if we ask the Lord to show us, He will. Ask in faith and truth, and listen. It is important first to EXPECT that He will answer. Jesus said, “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22 When He answers, respond immediately.

I finally found my way to this area of the board--a little tech-slow. My name is Kathryn. I live in Florida. Am married, no children, and am a first-timer to the on-line studies of Pastor Ralph, but I do have a number of His studies via e-books. I'm enjoying the experience and the knowledge.

Message from Pastor Ralph today regarding the problem receiving the lesson emails: I have been having serious problems with my e-mail server and since Monday, November 4, none of the e-mails have gotten out. I am truly sorry and am working hard to remedy this situation. Until then you may find links to the lessons you're missing at: http://www.jesuswalk...aiah/isaiah.htm Please let those on the forum know about the situation. Thanks. May God richly bless you Yours in Christ's service, Pastor Ralph

Message from Pastor Ralph today regarding the problem receiving the lesson emails: I have been having serious problems with my e-mail server and since Monday, November 4, none of the e-mails have gotten out. I am truly sorry and am working hard to remedy this situation. Until then you may find links to the lessons you're missing at: http://www.jesuswalk...aiah/isaiah.htm Please let those on the forum know about the situation. Thanks. May God richly bless you Yours in Christ's service, Pastor Ralph

Message from Pastor Ralph today regarding the problem receiving the lesson emails: I have been having serious problems with my e-mail server and since Monday, November 4, none of the e-mails have gotten out. I am truly sorry and am working hard to remedy this situation. Until then you may find links to the lessons you're missing at: http://www.jesuswalk...aiah/isaiah.htm Please let those on the forum know about the situation. Thanks. May God richly bless you Yours in Christ's service, Pastor Ralph

Q4. (Isaiah 58:6-7) What kinds of injustice does Isaiah condemn in these verses? He condemned the Israelites for going through the motions of observing the Law without being changed. They fasted, but it didn’t change their hearts; they did not stop oppressing those who were weaker, those who were indentured to them. He condemned them also for not providing the necessities of life to those who were unable to provide for themselves. We pray each day “give us this day our daily bread,” by which we mean “provide for us today those things which we need to live.” He challenges them, asking them aren’t you supposed to feed the hungry and provide shelter to the poor wanderer, clothe the naked, and provide for your own flesh and blood? Are you not your brother’s keeper? What excuses do we use to rationalize not being generous to the poor -- in our communities or in our families? Someone else is supposed to be helping them–there are government programs If they really needed help they wouldn’t be wearing $100 shoes I’m not going to give money to someone who smokes. There’s a food bank down the street. Goodwill has clothing for just a few dollars. Most of those folks you see out there are just out to get something for nothing. I should give, I know, but things are a little tight... The shame of excuses is that we are turning our backs on the people who most need us at a time when they can’t help themselves. The Lord’s command is to love others as ourselves In what ways is "tough love" important to help people? When the Lord allows trials in our lives, the intent is to draw us closer to Him. Not only does it refine us, but it gives us both a witness and sympathy for others suffering similar things. When Israel and Judah continued to sin against God, He removed His protection from them and allowed their enemies to be victorious over them. He “sent” them into bondage to other nations until they humbled themselves and called on Him with all their hearts. When they recognized that they could do nothing on their own and that they needed God, then He was prepared to again work on their behalf to bring them back home and show them His love. His love isn’t changeable; He loved them always, but it was a necessary lesson for them to learn. In what ways could it hurt them? Trials are not fun events--loss, sickness, want, sorrow, isolation, bondage. These are things that hurt. In the case of the exiles we’re studying now, only a remnant returned. Many of those died who were taken into Assyria and later those exiled to Babylon. Tough love can also harden hearts even more in those who do not, or will not, see what is best for them.

Q3. (Isaiah 57:15) What things do we learn about God in this verse? Our God esteems those who are humble and contrite and will dwell with them to bind up their wounds and heal them and to encourage and sustain them. The proud He deals with from afar. What is the great paradox here? Our God is Holy, sovereign, above all things. Yet He will dwell with the humble and contrite. Why does God care so much about the downtrodden and the contrite? He LOVES. He is a God of compassion and love and justice and righteousness, and His people are vulnerable to oppression not only from their leaders who are more interested in their own fortunes and position than in the people, but also from their enemies. A contrite and broken spirit He will not despise. Those who are the most vulnerable are special to Him, their need and dependence reach out to Him and He responds. Do you and your congregation care for the downtrodden and contrite with the same intensity? No. We will never care with the same intensity as God until Jesus comes again. We do not have the same intensity that God does. We care, and are involved in a number of programs to help the needy, and to reach out to the lost, but we often get too comfortable with our lives and forget for a time the struggles of others.