July 29, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

From chapter 49 to 57 you will read what some Bible teachers refer to as the Suffering Servant of the Lord chapters.  This deals with the foretelling of the ministry of Jesus Christ as the Messiah.  Keeping this in mind will help you understand the content of these chapters.

Isaiah 49 - The picture here is the coming of the Messiah, formed in the womb, verse 5, with the purpose of bringing Israel (Jacob) back to God and to be a light to Gentile nations also, verse 6.  The words of verse 8 are quoted by Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:2 and speak of Messiah's salvation offered to the world.  There were times when God's people thought God had forgotten them, verse 14, but God reminds them, and us, as well, that He would never forget His own.

Isaiah 50 - These words give a good picture of Jesus' life on earth.  He speaks words to uplift, verse 4.  He faced abuse and humiliation, verse 6.  But He always knew that the Lord would give Him help to do His will, verse 7-11.

Isaiah 51 - God speaks to His people who seek to follow Him.  A good thought is mentioned in verse 1 about being reminded of the awful situation they were in and how God took Abraham and Sarah to produce a great people for Himself.  The Lord gives encouragement to His people to not fear the reproach of unbelievers, verse 7.  God would comfort them, verse 12.  All of Israel's enemies will one day be defeated.

Isaiah 52 - This chapter speaks of the glories of the Jerusalem during the Kingdom Age.  God will reign one day in that great city, verse 7.  Truly that will be great news to share with everyone!  The Lord would fight Israel's enemies and this would happen by the One who faced abuse that brought about the description in verse 14.

Isaiah 53 - This chapter has often been referred to as "The John 3 Chapter" of the Old Testament.  This is by far the clearest prophecy predicting the exact work Jesus Christ would accomplish on the cross.  He would bear our sins and would be chastised and punished on our behalf.  He would die a criminal's death and even be buried in a borrowed tomb.  Thank the Lord for the great salvation Christ provided for the world!