ISAIAH 44:6-8

THE BACKGROUND

This portion of Isaiah was written during the early years of Babylonian captivity.  God’s people in exile were having second thoughts about the strength of their God.  After all, The Babylonian’s god, Marduk, defeated their Yahweh,  and Yahweh’s chosen people were hauled off to Babylon.  Was Marduk stronger than Yahweh?  Through his prophet Isaiah, God answers His people in three short verses.  Biblical scholars believe that this passage takes the form of a courtroom scene. 

THE DETAIL

  • God comes out with both guns blasting, so to speak (v. 6a).  “Thus says the Lord…” tells God’s people that what they are about to hear doesn’t come from Isaiah, but straight from God.  God presents three titles or qualifications  for himself:
    • He is the King of Israel
    • He was, is, and will be their Redeemer
    • He is the Lord of hosts.  (“Hosts” refers to the heavenly army of angel-warriors.)
  • And, if you still have any doubts in your little heads, “…besides me, there is no god.”  In other words, Marduk is a figment of their captors’ imaginations. (v. 6b)
  • This is the verse that indicates a courtroom scene. God is calling for witnesses.  Who else is there that a) is like me, or b) can predict the future?  Nobody, of course.  (v. 7)
  • The passage concludes by telling the reader no to fear for the future.  God is in control.  Put your trust in the one and only true God.  (v. 8)

THE TAKEAWAY

The people of God in exile feared for their future, as we do.  We are plagued my many other false “gods” that vie for our trust and faith. Listen to the words of God.  Put your trust in Him. 


 

 

ROMANS 8:12-25

THE BACKGROUND

For the past several weeks, we have been studying the difference between living in the flesh and living in the Spirit.  Next week, with chapter 9, we will change subjects.  So today’s passage wraps up what we’ve been discussing. 

THE DETAIL

This passage can be broken into four parts:  1) I am a Spirit Child, 2) I am a Child of God, 3) I am a Child of Creation, and 4) I am a Child of Hope.

  • We begin where we left off, discussing our life in the Spirit, as opposed to our former lives in the flesh.  (vv. 12-13)
  • Living in the Spirit means that we are now Children of God.  We have been adopted by God to be his children.  We now may call him “Daddy”, which is what “Abba” means in the language that Jesus spoke.  Jesus used Abba (Daddy) when he prayed to his Father in the garden of Gethsemane.  This shows us that we may feel free to share our most intimate fears and frustrations with God, and even call him “Daddy” when we pray.  As God’s children, we inherit the kingdom, just like our brother Jesus.  (vv.14-17)
  • The next section refers to all of creation being “in bondage to decay” (v. 21)  I take this to mean the stress and strain of God’s creation as evidenced in earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, rampant forest fires, global warming, etc.  Along with creation, we Children of God experience our struggle with life as we all (with the earth) await the revealing mentioned in verses 18 & 19.  “Revealing” refers to Jesus’ second coming, when a new heaven and a new earth will cease all of our struggles.  (vv. 18-23)
  • Because we are Children of God, we wait in hope of God’s promises.  Knowing that we are saved, we can look to the future with hopeful anticipation.   (vv. 24-25)

THE TAKEAWAY

Even though things might be crashing down all around us, we can take comfort knowing that God has our back.  We are His children.  We wait in hope. 


 

 

MATTHEW 13:24-30, 36-43

THE BACKGROUND

Last week, Jesus taught us the famous parable about the sower sowing seeds.  This time, there are two sowers of seeds.  Interestingly, Jesus again only explains the parable to his inner circle.  Since we are within that circle, we can see the whole story. 

Jesus used parables to explain to the listeners about the kingdom of God.  This most certainly got their attention.  They were waiting for the Messiah to re-establish a kingdom to replace Roman rule, and rekindle the good old days of the Davidic kingdom. But they do not get a story related to anything that sounds like a political kingdom.  Maybe this is why he used parables, and didn’t explain them to the masses. 

 

THE DETAIL

  • This time, after the sower plants good seed, another comes behind, that night and plants weed seeds.  (vv. 24-25)
  • People (the servants of the sower) are shocked, and want to know where these weeds came from.  He says that an enemy planted the weeds.  (vv. 26-28a)
  • The servants want to pull out the weeds, but their master says no.  That they would disturb the good seed growing alongside the weeds.  Better to take care of this at harvest time.  (vv. 28b-30)
  • When Jesus is alone with his disciples, he explains the parable in greater detail.  (vv. 36-43)

THE TAKEAWAY

Sometimes, “weeds” grow within our churches.  We want to pull them out.  Listen to the master.  Pulling those weeds might disturb the good seed.  Allow God to be God.  He will sort it out.  Our job is to plant and let grow.  When we are confronted with “weeds”, we need to exercise caution.  James 5:19-20 encourages us to “bring a person back from sin”.  Jesus’ parable introduces a word of caution.  We must be aware of the tender shoots growing with the weeds; our primary concern should be not to disturb these.  These are the essence of the kingdom of God.