Isaiah 28:14-29 Sober up and Listen!

Have you ever knowingly been in a place that God didn’t want you? Have you ever made a covenant with someone other than God? Do you think that God is okay with that decision? Today we’ll look at Isaiah 28:14-29. To give you some insight into what we are reading, let’s look at the beginning at the chapter. Verse one states “‎Ah, the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, ‎and the fading flower of its glorious beauty, ‎which is on the head of the rich valley of those overcome with wine!” The people of Ephraim or Israel have blatantly disobeyed God. They proud of their capital city of Samaria; which is situated on top of a mountain; and the valley is full of vineyards. The prophet in verses 1-13 will give them 10 warnings of judgment; which was carried out by the king of Assyria.

Isaiah 28:14-15: A Covenant with Death

Isaiah has reproved those who made a joke of God’s word and goes on to “‎reprove those that made a jest of the judgments of God, and set them at defiance.”[1] Thus Isaiah begins to speak to the people of Jerusalem. These people are “scoffers” of God’s word. Before we begin digging deep into these verses, let’s note that verse fourteen begins with the word “Therefore”; this is giving the people a second chance of listening to the word of God. How often does God give us a second chance to listen to Him?

Beginning with verses 14-15 we’ll note that the people of Judah had made a covenant with death and Sheol. They were offered to make a deal with God (Isaiah 28:12) and are now being trustful of someone other than God. In verse 15, we see that they were boasting about their new covenant.[2] It is possible that this new covenant was with Egypt.

Isaiah 28:16-19a. A Second Chance

In verse sixteen we see that God’s response to the people by the use of the word “therefore.” God reminds the people that He has already provided safety and security to the people of Judah and that their covenant with Egypt will only result in death and terror (28:17-19).  In verse 16, note that God says “See, I have laid a stone.” Not “I have let you lay a stone.” God was telling them; it is only by my stone that you are saved. Yet the people rejected it and made a covenant with Egypt.

Not only is Isaiah telling them “God has protection for us,” but he is also using an analogy of constructing a building (1 Kings 6:12). Now this building will stand through many trials and tribulations, because God built it on a firm foundation. Just as the wise man built his house on the rocks; the storms came and his house stood (Matthew 7:24-25). Yet like the foolish man, the children of Judah had built their home on the sand, and by doing so, their “home” wouldn’t stand in the storm (Matthew 7:26-27).

As we look at verses 17-19, we note that God is using “plumb lines” of righteousness and justice to make sure that the house will stand firm (Amos 7:7-9). For those who don’t know a "plumb line” is; it is a “string with a weight at one end that when suspended points to the earth’s center of gravity and is used to determine the verticality of something.”[3] In other words, God was subjecting the people to the plumb line to show them how to live uprightly.

Verse 18-19a we see the national deception that their covenant with death shall truly bring. Instead of protection, we are told that the every storm that comes will affect the children of Judah. Eugene Peterson says in The Message “Then you’ll see that your precious life insurance policy wasn’t worth the paper it was written on. Your careful precautions against death were a pack of illusions and lies.”[4]

We also note that in verse 19a that God is telling the people when disaster strikes you’ll be crushed by it. The people will rush for cover. For God will not only allow this attack to happen, but it will be like an outpouring of His anger towards the disobedient. When I read this, I am reminded of “The Seal Judgments” in Revelation 6:15; in which terrified people have ran into caves to hide from the “wrath of the Lamb.”[5]

Isaiah 19b-22: Sober Up and Listen

In these verses we see God giving a warning of terror to come (28:19b); in the next verse, we see a proverb of failed expectations (28:20) and finally in verses 21-22 Isaiah is giving the people a warning to stop; destruction is on its way.

With destruction coming, Isaiah hoped that these final warnings would change the minds of the Children of Judah. “The warning in 28:19b contrasts the false message of the drunken spiritual leaders, who speak gibberish and think that everything will go fine because of this covenant of death with Egypt (28:9–10, 14–15), with the message of Isaiah, which indicates that Egypt will not help them resist Assyrian aggression.”

In the past, God’s supportive work had allowed David to defeat his enemies. He was also able to chase the Philistines from Gibeon to Gezer (2 Sam 5:17-25; 1 Chr 14:16). Isaiah knows that God’s power is unlimited for those who trust him and that this same passion for justice and righteousness will destroy those who reject him.[6] Clendenen goes on to say “‎Consequently, the prophet pleads with his audience to stop proudly scoffing (28:22 is picking up a theme from 28:14) at God’s warnings, for if they do not change their ways, God will make their suffering even worse.[7] Isaiah is telling them, “Sober up, and listen! Your time to act is now!”

Isaiah 28:23-29: The Parable of the Farmer

While it would seem quite odd to add this parable to the end of the warnings against a future judgment if the people hadn’t changed their ways, we note that Isaiah is telling them, God’s instructions are the right way, His counsel and wisdom is great. There is a reason why we must listen to Him.

Isaiah instructs the people, “Listen to what I am saying.” These people would have been familiar with farming.  Given that fact, he asks “If a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually?” What would that avail? Nothing! So why continue in your sins, what do they bring to you? Nothing! Instead he tells them, “His God instructs him and teaches him the right way.” Isaiah is letting the people know that God is a God of mercy and love; if they will only allow Him to teach them.

The second part of this is that the different grains are harvested in different ways; in this no one step is continous. Similarly, God's judgment would come, but not last forever. ‎ ‎He is the Master “Farmer,” who knows how to handle each “crop.”[8]

            Conclusion

            The scoffers are mocking God; they think that their own covenant will save them. Instead of listening to Isaiah they continue to mock God and His judgment. Isaiah pleads with them to listen to his warnings. He doesn’t want to see the people suffer any more than they already have. The final verse reads “And these signs came forth from the Lord of Hosts. Take counsel, exalt vain comfort.”[9] In other words, take my advice and don’t boast of your comfort in your “covenant with death.” Just as the southern kingdom was at odds with God and would be enduring his judgment our modern society is also. Just as God has given them foundational instructions; He has given us a foundational stone. Psalm 118:22 we note that even though God had set a stone in place, the builder’s rejected it. When the people began to reject the stone, God exalted it to the capstone. Paul tells the church at Ephesus “^‎So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord” (ESV, Ephesians 2:19-21).

Instead of boasting in our own works, we are to stop being arrogant and learn from God, the right way to live.

Bibliography

Brenton, Lancelot Charles Lee. The Septuagint Version of the Old Testament: English Translation, Is 28:29. London: Samuel Bagster and Sons, 1870.

Clendenen, E. Ray. Isaiah 1–39. The New American Commentary, p 492. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2007.

[1]Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume, Is 28:14–22. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994..

Life Application Study Bible.Rev 6:15-16. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2005.

Merriam-Webster, Inc. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Eleventh ed. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2003.

Peterson, Eugene H. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language, Is 28:18. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005.

Walvoord, John F., Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, V 1, p 1078. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

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[1] Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume, Is 28:14–22. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994.

[2]  The word “Boast” comes from the NIV translation of the Bible. In most versions of the Bible, it is translated “said.” However, due to the nature of the judgment it is possible that the people were boasting about their covenant; since it offered “safety.” All scripture will be taken from the NIV unless otherwise noted.

[3] Merriam-Webster, Inc. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Eleventh ed. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2003.

[4] Peterson, Eugene H. The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language, Is 28:18. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005.

[5] Life Application Study Bible.Rev 6:15-16. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2005.

[6] Ibid., Clendenen, p 490

[7] Ibid., p 490

[8] Walvoord, John F., Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, V 1, p 1078. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

[9] Brenton, Lancelot Charles Lee. The Septuagint Version of the Old Testament: English Translation, Is 28:29. London: Samuel Bagster and Sons, 1870.

What Pope?

It may be that because I am not Catholic I don't see the significance of the Pope's renunciation of Papal power. What will happen now? Will the Catholic church fall and fail? Will things change in the Catholic church for the better? Will priests be able to marry? Will women finally be able to be priests, Bishops and someday Popes?

As a Christian who accepts my Jewish heritage, these questions strike me as funny and completely worthless. Instead of focusing on some man in Rome, why don't we focus our attention on Jesus Christ?

The pope is fallible, he's not worthy of our praises or honor, yet many Catholics give the praise and respect to him...

Instead I urge you all to look to JESUS CHRIST as the leader of our churches...and remember that it is only God who deserves our praises and honor.

I am a School Bus Driver!

I am a School Bus Driver!
My job is to transport your children safely to and from school! I am the first person your child sees each morning from the school and the last one they say good-bye to in the afternoons. I drive in sun, rain, sleet, snow and all manners of inclement weather providing it starts while we are in school.

Each child I serve is unique, each one brings a new gift to the school and the day! While they are in school learning, I am there by their side, reading with them, tutoring in math, helping them learn new and exciting things. I don't complain, I don't grumble; but if I do grumble it isn't without cause. I am trained to drive that bus; and yet I am poor compensated; matter of fact, if you looked at my pay check you'd laugh, you'd think I was an idiot to do all I do for what I make.
So the next time you complain about the way that our school district handles problems, I suggest, that you take a close look at what all I do to make sure your child is safe, to school and on their way home!
I am a school bus driver, I don't take that lightly; neither should you!

Contextualization in World Missions by A. Scott Moreau

                Upon receiving this book, I knew it would be a textbook and had the potential for being dry. As a seminary student, this book should have been an easy read and more so easier to understand. However, since my degree focus isn’t missions, I was not sure exactly what contextualization was. This being said, within the first 32 pages, Moreau does tell us what contextualization is. Thus the book became easier to understand.

                If you are looking for a text book that will show you the “map” of how to contextualize the gospel, then this book is for you. It’s definitely written for the graduate student in mind, so if you want a book that is entertaining or more “laid back” then I can’t recommend this book. One would almost have to be a scholar to understand the book.

                Truthfully, the book remains dry throughout the first part. When you get to Part 2 of the book; and you begin to look at the Initiator (missionary) as a Facilitator, Guide, Herald, Pathfinder, Prophet and finally a Restorer then you really start to understand how the Gospel is contextualized around the world. Just as everyone who is in Christ has a specific gift the missionary also has a special gift and it may not be to go out and plant churches. Rather this gift may be one of the many previously named gifts.

                So if you are a missions student that would like a deeper understanding of contextualization within World missions, then this book is definitely for you. However, if you are the lay member of your church, while this book may be beneficial to you, make sure that you definitely study missions deeper for a greater understanding held in this book.

**The author of this review received a copy of the book from Kregel Publishers in exchage for a completely objective review.**

What is Love?

What exactly is love? Hollywood has its version; the dashing hero getting the woman at the end. Perhaps, it’s like TITANIC a forbidden love ignited by human passions. The Bible tells us that love is patient, kind, does not envy, does not boast, nor is it proud. It’s not self-seeking, rude or easily angered. It keeps no records of wrongs, does not rejoice in evil but does rejoice in truth. Love protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. It NEVER fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
While Paul’s definition of love is quite accurate, it almost seems humanly impossible to do or achieve. As a matter of fact, Leviticus tells us that we are to “Love our neighbors as ourselves.” ‎The commandment to love one’s neighbor aims at an ideal to which all mankind should strive—a sincere and unbounded desire and concern for the well-being of others.[1]
So what exactly is love? In two words, I’d have to say that love is Congregation Emanuel in North Carolina. Yeah, I hear ya “So, Rachel, what or who is that?” It’s the local Jewish community in Statesville. While they are a small southern Jewish community, they are an active community that welcomes everyone with a hardy “Shalom Ya’ll!” and open arms.
Love within Congregation Emanuel doesn’t just stop at the boundaries of their community; it continues out into the community at large. Every year, I go to my mailbox and I always find a holiday card from one of the families. These friends don’t have to send me a holiday card at Christmas, just as I don’t have to send a Hanukkah card, but like clockwork every year I find a card just to let me know I’ve been thought of.
This year at the Hanukkah service, when the blessings for the children were being said, the congregation held the hands of the younger generation. Sitting in the back of the temple, an older couple turned around and said, “Rachel, give us your hands, this blessing is for you too!” That is love! How often has your minister presented a blessing to your congregation and you turn around to the visitor in your midst and say “this is for you too!”
So while love should be measured by Paul’s definition, it must also be defined by our own actions and how we reach out to the stranger among us.

 

 

            *This blog entry is meant to encourage others. This is just one story; one example of how we as Christians need to start stepping up to the plate to really begin to live our calling. The reason I can define love by the standards that I do isn’t based on “oh, Rachel just stands in solidarity with the Jewish people.” It’s based on my own experiences with the community-at-large. I am proud to call Congregation Emanuel my friends and part of my religious community.

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[1] 20th Century Jewish Religious Thought: Original Essays on Critical Concepts, Movements, and Beliefs. Edited by Cohen, Arthur A. and Paul Mendes-Flohr, p 559. Philadelphia, PA: The Jewish Publication Society, 2009.

Do Christians Need Shabbat?

Do Christians Need Shabbat?

By: Rachel A.

           This question came to me recently. However, before I could or can give the reasons for Shabbat (Sabbath Observance) I have to give you the correct definition about what Shabbat actually is.

So what is Shabbat? With God it pertains to creation. It’s the seventh day, the day that God looked at His creation, and then rested. Shabbat is literally a time to “Cease or desist” whatever you are doing. It is a time that is Holy and set-apart to give us 24 uninterrupted hours to focus on the Lord. It’s the time to cease our busy-ness and examine the eternal aspects of our lives.  (Rubin 1998) Since it was created for us, the least we can do is to treat it special. As my friend Robin once said “I need this moment of “Ahhh”; this moment where I am able to separate myself from the world and worship; especially after a busy week.”

So special is the Shabbat that the Lord commanded Israel in the wilderness to collect twice as much manna on the 6^th day, because on the 7^th day there would be none to collect. (Exodus 16:22-30; 20:8-11) So the question has come up “When is Shabbat?” Since the biblical day starts in the evening, Shabbat starts on Friday evening, just after sunset, and ends the next day at Sunset. This conclusion is reached by Genesis 1:5b, “so there was evening, and there was morning.”

For whom is the Sabbath for? Well many will say the 7^th day Sabbath is just for the Jews; however, if we look honestly at the Bible we’ll see that Shabbat is for the Jews and the aliens living among the Jews. Isaiah 56:6-7a states

“^‎And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, ‎to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, ‎and to be his servants, ‎everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, ‎and make them joyful in my house of prayer”

            “The Sabbath is for all mankind-given before the Ten Commandments were issued, guarded by Israel for centuries and guaranteed in eternity to all who trust the Lord.” (Rubin 1998)

At this point, I know that many of you are scratching your heads saying “Rachel, sure whatever, but that is Old Testament, we are under a new dispensation…well again, you must take a look honestly at the proof that the Bible provides and not what you want the Bible to say.

If you can show me in the Bible where Jesus changed the Shabbat, then I’d love to see it. In all the New Testament, there isn’t one reference to people violating the Shabbat. Jesus loved the Shabbat, as did Paul. Even on his missionary journeys, Paul went to synagogue, not to evangelize, but to worship. The new testament when speaking of Paul states “As his custom was” when referencing when exactly Paul went to worship.

Sunday, as the “New Christian Sabbath” comes from the fact that the Catholic church changed it. “We observe Sunday, instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church, in the Council of Laodicea, transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.” (Rev. P. Geieman, Converts Catechism of Catholic Doctrine, p. 50, London, 1934). Others think that Sunday became the new Sabbath, because “Jesus rose from the dead on the 3^rd day.” Since the “day of First Fruits (Yom HaBikkurim) began immediately after sunset on Saturday, and Paul calls Messiah “The first fruits of the resurrection.” (1 Cor. 15:20), thus according to tradition, Yom HaBikkurim is most likely the time of Jesus’ resurrection. However, the FACT remains that the New Testament tells us when the visitors to the tomb , but silent on the exact time He rose from the dead.

Sunday, the name that many of us has started to associate with the worship of God, comes from the early church’s attempt to mix “sun-worship with SON-worship.” Matter of fact, the idea of calling Sunday “the Lord’s day” was the idea of Sylvester, Bishop of Rome, who claiming “Apostalic Authority” decided to make the change. (Historia Ecclestastica, M. Ludovicum Lucium, Cent. 4, Cap. 10, pp739-740. Edition Basilea, 1642).

While this is my own views, based and written with the help of Barry and Steffi Rubin, I must note that while it will please God anytime you worship Him—I do wonder if it pleases Him that so many of His people believe that the Sabbath has changed from the 7^th day of the week to the first day of the week. In my opinion, it probably doesn’t make Him too pleased that Christians believe they can just go out and change what God ordains.

“Jesus lived as if Sabbath-keeping were important, going to synagogue regularly, first with his father, then on his own. One must wonder why Jesus, who was the agent of Creation and surely as one with the Father, participated in the development of the Law, would suddenly change the Sabbath.” I can’t make your mind up for you; however, I can state that I doubt very seriously that Jesus changed the Shabbat. It has become my hope that you will be more open to observe the true Shabbat, and receive the special blessings God has for you, when you observe the 4^th commandment.

Bibliography

Rubin, Barry and Steffi. The Sabbath: Entering God's Rest. Clarksville, MD: Lederer Books, 1998.

 

*This article was written by Rachel. It does not reflect the views of her current church. It was written from a belief that before the church can be extraordinary, it must return to its core values and beliefs.*

John Walvoord's Prophecy in the New Millennium

Are you tired of the same old end time prophecy books? John Walvoord’s Prophecy in the New Millennium gives a fresh look at prophecy. Instead of approaching with a doom and gloom mentality, Walvoord focuses his book on the rapidly changing world, with its technology affairs at the close of the 20^th century. Contained within are overviews of the major unfulfilled prophecies. This book also presents Israel in a new light; as well as the Antichrist, the Rapture, the Second Coming and the New Heaven and New Earth.

Each chapter of the book promises great intrigue and grabs the interest of the reader immediately. Prophecies fulfilled in the 20^th Century. Walvoord covers the prophecies that have been fulfilled in our day and time. He connects them to ancient prophecies and discusses how they are helping to introduce us to the true end time experience. The Rapture: With many Christians interested in life here after, Walvoord speaks about what he calls the “First prophetic event of the new millennium.

For me, the best chapter The Judgment seat of Christ. With most of Christianity convinced that they will escape judgment since they are “saved” this chapter presents the idea that “At the judgment seat of Christ, the issue isn’t not salvation, but rather if our works after we are saved were good or bad.” The United States of Europe as the New Europe: If we thought the European Union was a problem, we need to take a look at it in light of biblical prophecy. Israel in the New Millennium: We have always known that Israel had a special calling in the world, this chapter discusses it’s place within prophecy and the new millennium.

The Antichrist and the Coming World Government: With our economy and that of the world falling and failing this chapter brings to light what exactly the Antichrist will have to do to gain the trust of the world. The impending day of the Lord: This has become the cry of the church. Lord, come! Here is a fresh look at the possibility that it could be closer than we think. However, Walvoord does not try to predict when the “day of the Lord” will come. The second coming of Christ gives us a new definition of what “second coming” may actually mean. The Resurrections: a feature that is central to Christian theology. According Walvoord, there will be seven resurrections. 1)Jesus Christ 2) The token resurrection in Jerusalem 3) The Rapture 4) the two witnesses 5) the martyred dead 6)The old testament saints 7) The Wicked Dead.

The final three chapters cover popular questions especially those that deal with when the rapture will occur; what prophecies mean in the new millennium and finally what the new heaven and earth will be like.

If I had to give this book stars, I’d give it 5 out of 5. It’s a good book, the arguments strong, and information relevant.  If you are interested in a book that isn’t a doom and gloom, but rather informative and easy to understand, this is it!

*The book was provided by Kregel Academic and Professional to the author of this review free of charge for a non-biased review.