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Sunday, December 22nd, 2024
the Fourth Week of Advent

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Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 32

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Verses 1-20

Intro:
1. Here is Isaiah’s 4^th promise of a coming king.
The King, His Spirit, & His Kingdom! (1-12)
1. The King! (1-4)
2. (1) What you need is a King in your life, the Lord himself who will rule in righteousness and justice.
  1. A King is the Big Boss!
3. (2-4) What a difference it makes if you have a King in your life!
  1. The Lord himself will be to you like a "hiding place from the wind, a shelter in a storm, like refreshing streams of water in a dry place, a cool shade in a hot desert."
    1. Sometimes we need to get out of the glare & heat of life &slip into the restful shade of His presence!
      1. Ps.91:1 “He who dwells in the secret place of theMost High Shall abide under the shadow of theAlmighty.”
    2. The Dove hiding in the cleft of the rock finds its safety there despite its worthiness! (It has nothing to do w/that huh?)
      1. Believer, you are safe in The Great Rock of Refuge &you are safe there forever!
    3. Q: Which of these do you reflect best in your life?
    4. Q: Do your friends feel safe in you as a hiding place w/their issues or problems?
    5. Q: Are you known as a shelter during their storms, or do you whip up more wind?
    6. Q: How can you refresh them like a cool stream?
    7. Q: Do you provide shade during their “Hot” times, or do you help to turn up the heat even hotter?
    8. Q: How can you become a shelter or refuge in your community?
    9. “This beautifully describes the refreshment of spirit that comes to those who, while walking in the midst of life and not trying to run away from it, feed their inner life with the strength and beauty of the Lord their God.”
  2. How wonderfully this describes the escape from the danger of a “misplaced confidence” (i.e. last chapter/Egypt).
4. Moral Character! (5-8)
5. (5-7) In a leader there should be no conflict between public duty & private morality.
  1. Also, we should pray for our society not to be led by fools!
    1. Read Paul Harvey’s editorial
6. God is looking for those whose eyes, ears, hearts, are open to sp. truth.
7. Generous/Noble = possessing excellent moral character.
8. Complacency! (9-14)
9. Here’s our text for our next men’s retreat! ☺
10. (9-11) Isaiah had a special burden for the careless women of the land.
  1. Why? Women(wives, mothers, grandmothers) can have a great influence for good or for evil.
  2. They were living at ease…as God’s gavel was about to fall.
    1. They only had a year left (10) before Assyria strikes[701bc].
  3. God’s rule will demand an end to complacency!
    1. When you’re complacent you are at ease, or resting on false hopes.
  4. Instead of complacency, they should have repented by putting on sackcloth!
11. (13) Their happy homes were about to be destroyed…but they didn’t seem to care.
12. The Spirit’s Outpouring! (15)
13. He describes the future kingdom that started with Pentecost.
14. Q: Is He poured upon you? How do you know if He is? Are you filled w/Him? How do you know if you are?(Is he a liquid?) What does it feel like? What actually happens?
  1. The Bible never defines it really. It just points out people who were. (Adapted from Robertson McQuilkin; Life in the Spirit; ch’s 26-28)
  2. [1] John the Baptist - "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.”
  3. [2] Stephen - " But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,”
  4. [3] Zechariah - "Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:…”
  5. [4] Bezalel - "See, I have called by name Bezalel…And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, "to design artistic works,…”
15. When we are “Filled Full” of the H.S. it encompasses 3 things: a completeness, a satisfaction, & a mystery.
16. [1] A Completeness!
  1. My gas tank is full of gas; He is full of whiskey; She was filled w/fear; Judas was full of the devil; The book of Philip.’s is full of joy.
  2. We are full of the H.S., as Judas was full of the un-holy spirit/Devil.
    1. The main idea was that he was under the devil’s control!
  3. It isn’t physical then like a tank of gas.
  4. We’re talking about a relationship between 2 persons. A relationship where one might let the other dominate!
  5. Eph.5:18 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,”
    1. When someone is under the influence they don’t have to tell you they’re drunk.
    2. They are full of alcohol. You can tell by their talk. There walk proves it!
    3. Isn’t that parallel to being filled w/the H.S. – Are you under the influence of the H.S.? - Is it evident?
  6. A Christian can answer “Am I filled w/the H.S.?”, with “yes I have yielded to the will of God, & given him full control.”
17. [2] A Satisfaction!
  1. Another definition for full is when we say a child is full of mischief.
    1. This is highly visible.
    2. Most references of “filling” indicate some evidence or outcome of the filling. (people recognized the Spirit at work)
      1. The disciples preached w/power; they sang even while in prison; they met each crisis w/faith.
  2. You never hear of someone in Scripture claiming to be Spirit-filled!
    1. It was always someone noticing or seeing it.
  3. Being full of the Holy Spirit shows itself in the outward evidence of “producing fruit in our lives.”
    1. Oh, that we would produce a Bumper Crop of Jesus Fruit!
    2. A peach hanging off a tree points to what is inside…it is a peach tree! [thus, Jesus plants produce Jesus fruit!]
    3. Those around us become fruit inspectors: they can tell what’s on the inside, by what comes out!
    4. “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Mt.7:20.
    5. Hopefully you’re not happy with just a couple little shriveled pieces of fruit dangling from your life.
      1. Go for Bumper Crop of Jesus Fruit! “fruit, more fruit,much fruit!”
    6. Example: Pastor Kim attended the trial of a young man accused of killing his 2 sons in a communist insurrection. He asked the judge to pardon the murderer & turn the young man over to him to train to take the place of his sons in serving God. Only the spirit of God can produce that kind of “fruit”
  4. Q: Are we “Holy Spirit Effective” in our ministry/service to God? (i.e. things happening that can’t be explained w/our natural abilities)
    1. You teach & someone yields there life to Christ.
    2. You Show hospitality & someone is dawn to the church through their gracious hospitality.
    3. Evangelizing - & someone gets saved.
    4. Counseling – someone experiences healing & starts to become more like Jesus.
    5. Helping the poor – and through it someone is drawn toward Christ through your assistance.
    6. Encouraging – someone begins to draw strength from God.
  5. I picture a large schooner(a fast sailing ship) sails full of wind… when suddenly a gust of wind sweeps down & it surges the schooner forward under a really full sail!
    1. So it is w/the Holy Spirit! {An overdrive surge of power}
      1. Ex: A thought comes to mind how to do something right after you’ve prayed!
  6. If the Holy Spirit isn’t in our ministry…nothing of eternal value will happen!
  7. A Christian can answer “Am I filled w/the H.S.?”, with “You tell me! Do you see anything?”
18. [3] A Mystery!
  1. This part defies analysis. It has to do w/inner feelings. Or, “an ecstatic inner sense of God’s presence!”
  2. Acts 13:52 “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
  3. It’s like marriage…is their outward evidence? Yes, children! But there’s also a mystery about feelings.
    1. Moments of shared ecstasy, but also shared agony.
    2. Jesus had joy, & agony!
    3. So w/us & the Spirit.
    4. Q: Have you had a recent surge of affection, or emotional response, to God’s presence lately? (ask for it!)
    5. The “inner sense of fullness” is not a constant but a periodic gift! (some mystics through the ages might have experienced more than you or I…but it isn’t the norm…but don’t you desire more? Tell him!)
  4. A Christian can answer “Am I filled w/the H.S.?”, with “Sometimes!”
19. Be being filled w/the H.S. –
  1. Is a command to us – something I must do. But it is also in the passive form, something the Spirit does to me.
  2. Q: How do these go together? – I take the initiative & deliberately yield control! - Then I keep praying & expecting Him to produce the fruit of godliness!
    1. Keep in an abiding relationship! - Be in a steady-state of filling! - Stay tight with Him!
20. Peace & Quiet! (16-20)
21. In Heb.7 Melchizedek, a type of Christ, was known as "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace,"
  1. There can be no lasting peace w/o righteousness!
  2. There can be no short-cut to genuine peace!
22. Peace - Lk.2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (all men?)
  1. Lk.2:14 NIV "and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
  2. True Peace & Biblical Rest do not belong to the unregenerate…it is a peculiar possession of the Lord’s people only.
  3. During the flood the chosen family were quietly secured in the resting-place of the ark. (Jesus – the ark of our salvation)
  4. Israel rested safely w/the sprinkled blood on their doorframes, while the death-angel flew bye.
  5. Today we rest in the promises of our faithful Father!
  6. We are not to be hiding in our own man made shelters:
    1. Like David hiding in the cave of Adullam.
    2. Nor like Jonah trying to find shade beneath is gourd!
    3. For no one can invade or destroy our shelter in Jesus!

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Verses 1-20

Intro:
1. Here is Isaiah’s 4^th promise of a coming king.
The King, His Spirit, & His Kingdom! (1-12)
1. The King! (1-4)
2. (1) What you need is a King in your life, the Lord himself who will rule in righteousness and justice.
  1. A King is the Big Boss!
3. (2-4) What a difference it makes if you have a King in your life!
  1. The Lord himself will be to you like a "hiding place from the wind, a shelter in a storm, like refreshing streams of water in a dry place, a cool shade in a hot desert."
    1. Sometimes we need to get out of the glare & heat of life &slip into the restful shade of His presence!
      1. Ps.91:1 “He who dwells in the secret place of theMost High Shall abide under the shadow of theAlmighty.”
    2. The Dove hiding in the cleft of the rock finds its safety there despite its worthiness! (It has nothing to do w/that huh?)
      1. Believer, you are safe in The Great Rock of Refuge &you are safe there forever!
    3. Q: Which of these do you reflect best in your life?
    4. Q: Do your friends feel safe in you as a hiding place w/their issues or problems?
    5. Q: Are you known as a shelter during their storms, or do you whip up more wind?
    6. Q: How can you refresh them like a cool stream?
    7. Q: Do you provide shade during their “Hot” times, or do you help to turn up the heat even hotter?
    8. Q: How can you become a shelter or refuge in your community?
    9. “This beautifully describes the refreshment of spirit that comes to those who, while walking in the midst of life and not trying to run away from it, feed their inner life with the strength and beauty of the Lord their God.”
  2. How wonderfully this describes the escape from the danger of a “misplaced confidence” (i.e. last chapter/Egypt).
4. Moral Character! (5-8)
5. (5-7) In a leader there should be no conflict between public duty & private morality.
  1. Also, we should pray for our society not to be led by fools!
    1. Read Paul Harvey’s editorial
6. God is looking for those whose eyes, ears, hearts, are open to sp. truth.
7. Generous/Noble = possessing excellent moral character.
8. Complacency! (9-14)
9. Here’s our text for our next men’s retreat! ☺
10. (9-11) Isaiah had a special burden for the careless women of the land.
  1. Why? Women(wives, mothers, grandmothers) can have a great influence for good or for evil.
  2. They were living at ease…as God’s gavel was about to fall.
    1. They only had a year left (10) before Assyria strikes[701bc].
  3. God’s rule will demand an end to complacency!
    1. When you’re complacent you are at ease, or resting on false hopes.
  4. Instead of complacency, they should have repented by putting on sackcloth!
11. (13) Their happy homes were about to be destroyed…but they didn’t seem to care.
12. The Spirit’s Outpouring! (15)
13. He describes the future kingdom that started with Pentecost.
14. Q: Is He poured upon you? How do you know if He is? Are you filled w/Him? How do you know if you are?(Is he a liquid?) What does it feel like? What actually happens?
  1. The Bible never defines it really. It just points out people who were. (Adapted from Robertson McQuilkin; Life in the Spirit; ch’s 26-28)
  2. [1] John the Baptist - "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.”
  3. [2] Stephen - " But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,”
  4. [3] Zechariah - "Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:…”
  5. [4] Bezalel - "See, I have called by name Bezalel…And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, "to design artistic works,…”
15. When we are “Filled Full” of the H.S. it encompasses 3 things: a completeness, a satisfaction, & a mystery.
16. [1] A Completeness!
  1. My gas tank is full of gas; He is full of whiskey; She was filled w/fear; Judas was full of the devil; The book of Philip.’s is full of joy.
  2. We are full of the H.S., as Judas was full of the un-holy spirit/Devil.
    1. The main idea was that he was under the devil’s control!
  3. It isn’t physical then like a tank of gas.
  4. We’re talking about a relationship between 2 persons. A relationship where one might let the other dominate!
  5. Eph.5:18 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,”
    1. When someone is under the influence they don’t have to tell you they’re drunk.
    2. They are full of alcohol. You can tell by their talk. There walk proves it!
    3. Isn’t that parallel to being filled w/the H.S. – Are you under the influence of the H.S.? - Is it evident?
  6. A Christian can answer “Am I filled w/the H.S.?”, with “yes I have yielded to the will of God, & given him full control.”
17. [2] A Satisfaction!
  1. Another definition for full is when we say a child is full of mischief.
    1. This is highly visible.
    2. Most references of “filling” indicate some evidence or outcome of the filling. (people recognized the Spirit at work)
      1. The disciples preached w/power; they sang even while in prison; they met each crisis w/faith.
  2. You never hear of someone in Scripture claiming to be Spirit-filled!
    1. It was always someone noticing or seeing it.
  3. Being full of the Holy Spirit shows itself in the outward evidence of “producing fruit in our lives.”
    1. Oh, that we would produce a Bumper Crop of Jesus Fruit!
    2. A peach hanging off a tree points to what is inside…it is a peach tree! [thus, Jesus plants produce Jesus fruit!]
    3. Those around us become fruit inspectors: they can tell what’s on the inside, by what comes out!
    4. “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Mt.7:20.
    5. Hopefully you’re not happy with just a couple little shriveled pieces of fruit dangling from your life.
      1. Go for Bumper Crop of Jesus Fruit! “fruit, more fruit,much fruit!”
    6. Example: Pastor Kim attended the trial of a young man accused of killing his 2 sons in a communist insurrection. He asked the judge to pardon the murderer & turn the young man over to him to train to take the place of his sons in serving God. Only the spirit of God can produce that kind of “fruit”
  4. Q: Are we “Holy Spirit Effective” in our ministry/service to God? (i.e. things happening that can’t be explained w/our natural abilities)
    1. You teach & someone yields there life to Christ.
    2. You Show hospitality & someone is dawn to the church through their gracious hospitality.
    3. Evangelizing - & someone gets saved.
    4. Counseling – someone experiences healing & starts to become more like Jesus.
    5. Helping the poor – and through it someone is drawn toward Christ through your assistance.
    6. Encouraging – someone begins to draw strength from God.
  5. I picture a large schooner(a fast sailing ship) sails full of wind… when suddenly a gust of wind sweeps down & it surges the schooner forward under a really full sail!
    1. So it is w/the Holy Spirit! {An overdrive surge of power}
      1. Ex: A thought comes to mind how to do something right after you’ve prayed!
  6. If the Holy Spirit isn’t in our ministry…nothing of eternal value will happen!
  7. A Christian can answer “Am I filled w/the H.S.?”, with “You tell me! Do you see anything?”
18. [3] A Mystery!
  1. This part defies analysis. It has to do w/inner feelings. Or, “an ecstatic inner sense of God’s presence!”
  2. Acts 13:52 “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
  3. It’s like marriage…is their outward evidence? Yes, children! But there’s also a mystery about feelings.
    1. Moments of shared ecstasy, but also shared agony.
    2. Jesus had joy, & agony!
    3. So w/us & the Spirit.
    4. Q: Have you had a recent surge of affection, or emotional response, to God’s presence lately? (ask for it!)
    5. The “inner sense of fullness” is not a constant but a periodic gift! (some mystics through the ages might have experienced more than you or I…but it isn’t the norm…but don’t you desire more? Tell him!)
  4. A Christian can answer “Am I filled w/the H.S.?”, with “Sometimes!”
19. Be being filled w/the H.S. –
  1. Is a command to us – something I must do. But it is also in the passive form, something the Spirit does to me.
  2. Q: How do these go together? – I take the initiative & deliberately yield control! - Then I keep praying & expecting Him to produce the fruit of godliness!
    1. Keep in an abiding relationship! - Be in a steady-state of filling! - Stay tight with Him!
20. Peace & Quiet! (16-20)
21. In Heb.7 Melchizedek, a type of Christ, was known as "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace,"
  1. There can be no lasting peace w/o righteousness!
  2. There can be no short-cut to genuine peace!
22. Peace - Lk.2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (all men?)
  1. Lk.2:14 NIV "and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
  2. True Peace & Biblical Rest do not belong to the unregenerate…it is a peculiar possession of the Lord’s people only.
  3. During the flood the chosen family were quietly secured in the resting-place of the ark. (Jesus – the ark of our salvation)
  4. Israel rested safely w/the sprinkled blood on their doorframes, while the death-angel flew bye.
  5. Today we rest in the promises of our faithful Father!
  6. We are not to be hiding in our own man made shelters:
    1. Like David hiding in the cave of Adullam.
    2. Nor like Jonah trying to find shade beneath is gourd!
    3. For no one can invade or destroy our shelter in Jesus!

return to 'Top of Page'

IsaiahIsa 31 IsaiahIsa IsaiahIsa 33

Copyright Statement
These files are the property of Brian Bell.
Text Courtesy of Calvary Chapel of Murrieta. Used by Permission.

Bibliographical Information
Bell, Brian. "Commentary on Isaiah 32". "Bell's Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/cbb/isaiah-32.html. 2017.

Bible CommentariesIsaiah 32

Bell's Commentary on the BibleBell's Commentary

Verses 1-20

Verses 1-20

Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 32