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Friday, November 22nd, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33

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Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 44

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Introduction

Intro:
1. Announce: Baptism class room 133 upstairs.
2. Outline: Man Made in God’s Image(1-8); God Made in Man’s Image(1-8); Will the Real God Please Stand Up(1-8).
There is no other Rock! (1-12)
1. In 8^th grade I painted a paint by # of Leonardo di Vinci “The Last Supper”…would you believe me if I said it wasn’t as good as Leonardo’s?
  1. Here we have the contrast from the original creator to other wannabe creators.
2. Man Made in God’s Image! (1-8)
3. (1) Transition – from discipline of last verses, to blessings of ch.44.
4. (2) Once again God reminds them: He Made them, formed them, & chose them.
  1. So, no need to be afraid(“fear not”), for God meets every need(3-5).
5. Jeshurun - a poetical name for the people of Israel, a term of endearment, meaning, “the dear upright people”. (root = “To be blessed”)
6. (3) I will pour water on him who is thirsty!
  1. Q: Anybody need that tonight?
  2. He says I will refresh you. He will drench you!
  3. I will turn your dry ground into fruitful ground again.
  4. (Spurg) “Water swells the buds & makes the fruits ripen; you shall have fructifying grace!” [to become productive or fruitful]
7. (5) Ownership! – “The Lord’s”!
8. (6-8) God is incomparable; there is no other like Him.
  1. (6) Jesus in Rev.1:17.
9. He knows what lies ahead & helps you prepare yourself to meet it.
10. God Made in Man’s Image! (9-20)
11. What folly! – Why is it that it seems easiest to trust in anything other than the Lord?...even the things we manufacture? (Warren Wiersbe; pg. 479.)
12. (11) Those that trust false gods will be afraid. (opposite of vs.2)
13. (12-14) Some got out their Erector set, others their Lincoln logs.
  1. (14) Pretty great lengths in getting choice woods for his idols.
14. (15-18) Great question by Isaiah: Q: how can ½ the wood be god & the other ½ be used for cooking?
  1. The idols are ignorant(18); The idol makers are ignorant(9-14); The idol worshipers are ignorant(15-17,19-20).
15. (19,20) Their bodies may feast on excellent food(19), but their souls feast on ashes (20).
  1. It begs the question: Q: Are you feeding on anything that could be considered ashes to God?
16. Will the Real God Please Stand Up? (21-28)
17. Just like the exodus from Egypt, the nation’s exodus from Babylon would be a time of redemption, rejoicing, & would confirm God’s Word to His people.
18. (22) Thick clouds – MAF on last trip.
  1. Spurgeon – Our sins are like clouds.
    1. Many shapes & shades.
    2. They obscure the light of Jehovah’s face.
    3. They threaten us with storms & tempest.
    4. Yet, they are like “clouds without water, carried about by the winds” (i.e. no refreshing)
  2. “blotted out” – not blown away…for then they could return.
    1. But blotted out from existence once & for all.
  3. “return to Me” – Why should pardoned sinners live at a distance from their God? - “I have redeemed you!” ☺
19. (25) I wonder if God enjoys this as much as we would.
20. Prophecy – predictions of places, people, or events that could not be known or predicted by chance or common sense.
  1. 3 basic forms of predicting the future: (Ralph O. Muncaster; Does the Bible Predict the Future?; pg.4.)
  2. [1] Forecasting (by experts) Predictions of effects from causes – based upon experience & understanding (encouraged by the bible)
  3. [2] Divination (by psychics & others) Predictions based on supernatural information not from God (forbidden by the bible)
  4. [3] Prophecy (by prophets) predictions based on information received from God (encouraged by the bible)
  5. The bible is very open to & available for the testing of prophecy.
    1. The bible has over 1000 prophecies. [668 are historical] (John Walvoord; The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook.)
    2. They pertain to places, people, or events.
    3. They are precise & made sometimes centuries in advance with total accuracy.
    4. Prophecies help verify the bible is never wrong!
    5. No other holy book has the prophetic accuracy of the Bible.
    6. Most holy books are noticeably devoid of prophecy.
  6. Q: What about the Jeane Dixon’s of the world?
    1. She was famous for her prediction of that JFK would be elected & die in office(Parade 1950).
    2. She would not qualify as a biblical prophet.
    3. 1^st – odds of this prediction were not amazing. 1 chance in 5.
    4. 2^nd – many of her other prophecies were wrong:
      1. WWIII did not happen in 1954.
      2. Jackie Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis the day after Dixon predicted she would never remarry.
      3. The Vietnam Conflict did not end in 1966, but rather in 1975.
    5. Q: What did the bible say about less than 100% accuracy? 2.20.6.5.1.Deut.18:20-22.
  7. Critics argued – The writers wrote later than was assumed.
  8. Daniel accurately predicted the progression of kingdoms from Babylon/Medo-Persian/Greek/& Roman Empire/suffering of theJews through Antiochus IV/desecration of the temple/& the freedom of the Jews via Judas Maccabeus. (wrote before 530bc)
    1. Critics – “it was written much later!”...Until the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. - Is. Scroll was dated 2 bc.
  9. Critics also argued – Maybe the Gospels were written to Match Prophecy?
    1. Fact 1: The Gospel accounts were widely circulated in the lifetime of eyewitnesses. A lie would not stand this test.
    2. Fact 2: 11 of the 12 Apostles who knew the truth, were executed (over a # of years) for their beliefs. Why would they die for a known lie?
    3. Fact 3: Many other people died in support of the truth, some in the lifetime of eyewitnesses (7 million catacomb graves verify this). Why?
    4. Fact 4: Paul, a prominent persecutor of Christians, gave up wealth & status, & later died to tell the story after seeing the risen Jesus. Why?
  10. Cyrus–(king of Persia, founded the Persian empire. Defeated Babylonian 539bc)
  11. Isaiah predicts in advance that both Jerusalem & the Temple would be destroyed.
    1. At the time Jerusalem was strong & the Temple a major landmark.
    2. And here, that they would be rebuilt (he issued this decree 1 year after defeating Babylon) – Ezra 1:1-4.
  12. He further predicted that it would be a King named Cyrus that would let the Jews rebuild the Temple. (personally addressed)
    1. That he would be a shepherd(i.e a ruler)
    2. That he would subdue nations(Is.45:1).
    3. That he would be like a ravenous bird that couldn’t be stopped (Is.46:11)
    4. That he would tread on rulers as mortar, as a potter treads clay(Is.41:25).
    5. All of this 160 yrs before he was even born!
  13. Interesting God could even use pagan rulers for His bidding. And demonstrate his power through them!
    1. Pharaoh; the wicked Herod; the cowardly Pilot.
    2. Prov.21:1 “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.”
21. He is the Lord of creation(intro); He is the Lord of History(end).

return to 'Top of Page'

Introduction

Intro:
1. Announce: Baptism class room 133 upstairs.
2. Outline: Man Made in God’s Image(1-8); God Made in Man’s Image(1-8); Will the Real God Please Stand Up(1-8).
There is no other Rock! (1-12)
1. In 8^th grade I painted a paint by # of Leonardo di Vinci “The Last Supper”…would you believe me if I said it wasn’t as good as Leonardo’s?
  1. Here we have the contrast from the original creator to other wannabe creators.
2. Man Made in God’s Image! (1-8)
3. (1) Transition – from discipline of last verses, to blessings of ch.44.
4. (2) Once again God reminds them: He Made them, formed them, & chose them.
  1. So, no need to be afraid(“fear not”), for God meets every need(3-5).
5. Jeshurun - a poetical name for the people of Israel, a term of endearment, meaning, “the dear upright people”. (root = “To be blessed”)
6. (3) I will pour water on him who is thirsty!
  1. Q: Anybody need that tonight?
  2. He says I will refresh you. He will drench you!
  3. I will turn your dry ground into fruitful ground again.
  4. (Spurg) “Water swells the buds & makes the fruits ripen; you shall have fructifying grace!” [to become productive or fruitful]
7. (5) Ownership! – “The Lord’s”!
8. (6-8) God is incomparable; there is no other like Him.
  1. (6) Jesus in Rev.1:17.
9. He knows what lies ahead & helps you prepare yourself to meet it.
10. God Made in Man’s Image! (9-20)
11. What folly! – Why is it that it seems easiest to trust in anything other than the Lord?...even the things we manufacture? (Warren Wiersbe; pg. 479.)
12. (11) Those that trust false gods will be afraid. (opposite of vs.2)
13. (12-14) Some got out their Erector set, others their Lincoln logs.
  1. (14) Pretty great lengths in getting choice woods for his idols.
14. (15-18) Great question by Isaiah: Q: how can ½ the wood be god & the other ½ be used for cooking?
  1. The idols are ignorant(18); The idol makers are ignorant(9-14); The idol worshipers are ignorant(15-17,19-20).
15. (19,20) Their bodies may feast on excellent food(19), but their souls feast on ashes (20).
  1. It begs the question: Q: Are you feeding on anything that could be considered ashes to God?
16. Will the Real God Please Stand Up? (21-28)
17. Just like the exodus from Egypt, the nation’s exodus from Babylon would be a time of redemption, rejoicing, & would confirm God’s Word to His people.
18. (22) Thick clouds – MAF on last trip.
  1. Spurgeon – Our sins are like clouds.
    1. Many shapes & shades.
    2. They obscure the light of Jehovah’s face.
    3. They threaten us with storms & tempest.
    4. Yet, they are like “clouds without water, carried about by the winds” (i.e. no refreshing)
  2. “blotted out” – not blown away…for then they could return.
    1. But blotted out from existence once & for all.
  3. “return to Me” – Why should pardoned sinners live at a distance from their God? - “I have redeemed you!” ☺
19. (25) I wonder if God enjoys this as much as we would.
20. Prophecy – predictions of places, people, or events that could not be known or predicted by chance or common sense.
  1. 3 basic forms of predicting the future: (Ralph O. Muncaster; Does the Bible Predict the Future?; pg.4.)
  2. [1] Forecasting (by experts) Predictions of effects from causes – based upon experience & understanding (encouraged by the bible)
  3. [2] Divination (by psychics & others) Predictions based on supernatural information not from God (forbidden by the bible)
  4. [3] Prophecy (by prophets) predictions based on information received from God (encouraged by the bible)
  5. The bible is very open to & available for the testing of prophecy.
    1. The bible has over 1000 prophecies. [668 are historical] (John Walvoord; The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook.)
    2. They pertain to places, people, or events.
    3. They are precise & made sometimes centuries in advance with total accuracy.
    4. Prophecies help verify the bible is never wrong!
    5. No other holy book has the prophetic accuracy of the Bible.
    6. Most holy books are noticeably devoid of prophecy.
  6. Q: What about the Jeane Dixon’s of the world?
    1. She was famous for her prediction of that JFK would be elected & die in office(Parade 1950).
    2. She would not qualify as a biblical prophet.
    3. 1^st – odds of this prediction were not amazing. 1 chance in 5.
    4. 2^nd – many of her other prophecies were wrong:
      1. WWIII did not happen in 1954.
      2. Jackie Kennedy married Aristotle Onassis the day after Dixon predicted she would never remarry.
      3. The Vietnam Conflict did not end in 1966, but rather in 1975.
    5. Q: What did the bible say about less than 100% accuracy? 2.20.6.5.1.Deut.18:20-22.
  7. Critics argued – The writers wrote later than was assumed.
  8. Daniel accurately predicted the progression of kingdoms from Babylon/Medo-Persian/Greek/& Roman Empire/suffering of theJews through Antiochus IV/desecration of the temple/& the freedom of the Jews via Judas Maccabeus. (wrote before 530bc)
    1. Critics – “it was written much later!”...Until the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. - Is. Scroll was dated 2 bc.
  9. Critics also argued – Maybe the Gospels were written to Match Prophecy?
    1. Fact 1: The Gospel accounts were widely circulated in the lifetime of eyewitnesses. A lie would not stand this test.
    2. Fact 2: 11 of the 12 Apostles who knew the truth, were executed (over a # of years) for their beliefs. Why would they die for a known lie?
    3. Fact 3: Many other people died in support of the truth, some in the lifetime of eyewitnesses (7 million catacomb graves verify this). Why?
    4. Fact 4: Paul, a prominent persecutor of Christians, gave up wealth & status, & later died to tell the story after seeing the risen Jesus. Why?
  10. Cyrus–(king of Persia, founded the Persian empire. Defeated Babylonian 539bc)
  11. Isaiah predicts in advance that both Jerusalem & the Temple would be destroyed.
    1. At the time Jerusalem was strong & the Temple a major landmark.
    2. And here, that they would be rebuilt (he issued this decree 1 year after defeating Babylon) – Ezra 1:1-4.
  12. He further predicted that it would be a King named Cyrus that would let the Jews rebuild the Temple. (personally addressed)
    1. That he would be a shepherd(i.e a ruler)
    2. That he would subdue nations(Is.45:1).
    3. That he would be like a ravenous bird that couldn’t be stopped (Is.46:11)
    4. That he would tread on rulers as mortar, as a potter treads clay(Is.41:25).
    5. All of this 160 yrs before he was even born!
  13. Interesting God could even use pagan rulers for His bidding. And demonstrate his power through them!
    1. Pharaoh; the wicked Herod; the cowardly Pilot.
    2. Prov.21:1 “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.”
21. He is the Lord of creation(intro); He is the Lord of History(end).

return to 'Top of Page'

IsaiahIsa 43 IsaiahIsa IsaiahIsa 45

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 44". "Bell's Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/cbb/isaiah-44.html. 2017.

Bible CommentariesIsaiah 44

Bell's Commentary on the BibleBell's Commentary

Introduction

Introduction

Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 44