Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
46:8-9 Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
God's exhortation is to remember, keep it in mind, take it to heart. When things aren't going so well we need to remind ourselves of God's intervention in the past. If reminding ourselves of our own histories doesn't help, we can remind ourselves of the long, long history of God's people in the Bible.
46:8-9 Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.
God's exhortation is to remember, keep it in mind, take it to heart. When things aren't going so well we need to remind ourselves of God's intervention in the past. If reminding ourselves of our own histories doesn't help, we can remind ourselves of the long, long history of God's people in the Bible.
47:7 You said, 'I am forever— the eternal queen!' But you did not consider these things or reflect on what might happen.
God's rebuke is that they didn't think about consequences. They expected everything to continue as it had always been, but it did not. These people would experience exile.
47:7 You said, 'I am forever— the eternal queen!' But you did not consider these things or reflect on what might happen.
God's rebuke is that they didn't think about consequences. They expected everything to continue as it had always been, but it did not. These people would experience exile.
48:18 If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.
48:22 "There is no peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked."
Peace comes from trusting God. The wicked are those who don't trust God but rely on their own resources and their own agendas and their own timetables. Paying attention to God's commands would show his people that his heart was good and trustworthy.
48:18 If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.
48:22 "There is no peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked."
Peace comes from trusting God. The wicked are those who don't trust God but rely on their own resources and their own agendas and their own timetables. Paying attention to God's commands would show his people that his heart was good and trustworthy.
49:4 But I said, "I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God."
Jesus' ministry would appear unsuccessful (John 1:11). When he died his life appeared to have accomplished very little. However, with the benefit of hindsight, we know Jesus accomplished incredible spiritual and social change. This gives us great hope during those times when our own ministry seems futile. God is faithful and nothing in God is wasted (1 Corinthians 15:58).
49:4 But I said, "I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God."
Jesus' ministry would appear unsuccessful (John 1:11). When he died his life appeared to have accomplished very little. However, with the benefit of hindsight, we know Jesus accomplished incredible spiritual and social change. This gives us great hope during those times when our own ministry seems futile. God is faithful and nothing in God is wasted (1 Corinthians 15:58).
50:4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
Jesus is speaking about the way God instructs him yet it can apply to us all. Morning by morning he awakens my ear to listen can be every disciple's experience if we take the time to read his Word expectantly.
It is only when God instructs us that we know the Word to sustain the wary.
50:4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
Jesus is speaking about the way God instructs him yet it can apply to us all. Morning by morning he awakens my ear to listen can be every disciple's experience if we take the time to read his Word expectantly.
It is only when God instructs us that we know the Word to sustain the wary.