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.
51:3 The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
Ever since I visited Israel I love prophecies which speak about the deserts and wastelands being transformed. Parts of Israel are so desolate, I long to see them as God intends.
51:3 The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
Ever since I visited Israel I love prophecies which speak about the deserts and wastelands being transformed. Parts of Israel are so desolate, I long to see them as God intends.
52:9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
Even while they were still in ruins God tells his people to burst into songs because of the redemption that was coming. Oswalt (in Constable) comments that giving thanks in advance is the highest form of faith.
52:9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
Even while they were still in ruins God tells his people to burst into songs because of the redemption that was coming. Oswalt (in Constable) comments that giving thanks in advance is the highest form of faith.
53:10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
We struggle with passages that tell us God sends suffering to innocent people. However when God sees the greater good that suffering will achieve he allows it. In this case Christ's suffering bought us forgiveness and freedom from sin – an overwhelming "greater good".
53:10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
We struggle with passages that tell us God sends suffering to innocent people. However when God sees the greater good that suffering will achieve he allows it. In this case Christ's suffering bought us forgiveness and freedom from sin – an overwhelming "greater good".
54:2 Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.
"Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big!" (MSG).
We need to enlarge our expectations of what is possible in God. Have faith in God, think big. He will achieve all his purposes.
54:2 Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.
"Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big!" (MSG).
We need to enlarge our expectations of what is possible in God. Have faith in God, think big. He will achieve all his purposes.
55:6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
"While he may be found" suggests that God will not always be available to be found. We only find God because he allows himself to be found. Therefore we need to 'press into God' while he may be found.
55:6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
"While he may be found" suggests that God will not always be available to be found. We only find God because he allows himself to be found. Therefore we need to 'press into God' while he may be found.