Sunday, December 23, 2018

Isaiah 63:13-19 (KJV) Focus

Isaiah 63:13-19 (KJV)
That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?
As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.
Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?
Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.
We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.
This passage sounds a lot like the Jews of Jesus’ day; “We have Abraham to our father.[1]The Jews of Jesus’ day would not eat with a Gentile and challenged Peter for going in to preach the Gospel to Gentiles.[2]
I think the question of verse 17 goes back to the loss of the northern tribes to Assyria. 
  • Why had God allowed the tribes to be divided as they were? 
  • Why had there been so many years of contention? 
  • Why hadn’t God revived them before they were completely destroyed?
These are the questions that leave Israel unbelieving even to this day. These are also the questions that will drive believers, and more so, their children into doubt and unbelief now. 
Rather than focusing on: 
  • The consequences of sin, 
  • The conquest of the world and 
  • The concept of what we deserve, 
we would do much better to focus on:
  • The gift of Gods love
  • The hope of God’s promises 
  • The needs of this world and
  • The obedience to God’s Word 

[1]Matthew 3:9 (KJV)
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
[2]Acts 11:2-3 (KJV)
And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,Saying, 
Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
To my readers:
First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
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Isaiah 63:13-19 (KJV) Focus

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