In Isaiah 43:22-44:23, we address the second half of our second major section in the Book of the Servant – the Redemption of Israel. The people of God need spiritual redemption from their own sin nature. Only God can meet our deepest needs. Pagan idol-gods, both ancient and modern, are empty fictions of our own …

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In Isaiah 42:18-43:21, we address the first half of our second major section in the Book of the Servant – the Redemption of Israel. Israel is going to need national redemption from exile in Babylon. God is going to do this. God’s people are to give witness.

The post Isaiah 42:18-43:21 Release from Bondage first appeared on Observe the Word.

In Isaiah 41:21-42:17, Isaiah offers consolation for the Gentiles by exposing the idol-gods of the nations, prophesying God’s remedy in a future servant, and responding with a new song. Isaiah’s description of an ideal servant in 42:1-4 constitutes our first of four servant songs in the Book of the Servant.

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In Isaiah 41:1-20, Isaiah concludes the initial consolation of Israel, with a powerful, compact description of God as sovereign over world events and with three descriptive pictures of the transformation he will bring about when Israel’s exile is complete.

The post Isaiah 41:1-20 Three Pictures of Consolation first appeared on Observe the Word.

In Isaiah 40:12-31 Isaiah extols the character of the Creator God as the ground of the hope proclaimed in 40:1-11. We can find comfort in the hope of God’s glory, word and arm when we see God as he truly is.

The post Isaiah 40:12-31 The Creator God – The Ground of Comfort first appeared on Observe the Word.

In Isaiah 40:1-11 God calls for heralds to proclaim his word of comfort for Israel. That word is provided by three voices, each adding to the message of consolation. Before getting into the text, we first introduce the Book of the Servant, chapters 40-55, by addressing Isaiah’s development of the Messiah and righteousness themes.

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In Isaiah 38-39 Isaiah creates a bridge between the Book of the King and the Book of the Servant with a reminder that even good human kings do not persevere in faithfulness.

The post Isaiah 38-39 Hezekiah’s Fateful Choice first appeared on Observe the Word.

In Isaiah 36-37 Isaiah reminds Judah that God truly is the Lord of History through the example of Sennacherib’s inability to capture Jerusalem.

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In this lesson we consider historical sources of Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah to help us better interpret the narrative in Isaiah 36-39.

The post Isaiah 36-39 Historical Background first appeared on Observe the Word.

In Isaiah 31-35, we complete the six woes that rebuke Judah for turning away from God in troubled times to find help in Egypt. Isaiah continues to call his listeners back to God our King who is the source of stability in present times and our sure hope for the future.

The post Isaiah 31-35 The Stability of Your Times first appeared on Observe the Word.