Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 40 CEV; Ch. 41-44 ERVin today's episode: Ch.

Podcast Introduction

This Prophecy Friday. We’ll read Isaiah 40-44. I’m calling this episode “Wrong Number.”

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Comments on Isaiah 42

In Matthew 12:17, we're told that Isaiah 42 is about the Messiah. And after reading the chapter, I'm sure you're probably not surprised. As you probably know, the Old Testament is full of Messianic prophecies. The Jews for Jesus website lists 365 of them. And of those 365 prophecies. 132 are in the book of Isaiah alone. The vast majority of these prophecies were fulfilled during Jesus’ first incarnation, and only a small handful remain to be fulfilled at His second coming. I’m looking forward to seeing those happen! 

Here in chapter 41, God speaking through the prophet Isaiah, makes a point of asking how many prophecies the false gods and idols made and had been fulfilled. Of course, since they were only manmade, the answer is none. 

God has told mankind part of his plan in advance, so that we would know that He is indeed God. Imagine the mathematical odds of just the Messianic prophecies being fulfilled in the life of just one man. The odds are astronomically high, so high is to be impossible, unless the One in whom they are fulfilled was indeed the Messiah. 

I don't know about you, but I'm satisfied that Jesus is who he said he is. And if He is who He said he is, then every word he said must be true, because God is incapable of either being wrong or lying. 

If I had to pick just one thing he said that every person needs to understand, it would be this, from John 14:6. Jesus said, “I am the Way the Truth and the Life. The only way to the Father is through me.” ERV

There is no other way to God. Jesus is the One Way. Think of it like this. There are millions upon millions of cell phones on the planet, right? Each one has its own phone number. Now, if you want to phone me, you can only call the number associated with my phone. If you misdial, even one digit, you won't get me. It's the same with salvation. There are many purported paths to God, but only one way is the right way. 

It doesn't matter if you're a good person, it doesn't matter if your intentions are right. It doesn't even matter if you're sorry that you've wronged somebody. All that matters is that you have a relationship with Jesus. That's not me saying it. It's Jesus himself. He is the only way to the Father. 

Thoughts on Isaiah 44 

Now in chapter 44, verses nine through 20, we saw just how silly it is for men to create a God out of a block of wood. Can we all agree on that? One of the things the Fool in the passage does is to pray to the idol he created. He says, “You are my God. Save me.”

 I agree with Isaiah when he says, “People like that don't know what they're doing. They just don't understand.” That  is true. But how do we know that a god carved from a block of wood is not God? Well, because it's a created thing, right? By definition, God is eternal. He is not created. God is omniscient, meaning he has all knowledge. He's omnipotent, which means he has all power. He's omnipresent. He's everywhere. And there are other attributes that God has that a created thing does not. 

It's easy to see that a god made from a block of wood is not God. Somebody carved it, somebody made it. It's not eternal. It cannot save us. 

So why do so many people look to politicians to save us? Why do people expect, say… a presidential candidate to save them? Every person who runs for office is a created being. They have none of the attributes of God, yet millions of people cry, “Save us!” They think that their candidate has the answers. 

Beloved, no politician has the answer. I don't care who he or she is. Don't expect salvation from any of them. Look only to God, only He has the answer,