Israel's captivity and exile does not produce a responsive people. Though the LORD God calls, they do not respond, but rather seek to lean on their own understanding. But the Servant heeds the call of God as the True Prophet and True Israel. His obedience to the LORD God extends into times of humiliation and abuse. His resolve remains as He knows His mission will not fail because of the presence of the LORD God.

The nation of Israel is like a rebellious son. After Yahweh's Fatherly care for them in the Exodus, they immediately rebel and turn to idol worship. The egregious nature of Israel's sin leads God to punish His child, Israel, with pain and captivity. But there is hope for the wayward son, in one who went into exile. Out of Egypt, God calls His Son.

In the doctrine of Adoption, those who are justified are made to become sons of God by being brought into the number of the children of God and receiving many blessings from God. God's love and grace abound as He condescends to call sinners to be children of God for Christ's sake.

In Isaiah 49, Isaiah focuses on the weapon of the Servant, which is His Word. Cyrus conquered with the sword, while the Servant will conquer with His Word. As Isaiah looks toward the Messianic age, he focuses not on earthly things, but spiritual things, namely salvation from spiritual bondage, not just physical oppression. The ends of the earth shall find eternal hope in the Word of the Servant.

After condemning the leaders of Judah and prophesying judgment upon them, Micah provides hope for the remnant in an unexpected place. The rulers of Israel were arrogant and corrupt, but the Ruler for the remnant people will come from a little town of Bethlehem. Peace for the ends of the earth shall come from this Davidic King.

Adding any works to one's right standing with God diminishes the finished work of the Lord Jesus. Throughout church history, have been many theologians and traditions that speak of justification as a process and that good works contribute to a final justification. The Puritans understood the importance of justification and give a clear concise definition justification as the act of God whereby those who are effectually called have their sins pardoned and accepted as righteous based on the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

As Isaiah prophesies beyond the 8th Century, he looks to a time when the people of Israel will need comfort, truth, and justice. Israel failed mightily as the servant of God, which is why they need another. Isaiah 42 looks to the Servant who will rule the whole world with justice and equity. He will not be like other kings who rule with violence and arrogance, but will rule with gentleness and humility. Jesus Christ is the just servant who is given to the covenant people and is a light to the Gentiles.

Immanuel -God with us- is bad news for King Ahaz who trusts in Assyria rather than Yahweh. The child of the virgin is a sign that Ahaz has been rejected. But Immanuel is good news for the faithful remnant who hold fast to God's Davidic Covenant in the midst of desolation. Jesus coming is Immanuel for sinners who need saving.

In LBCF 10, the Baptist divines articulate the doctrine of effectual calling. In His appointed time, God is pleased to call His elect out of the state of sin into the state of grace by the Word and the Spirit. In effectual calling, the elect person's mind is enlightened, heart renewed, and his will renewed. Salvation is made effectual by God alone with no help from man who is dead in trespasses and sins.

As the book of Genesis comes to a close, Moses spends some time with Jacob's death and burial. An era has ended as the last patriarch is gathered to his people. This raises the question- what will become of the promises to Abraham- Joseph assures his brothers that their wicked scheme to sell him into slavery was used by God for the salvation of life. Just as He protected Israel, God will bring the people of Israel up out of the land of Egypt and into the Promised Land.