The church at Colossae was under intense pressure to give up on their faith in Jesus. Paul reminds them that the most important thing about them is their identity in Christ. 

This Psalm was meant for preparation for the battle for the armies of Israel.  Imagine this Psalm being read to the King in the temple with his soldiers present before a major military campaign.  

Merry Christmas from the Illuminated Word podcast! Today we look at how the coming of the Messiah signaled the reversing of the curse and an advanced sign of God's perfect future. 

Isaiah looked ahead to a time when hope would come from the family of Jesse. A new king would arise and his reign would bring a reversal of the curse upon this world. We know as Christians that this new king is Jesus. 

A messianic prediction from Isaiah gives us the now-famous lyric, "Unto us, a child is born..." In context, this really is speaking centuries before Jesus incarnates himself on earth to save us from death. The same death the Israelites feared from the Assyrians at the time of Isaiah's writing.

Isaiah 2 is a very familiar passage to many. Isaiah prophecies that a faithful remnant will be found in Jerusalem and that Mount Zion will be raised high above all other mountains. The nations will flow to Zion and peace will come to this world. 

Psalm 19 tells us that God communicates through three "books." God communicates through the following: the heavens declare His glory, His Law is good and perfect, and our conscience bears witness to the truth of God. The psalmist reminds us that there is a general revelation of the created order and also the special revelation of God's word. 

Micah has prophesied against the people of Judah and Israel. The common man is exploited by his wealthy neighbors. The people feel the pressure of the coming Assyrian invasion. Their world is filled with strife and pain. Micah prophesies of a coming day when peace will come. God will set all things right and the implements of war will turn into implements of food production and peace. 

Through the prophet Micah the Lord warns Israel with a chilling assessment that they "hate good and love evil." God tells the leaders of Judah that since they perverted justice and made the straight paths crooked he will come in judgment. 

Micah accuses unjust rulers, corrupt Israelites taking advantage of their poorer neighbors, false prophets, and even the victims of these false teachers. Micah ends the chapter by drawing out the New Testament confession of Jesus being our Good Shepherd.