Isaiah 45-48 God Knows

Isaiah 45-48 God Knows

­Psalm 78:40-72 Forgetful Sheep

Ps 78:40 “(38 But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn’t destroy them. Yes, many times he turned his anger away, and didn’t stir up all his wrath. 39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes away, and doesn’t come again.)

40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness, and grieved him in the desert! 41 They turned again and tempted God, and provoked the Holy one of Israel. 42 They didn’t remember his hand, nor the day when he redeemed them from the adversary; 43 how he set his signs in Egypt, his wonders in the field of Zoan, 44 he turned their rivers into blood...51 and struck all the firstborn in Egypt, the chief of their strength in the tents of Ham. 52 But he led forth his own people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 53 He led them safely, so that they weren’t afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 54 He brought them to the border of his sanctuary, to this mountain, which his right hand had taken. 55 He also drove out the nations before them, allotted them for an inheritance by line, and made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tents. 56 Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God, and didn’t keep his testimonies; 57 but turned back, and dealt treacherously like their fathers. They were turned aside like a deceitful bow. 58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their engraved images. 59 When God heard this, he was angry, and greatly abhorred Israel; 60 So that he forsook the tent of Shiloh, the tent which he placed among men; 61 and delivered his strength into captivity, his glory into the adversary’s hand. 62 He also gave his people over to the sword, and was angry with his inheritance. 63 Fire devoured their young men. Their virgins had no wedding song. 64 Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows couldn’t weep. 65 Then the Lord awakened as one out of sleep, like a mighty man who shouts by reason of wine. 66 He struck his adversaries backward. He put them to a perpetual reproach. 67 Moreover he rejected the tent of Joseph, and didn’t choose the tribe of Ephraim, 68 But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which he loved. 69 He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which he has established forever. 70 He also chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; 71 from following the ewes that have their young, he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and Israel, his inheritance. 72 So he was their shepherd according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands."

Observations: 78:1-39 See post on 1Samuel 16 for vv 1-39, in which God saved but wound up having to discipline His rebellious people (just like the second half of the psalm).

78:40-72 God delivered, saved, and redeemed His people from Egypt to bring them into the land of promised blessing. However, they, His people, His inheritance, turned from Him to their sin and provoked Him to anger. Then He kicked them out of their inheritance, the promised land, into captivity. They were still His people, but rather than enjoying His delights, they experience His discipline. 1Corinthians 10 says this can happen to NT saints. After the nation was disciplined by death and loss of dominion, they repented. Then God graciously subdued their enemies, and brought them back into blessing. Because they turned back from obeying Him, (verse 9-11) He rejected the mighty tribe of Ephraim (here put for the nation), who had received Jacob's chief inheritance blessing and chose Judah instead to rule. God made a covenant with David (2Sam 7) to lead and shepherd His people.

Application: Those who rebel against God's rule in their lives will regret the loss they reap. Those who submit to God's shepherding care of them will rejoice in His guidance and blessing. Which camp are you in?

Prayer: My Good Shepherd, thanks for saving and guiding me; may You be delilghted by the way I respond to Your care of me. Amen.

Proverbs 20:1-4 Four Follies to Forego

Pr 20:1 “Wine is a mocker, and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise. 2 The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. 3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling. 4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing."

Observations: Four unwise behaviors to avoid:

20:1 Being under influences that move you off the wise path;

20:2 Angering your authorities;

20:3 Disputing and quarreling (sometimes it's honorable to allow fools their delusions); and

20:4 Avoiding the difficult and uncomfortable.

Application: Develop the habits that give you the results you want.

Prayer: All-Wise God, thanks for giving guidance on the wiser way to live. May I do so. Amen.

Isaiah 45-48 In these chapters, God stresses that He is the only One who knows the future, because He has purposed it. He tells Cyrus of His purpose in giving him the kingship. This prophecy would be a powerful motivation for Cyrus to send the Jews back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. God also impresses upon Judah that He is the one sending them back, according to His plan. It's not the work of some dumb idol they might pray to, therefore they must only trust “The God of Israel.”

Isaiah 45 Cyrus, Meet God

45:1 Thus says Yahweh to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him, and strip kings of their armor; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut: 2 "I will go before you, and make the rough places smooth. I will break the doors of brass in pieces, and cut apart the bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, who call you by your name, even the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called you by your name. I have surnamed you, though you have not known me.

5 I am Yahweh, and there is none else. Besides me, there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known me; 6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me. I am Yahweh, and there is no one else. 7 I form the light, and create darkness. I make peace, and create calamity. I am Yahweh, who does all these things. 8 Distil, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, that it may bring forth salvation, and let it cause righteousness to spring up with it. I, Yahweh, have created it. 9 Woe to him who strives with his Maker—a clay pot among the clay pots of the earth! Shall the clay ask him who fashions it, ‘What are you making?’ or your work, ‘He has no hands?’ 10 Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What have you become the father of?’ or to a mother, ‘To what have you given birth?’"

11 Thus says Yahweh, the Holy one of Israel, and his Maker: "You ask me about the things that are to come, concerning my sons, and you command me concerning the work of my hands! 12 I have made the earth, and created man on it. I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens; and I have commanded all their hosts. 13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways. He shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward," says Yahweh of Hosts. 14 Thus says Yahweh: "The labor of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you, and they shall be yours. They will go after you. They shall come over in chains; and they will bow down to you. They will make supplication to you: ‘Surely God is in you; and there is none else. There is no other god. 15 Most certainly you are a God who hidden yourself, God of Israel, the Savior.’" 16 They will be disappointed, yes, confounded, all of them. Those who are makers of idols will go into confusion together. 17 Israel will be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation. You will not be disappointed nor confounded to ages everlasting. 18 For thus says Yahweh who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn’t create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited: "I am Yahweh; and there is no other. 19 I have not spoken in secret, in a place of the land of darkness. I didn’t say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, Yahweh, speak righteousness. I declare things that are right.

20 "Assemble yourselves and come. Draw near together, you who have escaped from the nations. Those have no knowledge who carry the wood of their engraved image, and pray to a god that can’t save. 21 Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven’t I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior; There is no one besides me. 22 "Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. 23 I have sworn by myself, the word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not return, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. 24 They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.’" Even to him shall men come; and all those who were incensed against him shall be disappointed. 25 In Yahweh shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

Observations: 45:1-4 God raised up Cyrus, king of the Persians and gave him victory over the nations, to accomplish His purpose of returning Israel to the the promised land. Cyrus is called Yahweh's “shepherd” in the last chapter, and here, His “anointed” (same word for Messiah). God can use pagan kings to accomplish His plans, who obey better than Israel.

2Chronicles 36:22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 23 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up! (cf Ezra 1).

45:5-11 Since God has known Cyrus' name (well over a hundred years before he was born), but Cyrus doesn't know Him, Yahweh gives a self-introduction, the Creator who brings righteousness and salvation to the earth, who is both knowable, but beyond the scrutiny of His creatures.

45:12-25 God spends a lot of verses saying there is no one like Him, so Israel won't be tempted to trust in false gods, like they did when in the promised land. He particularly emphasizes His knowledge of the future, to demonstrate His sovereign control, so people will look to Him and be saved. See comments on Isaiah 46:9-12. His salvation of them is everlasting.

Application: Since God knows the future, and makes it happen, it is wise to trust and obey what He's revealed.

Prayer: God, thanks for creating me with the capacity to seek and find You; to know You and serve You. You save and sanctify for a purpose; may I daily discern and do Your will. Amen.

Isaiah 46 God Knows and Purposes the Future

46:1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; their idols are on the animals, and on the livestock: the things that you carried about are made a load, a burden to the weary. 2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves have gone into captivity. 3 "Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been borne from their birth, that have been carried from the womb; 4 and even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry, and will deliver. 5 "To whom will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? 6 Some pour out gold from the bag, and weigh silver in the balance. They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god. They fall down—yes, they worship. 7 They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands, from its place it shall not move: yes, one may cry to it, yet it can not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. 8 "Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, you transgressors.

9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; 10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, my counsel/plan shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; 11 calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yes, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it. 12 Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness: 13 I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not wait; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

Observations: 46:1-8 Bel and Nebo are the powerless Babylonian gods who couldn't prevent the delivery of “their” people to Cyrus, God's servant. In contrast God still carries His people, Israel.

46:9-12 Repeatedly in this section of Isaiah, God asserts that He knows what will happen in the future, “declaring the end from the beginning”. God is outside of time, and knows all that happens at once. He reveals it linearly to His prophets and people. The prophets can see some things from God's perspective, as they happen in the future. God also has purposed some things to occur, and brings them to pass. In His sovereignty, He has set the rules of His universe (including giving man/woman free will), and has determined that certain things will occur according to His timetable (such as the interval from the decree of Cyrus to the entrance of the Messiah to Jerusalem Daniel 9:25). Other times, He waits to be gracious based upon His people turning to Him, or patiently forbears judgment based upon our repentance or exercises it based upon our unwillingness to obey. To miss the distinction between God's determined and permissive will or desire, is to misinterpret Scripture.

Application: Since God does all things for His pleasure, we should too.

Prayer: God, may I not be stubborn-hearted, but sensitive to You, Your pleasure, and Your timing in my life. Amen.

Isaiah 47 Trusting in Self or God

47:1 "Come down, and sit in the dust, virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, daughter of the Chaldeans: for you shall no more be called tender and delicate. 2 Take the millstones, and grind meal; remove your veil, strip off the train, uncover the leg, pass through the rivers. 3 Your nakedness shall be uncovered, yes, your shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and will spare no man." 4 Our Redeemer, Yahweh of Hosts is his name, the Holy one of Israel. 5 "Sit in silence, and go into darkness, daughter of the Chaldeans; for you shall no more be called the mistress of kingdoms. 6 I was angry with my people, I profaned my inheritance, and gave them into your hand: you showed them no mercy; on the aged you have very heavily laid your yoke.

7 You said, ‘I shall be a mistress forever’; so that you did not lay these things to your heart, nor did you remember the latter end of it. 8 "Now therefore hear this, you who are given to pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, ‘I am, and there is none else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children’: 9 but these two things shall come to you in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood; in their full measure shall they come on you, in the multitude of your sorceries, and the great abundance of your enchantments. 10 For you have trusted in your wickedness; you have said, No one sees me; your wisdom and your knowledge, it has perverted you, and you have said in your heart, I am, and there is none else besides me. 11 Therefore evil will come on you; you won’t know when it dawns: and mischief will fall on you; you will not be able to put it away: and desolation shall come on you suddenly, which you don’t know. 

12 "Stand now with your enchantments, and with the multitude of your sorceries, in which you have labored from your youth; if so be you shall be able to profit, if so be you may prevail. 13 You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels: let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you from the things that shall come on you. 14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: it shall not be a coal to warm at, nor a fire to sit before. 15 Thus shall the things be to you in which you have labored: those who have trafficked with you from your youth shall wander everyone to his quarter; there shall be none to save you.

Observations: 47:1-6 God will humble the Babylonians, into whose hand He delivered disobedient Israel/Judah, because of their ill-treatment of them. Since they showed Israel no mercy, the God of Israel will not show them any either. Justice.

47:7-15 Since Babylon showed “god-like” self-sufficiency and pride, God will bring them down in desolation and destruction. All that they trusted in, their wisdom and wickedness, and wizards, will be unable to save them.

Application: Those who trust in themselves will be put to shame.

Prayer: Lord, You are my Redeemer, my confidence, my hope, and my trust. I look only to You for providing all that I need, and all that is good in my life. Amen.

Isaiah 48 Who's Your Lord?

48:1 "Hear this, house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, and have come forth out of the waters of Judah; who swear by the name of Yahweh, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth/faithfulness, nor in righteousness 2 (for they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; Yahweh of Hosts is his name): 3 I have declared the former things from of old; yes, they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them: suddenly I did them, and they happened. 4 Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow brass; 5 therefore I have declared it to you from of old; before it came to pass I showed it to you; lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them, and my engraved image, and my molten image, has commanded them.’ 6 You have heard it; see all this; and you, will you not declare it? "I have shown you new things from this time, even hidden things, which you have not known.

Observations: 48:1-2 God calls Israel into account for calling themselves His people but not in truth nor righteousness (cf. Ex 20:7 Taking the name of the Lord in vain). Being His people and swearing by His name should have resulted in them obeying Him and manifesting righteousness.

48:3-6 God again reiterates that He's telling them that He is the one who will rescue them (and restore them), so that when it happens, they can't attribute it to their dumb idols.

Application: If you call yourself by God's name, or call upon His name, make sure your life reflects His will.

Prayer: Lord, I do not take your name lightly, but acknowledge You as the One in control of my life, whose will I pledge and desire to do. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God reveals Himself as the Creator of everything, who has a plan for His people. He is incomparable, knowing and purposing the future, raising up and putting down kings and nations. He redeems and restores His people with an everlasting salvation, calling Himself not only the God of Israel, but their Savior.

Us in a nutshell: Our obstinate self-sufficiency makes us miss out on God's provision, and marks us out for discipline. We tend to lose sight of the fact that God blesses us for His glory's sake, not our self-indulgence. We also forget that God knows, and has revealed the future, and that pleasing Him is the best way to enjoy it.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Isaiah complete text

Isaiah 45

45:1 Thus says Yahweh to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him, and strip kings of their armour; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut: 2 "I will go before you, and make the rough places smooth. I will break the doors of brass in pieces, and cut apart the bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, Yahweh, who call you by your name, even the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called you by your name. I have surnamed you, though you have not known me.

5 I am Yahweh, and there is none else. Besides me, there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not known me; 6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me. I am Yahweh, and there is no one else. 7 I form the light, and create darkness. I make peace, and create calamity. I am Yahweh, who does all these things. 8 Distil, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open, that it may bring forth salvation, and let it cause righteousness to spring up with it. I, Yahweh, have created it. 9 Woe to him who strives with his Maker—a clay pot among the clay pots of the earth! Shall the clay ask him who fashions it, ‘What are you making?’ or your work, ‘He has no hands?’ 10 Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What have you become the father of?’ or to a mother, ‘To what have you given birth?’"

11 Thus says Yahweh, the Holy one of Israel, and his Maker: "You ask me about the things that are to come, concerning my sons, and you command me concerning the work of my hands! 12 I have made the earth, and created man on it. I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens; and I have commanded all their army. 13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways. He shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward," says Yahweh of Armies. 14 Thus says Yahweh: "The labour of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you, and they shall be yours. They will go after you. They shall come over in chains; and they will bow down to you. They will make supplication to you: ‘Surely God is in you; and there is none else. There is no other god. 15 Most certainly you are a God who hidden yourself, God of Israel, the Saviour.’" 16 They will be disappointed, yes, confounded, all of them. Those who are makers of idols will go into confusion together. 17 Israel will be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation. You will not be disappointed nor confounded to ages everlasting. 18 For thus says Yahweh who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn’t create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited: "I am Yahweh; and there is no other. 19 I have not spoken in secret, in a place of the land of darkness. I didn’t say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, Yahweh, speak righteousness. I declare things that are right.

20 "Assemble yourselves and come. Draw near together, you who have escaped from the nations. Those have no knowledge who carry the wood of their engraved image, and pray to a god that can’t save. 21 Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven’t I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Saviour; There is no one besides me. 22 "Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. 23 I have sworn by myself, the word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not return, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. 24 They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.’" Even to him shall men come; and all those who were incensed against him shall be disappointed. 25 In Yahweh shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

Isaiah 46

46:1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; their idols are on the animals, and on the livestock: the things that you carried about are made a load, a burden to the weary. 2 They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves have gone into captivity. 3 "Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, that have been borne from their birth, that have been carried from the womb; 4 and even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry, and will deliver.

5 "To whom will you liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? 6 Some pour out gold from the bag, and weigh silver in the balance. They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god. They fall down—yes, they worship. 7 They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it, and set it in its place, and it stands, from its place it shall not move: yes, one may cry to it, yet it can not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. 8 "Remember this, and show yourselves men; bring it again to mind, you transgressors. 9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; 10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; 11 calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country; yes, I have spoken, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed, I will also do it. 12 Listen to me, you stout-hearted, who are far from righteousness: 13 I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not wait; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

Isaiah 47

47:1 "Come down, and sit in the dust, virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, daughter of the Chaldeans: for you shall no more be called tender and delicate. 2 Take the millstones, and grind meal; remove your veil, strip off the train, uncover the leg, pass through the rivers. 3 Your nakedness shall be uncovered, yes, your shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and will spare no man." 4 Our Redeemer, Yahweh of Armies is his name, the Holy one of Israel. 5 "Sit in silence, and go into darkness, daughter of the Chaldeans; for you shall no more be called the mistress of kingdoms. 6 I was angry with my people, I profaned my inheritance, and gave them into your hand: you showed them no mercy; on the aged you have very heavily laid your yoke.

7 You said, ‘I shall be a mistress forever’; so that you did not lay these things to your heart, nor did you remember the latter end of it. 8 "Now therefore hear this, you who are given to pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, ‘I am, and there is none else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children’: 9 but these two things shall come to you in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood; in their full measure shall they come on you, in the multitude of your sorceries, and the great abundance of your enchantments. 10 For you have trusted in your wickedness; you have said, No one sees me; your wisdom and your knowledge, it has perverted you, and you have said in your heart, I am, and there is none else besides me. 11 Therefore evil will come on you; you won’t know when it dawns: and mischief will fall on you; you will not be able to put it away: and desolation shall come on you suddenly, which you don’t know. 12 "Stand now with your enchantments, and with the multitude of your sorceries, in which you have laboured from your youth; if so be you shall be able to profit, if so be you may prevail. 13 You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels: let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you from the things that shall come on you. 14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: it shall not be a coal to warm at, nor a fire to sit before. 15 Thus shall the things be to you in which you have laboured: those who have trafficked with you from your youth shall wander everyone to his quarter; there shall be none to save you.

Isaiah 48

48:1 "Hear this, house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, and have come forth out of the waters of Judah; who swear by the name of Yahweh, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness 2 (for they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; Yahweh of Hosts is his name): 3 I have declared the former things from of old; yes, they went forth out of my mouth, and I showed them: suddenly I did them, and they happened. 4 Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew, and your brow brass; 5 therefore I have declared it to you from of old; before it came to pass I showed it to you; lest you should say, ‘My idol has done them, and my engraved image, and my molten image, has commanded them.’ 6 You have heard it; see all this; and you, will you not declare it? "I have shown you new things from this time, even hidden things, which you have not known.

Exodus 19-24 Ten Commandments: Given And Ratified

Psalm 13:1-6 Singing the Blues

13:1 “How long, Yahweh? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I wrestle with my thoughts (NIV), having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me? 3 Look, and answer me, Yahweh, my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death; 4 Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed against him;" Lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall. 5 BUT, I have trusted in Your hesed. My heart will rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing (praises) to Yahweh, because He has been good to me.”

Observation: Looks like someone is having a bad day: God doesn't take your calls, you wrestle with your thoughts (and lose), the bad guys are beating you up, and you feel like dying. Ever have a week, month, year or decade like that?

13:5 Everything changes because of this verse, trust in God's loyal love toward His people.

Two verb tenses are used “have trusted” = perfect (past completed action); “will rejoice” = imperfect (usually future incomplete action). The tenses flip in 13:6.

Application: When you're singing the blues, recall and reaffirm your trust in God's trustworthy, loyal love, and you'll be singing a different tune.

Prayer: O Lord, my God, because You are loyal to me, I will rejoice in Your salvation, and sing Your praises. (P.S., I wouldn't mind if that happens sooner, rather than later if it's OK with You. Thanks.) Amen.

Proverbs 4:9-13 Walk in Wisdom

4:9 “(7 Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom...) 9 She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you." 10 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. 11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. 12 When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. 13 Take firm hold of instruction. Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life."

Observations: 4:9-13 In order to experience the benefits of wisdom, we must listen, learn, and keep a firm grip on her. Wisdom is choosing the right (God glorifying) objectives, and the right means (steps) of reaching them. That means wisdom will guide our steps in the right paths leading to blessing. Abandoning wisdom leads to a short life full of stumbles and missteps.

Application: Get wisdom, don't let it go, but have it guide your steps daily

Prayer: God of wisdom, guide my steps in Your ways every day. Amen.

Exodus 19-24 Overview:

Exodus 19 sets the stage for God to give the law (which addressed moral, religious, and civil life).

Exodus 20 God gives the Big Ten.

Exodus 21-23 There were other law codes in existence going back to Mesopotamia which are all said to come from their gods. Moses gives more specific elaborations of the Ten Commandments, emphasizing the laws for a civil society. Interspersed are stipulations regarding one's relationship with God, but mainly it's rules which would enable the Israelites to live in unity and harmony. Many are applicable to modern society, so if you haven't read them, you would profit from a quick skim. I just included general summary titles in the Observation sections, and you'll find the entire text at the end of the post.

Exodus 24 records the ratification of the Covenant, when the people commit to obey.

Questions to ask as you read:

Why did God say He gives the law?

To whom does God give the law?

What's the means of blessing the people?

Did God expect them to obey it?

What would happen if they didn't obey?

In the context, is there even a hint, much less an explicit statement, that the law was given to show they couldn't keep it? (If so, please put the verse(s) in the comment section.)

See: What's Up with the Law? on Truthbase.net for an OT and NT look at the law.

Exodus 19 Basis of Faith

19:1 "In the third month...on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 3 Moses went up to God...4 `You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles` wings, and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice, and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.` 8 All the people answered together, and said, "All that Yahweh has spoken we will do." 9 Yahweh said to Moses, "Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever." 12 You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, 'Be careful that you don't go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death.16 On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. 18 Mount Sinai, the whole of it, smoked, because Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly."

Observations: 19:4-5 The basis of faith was what God had revealed, what they had seen 19:5, and heard (19:9).

19:6 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” - 1 Peter 1:9

19:12 Scrupulous obedience required. I'd be quaking too.

Exodus 20 Relationship with God

20:1 "God spoke all these words, saying, 2 "I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

I. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

II. 4 "You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 and showing hesed/loyal love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

III. 7 "You shall not bear/take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who bears/takes his name in vain.

IV. 8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 You shall labor six days, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your man-servant, nor your maid-servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates; 11 for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy.

V. 12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.

VI. 13 "You shall not murder.

VII. 14 "You shall not commit adultery.

VIII. 15 "You shall not steal.

IX. 16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

X. 17 "You shall not covet your neighbor`s house. You shall not covet your neighbor`s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor`s."

18 All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the people saw it, they trembled, and stayed at a distance. 19 They said to Moses, "Speak with us yourself, and we will listen; but don`t let God speak with us, lest we die." 20 Moses said to the people, "Don`t be afraid, for God has come to refine/test you, and that his fear may be before you, that you won`t sin."

21 The people stayed at a distance, and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. 22 Yahweh said to Moses, "This is what you shall tell the children of Israel: `You yourselves have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. 23 You shall most certainly not make alongside of me gods of silver, or gods of gold for yourselves. 24 You shall make an altar of earth for me, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace-offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record my name I will come to you and I will bless you."

Observations: 20:1 The law was given to a redeemed people (not the other way around).

20:4 This is not a general prohibition against art, but against images to which people bow down. Some traditions consider vv4-6 as subset of v3, and split up v17 on coveting.

20:5 is repeated in Exodus 34 as the essence of God's glory (which Moses asks to see there).

20:7 is probably not about profanity. “Vain/vanity” is falsehood (Deuteronomy 5:20) emptiness, meaningless, to no effect (a chasing after the wind - Ecclesiastes). To bear or call on the name of God and not do what He says, is vanity (in vain). To call oneself a believer, and not believe or trust in everyday life is vanity.

20:8 The Sabbath command starts with a different verb form from all the other commandments. It is the only one not repeated in the NT. It is considered the sign of this covenant. Israel went into captivity for a period years equal to their failure to keep the Sabbath years (coming up in Leviticus 26:33-35).

20:12-16 These are commands to not engage in self-centered behavior at the expense of another (the opposite of love). Seems like a good idea.

Romans 13:10 "Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law."

20:17 Coveting is the opposite of the first commandment, and gets to the heart of the matter. If our value system revolves around temporal rather than eternal gratification, will incur guilt

20:20 Fear God so you won't sin. (It's His idea.) What about love? See 7 Questions in sidebar on Lordship.

John 14:15 If you love me, keep my commandments.

20:23-24 Exclusivity is the key to enjoying blessings.

Application: Evaluate yourself against the ten commandments, especially the first and last, and take any appropriate corrective action.

Prayer: God who lovingly redeems and requires loyalty, help me faithfully do what you want. Amen.

Exodus 21 Relationships with Each Other

21:1-11 Slave/Servant and Women's Rights

21:12-17 Capital Crimes

21:18-27 Compensation and Property Rights

21:28-36 Responsible Community Membership

Exodus 22 Legal Relationships

22:1-17 Restitutuion or Slavery for Offenses

22:18-20 Three Capital Offenses

22:21-27 Compassionate Justice

22:28 "You shall not blaspheme God, nor curse a ruler of your people. 29 "You shall not delay to offer from your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. "You shall give the firstborn of your sons to me. 30 You shall do likewise with your oxen and with your sheep. 31 "You shall be holy men to me, therefore you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by animals in the field. You shall cast it to the dogs.

Observations: Out of a relationship with God flow our relationships with each other. Many modern legal principles are found in these verses.

Exodus 23 Regulations

23:1-9 Honesty Justice Other-centeredness (love enemies)

23:10-19 Sabbath Years and Days and Feasts

23:20 "Behold, I send an angel before you, to keep you by the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. 21 Pay attention to him, and listen to his voice. Don`t provoke him, for he will not pardon your disobedience, for my name is in him. 22 But if you indeed listen to his voice, and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and an adversary to your adversaries. 23 For my angel shall go before you, and bring you in to the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Canaanite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; and I will cut them off.

24 You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor follow their practices, but you shall utterly overthrow them and demolish their pillars. 25 You shall serve Yahweh your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from your midst. 26 No one will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will fulfill the number of your days. 27 I will send my terror before you, and will confuse all the people to whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. 28 I will send the hornet before you, which will drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before you. 29 I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate, and the animals of the field multiply against you. 30 Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and inherit the land. 31 I will set your border from the Red Sea even to the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River; for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. 32 You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me, for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you."

Observations: 23:21 The law was not given them to show they couldn't keep it. God demanded and expected obedience, or else.

23:32-33 God commands His people to be separate (holy) or suffer the consequences.

Exodus 24 Covenant is Ratified

24:3 Moses came and told the people all the words of Yahweh, and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice, and said, "All the words which Yahweh has spoken will we do." 4 Moses wrote all the words of Yahweh 5 He sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace-offerings of oxen to Yahweh. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 He took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people, and they said, "All that Yahweh has spoken will we do, and be obedient." 8 Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, "Look, this is the blood of the covenant, which Yahweh has made with you concerning all these words."

9 Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up. 10 They saw the God of Israel...12 Yahweh said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain, and stay here, and I will give you the tables of stone with the law and the commands that I have written, that you may teach them." 14 He said to the elders, "Wait here for us, until we come again to you. Behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever is involved in a dispute can go to them." 15 Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of Yahweh settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. The seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 The appearance of the glory of Yahweh was like devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. 18 Moses entered into the midst of the cloud, and went up on the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Observations: 24:3,7 Twice the people pledge obedience. God seals the deal with them by the sprinkling of blood. See observations on covenants in Gen 15. The sacrifices are not for sins.

24:10 They saw God (see full text below), yet that doesn't prevent future disloyalty.

Application: To get off the spiritual roller coaster of victory and defeat, we need to fear God (His idea) and change our values, so we'll want and do what He wants us to do.

Prayer: Awesome God, keep me mindful of who You are and what You've promised so I may keep Your commandments, as You desire. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God is awesome beyond description; holy and powerful beyond measure, yet He chooses to make and keep a covenant with His people; He meets our needs and gives laws for the benefit of all His people, so we can live in harmony, and be blessed by Him. He expects us to remember and obey, living in exclusive loyalty to Him, and He will punish those who are disloyal and disobey.

Us in a nutshell: We have the potential to be priests to our God, giving Him what He desires, and having a righteous relationship with Him. We are redeemed to serve God, rather than sin; we're recipients of additional blessing dependent upon our obedience.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

What's Up With The Law

The Ten Commandments or Ten Suggestions?