My “heart burns within me” when I see the gospel theme
repeat throughout the Old and New Testaments.
66 books written
over many centuries,
by many men
in many cultures.
And yet, I keep hearing and seeing
the same gospel, the same Savior —
variations on one beautiful theme.
One Seamless Story.
One Gospel Thread Throughout.
One Glorious Savior.
We will see it this week in Isaiah!
Tim Keller tells of being profoundly impacted by Alec Motyer, our expert in Isaiah, when Keller was a young man — before his seminary days.
Keller tells of how, in his early twenties, he “had held the vague, unexamined impression that in the Old Testament people were saved through obeying a host of detailed laws but that today we were freely forgiven and accepted by faith.” But then he heard Old Testament scholar Dr. J. Alec Motyer speak and was “thunderstruck” when Motyer asked them to imagine how the Israelites under Moses might have given their testimony of faith. He said they would have said something like this:
We were in a foreign land, in bondage, under the sentence of death. But our mediator—the one who stands between us and God—came to us with the promise of deliverance. We trusted in the promises of God, took shelter under the blood of the lamb, and he led us out. Now we are on the way to the Promised Land. We are not there yet, of course, but we have the law to guide us, and through blood sacrifice we also have his presence in our midst. So he will stay with us until we get to our true country, our everlasting home.
Then Dr. Motyer concluded: “Now think about it. A Christian today could say the same thing, almost word for word.
I have Motyer’s enormous commentary on Isaiah, and then I have an easier one, which I recommend to all. A great devotional:
This gospel theme is in all three sections of Isaiah, but we will be looking this week at it in section 1: The King.
[1] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/j-alec-motyer-1924-2016/
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Monday: The Bad and Good News of the Gospel — as pictured in Isaiah (Review of Last Week)
2. Last week we saw how Isaiah opened in a courtroom with God accusing His children of three sins. Do you remember what they were?
3. Scripture shows us that God is concerned with sin because, like a virus may begin with just one person, but can spread throughout the whole world. (See below) How does Isaiah 1 show sin spreading from the individual to the whole culture?
4. I have a dear gentlemanly friend at pickleball who goes to a church that emphasizes grace over judgment. He feels grace is the whole message of the Bible and that the pictures of the severity of God are contrary to that message and must be in error or should be re-interpreted. He was particularly upset with Leviticus 20:13 that says “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination, they shall surely be put to death…” In truth, there is much judgment in the whole Bible, and every judgment we see is a foreshadowing of a much worse judgment, the final judgment. Yet judgment is hard. How should we respond to the judgment of God that we see throughout the Bible? How would you respond to my dear friend?
5. Last week we saw the gospel in Isaiah 1:18. Review this and how it shows both the bad news and the good news of the gospel.
Tuesday: One Picture of Sin from Isaiah: Bondage
In Exodus we see God’s people in bondage, but God sending a rescuer in Moses. In Isaiah, God’s people, because of sin, are going to be taken into bondage by Babylon. Little Judah didn’t have much power and admired the power of her neighbors: Assyria and Babylon. By the end of this first section of Isaiah (Isaiah 1-39) Isaiah will have told them repeatedly, but more clearly all the time, that they are going to be taken captive by this sinful nation they admire. We see hints of this even in Isaiah 1.
6. What does Isaiah see is coming in Isaiah 1:7-8?
During Lent, we are each endeavoring to identify a bad habit, see the sin beneath the sin, and replace it with God. For example, my bad habit is worry, the sin beneath the sin is a security idol, and I need to replace that with the truth of God’s Word that He is my security. My idol puts me into bondage with anxiety, sleeplessness, and stress.
7. What bad habit have you identified, what sin beneath, and what bondage does it put you in?
8. This theme of sin putting us into captivity is not new with Isaiah. Find another place in Scripture where you see it.
Wednesday: Rotten or Beautiful Grapes
Another picture in Isaiah is of a vineyard. Isaiah 1:6 hints at it in that “a booth in a vineyard” connotes transience, flimsiness. But Isaiah expands on this picture in the last chapter of this preface, Isaiah 5.
9. Read Isaiah 5:1-4
A. How does Isaiah refer to God in verse 1?
B. Find all the ways God cared for his vineyard in verses 1-2?
C. Looking at more than one translation, what kind of grapes did this vineyard yield?
10. We are still in a courtroom. What does God ask in Isaiah 5:1-4?
11. What does Isaiah see will happen to God’s people because of being stiff-necked about their idols, about their sin? (Isaiah 5:5-6)
!2. Some of the rotten grapes can be seen in the woes of Isaiah 5:8-23. We also see the judgment of captivity. If you have time, read this, and share one thing that resonates with you.
13. The theme of a vineyard is not new with Isaiah. Watch this (many of you already have) and share how it repeats, but on a more positive note, in the Song of Songs.
14. How does Jesus repeat this and make it abundantly clear in John 15:1-5?
Thursday-Friday: Free Sermon on Isaiah 5 by Eric Alexander, our Scottish Preacher! (I was so encouraged by those who listened to this great preacher last week and how they were impacted.)
15. Share your notes and comments.
Saturday
16. What is your take-a-way and why?
85 comments
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? I can’t believe how I could have read the OT so many times and never saw the gospel until I started doing studies here. I knew that different prophesies were talking about Jesus, but to see the actual gospel being repeated over and over throughout the OT is new to me.
I’m going to look up that devotional about Isaiah also.
I think you will love it, Dawn!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
The artwork is beautiful. I looked up the artist too.
I really loved this from Motyer: “We were in a foreign land, in bondage, under the sentence of death. But our mediator—the one who stands between us and God—came to us with the promise of deliverance. We trusted in the promises of God, took shelter under the blood of the lamb, and he led us out. Now we are on the way to the Promised Land.”
Also, convicted by Motyer’s description of the psalmists, from the article above: “they were people who knew far less about God than we do, yet loved him a great deal more”
2. Last week we saw how Isaiah opened in a courtroom with God accusing His children of three sins. Do you remember what they were?
Iniquity, Insicerity, Injustice.
3. Scripture shows us that God is concerned with sin because, like a virus may begin with just one person, but can spread throughout the whole world. (See below) How does Isaiah 1 show sin spreading from the individual to the whole culture?
The rebellion of children to what they have been taught, becomes a city, then a nation of disbelief.
4. How should we respond to the judgment of God that we see throughout the Bible? How would you respond to my dear friend?
This is summarizing my thoughts a lot, because I have strong thoughts about the beauty of truth and grace intertwined. I do not believe we can have one without the other. But to be brief, I think I have to respond with the belief that God is holy, and perfect in His judgment, however little I may understand it at times.I have to trust in His character. For your dear friend, I would say the gospel is not all grace, and it’s not only believing. Paired with faith is repentance. I must acknowledge and repent of my sin before I can begin to know my need of the gospel. I am desperate for the balm of grace, but I cannot truly experience it until I have faced my sin and repented. Mark 1:14-15, “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel'”.
Coming back to add on one more thought–I can only respond to the judgment of God in the Bible through the lens of my own depravity. The more I see my sin, the ugly depths of it, the more I see the righteousness in His judgment and just how merciful and gracious He actually is to me.
That’s really beautiful, Lizzy. I liked this too, for sometimes His judgements do seem so severe: “However little I may understand it as times, I have to trust in His character.”
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
First of all, I must acknowledge that God is at work here in this blog study! The thought of giving my testimony as the Isaraelites would do, prompts me to ponder my own testimony. And that is the very theme of Lent at my church right now. My pastor is challenging us as a congregation to be able to put together our own testimonies in 7 words or less! He is basing it on this article https://www.christiancentury.org/article/2012-08/gospel-seven-words.
So, each Wednesday service during Lent, Pastor Duane is guiding us in what to include in our seven-word testimony. Last Wednesday was about confessing our faith. He says we will be sharing our statements anonymously with him at the end of Lent and he will share everyone’s statements with our congregation. But first he is asking us to be interactive in the next Lenten services with him as we wrestle with this. And I know the end goal is that we then share our statements with our community to carry out Jesus’ great commission.
Dr. Motyer’s quote of the Israelites’ testimony and Dee’s “One seamless story, One Gospel thread throughout, One glorious Savior” summarizes everyone’ testimonies. I related to being in bondage and separated from God, and Jesus shedding his blood sacrificially to mediate for me and all humankind, and that we are in a foreign land journeying towards our eternal home. I give Him all my praises and pray that I move closer to God and love Him more each day.
Can’t wait to hear other’s comments!
Tell us your 7 word testimony, Carol!
Me too!
I will as soon as I figure it out. The first thought that came to my mind was GRACE = God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. But that is not an original. I learned that years ago in confirmation. I want to include these ideas from my sermon notes:
1. Admit my own sin and my need for salvation (all have sinned)
2. Keep Jesus at the center of the statement and what He did for us
3. Give joyful adoration for being redeemed, renewed, and restored
Bondage to Freedom – Jesus paid it all!
my current 7 word confession of faith. Stay tuned as I continue hearing my pastor’s Lent sermons.
Love it!
I agree with Lizzy’s thoughts on repentance. We are required to repent of our sin and acknowledge it for what it is. Our pastor spoke this morning on what sin really is. It has to do with our hearts. Sinful acts in and of themselves are not the root of sin but the result of it. Sin is my heart wanting to go it’s own way and do it’s own thing and satisfy itself apart from God. Not letting Him have control of my heart and it’s desires leads to acts of sin. Depravity is there and it brings me under the judgement of God Who is perfect in love and grace to save me from my depravity when I repent (agree with Him and turn from my sin).
Today’s lesson comments stood out to me how the Word of God and a knowledge of it the Old and New Testaments together combine to flesh out the Gospel for us. As Dee says “I keep hearing and seeing the same gospel, the same Savior, variations on one beautiful theme. One Seamless Story. One Gospel Thread Throughout. One Glorious Savior.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I love this ides of the OT and NT being related through Christ. He is the common thread. I read the article from the link to Motyer’s obituary; the Tim Keller bit and the interview. It was enlightening! I have friends who don’t believe the OT is relatable to modern times. Oh! how wrong that thinking is, that I can tell. Prior to reading the article today, I was contemplating having to come down hard on our daughter for her behavior. It made me think of the times that God came down hard on His children in the OT. Specifically when Uzzah touched the Ark of the Covenant. God actually struck him dead for disobeying a direct order of no touching the Holy items. Our daughter has sinned against her family many times over the past 6 months. It is time for me to make her know that it will not be tolerated anymore.
I think that is wise, Laura. You do need boundaries for sure.
Laura, I will be praying for God to give you the words you need to say and for Sarah’s heart to be open and absorb them like a sponge and for her eyes to see how she has wronged not only her family for God as well.
Thank you Julie. Although she was here for a little over a week, and on the surface was trying to do good things; clean, cook, trying to get her job back, etc, there was this underlying evil I could feel in her midst. We finally figured out she was scheming behind our backs and just putting on a show. It so reminded me of when Dee says what comes out of our mouths is our true heart speaking. When we figured this out we began to watch with clearer eyes and realized she was being disrespectful to us in our own home! When I confronted her about it her true self came out and I certainly didn’t like that. She was hateful. I asked her to leave two nights ago. Her dad said her would give her $100 to go and she didn’t hesitate and left yesterday morning. I was very sad about making her go though I know it’s probably the best for now. She also tends to threaten us using the kids. She has said many times that when she gets the kids back we will never see them again. It is sad, but I know God will prevail in the end.
Oh Laura, I know how hard this is for you. I feel a connection with you and Sarah since we roomed together in Ohio. I pray for all of you and I know God will make the truth be known. Keep relying on the Lord and trust in him always.
We are under a great attack from the evil one the last few days; our family. God has given me Esphesians 6:11-18
PRAYER REQUEST
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”
Ephesians 6:11-18 ESV
http://bible.com/59/eph.6.11-18.esv
Would you pray for strength for me? Anyone and everyone here, please? Pray for my daughter to come to the end of herself and give up. Pray for the enemy to leave her. Pray for God to shine through quickly. Please pray. I am desperate for this situation to be over. I am tired; I need you to lift my arms as Moses’ arms were lifted when he was weak. God please hear us! We know You are in control. We know You are more powerful than any evil. We know You can change this situation in the drop of a hat. No matter how You choose to end it, please do. If you see fit, please save Sarah from herself and evil. I have faith that You know what is best for Your child Lord. Thank You Jesus for Your love. Amen.
Oh, Laura. Tears! How my heart aches for you!! Praying! You must be so tired, discouraged! Oh, God, have mercy according to your steadfast love. Draw Laura, her husband and grandchildren in your arms and protect them from the desires of the evil one who seeks to destroy! Rescue Sarah from the evil one! We hold them up before you.
Laura, I will be praying for sure as your request shows. Just know that we are here for you lifting you and your family up in prayer.
After posting my thoughts earlier, I wanted to wrestle more with God’s judgment that can seem so harsh, especially in the OT. The more I ponder His need for perfect justice, for ALL things to bring Him glory–the bigger the Cross becomes.
Then I found this from Spurgeon, and it brought more peace: “God has been pleased to put the world, not under the direct government of personal deity, but under the government of the Mediator, that He might deal with us in mercy…It is as Son of Man as well as Son of God that our Lord will judge the world at the last great day. Be ye sure, then, of His impartiality. He is God, yet man, having an intense sympathy both with the King and with the subjects, having manifested His grace even to the rebellious and being yet filled with intense love to the Father and His Law. If we could have the election of a judge, what being could we suppose more impartial or so impartial as the Lord, Who “thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Phi 2:6-7)? “
That’s beautiful, Lizzy!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I am fascinated by Motyer’s quote. It does sound very much like us.
Motyer says, “We were in a foreign land, in bondage, under the sentence of death. But our mediator—the one who stands between us and God—came to us with the promise of deliverance. We trusted in the promises of God, took shelter under the blood of the lamb, and he led us out. Now we are on the way to the Promised Land.”
As Christ followers we were in a foreign land of death; but Jesus came to deliver us. We trusted in his blood and he led us out of death into life. We are now on our way to the Promised Land. But not there yet.
It reminds me of an old hymn, “I am bound for the Promised Land. Oh, who will come and go with me? I am bound for the Promised Land.”
That means a lot Diane. I was going to share it when I speak on Sunday morning at a church in Seattle — then took it out — now will put it back in!
4. Judgement is hard. We only desire judgement for those what have grievously sinned against us. For ourselves, we want mercy and grace. The truth is, we have all grievously sinned against God. What we deserve is His harshest judgement. The fact that He paid for that with the suffering of Christ on the cross is a cause for great celebration. But God will not make anyone accept His payment. Those who go their lives saying they want nothing to do with God’s grace and mercy and relationship with Him are granted what they ask for. And that is eternity without God; His judgement.
5. The gospel, the good news, that God was willing to meet us on the stained ground we live on and provide a way for us to become clean.
Oh Mary #4, love this as hard as it is to know.
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
“And yet, I keep hearing and seeing the same gospel, the same Savior —variations on one beautiful theme. One Seamless Story. One Gospel Thread Throughout. One Glorious Savior.”
My Sunday School class was in Leviticus September to November and it was a little painful for us to wrestle with our insecurities about the seamlessness of the OT with the NT. I really prayed a LOT for myself and my brethren as I keep pointing us all to the everpresentness (?) of Jesus in this OT book. This last quarter we were on Acts and I believe we are seeing some more light as Paul periodically would refer back to Moses, the Law and the Prophets.
It is such a blessing to find a commonality with what we are studying and reflecting on here with what we are learning at our church. One glorious Savior-Oh how I love Jesus!
It is true that seeing how much the New Testament quotes the Old shows the common thread.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Motyer’s quote stands out, and how the Israelites would have given their testimony to us today. I like this: “But our mediator – the one who stands between us and God – came to us with the promise of deliverance.” I am reading through the OT and am in Deuteronomy, and yes, this makes sense; Moses was a Christ-like figure. Moses was their mediator. In one account, the Israelites were also hearing the sound of God’s voice, and it was too much for them, so they asked Moses to talk to God and then tell them what He said. God’s holiness and awe was so great that they couldn’t bear to hear His voice, it made them afraid.
2. Last week we saw how Isaiah opened in a courtroom with God accusing His children of three sins. Do you remember what they were?
I peeked at Lizzy’s answer….I also am re-reading the text. I could remember what Isaiah 1 was about, but not those three “bullet points”.
1) Iniquity (Sin) – the first verses in Isaiah 1 describe the sin: rebellion against God, people loaded with guilt, evildoers, children who are corrupt, forsaking the Lord – spurning Him, turning their backs on Him.
2) Insincerity – religious sacrifices that God describes as nothing but trampling of His courts, meaningless offerings, evil assemblies, feasts and festivals that God hates.
3) Injustice – the faithful city that once was full of justice is now full of murderers and ruled by leaders who are rebels, companions of thieves, lovers of bribes. The orphans and widows are left without justice and protection.
3. Scripture shows us that God is concerned with sin because, like a virus may begin with just one person, but can spread throughout the whole world. How does Isaiah 1 show sin spreading from the individual to the whole culture?
I’m not sure on this one – everything is in the plural as God describes the sin of His people: children, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt. Unless, the clue is in the first verse when it mentions the names of the kings who reigned during the life of Isaiah – Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. I’m not there yet in the OT to read about the lives of these kings, but I think a few of them were not good kings. If the king turned away from God, and he was the leader of the people, then it would spread to the cities, to the local governments, towns and villages. Under his leadership, the whole nation would go astray.
4. How should we respond to the judgment of God that we see throughout the Bible? How would you respond to my dear friend?
I’ve heard similar arguments before, questioning the validity of the harshness of OT judgments. Honestly, as I’ve been reading through the OT, I’ve been bothered by why God instituted stoning as a way of putting someone to death, because I once watched a movie based on a true story of a woman who was unjustly stoned to death in a Middle Eastern country, (The Stoning of Soraya M) and it was horrible. I can’t imagine what it feels like to have large stones and rocks hitting you all over your body, in the head, in your face. Leviticus 20:13 is only one example of an act punishable by death; verse 10 also says to put the man who commits adultery with another man’s wife – both of them are to be put to death. Yet we don’t do that today; I’ve listened to many a Christian broadcast in which a couple has described how they moved through the process of forgiveness and restoration after infidelity. So I guess I don’t really understand either; back then, the guilty weren’t given the chance to repent and be forgiven; they had to die. Now, adultery can be forgiven if there is repentance. How should we respond to judgment like this? I can question it because I don’t like it, but who am I to question God? But that’s not a good answer to give your friend, “Don’t question God”, because then it makes it sound like we’re not supposed to think and wrestle with these kinds of things.
It seems like God’s strict laws and penalties for violating it ensured the survival of the nation of Israel. If America was suddenly put under these same laws and penalties (they were enforced), our population would be drastically reduced.
On 3, Susan, I can see why my question is confusing. I feel like he opens by addressing his own individual children in 2, but then sees how the whole city in 21 has “become a whore” – but he does address the nation in 4, so it is confusing.
Of course I just thought of the verses that describe how sin and death entered the world through the one man, Adam, and spread to all people ever since. The “infection” began a long time ago.
5. Last week we saw the gospel in Isaiah 1:18. Review this and how it shows both the bad news and the good news of the gospel.
The bad news: your sins are like scarlet, they are red as crimson. Your sin is like the stain of red on your skin and clothes, you can’t wash it out, rub it off, hide it, or get rid of it. It’s like permanent ink. I picture it not as a stain that somehow got on you, but it originated inside of you, and worked its way out, seeping through your skin. If you somehow could wash it off, it would be back tomorrow.
The good news: God’s incredible offer is “let’s talk about this….” In fact, He uses the words “Let’s reason together”; let’s have an intelligent conversation about this. You have a problem you can’t solve, but I can. But He’s willing to let us think this through. Then, He offers us a solution; in contrast to the scarlet, crimson stain, think of the optic white of snow, the soft, white wool of a sheep. Purity in exchange for filth.
2. The 3 sins are Iniquity in the nation. Insincerity in the temple. Injustice in the city.
3. How does Isaiah 1 show sin spreading from the individual to the whole culture? I’m not sure if Isaiah 1 shows this but the leadership/kings were never willing to completely tear down ALL the idols if any at all and that influenced the whole nation.
4. How would I respond to the judgement of God? God never changes…he’s the same God in the OT as the NT. One thing I’m very glad of is that He’s God and I’m not! My minute mind has little understanding of God’s full character…this is where faith steps in and all I can do is trust that He knows best.
5. Bad and good news of the gospel. The bad news, we’re sinners. The good news, He can make us white as snow/wool!!
Dee,
I want to thank you for your warm welcome the other day and the sweet things you said about my father-in-law, Don…it meant a lot and Jim really appreciated it!❤️
I smile each time I see you on, Sharon! It is sweet to have a link with those who knew Steve — I don’t think you did, but your husband did — I remember him as a long lanky guy with a great smile.
From all the wonderful stories I heard…I wish I had known him!
Jim is still lanky with a great smile…you remembered well!
2. Last week we saw how Isaiah opened in a courtroom with God accusing His children of three sins. Do you remember what they were?
iniquity
insincerity
injustice
3. Scripture shows us that God is concerned with sin because, like a virus may begin with just one person, but can spread throughout the whole world. (See below) How does Isaiah 1 show sin spreading from the individual to the whole culture?
It starts in one body and then is passed until the entire city is exposed. From there it infiltrates the countryside.
“Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and raw wounds; they are not pressed out or bound up or softened with oil. Your country lies desolate; your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence foreigners devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners.”
Isaiah 1:5-7 ESV
http://bible.com/59/isa.1.5-7.esv
4. How should we respond to the judgment of God that we see throughout the Bible? How would you respond to my dear friend?
You either accept the whole bible or you don’t. There’s no picking and choosing. God knows what is best for us to know. He put it there to remind us how we should behave. He put it there so we know that just because we are Christians doesn’t mean we are free from sadness and pain in our lives. That is life, after the great fall. It all matters.
It reminds me of people who think the US Constitution is a “fluid” document; changing with the “times.” I disagree with that idea. It is valid (and amazing; what brilliant forefathers did we have!) just as it is. The people are in charge, not the government. They work for us. If government gets too big then we take it down. How would the people do that? The second amendment (the right to bear arms; it’s not about hunters…). Protection, but I digress.
5. Last week we saw the gospel in Isaiah 1:18. Review this and how it shows both the bad news and the good news of the gospel.
We are sinners and deserve punishment for that sin. However we are washed clean with the blood of Christ. Thank You Jesus!
I think of that parallel with the Constitution too, Laura.
1. What stands out to me?
One seamless story, One gospel thread throughout, one glorious Savior!
Yes, the story begins as man’s selfish nature and pride led him/her away from God and others; yet so many times Jesus appears in the O.T. as men of God shared faith and God’s good news. The example of Moses is so wonderful as he led the people out of slavery.
2. The 3 sins in the courtroom: iniquity, insincerity and injustice.
3. Sin spreads from one individual who selfishly meets his own needs to the whole culture. Insincere worship of congregations adds more disgrace to our Holy God. And injustice results as we neglect the needs of those who are poor and are on the fringes. It all snowballs. We are not good stewards of our planet, because of greed. From the days of Isaiah to present times, we are convicted of these sins.
4. How would I respond to Dee’s friend? I would first listen and then share that there is a choice for one to respond to God in repentance. Yes, God defines sin. Our culture has allowed tolerance, but that is not God’s design for man to do as he desires. It is hard to be bold in this area, for one is looked down on for intolerance.
Last night I watched a PBS program that highlighted gay rights and how several men were affected in the 60’s. Of course all the positive results were accented for the gay men who were accepted. The establishment that fought against them were very negative, and it made me realize how hard it is to take a stand and still affirm an individual. This is a very difficult area.Yet it is so like Sodom and Gomorrah.
2. Do you remember what they were?
iniquity, insincerity in the temple, injustice in the city
3. How does Isaiah 1 show sin spreading from the individual to the whole culture?
I’m thinking about the sin nature of humans, when something is reinforced and encouraged, it typically grows. If the sin nature gets encouragement rather than discipline or a reining in, it is more likely to spread, the individual leaving moral boundaries behind and others “jumping on the bandwagon”…kind of like a snowball rolling down a steep incline gathering more and more snow, getting larger and larger.
4. How should we respond to the judgment of God that we see through the bible?
As a “wake up” call…judgment came when discipline was needed to motivate repentance and change. The Lord knows all, including what is needed to draw us back to Him, to get us back on the correct path.
How would you respond to my dear friend?
We agree that God is a God of grace, a loving, and merciful God. In His love for His people at times the most loving thing He could do was to discipline them, to motivate them to turn from their sinful ways back to Him. God is not only a God of grace, He is also a just God, He will not tolerate sin. I don’t understand all the judgments, and indeed some of them are beyond what I can fathom, but I do not have the mind of God, mine is a finite mind and understanding. What I do know is that God is a good and loving, infinitely wise…I trust He knows what He is doing.
5. Last week we saw the gospel in Isaiah 1:18. Review this and how it shows both the bad news and the good news of the gospel.
” though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool”
My sin has stained me,–and yet, He makes me clean, pure. I didn’t get to all the comments last week, and so I apologize if this was already mentioned, but it was interesting to me that Strong’s definition of “scarlet” here refers to the dye from a dead insect. I think of the permanency of dye. And yet He cleanses us so that we are completey pure, without any residue of stain or blemis.
6. What does Isaiah see is coming in Isaiah 1:7-8?
They will become desolate, burned with fire, devoured by foreigners, a besieged city.
7. What bad habit have you identified, what sin beneath, and what bondage does it put you in?
Well, I’d like to snag Dee’s and add that to my list because worry can certainly entrap me. But the one I mentioned before is side-ways comments to a certain person in my life. The sin beneath feels complex–I always say control because that is me, but also comfort/self-protection, disbelief. Oh the bondage. A spin cycle of bitterness, control, frustration and despair.
8. This theme of sin putting us into captivity is not new with Isaiah. Find another place in Scripture where you see it.
James 1:14-15 “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
Matthew 6:22-23 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”
Galatians 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Mark 7:20-23 “And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
Genesis 3:14-19 “The Lord God said to the serpent,“Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.To the woman he said “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground,for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Great insight on sin beneath sin with side-ways comments.
And great references, Lizzy.
Lizzy, thanks for all these references of sin putting us into captivity.
I love this Lizzy:
”A spin cycle of bitterness, control, frustration and despair.“
7. My bad habit is overeating. Comfort is probably the idol, though I am not sure. The bondage I am in is torment from the devil about my behavior, and the physical consequences of too much food.
8. Where besides Isaiah do you see sin leading to captivity? The book of Judges is full of it. Like 6:1: again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and He gave them into the hands of…. Or Jeremiah 17:3b I will give you away as plunder…because of sin throughout your country. Through your own fault you will lose the inheritance I gave you. I will enslave you to your enemies in a land you do not know…..
so whether within Israel, or in a foreign place, when they refused to fear, trust in and rely on the Lord, they became subject to the control of someone else.
and I ask the obvious. Why don’t I change my behavior? I don’t know. I truly wish I understood myself in this regard.
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? – I too loved the comparison of what the Israelites would have said if they were around today and how we can say it in the same way today. I also loved how Dr. Moyter describe the picture, the person and the promise. And that all we need to do is entrust our whole life back to Him as we receive our gift.
Monday: The Bad and Good News of the Gospel — as pictured in Isaiah (Review of Last Week)
2. Last week we saw how Isaiah opened in a courtroom with God accusing His children of three sins. Do you remember what they were? – Iniquity, Insincerity, injustice
3. Scripture shows us that God is concerned with sin because, like a virus may begin with just one person, but can spread throughout the whole world. (See below) How does Isaiah 1 show sin spreading from the individual to the whole culture? – the others want to ‘fit in’ so they follow in their footsteps even though what they are doing is wrong. They don’t want to be the outcast and be made fun of so they tag along and pick up their bad habits too.
4. I have a dear gentlemanly friend at pickleball who goes to a church that emphasizes grace over judgment. He feels grace is the whole message of the Bible and that the pictures of the severity of God are contrary to that message and must be in error or should be re-interpreted. He was particularly upset with Leviticus 20:13 that says “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination, they shall surely be put to death…” In truth, there is much judgment in the whole Bible, and every judgment we see is a foreshadowing of a much worse judgment, the final judgment. Yet judgment is hard. How should we respond to the judgment of God that we see throughout the Bible? How would you respond to my dear friend? – The Bible is full of instruction from God on what we are to do and how we are to live as his children. Just like any parent, if you don’t follow the rules there will be consequences so we shouldn’t be surprised at the judgement that God applies to us. If we are in His Word, we should know what we need to do and if we truly have a relationship with him we would be more then happy to please him and do right. I would say to your friend that God is full of grace but when we continue to do what goes against His Word, his judgement will rule. We can’t skate by thinking we will have grace given to us all the time if the Lord sees we truly are not following him with our heart, soul and mind.
5. Last week we saw the gospel in Isaiah 1:18. Review this and how it shows both the bad news and the good news of the gospel. – God is always giving us a chance to repent and get our lives back on track. Here he is telling them that if they repent he will wipe away their sins and they will be no more. They need to listen and obey to have their lives made new.
2. Last week we saw how Isaiah opened in a courtroom with God accusing His children of three sins. Do you remember what they were?
I remember sin, injustice, and can’t remember the third word, but it has to do with how they had their faux fasts. They said they loved God but their hearts were far from him. Just can’t remember the one word for that!
3. Scripture shows us that God is concerned with sin because, like a virus may begin with just one person, but can spread throughout the whole world. (See below) How does Isaiah 1 show sin spreading from the individual to the whole culture?
It started with the people of Israel forsaking God for their inordinate desires-their idols and then it spread to their children who were becoming corrupt and then to the nation. He likens them to Sodom and Gomorrah. I so see our culture this way.
Good insight on how it spreads to their children. No wonder we are going in a downward spiral.
What does Isaiah see is coming in Isaiah 1:7-8?
Israel in ruins, burned towns, fields plundered by foreigners…destroying all they see. Beautiful Jerusalem abandoned!
Bad habits, sins underneath and bondage’s
Addiction to social media and overeating. Affirmation & comfort idols. Bondage to the “screen” and insecurities.
The theme of sin putting us into captivity found in other scripture.
Romans 6,7
6. What does Isaiah see is coming in Isaiah 1:7-8?
He sees their country taken over by foreigners and laid to waste. Nothing is left, just remnants of a better time.
7. What bad habit have you identified, what sin beneath, and what bondage does it put you in?
I am trying to work on self-pity this Lent. I am better than I used to be, however I am in a situation where it is getting long and drawn out and I am tired. I always forget the three “sin beneath” choices and I have to go back and search for them every time you ask one of these questions! I decided to go back and watch your video on Idol Lies on your website. Dee you are adorable! Anyway, are they comfort/security, approval/affirmation, and control/power? I am writing these down and searching for the mate of approval….I don’t know if that one is right.
So, back to the habit of self-pity…where does it fit in? Oh whoa is me; I think of Eyore from Winnie the Pooh! After watching your video, I’m seeing the manipulation habit in my life now too. So many habits so little time! Is self pity/depression actually a control issue? You don’t feel in control so you are down on yourself? I’m struggling here; not really knowing. It is a totally self consumed way to be (the bondage). It’s all about me, right? Selfish. I decided to replace the self pity with reading scripture or listening to worship music. I have ended up focusing on Ann Voskamps Lenten cards. They have been wonderful this season!
8. This theme of sin putting us into captivity is not new with Isaiah. Find another place in Scripture where you see it.
Judas Iscariot comes to mind. He takes money to lead the soldiers to Jesus. He then is in bondage to what he has done. He kills himself.
Good pondering, Laura. It could be my worry or your self-pity are control issues, not trusting that God knows what He is doing — so whatever, you are replacing it with Him which is great! I’m studying Isaiah and wondering how they could have held on when they knew they were going to be in bondage to the terrible Babylonians for 70 years — and yet Isaiah tells them to be comforted. I guess if we could see eternity we would do better, and so we must see eternity by faith.
Laura, why as I read your post I realized how sometimes my worry leads me to the pity party as I call it.
Yes, I think control is right there. I think, if only , my life were as I design it…ha
Only God knows what is best for me. These trials are my ticket to rejoice… James 1
9. Read Isaiah 5:1-4 A. How does Isaiah refer to God in verse 1?
“My beloved”, and the Owner of the vineyard.
B. Find all the ways God cared for his vineyard in verses 1-2?
He chose a fertile place. He cleared it of stones, weeds, debris. He chose the finest vines to plant. He built a watchtower, a winepress. He hoped for a yield of grapes.
C. Looking at more than one translation, what kind of grapes did this vineyard yield?
wild grapes (ESV); “junk” grapes (MSG); “bad fruit” (NIV);
10. We are still in a courtroom. What does God ask in Isaiah 5:1-4?
He asks what more could He have done than all He did–“What more was there to do for my vineyard,that I have not done in it?”
And “When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?”
11. What does Isaiah see will happen to God’s people because of being stiff-necked about their idols, about their sin? (Isaiah 5:5-6)
He will remove its hedge,its walls, His protection, and it will be devoured. He will leave it unpruned, unhoed, to waste, and He will not allow rain to fall upon it.
12. Some of the rotten grapes can be seen in the woes of Isaiah 5:8-23. We also see the judgment of captivity. If you have time, read this, and share one thing that resonates with you.
Much of the “woes” do speak so directly to our culture today–“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” and this I think speaks to our spiritual culture: “who put darkness for light and light for darkness” (v.20), but I am drawn to the hope in v. 16 “But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.”
No matter what is going on in our world, our lives, our heart, He is on His Throne and He rules in holy righteousness.
Lizzy — I like how Motyer says that Isaiah could be tomorrow’s newspaper.
9. Isaiah refers to God as “the One I love”. I looked in six translations, and three said wild grapes. The others were bad fruit, sour grapes, and worthless ones.
12. One thing that really resonates is people saying arrogantly, ‘if God is so mighty, let him bring it on!’ Verses 18/19. I feel that in the culture, and sometimes I feel resigned to it in my own life. The culture says it, not believing it could happen. I say it feeling that I can’t try anymore and whatever He does is just and I deserve it and worse.
13. The theme of vineyards is also in the Song, where God pleads with us to honor and rejoice in His work in this vineyard. The vineyard is His Bride, who produces bitter grapes. It is only after leaning into .god does the fruit become sweet.
9. Read Isaiah 5:1-4
A. How does Isaiah refer to God in verse 1?
He talks of God as his beloved.
B. Find all the ways God cared for his vineyard in verses 1-2?
He dug it, cleared the stones, and planted it with the best vines.
C. Looking at more than one translation, what kind of grapes did this vineyard yield?
wild grapes, bad fruit, bitter grapes.
10. We are still in a courtroom. What does God ask in Isaiah 5:1-4?
He asks why the vineyard disobeyed? Became corrupt? Was insincere? Didn’t care? Left? I can understand all these feelings this morning with someone you put your heart and soul into and then they turn around around and spit in your face. It is an awful feeling to not be cared for by the very ones for whom you cared.
11. What does Isaiah see will happen to God’s people because of being stiff-necked about their idols, about their sin? (Isaiah 5:5-6)
The vineyard will be destroyed, taken down, not watered, uncared for.
!2. Some of the rotten grapes can be seen in the woes of Isaiah 5:8-23. We also see the judgment of captivity. If you have time, read this, and share one thing that resonates with you.
I suppose the idea that the sinner is alone is resonating this morning. They will be exiled, dwell alone, be desolate.
13. The theme of a vineyard is not new with Isaiah. Watch this (many of you already have) and share how it repeats, but on a more positive note, in the Song of Songs.
Both Isaiah and the SOS speak of God and His “vineyard.” They show how God tends to His vineyard, but the vineyard doesn’t initially respond. In SOS, she finally comes around. I’m not sure about Isaiah yet; I don’t know a lot about this book of the Bible. I’m guessing she does here too?
14. How does Jesus repeat this and make it abundantly clear in John 15:1-5?
Jesus says He is the vine and His father the keeper of the vine. He reiterates that bad fruit will be dealt with and good fruit will be pruned. He reminds people that if they abide in Him (as the vine) they will be fruitful. He basically says that no one will reach the Father unless through Him.
4. How should we respond to the judgment of God that we see throughout the Bible? How would you respond to my dear friend?
I have been pondering this question since I saw it on Sunday because it is so key, yet so complex to understanding God. This is a long post, but I am asking your forbearance with me in trying to help us all think about this difficult issue that is so critical to our witness in the world. How in the world do I say concisely what is the truth about this? I think most of us, even as Christians, do not really grasp the holiness of God and who He is – His righteousness, His love and His justice. How do we reconcile justice and mercy/grace? And why must a holy God punish sin? Why can’t He just be what we call “loving” and “gracious” and just “forgive” us?
First of all, we must try to understand the holiness of God. In Him who is Light, there can be no darkness. With Him, sin cannot dwell. That is holiness.
And God is just. He is patient, kind and merciful, yes; yet His holiness incorporates justice as well. GOD WILL PUNISH SIN. Even after the Cross of Jesus and His gracious offer of forgiveness, God will not let us spit in His face forever.
I have been reading R.C .Sproul’s “The Holiness of God”. He points out that grace is not “infinite”. God’s patience will one day come to an end. In chapter 6, called ‘Holy Justice’, Sproul says, “Whoever reads the Old Testament must struggle with the apparent brutality of God’s judgment found there.” We think God is too harsh. Sproul argues ‘not so’. I would really encourage everyone to read Sproul’s book, especially chapter 6.
Permit me to post a few quotes which I have been pondering to help us think about this. Please be aware that these quotes are not one longer quote, but a series of quotes that I have chosen to try to condense Sproul’s thoughts.
If you only read one of these quotes let it be the first paragraph here. It is a hard one to really GET and perhaps it will spur you on to reading his book and thinking more on this issue.
‘Where did you ever get the idea that God’s grace is infinite?’ … God’s grace is not infinite. God is infinite and God is gracious. We experience the grace of an infinite God, but grace is not infinite. God sets limits to His patience and forbearance. He warns us over and over again that someday the ax will fall and His judgment will be poured out. … It is like He was saying [to the Israelites in the Old Testament and to us], “Be careful. While you enjoy the benefits of my grace, don’t forget my justice. Don’t forget the gravity of sin. Remember that I am holy.”
“We find these things difficult to stomach because we do not understand four vitally important biblical concepts: holiness, justice, sin, and grace. … What God does is always consistent with who God is. He always acts according to His holy character.”
“The Old Testament record is chiefly a record of the grace of God. How so? To make sense out of my strange words we must go back to the beginning to the original rules of the universe. What was the penalty of sin in the original created order? ‘The soul that sins shall die.’ In creation all sin is deemed worthy of death. Every sin is a capital offense.”
“In creation God is not obliged to give us the gift of life. He is not in debt to us. The gift of life comes by His grace … The death penalty of which God warned was real death, death in the full sense or the word. … We have a saying that ‘justice delayed is justice denied.’ Not always. In the case of creation and man’s fall, the full measure of justice was delayed so grace would have time to work. Here the delay of justice was not the denial of justice but the establishing of mercy and grace.”
“Yet the death penalty was imposed and is still imposed. All die.”
“The issue is not why does God punish sin, but why does He permit the ongoing rebellion of man? … We forget rather quickly that God’s patience is designed to lead us to repentance, to give us time to be redeemed. … We delude ourselves into thinking that either God doesn’t care about it or that He is powerless to punish us.”
“Far from being a history of a harsh God, the Old Testament is the record of a God who is patient in the extreme. The Old Testament is the history of a persistently hard-necked people who rebel time after time against God. The people became slaves in a foreign land. They cried out to God. God heard their groans and moved to redeem them. He parted the Red Sea to let them out of bondage. They responded by worshipping a gold cow.”
Thank you, Diane! Sproul’s book is a paradigm changer and I’m so glad you brought it to our discussion.
Diane! As I started reading I was thinking, “This sounds like RC Sproul!” And it was!! Isn’t it a GREAT book? I haven’t finished yet; I take it chapter at a time. I may go back and reread it too. I just finished chapter 6. How enlightening! Thank you for posting this to remind me 😊.
Thank you, Diane, for this detailed reply. It is so true: God is holy and we cannot even fathom just how patient He is now, but He is a just God and it is hard to verbalize to one who only thinks of his love and grace.
Oh my goodness…you’ve whetted my appetite to read more…mission accomplished, Diane…:D
Diane, thank you. Love the last two paragraphs especially. That God’s patience is our chance to repent and thank goodness for that.
Diane, thank you for sharing this from RC Sproul. I’m reading through the OT now, and God’s judgments and punishments seem so harsh. But we do well to remember His holiness and that He cannot permit sin. The idea that God’s grace is NOT infinite – it seems many preachers today say just that, that His grace never runs out.
Thanks, Diane for the quotes from R.C. Sproul. holiness, justice, sin and grace. Oh to pray for our loved ones that they will acknowledge their need for a Savior. And to have Him as their Lord!
15. Share your notes and comments.
Not my best notes, but oh wow. Such a sobering message. More than sobering. I know that my sin grieves God—but the way he described it…gave me a deeper sense of the true heart break. I am guilty of not mediating more on the cost of my sin. Sometimes I think it is partly His incredible mercy that we cannot fully grasp just how deeply we grieve Him, for it is too much for us to bear. But as I listened to Alexander just now, this pain of God’s heart that I cause, it only makes the Cross weightier and more precious to me. I love how the entire message points towards the only hope is to be grafted in, united with Christ.
Ch. 5, deals with what God’s people are now & how it breaks God’s heart. It forces the truth of the present condition of God’s people. A song about Judah, and a warning. It is about what God has called His people to be vs. what they have in fact become. Isaiah calls God his beloved, and the people of Judah the vineyard, are owned by God.
Part 1: The story: a song of lament of God about His people. The heartache of the Owner of the tragic failure of this vineyard to be what He created it to be. It is a parable where the people are likened to a vineyards. The situation for the vineyard was perfect. The preparation was perfect. The Owner cleared it of stones, planted the best plants. He created a winepress. His commitment to His vineyard is absolute.
Part 2: The vineyard yielded only bad fruit. A false vine, producing bitter fruit.
Part 3: Vs. 5-What will God do with His vineyard? He will abandon it. He will take away His hedge of protection. God is beyond disappointed. He is heart broken over the condition of His people.
I cried as he related this to our own children–and yes, how profoundly greater is the heartbreak of God who has lavished his infinite, costly care upon me.
Part 4: Beginning in vs.8, the warning. Woe is the opposite of the word blessed. Isaiah looks ahead and sees there is a Day coming when God will vindicate His name.
The first cluster of bad fruit is greed. Covetousness produces less satisfaction for more investment.
The 2nd cluster of bad fruit is debauchery. They have no respect for the work of His hands, they have become insensitive to Him.
The 3rd cluster is blasphemy. They mock God.
The 4th cluster is perversity. They regard good as evil and evil as good.
The 5th cluster is arrogance. They think they know better than God, “wise in their own eyes”. Every time we resist the will of God we are saying “I know better than God how to run my life”.
The 6th cluster is injustice. They are drunkards, deny justice to the innocent.
Then God begins to speak about how He plans to bring the nation of Assyria, calling the enemy, to come and discipline His people. The one Source they never feared was God. They feared the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Egyptians; but they did not fear God. We are no different.
This is a description of the vine that failed. But God’s purpose in planting and choosing a vine was not ultimately to be frustrated. God marched through history from this time through the years before Christ with His heart set upon the production of the fruit. He sends Jesus, the Genuine Vine. Jesus tells us that the Father is absolutely committed to pruning and producing fruit in His own. When we have joined to the Lord Jesus, we discover the new fruit of the Spirit beginning to be produced in our life. There is no other way than to be grafted into Him by personal union with Christ.
They feared the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Egyptians; but they did not fear God. We are no different.
So true — and beautiful post, Lizzy.
6. What does Isaiah see coming in Isaiah 1:7-8?
destruction, plundering by an invading force, the people gone/exiled
8. This theme of sin putting us into captivity is not new with Isaiah. Find another place in Scripture where you see it.
Joshua 7 tells the story of Achan who stole some items from the plunder of Jericho, plunder that was dedicated to the Lord. Achan saw a beautiful robe, silver coins, and a gold bar and was so consumed with want, he took them and hid them beneath his tent.
9.A. How does Isaiah refer to God in 5:1?
my Beloved
B. Find all the ways God cared for His vineyard in v. 1-2.
~He selected a rich and fertile hill as the site of His vineyard
~He plowed the land
~He cleared the land of stones
~He planted the best vines
C. What kind of grapes did this vineyard yield?
(NLT) bitter, (God’s Word) sour,wild, (NIV) bad, (ESV, NKJV) wild, (The Message) junk
10. What does God ask in Isaiah 5:1-4?
He asks the people of Jerusalem (Israel) and Judah to judge between Him and His vineyard asking what more He could have done effort-wise to produce sweet grapes.
11. What does Isaiah see will happen to God’s people because of being stiff-necked about their idols, about their sin?
God will destroy them, allow their demise, withhold His care
5. Isaiah 1:18 Such a glorious verse! The bad news of the gospel is “All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory”. We stand in judgment of a holy God because of our actions.
The good news is when we come in repentance and faith He forgives us and cleanses us because of Jesus , who has paid the price: the debt we owe, but cannot pay.
6. Isaiah 1:7-8 Isaiah sees the country is desolate, cities burned, fields being stripped by foreigners,.
Jerusalem is left like a city under siege.
7. My habit that I identify is worry as well. I am in bondage to stressful thoughts and feelings of anxiety.
Sin has put us into captivity. James 1:14 but each one is tempted when by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. I want security, comfort, but will turn to God’s word.
“My sufficiency is in him”. I read Morning and Evening today! He is all I need.
6. What does Isaiah see is coming in Isaiah 1:7-8? – He sees destruction and dried up fields. A wasteland.
7. What bad habit have you identified, what sin beneath, and what bondage does it put you in? – I feel my bad habit is unforgiveness, not to everyone, but to those that have hurt me in some way or haven’t met my need. This is putting me in bondage thinking that others meet my needs, instead of me running to the Lord who is the only one THAT CAN meet my needs.
8. This theme of sin putting us into captivity is not new with Isaiah. Find another place in Scripture where you see it. – I like Proverbs 22.24-25 ‘Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.’ This happens when you associate with someone who is not truly following the Lord but may say what you want to hear so you mingle among them and in turn, follow them and their bad habits instead of following God’s Word and doing his will.
Interesting choice for 8, Julie. So true. I see that especially with the young, but applies to all.
9. Read Isaiah 5:1-4
A. How does Isaiah refer to God in verse 1? – He is the one he loves
B. Find all the ways God cared for his vineyard in verses 1-2? – It was fertile ground, he dug it up and cleared it of stones. He then planted the finest vines and built a watchtower.
C. Looking at more than one translation, what kind of grapes did this vineyard yield? – NIV, he looked for a crop of good grapes but yielded only bad fruit; MSG, looked for a vintage yield of grapes, but for all his pains he got junk grapes; AMPC, He looked for it to bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
10. We are still in a courtroom. What does God ask in Isaiah 5:1-4? – He asks for them to judge between him and his vineyard.
11. What does Isaiah see will happen to God’s people because of being stiff-necked about their idols, about their sin? (Isaiah 5:5-6) – He will bring destruction to the vineyard, it will be trampled, become a wasteland, thorns will grow in it and it will dry up due to lack of rain.
12. Some of the rotten grapes can be seen in the woes of Isaiah 5:8-23. We also see the judgment of captivity. If you have time, read this, and share one thing that resonates with you. – What I see in these verses is that everyone who thinks they can get along without God in their lives and acquire much, will be on their own. God will not be there for them because they have pushed him out and think more about their possessions, their idols, then they do about the Only One that has helped them along the way.
6. What does Isaiah see is coming in Isaiah 1:7-8?
He sees a picture of desolation – their cities burned with fire, fields with crops stripped bare, laid waste by foreigners and strangers, what should be the glorious Daughter of Zion is reduced to the picture of a hut and a city under siege.
7. What bad habit have you identified, what sin beneath, and what bondage does it put you in?
I identify one habit only to see a whole bunch more that I need to deal with! I began with my bad habit of daydreaming and fantasizing (mental escape) in response to my circumstances, such as being disappointed with my life, my marriage, my circumstances. The sin beneath may be seeking comfort, affirmation, and even power/control, because in fantasies, I can control the story. It only leads to bondage because I’m not turning to God for comfort, for affirmation, and trusting that He has assigned me my portion and my cup, and it actually increases the dissatisfaction I feel with my “real life”. But another bad habit I really need to address is this: when I finally sit down in the evening, I’ll intend to just spend 15 or 20 minutes on my phone (looking at FB, surfing the internet….) and then I will spend time with God, or read a book that will help me grow spiritually. But I can end up spending all my time before going to bed on my phone. It’s such a waste of my time! Yet, the bondage is that I get hooked, and it feeds my idols of wanting approval and affirmation, and comfort. And, daily I am confronted with the sin of my selfishness, which comes from idolizing my own comfort. I see how I can be so unwilling to put myself out for others, thinking that what I have to do is more important.
8. This theme of sin putting us into captivity is not new with Isaiah. Find another place in Scripture where you see it.
In the book of Romans, Paul talks a lot about being “slaves to sin”. Romans 6:20: “When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.” Romans 6:12: “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” Romans 6:14: “For sin shall not be your master….” Romans 6:16: “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?”
So we give ourselves to sin and allow it to be our master and we, its slaves; we let sin reign in us, instead of Christ reigning in us.
9. Read Isaiah 5:1-4
A. How does Isaiah refer to God in verse 1?
Isaiah refers to God as “the one I love” and “my loved one”, and God is the owner of a vineyard on a fertile hillside.
B. Find all the ways God cared for His vineyard in verses 1-2.
First, God dug up the soil and cleared away the stones; He carefully prepared the soil before planting. Then, He planted the best vines – strong, healthy plants, and built a watchtower in it to guard and protect it. He made a winepress, anticipating the good crop that could be made into wine.
C. Looking at more than one translation, what kind of grapes did this vineyard yield?
It yielded only bad fruit (NIV), junk grapes (Message), wild and sour (Living Bible), worthless (Amplified), wild grapes (KJV), bitter (NLT).
13. The theme of a vineyard is not new with Isaiah. Watch this (many of you already have) and share how it repeats, but on a more positive note, in the Song of Songs. – In the Song of Songs, The Lord is pursuing the bride and guiding her along. He is pruning away the old, the bad and grooming her to follow him and his precious ways. He is not giving up on her, but using a pillar of smoke to guide her to Him.
14. How does Jesus repeat this and make it abundantly clear in John 15:1-5? – He is saying that if you follow him and do what we know we are to do, he will prune the branch to grow even more. That without his pruning nothing good will come, you will only continue to live in your ‘old body’ and will make the path back to the Lord longer and the branch will wither and die.
I am behind but did not want to miss this part of our Lenten Study. Did not want to miss Eric Alexander either so have just listened to him. I see Lizzy made some really good notes here so I shall save myself by not repeating.
What has really stood out for me was the striking parallel of Judah to our nation’s spiritual condition these days. To my heart’s condition as well.
“They feared the Assyrians, Babylonians and the Egyptians but they do not fear God.” We talk about North Korea etc etc but we do not fear God.
” The cluster of arrogance-we act and think that we know better than God how to run our lives.” How that must hurt the heart of God when I think I know better than Him.
“We need to be grafted into the Genuine Vine.” The Gospel according to Isaiah
How would you respond to my dear friend?
Just today I was having a similar conversation with a gay client. This is so very complex yet God is so clear on the penalty of sin. I shared with my client that there is more than two ways (all grace or all law) to look at this. John 1:14 says “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
I read an autobiography a couple years ago by Wesley Hill – “Washed and Waiting” about his own struggle with same sex attraction and his desire to live his life pleasing to God. I shared with my client (who grew up in a Christian home and experienced judgement and rejection by his father (a pastor) and the church community) a quote from Hill’s book about how having same sex attraction may be likened to Paul’s thorn in the flesh and a way that God is working out his sanctification. I know that sin is a choice we all make. Yet I sometimes wonder if a person is choosing to be sexually attracted to their own gender or if there are other factors involved. Research is inconclusive on the cause of homosexuality according to Mark Yarhouse, author of “Homosexuality and the Christian.”
So all this being said and back to Dee’s question. As a therapist, I feel it is so important for me to first meet my client where they are at, learning and listening to their perspective and beliefs. This builds relationship and trust. Only then can I begin to ask questions related to what my client’s beliefs are based on. The intent of the questions is to generate thought around what is the Truth. My prayer is that my clients will begin to recognize the lies they have bought into and begin to formulate their own beliefs based on God’s Truth – not society’s relative truth.
Jesus accepted people right where they were at, even in the middle of being caught in sin (e.g. the woman caught in adultery). He helped them to see the truth and he did so with much grace (he did not shame those he interacted with), and then encouraged them to change and sin no more.
I also must be very aware of what sin I need to deal with before I can inform another person of their sin (no matter what that sin is – gluttony, gossip, pride, idolatry, sexual immorality, etc.). Only God knows what is in a man’s heart. May we all grant grace to each other as we gently speak truth. Both are needed.
Washed and Waiting is my favorite book on this hard subject!
I am so humbled by all of your responses and have enjoyed reading through them…probably why I got behind. 😜.
14. How does Jesus repeat this and make it abundantly clear in John 15:1-5?
What really stands out to me in all this reading of the vine/vineyard is the importance of abiding (remaining, staying) . If pruning is taking place then the grapes are sweet. Making room for more fruit! Compare that to the vineyard in Isaiah where the grapes were bitter and the vineyard was destroyed. Without Him we can do nothing!!
Now, on to listening to Eric Alexander!
13. The theme of a vineyard is not new with Isaiah. Watch this and share how it repeats, but on a more positive note, in the SoS.
In the end, the vineyard (the bride of Christ…us) will yield sweet fruit.
14. How does Jesus repeat this and make it abundantly clear in John 15.1-5?
Jesus tells us that our being connected to Him will allow us to bear much fruit, apart from Him, we are unable. It is all Jesus…it is our connection to the “vine” that allows us “branches” to be fruitful.
15. Share your notes and comments.
Isaiah 5:1-7 is a song…a parable. The owner of the vineyard (God) has done everything perfectly (e.g., prime placement of the vineyard, hedge of protection, land preparation, good plants), the logical result would be good fruit; God/owner has done His part in preparation and provision. Bitter, bad fruit is a result of sin running rampant, sinful ways becoming the dominant interest.
Six “clusters” of bad grapes…
v. 8, greed (covetousness is self defeating, it produces less and less satisfaction)
v. 11-12, debauchery (no respect or regard for God; one’s chief interest is elsewhere, no longer the Lord)
v. 18-19, blasphemy (mocking God, resisting, rebelling against the Lord)
v. 20, perversity
v. 21, arrogance (know better than God; wise in one’s own eyes)
v. 22, injustice
It was God’s plan to bring Assyria to discipline Judah…the people of Judah feared the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Egyptians, but did not fear God.
15. Share your notes and comments. – I listened twice to the sermon and all I kept hearing was how unhappy they were. They were not satisfied with what God had already done for them. But I think what hit me the most was how heartbroken God was by their actions or lack of. I guess I never thought about God being heartbroken just like we as parents are. I know how hurt I become when my kids do something that may not be as I would have hoped, so how much more is God hurting. He has given us everything and we are spoiled children that are never happy.
That’s good, Julie. It helps me to think that sin is not breaking a rule but breaking a heart.
10. We are still in a courtroom. What does God ask in Isaiah 5:1-4?
God asks the people of Jerusalem and Judah to judge between Him and His vineyard – who is to blame? God asks, what more could have been done for this vineyard than He has done? He asks, why did it yield only bad grapes?
11. What does Isaiah see will happen to God’s people because of being stiff-necked about their idols, about their sin? (Isaiah 5:5-6)
God is going to remove His protection over His people and their land, and they will be destroyed. He describes “breaking down its wall” – cities had walls around them to protect against their enemies. The land will become a wasteland with no one to cultivate it; briers and thorns will grow and there will be no rain. God’s judgment is coming upon His people.
12. Some of the rotten grapes can be seen in the woes of Isaiah 5:8-23. We also see the judgment of captivity. If you have time, read this, and share one thing that resonates with you.
“Surely the great houses will become desolate, the fine mansions left without occupants.” This made me think of the millionaires and billionaires of the past, who built lavish mansions. We visited some of them a few years ago in Rhode Island, along the cliff walk. They are all museums now for tourists. Often, the tour guides related somewhat sad stories of some of the families who lived there. There are those in this world who are able to amass great fortunes and beautiful homes and many material possessions, but you can’t hold onto them, and you can’t take them with you.
13. The theme of a vineyard is not new with Isaiah. Watch this and share how it repeats, but on a more positive note, in the Song of Songs.
In The Songs, the bride is compared to a vineyard, but this vineyard is beautiful, because she has stayed with her Bridegroom – not perfectly, not without some trials, but she kept seeking Him until she found Him, and He makes her beautiful and fruitful.
14. How does Jesus repeat this and make it abundantly clear in John 15:1-5?
Jesus describes His Father as the caretaker of the vineyard, the one who cuts and prunes the branches. You could say that all the branches who are in Christ, collectively, are His Bride. The Bride is fruitful because she is connected to The Vine, Jesus, the Bridegroom.
16. What is your take-away and why?
Not done listening to the sermon yet. I don’t think it’s a stretch to see a picture of the gospel in Isaiah 5:1-2. I picture it narrowed down – the vineyard can be looked at on an individual basis. When God redeems a person, he prepares his or her heart. As we studied earlier, God will remove the heart of stone and give a heart of flesh. I see this in verse 2, “He dug it up and cleared it of stones.” Then, God begins planting. The seed of faith is like a tender vine that must be nurtured to grow. As we grow and mature, cooperating with the Spirit, we begin to bear fruit. But even in a believer’s life, this can be thwarted by our own sinful choices and idolatry. If we sow to the flesh, we reap bad fruit, and if we sow to the Spirit, we reap a good crop. I must pay attention to what I am feeding – my flesh, or my spirit. God does everything for us in the way of salvation, and gives us everything we need to live the life He has called us to, just as He provided this vineyard with everything it needed to flourish.
Susan — I love that with the stonecutter theme of Ezekiel!!!!
Saturday
16. What is your take-a-way and why?
“Sin puts us into captivity”-a very sobering thought. I don’t want to be a captive. I want to be free in Christ. And to be fruitful-a good grape connected to the Genuine Vine.
Good summary!