Isaiah gives a look at what the earth should look like. One day it will again.
Isaiah 65: Judgment and Salvation
1 I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, "Here am I, here am I," to a nation that was not called by my name.
2 I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;
3 a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and making offerings on bricks;
4 who sit in tombs, and spend the night in secret places; who eat pig's flesh, and broth of tainted meat is in their vessels;
5 who say, "Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you." These are a smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all the day.
6 Behold, it is written before me: "I will not keep silent, but I will repay; I will indeed repay into their bosom
7 both your iniquities and your fathers' iniquities together, says the LORD; because they made offerings on the mountains and insulted me on the hills, I will measure into their bosom payment for their former deeds."
8 Thus says the LORD: "As the new wine is found in the cluster, and they say, 'Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it,' so I will do for my servants' sake, and not destroy them all.
9 I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and from Judah possessors of my mountains; my chosen shall possess it, and my servants shall dwell there.
10 Sharon shall become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, for my people who have sought me.
11 But you who forsake the LORD, who forget my holy mountain, who set a table for Fortune and fill cups of mixed wine for Destiny,
12 I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in."
13 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be put to shame;
14 behold, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart, but you shall cry out for pain of heart and shall wail for breaking of spirit.
15 You shall leave your name to my chosen for a curse, and the Lord GOD will put you to death, but his servants he will call by another name.
16 So that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth, and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten and are hidden from my eyes.
New Heavens and a New Earth
17 "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.
20 No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed.
21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
23 They shall not labour in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their descendants with them.
24 Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain," says the LORD.
Things to think about…
Praise God for grace. The Lord sought us when we didn’t even ask, Isa 65:1. Remember Isaiah said ‘Here am I, send me’ in Isa 6, but here the Lord is the One who is saying “Here am I”. Isaiah had prayed that the Lord would reveal Himself in Isa 64, but here we see He is saying “Here I am”. Praise God He shows Himself to the undeserving, but answers when we call.
Israel was following after the idols of the nations and worshipping in gardens and at altars that were prepared for idol worship, Isa 65:2. They ate pigs blood, vs 3 – an unclean animal for the Israelite. What do we do or believe that is grieving to our God? He is ready to forgive and restore. The world may have idols that entice for a season, but our Lord restores and blesses for eternity.
Israel had now turned and followed after the ways that brought them into captivity. Judah was following in the same path, Isa 65:3-7. The Lord says He will repay both for their rebellion, vs 6 and the rebellion of their fathers, vs 7. Often children follow the example set by parents and lifestyles are followed simply because of a bad example. This is not always the case. Sometimes there is a rebellious prodigal who goes against everything they were taught and shown. This is a grief to any parent. God’s heart understands what you are going through because the children of Israel made the same rebellious choices.
They followed after the idols of Fortune and Destiny, Isa 65:11. Sounds like the modern prosperity gospel movement. They are told that they will be destined for the sword, vs 12. There will be a separation between those who are known by the Lord and those who are not, vss 13-15. In much the same way there will be a dividing between the sheep and the goats when Christ returns.
The Lord will always protect and bless His people Isa 65:12-15, regardless of the surrounding chaos. The eternal view is the end game, not the current play. Regardless of what you are going through presently, the Lord has the bigger, eternal picture in mind. Isa 65:17 shouts out a renewed permanent reality with a new Heavens and new Earth.
When do these verses of Isa 65:18-25 take place? While verse 17 speaks of a new heaven and new earth, the focus from verse 18 is on Jerusalem and daily life. This does not appear to be within an eternal setting – note who is building the houses etc, the Lord builds a place for us in the eternal setting. But where else is there such a scene of peace on earth, where people live in harmony, especially in Jerusalem, where the earth has peace to the point where age is extended and where the wolf and the lamb might graze together. I believe it to be in the Millennium – Rev 20.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
For Cell Groups.
Reading was from Isaiah 53 Title “O what a Saviour”
1. Do you remember the first time you read Isaiah 53? There are so many obvious indicators that it refers to Christ and His ministry on the cross. What are some examples you see of this in the chapter?
2. Clearly here Isaiah is describing a Suffering Servant, unlike other Psalms like Psalm 45 which describes Him as a King of beauty and power. Why do you think it is important to have a fairly descriptive portrayal of Christ and what He went through on the cross?
3. This prophecy was written over 700 years before Christ. Some Jewish sects will not read this chapter or avoid it, but they still accept it as scripture and often say the Servant is Israel. Why can this understanding be rejected?
4. Jay got an unbeliever to read this short chapter and their conclusion was that it was about Jesus. As such this person will be reading the book of Revelation. Pray about getting others to read this chapter and see their reactions and comments.
Prayer Points
1. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
2. New families as they settle into church.
4. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
5. Getting drawings into council.
6. Sunday’s message “Come down and revive us” – Isa 64 – Jay.
Praise Points.
1. 4 new members. Another blessed members meeting. Thankyou everyone
2. Praise the Lord for Caleb – Recharge, keep praying the Lord reveals His will.
3. Praise the Lord for the Kids@church ministry. Thankyou Maddison.
4. More new folk on Sunday – Praise God.
5. Praise and worship – pray for continued growth and blessing.
6. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
Announcements
1. Recharge youth – Bon Fire night, this Friday 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
2. Men’s movie night. 13th March, “The battle of Long Tan”. Tim Freeman’s dad, personal testimony of the men and events. Be aware, MA rating – swearing and violence. It is a war film after all. Will be at church. $10 to cover costs.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
