Lesson for June 23, 2013: Worship in the New Creation (Isaiah 65)

"God is so close to his people that he anticipates their every need before they ask."

Isaiah 65:17-25

King James Version (KJV)

17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

 from: kekovacs.blogspot.com

19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.

21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.

22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of theLord, and their offspring with them.

24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.

Scriptural Commentary

65:17-25. In these verses the Lord described the millennial kingdom, which is seemingly identified here with the eternal state (new heavens and a new earth). In Revelation, however, the new heavens and new earth (Rev. 21:1) follow the Millennium (Rev. 20:4). Most likely Isaiah did not distinguish between these two aspects of God’s rule; he saw them together as one. After all, the Millennium, though 1,000 years in duration, will be a mere pinpoint of time compared with the eternal state.

The need for new heavens and a new earth is suggested in Isaiah 51:6. During the Millennium Jerusalem will be a place of joy (65:18). Also the Lord Himself will rejoice over it, for sorrow will be vanished (v. 19). Though death will still be present, life spans will be extended (v. 20) and people will enjoy safety and the produce of their vineyards (vv. 21-22). God’s blessing will be on their work and families (v. 23) and He will speedily answer their prayers (v. 24). Wild animals will lose their ferocity (cf. 11:6-8; Hosea 2:18) and harmony and safety will prevail under God’s good hand (Isa. 65:25). (On God’s holy mountain see comments on 11:9.)

from:

Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. 1983-c1985. The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Victor Books: Wheaton, IL

Lesson Commentary 

In this final lesson from Isaiah, we study part of his prophetic message that parallels John’s vision recorded in the book of Revelation. Bible scholars point out how the book of Isaiah mirrors the entire 66 books of the Bible. Isaiah 1–39 is reminiscent of the 39 books found in the Old Testament, while the remaining 27 chapters call to mind the 27 books of the New Testament.

Isaiah 40–66 contains many significant prophecies about Jesus Christ. That section begins with these encouraging words: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her . . . sin has been paid for” (40:1, 2).

Henry Halley suggests that Isaiah’s final two chapters (65, 66) are God’s answer to the exiles’ prayer of the previous two chapters. The faithful remnant shall be restored (65:8-10). The disobedient shall be utterly destroyed (65:2-7, 11, 12). New nations shall be brought into the fold (65:1; 66:8). All shall be called by a new name (65:15). They shall all inherit new heavens and a new earth (65:17; 66:22).

God’s Promise
Isaiah 65:17
“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth,” declares the Lord. The word create is used three times in the opening verses of our text (vv. 17, 18) to emphasize this concept. Isaiah had promised “new things” (42:9; 48:6). Now the old order of things is shown to be past (compare Revelation 21:4). The Lord’s people are assured that their time of captivity and punishment is over; the promised “better days” are here. Early on, Isaiah had emphasized God’s judgment on sin and unbelief. Now (like John in Revelation 21:1), he shows how God’s mercy provides hope for all of his children.

“This spiritual era would be as much ‘created’ by God as was the material universe,” says James E. Smith. According to the New Testament, the new creation began with the work of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15). The completion of that new creation will follow the final judgment (2 Peter 3:3-13; Revelation 20:11-15).

God’s Provision
Isaiah 65:18-25
In light of all that God has promised to do, his people can be glad and rejoice forever. The city of Jerusalem, long the most sacred spot on earth for both Jews and Christians, will be a delight and its people a joy. This city had been warned of double punishment for all its sins (Isaiah 40:2). But now “the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.” Similar reassurance is given in John’s vision of the holy city (Revelation 7:17; 21:4). James Muilenburg explains, “The contrast is to the sorrow of the former age, the subject of the preceding poem (cf. [Isaiah] 64:10). . . . Messianic Jerusalem is the city of joy and gladness.”

What was normal in the past will be so no longer. Age limitations are a part of life now—but not in God’s tomorrow. Gone will be all premature death. Death will no longer have power over people. Earlier the prophet promised that the Lord “will swallow up death forever” (Isaiah 25:8). To Israel, the promised land was seen as a place where people could live peacefully and enjoy productive crops. In Heaven that will be a reality (Deuteronomy 8:7-14). The disobedient will not be there.

James Burton Coffman suggests, “The wonderful blessings pertaining to God’s people which are listed in [these Deuteronomy 8 verses] refer to spiritual privileges, despite their being expressed here in terms of material prosperity. Quite obviously in the passage, the natural laws of birth and death, and other conditions of our earth-life still prevail during the age of Messiah, in which we most assuredly live.”

One of the great promises of Scripture is found in Isaiah 65:24: “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Few texts provide so much encouragement for the doubting, the disturbed, or the despondent. God is so close to his people that he anticipates their every need before they ask. In Heaven we will see him face-to-face. James A. Addison calls this a “strong expression of God’s readiness to hear and answer prayer, not a mere promise that it shall be heard, but an assurance that it shall be granted before it is heard.” Even though we are unable to grasp all that is promised, we can confidently trust God’s perfect plan for his people throughout eternity.

________

*Lesson based on International Sunday School Lesson, © 2009, by the Lesson Committee. Scripture quotations are from the New International Version ©2011, unless otherwise indicated.

HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS
June 17: Psalm 19:1-6
June 18: Psalm 19:7-14
June 19: Romans 3:9-20
June 20: Romans 5:6-14
June 21: Isaiah 42:1-9
June 22: Revelation 21:1-7
June 23: Isaiah 65:17-25
from:
christianstandard.com/2013/06/lesson-for-june-23-2013-worship-in-the-new-creation-isaiah-65/
Administrator
By Sam E. Stone

Meaningless Worship Sunday School Lesson June 16th

Bible Basis: Isaiah 29:9-16a
Bible Truth: Worship God From the Heart

Memory Verse Isaiah 29:13
Lesson Aim: That You will learn that God will judge those who honor Him with their lips and not their hearts.

Listen to an excerpt of the message : Tell the Devil, "It's Over!"

Here is the text for Sunday's Lesson, A commentary follows:

Isaiah 29:9-16 (Wordstudy KJV)

The Blindness and Hypocrisy of Israel

⁹ Stay yourselves, ^htmv* and wonder; ^wcj,qmv cry ye out, ^htmv* and cry: ^wcj,qmv they are drunken, ^qpf but not ^wcj,ptn with wine; ⁿⁿ they stagger, ^qpf but not ^wcj,ptn with strong drink. ⁿⁿ

¹⁰ For ^cj the Lord ⁿⁿ hath poured out ^qpf upon ^pr,pnx you the spirit ^cs,nn of deep sleep, ⁿⁿ and hath closed ^wcs,pimf ⌜ ⌟ your eyes: ^du,nn,pnx ⌜ ⌟ the prophets ^df,pl,nn and ⌜ ⌟ ^wcj your rulers, ^pl,nn,pnx the seers ^df,pl,nn hath he covered. ^pipf

¹¹ And the vision ^cs,nn of all ^df,nn is become ^wcs,qmf unto you ^pp,pnx as the words ^pp,pl,cs,nn of a book ^df,nn that is sealed, ^df,qptp which ^pnl men deliver ^qmf ⌜ ⌟ ^(pnx) to ^pr one that is learned, ^qpta/df,nn saying, ^pp,qnc Read ^qmv this, ^pndm I pray thee: ^pte and he saith, ^wcj,qpf I cannot; for ^cj it ^pnp is sealed: ^qptp

¹² And the book ^df,nn is delivered ^wcj,nipf to ^pr him that ^pnl is not learned, saying, ^pp,qnc Read ^qmv this, ^pndm I pray thee: ^pte and he saith, ^wcj,qpf I am not learned.

¹³ Wherefore the Lord ⁿⁿ said, ^wcs,qmf Forasmuch as this ^df,pndm people ^df,nn draw near ^nipf me with their mouth, ^pp,nn,pnx and with their lips ^{wcj,pp,du,nn,pnx} do honor ^pipf,pnx me, but have removed their heart far ^{pipf/wcj,nn,pnx} from ^pr,pnx me, and their fear ^nn,pnx toward ^pr,pnx me is ^wcs,qmf taught ^pupt by the precept ^cs,nn of men: ^pl,nn

¹⁴ Therefore, ^pp,ad behold, ^ptdm,pnx I will proceed ^qpta to do a marvelous work ^pp,hinc among ^pr this ^df,pndm people, ^df,nn even a marvelous work ^hina and a wonder: ^wcj,nn for the wisdom ^cs,nn of their wise ^aj,pnx men shall perish, ^wcj,qpf and the understanding ^wcj,cs,nn of their prudent ^pl,nipt,pnx men shall be hid. ^htmf*

Hope

¹⁵ Woe ^ptx unto them that seek deep ^df,pl,hipt to hide ^pp,hinc their counsel ⁿⁿ Lord, and their works ^pl,nn,pnx are ^wcj,qpf in the dark, ^pp,nn and they say, ^wcs,qmf Who ^pnit seeth ^qpta,pnx us? and who ^wcj,pnit knoweth ^qpta,pnx us?

¹⁶ Surely ^cj your turning of things upside down ^qnc,pnx shall be esteemed ^nimf as the potter’s ^df,qpta clay: ^pp,nn for ^cj shall the work ⁿⁿ say ^qmf of him that made ^pp,qpta,pnx it, He made ^qpf,pnx me not? ^ptn or shall the thing framed ^wcj,nn say ^qpf of him that framed ^pp,qpta,pnx it, He had no understanding?

^[1] Zodhiates, S., & Baker, W. 2000, c1991, c1994. The complete word study Bible : King James Version (electronic ed.). AMG Publishers: Chattanooga

Jerusalem’s understanding of God’s revelation (29:9-24)

• In this section a contrast is drawn between the people’s present spiritual insensitivity and their future spiritual understanding.
• 29:9-12. The Jerusalemites’ spiritual insensitivity was in itself a judgment from God. The people were told to blind themselves (v. 9) but the Lord also caused the blindness (v. 10). The fact that the prophets and the seers did not see and understand clearly was part of God’s judgment. They did not understand God’s revelation about His judgment on the Assyrians that Isaiah recorded on a scroll (vv. 11-12). No one, either people who could read or those who couldn’t, could understand this truth.
• 29:13-14. The people of Jerusalem, professing to know God, were formally involved in acts of worship but they did not worship God from their hearts. They were more concerned with man-made legalistic rules than with God’s Law, which promotes mercy, justice, and equity. Because of that, God would judge them; their wisdom would vanish.
• 29:15-16. God pronounced woe on those who thought He did not see their actions. They attempted to hide their plans from God by doing things at night. They were not thinking clearly, for God can hide things from man (vv. 10-12) but not vice versa. Such thinking twisted the facts and confused the potter with the clay. A jar, however, cannot deny that the potter made it, or say that the potter is ignorant (cf. 45:9; 64:8). Actually the people knew nothing of what was going on, but God always knows everything.

. verse

vv. verses

cf. confer, compare

Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. 1983-c1985. The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Victor Books: Wheaton, IL

Here is another point of view to ponder:

from
http://christianstandard.com/2013/06/lesson-for-june-16-2013-worship-with-meaning-isaiah-29/June 14, 2013
Administrator
By Sam E. Stone

Each week our lesson planners include a devotional reading that is parallel to the message of the printed text. Their choice for today, Luke 8:9-15, comes from Jesus’ parable about the sower. It clarifies and confirms the meaning of Isaiah 29. God is concerned about what we really mean when we say we worship.

In Luke 8:10, Jesus quotes a similar passage in Isaiah (6:9) that warns those who are “hearing, but never understanding . . . seeing, but never perceiving.” Lewis Foster notes, “These words do not mean that God desires that some will not understand, but it expresses the sad truth that those who are not willing to dig for the treasure will never find it. Their disinterest in spiritual truths and their concentration on the things of this world keep them from pursuing the deeper lessons of the parable.”

People’s Apathy
Isaiah 29:9-12
Isaiah declared that his hearers have made themselves blind and drunk. They refuse to see and understand the prophetic message. R. B. Y. Scott writes, “Willful disobedience to moral and spiritual claims upon his life finally destroys man’s capacity to hear and respond.” Such people stagger like a drunk man in their moral confusion. For them, all that Isaiah has been prophesying means nothing. The people to whom the message has been given come up with meaningless excuses (“I can’t read it; it’s sealed” or even “I don’t know how to read”).

Described in these verses is a person who bandages his eyes and covers his head (v. 10). By this he shows an unwillingness to listen and learn what the Lord is saying to him through inspired messengers. One of the New Testament passages citing this reference is Romans 11:7ff. When speaking of how only a remnant of Israel will be saved, Paul explained, “The others were hardened,” referring to Isaiah 29:10.

God’s Awareness
Isaiah 29:13-16
The so-called worshippers whom Isaiah condemned were only interested in keeping up appearances. If you had heard them sing or pray, you might have thought they were deeply spiritual. The problem is, you can’t see inside them like God can. Their hearts are far from me. Their worship . . . is based on merely human rules they have been taught. These words of Isaiah were quoted by Jesus when he described the Pharisees and teachers of the law in his day (see Matthew 15:1-9). Mark also recounts what Jesus said about these people, as he quotes this text: “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites . . . ‘They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules’” (Mark 7:6, 7).

How God reacts to hypocritical worship is clear: The wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish. In speaking to the Corinthians years later, the apostle Paul contrasted the truth of the gospel with the so-called wisdom of “the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:18ff). He concludes, “The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom” (v. 25). No “human rules” can produce the kind of worship the cross can generate. Regardless of how the world’s intellectuals may view things, it is God’s analysis that counts in the end.

On another occasion, Paul cited these words of Isaiah to make his case when challenged by some people who wanted their choices and decisions to have supreme authority. “Who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” (Romans 9:20). Such a view would turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! The people of Israel would be judged for their unbelief. Faulty thinking does not excuse wrong actions any more than the potter’s clay can condemn the potter for how it has been made. When we worship, we must do so from the heart, in harmony with God’s will.

H. Lynn Gardner summed it up well: “The religious leaders and the crowds had opportunities to trust and understand Jesus’ teachings concerning his kingdom, but their selfish and materialistic view of religion and life kept them from seeking to truly understand. They heard the words, but did not understand their intended meaning.” Isaiah’s warning is still needed today if we are to worship the Lord with meaning!

________

*Lesson based on International Sunday School Lesson, © 2009, by the Lesson Committee. Scripture quotations are from the New International Version ©2011, unless otherwise indicated.

HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS
June 10: Isaiah 1:10-17
June 11: Isaiah 2:5-17
June 12: Isaiah 58:1-7
June 13: Jeremiah 13:1-11
June 14: Zechariah 7:8-14
June 15: Luke 8:9-15
June 16: Isaiah 29:9-16

Give Thanks! Sunday School Lesson June 8, 2013

.

GIVE THANKS!

Isaiah 12:1-3

 Chapter 12 stresses that when the remnant is regathered to the land they will rejoice. The two stanzas in this chapter are each introduced by the words ”In that day you will say“ (vv. 1, 4).

In that day (cf. 10:20; 11:10) refers to the time of deliverance which has been described in 11:1-12:6. When the nation is regathered and the Messiah is reigning the remnant, designated by the word I, will utter these words of praise. The remnant is distinguished from the nations, referred to in verse 4. In verses 1-3 God is praised because His anger has been turned away, Israel has been comforted (v. 1), and the Lord is (i.e., is the Source of) strength... salvation, and song. (”Salvation“ is mentioned at the beginning and end of v. 2.) Israel’s ”salvation“ will be more than spiritual peace of mind and deliverance; it will also include prosperity. To draw water from the wells of salvation (v. 3) pictures living according to God’s principles and thus participating with joy in the blessings He will provide.

12:4-6. The remnant will thank the Lord and will call on each other to let the world know what God has done, probably meaning what He will have done for Israel and Judah. God’s name (His revealed character) is to be exalted (vindicated) before the world, so that people everywhere will realize that He fulfills His promises. And people will sing to Him because of His glorious deeds.

The remnant also, will remind themselves of the greatness of God, the Holy One of Israel (cf. comments on 1:4). Being reassured that God is among them, they will be joyful (cf. 12:3). Chapter 12 is a fitting climax to the contrast between the fall of the Assyrian Empire, which was threatening Judah in Isaiah’s day, and the rise of God’s glorious kingdom, which will certainly come. Eventually all the world will know of God’s truth 

excerpted from:
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. 1983-c1985. The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Victor Books: Wheaton, IL

By Sam E. Stone

The apostle Paul told Christians, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This is undoubtedly good advice, but it is often difficult to do. When Isaiah warned the people of God’s coming judgment on the nation of Israel, he gave them a similar message.

In last week’s lesson we studied Isaiah’s call to the prophetic ministry (Isaiah 6). The chapters that follow (7-11) foretell the coming of Immanuel, the Messiah. This is good news! But along with these words of hope, Isaiah also described God’s coming punishment for his unbelieving people.

The Lord would use Assyria to conquer them. They would not get away with rebelling against God. But even with this warning, the prophet assured the people that still a remnant would be saved. From the Root of Jesse the Lord will bring a Redeemer. After this affirmation Isaiah included this psalm of worship.

Personal PraiseIsaiah 12:1-3That day suggests the period of time just mentioned in 11:10 (see also 10:20, 27). This first stanza of the psalm records what people would say after seeing how God delivers them from their enemies. After God has punished Israel, he will punish the other nations (like Assyria and Babylon).

This psalm shows first the response of a faithful individual who praises the Lord for all that he has done. That person can now praise God, not because God is angry with him, but because the anger he had shown against him is now ended. W. Fitch writes, “The nation itself, redeemed by great mercy and mighty acts, is heard singing the praises of her God . . . The Psalm is a counterpoint to the song in Exodus 15, sung by the children of Israel after their deliverance from Egypt.”

Many prophecies of Isaiah highlight the coming work of the Messiah. Later in the book, Isaiah introduces the coming Servant of the Lord. He is that one on whom the Lord will lay “the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

This brings about what the New Testament calls “reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). The prophet looks to the future. Henry Halley describes what he sees: ”a Warless World . . . under the reign of a righteous and benevolent King of Davidic descent formed of the redeemed of all nations together with the restored remnant of Judah.”
No wonder the prophet could proclaim, Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The apostle Paul said of Jesus, “He himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). James Smith explains, “The redeemed . . . would boldly and personally declare their trust in God. They would embrace Yahweh as their strength, song and salvation.”

This led to the use of another word picture, one filled with significance for the Hebrew people—With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Life-giving water is often used to describe God’s saving power (see Psalm 65:9; John 4:10; 7:38; 1 Peter 3:20; Revelation 21:6).

Public PraiseIsaiah 12:4-6

The second part of the psalm moves from the singular to the plural. It portrays the community of the Lord’s people offering praise together. In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name.” In our day, God’s children need not wait for a special Thursday in November to praise the Lord. One way in which we thank him is tomake known among the nations what he has done. This is reminiscent of the exodus. After God delivered his children from slavery in Egypt, Moses led the people in a song (Exodus 15:1ff). The pagan world would see and acknowledge the Lord’s hand of power and deliverance (see Exodus 15:14ff). Everyone could be certain, “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him” (Exodus 15:2). God worked through the exodus to see that his name is praised everywhere (Exodus 9:16).

When Isaiah was called to the prophetic ministry, the holiness of God was underscored in his vision (Isaiah 6:3). Now a similar message rings clear: Great is the Holy One of Israel among you. Fitch concludes, “The Great One is the Holy One. That separation from evil ensures victory in his warfare and guarantees the permanence of his kingdom. This is therefore the supreme note in the song which celebrates his reign.”

________

*Lesson based on International Sunday School Lesson, © 2009, by the Lesson Committee. Scripture quotations are from the New International Version ©2011, unless otherwise indicated.

HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS

June 3: Psalm 92:1-8

June 4: Psalm 95:1-7

June 5: 1 Chronicles 16:8-13

June 6: 1 Chronicles 29:10-18

June 7: 1 Timothy 4:1-5

June 8: Luke 17:11-19

June 9: Isaiah 12