Read Isaiah 66:5–13
Questions from the Scripture text: What is the command in Isaiah 66:5a? To whom (verse 5b)? About whom (verse 5c)? What had they done (verse 5d)? Whom had they claimed to serve? What had they said (verse 5e–g)? How would these respond to the suffering of those who fear Him (Isaiah 66:6)? But what is this accomplishing, and how quickly (Isaiah 66:7-8)? Why is this so assured and powerful (Isaiah 66:9)? What group is now addressed in Isaiah 66:10 (cp. Isaiah 66:5)? What do they receive in Isaiah 66:11a? In verse 11b? In verse 11c? What provides this nourishment, comfort, and joy (verse 11d)? Who does this (Isaiah 66:12a–b)? How much shalom and glory does He give her (verse 12b–c)? To do what for those who love her (verse 12d–f)? Who comforts Zion’s children (Isaiah 66:53)?
How important is the church? Isaiah 66:5–13 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the church (Isaiah 66:5) is God’s beloved, to which and through which He gives life, joy, and comfort.
God’s true people—the tremblers at His Word (Isaiah 66:5)—will always have their haters from within the visible church (Isaiah 66:5c). ). These scoff at believers’ joy (verse 5d, e). But the scoffers shall be put to shame (verse 5f), when the Word at which they refused to tremble comes and destroys them (Isaiah 66:6). True and lasting joy belongs to those who love Zion. They are not only her supporters, but her children by God’s glorious power (Isaiah 66:7-9). They love Zion (Isaiah 66:10b), rejoice in her joys (verse 10a, b, c), and mourn in her griefs (verse 10d). They are not only born of Zion but nourished by her (Isaiah 66:11a). God, Who brings life from within His church by His own almighty glory, also gives comfort Isaiah 66:11b) and joy (verse 11c) to Zion’s nursing infants by that same glory (verse 11d). The shalom (blessedness and wholeness in every way, Isaiah 66:12b) and glory (verse 12c) of Zion does not come as from a jar or even a cistern, but as from a river. God gives her children to be cared by her and with her (verse 12c–e), but it is God Himself Who gives her triple comfort (Isaiah 66:13).
God loves His church, and He loves those who love her. And He gives them life, joy, and comfort within her. This is what the King, the Servant, the Christ brings about.
How does trembling at God's Word appear in your own life? How does love for the church appear in how you spend your time? Your affections? Efforts? Wealth?
Sample prayer: O Lord, forgive us for how we have failed to tremble at Your Word. Truly, we have been in danger of being destroyed by it in the last day. And forgive us for how unmoved (and even self-righteous) we have been about the troubles of Your church. And forgive us for when, during the low-times of Your church, we have been forgetful of Your loving, saving intentions toward us. Forgive us. And grant that we would rejoice in Christ’s reign over His church, intercession for her, and ultimate nourishing, gladdening, and comforting of her, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP87 “The LORD’s Foundation, O Hide Your Face” or TPH405 “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord”
No comments:
Post a Comment