How It All Ends [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 66:18–24]

How do all things end? Isaiah 66:18–24 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that all things end with redeemed believers from all nations enjoying the glory of God in Christ, while remembering that what they actually deserved is an everlasting Hell. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.09.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 66:18–24

Read Isaiah 66:18–24

Questions from the Scripture text: What does God know (Isaiah 66:18)? What will He do to whom? What will they do and see? What will the Lord set among them (Isaiah 66:19)? Whom will the Lord send where? Why do these places need someone sent? What will the nations bring (Isaiah 66:20)? How does verse 20 describe their determination to bring this tribute? How does it describe their consecration in bringing this tribute? What will YHWH do with some of these new brethren from the nations (Isaiah 66:21)? What will YHWH make (Isaiah 66:22)? What will that new heavens and earth do? What two other things will remain? What will happen from month to month and Sabbath to Sabbath (Isaiah 66:23)? Who will participate? What will those who are being gathered for this also do on this great day (Isaiah 66:24)? To what will these transgressors go?

How do all things end? Isaiah 66:18–24 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that all things end with redeemed believers from all nations enjoying the glory of God in Christ, while remembering that what they actually deserved is an everlasting Hell.  

Beholding God’s glory. As the book comes to a conclusion, it focuses upon the conclusion of all things. Isaiah 66:18 is so abrupt in the original that it seems like there are words missing. The works and thoughts here are those of the godly who are rejoicing with Jerusalem in Isaiah 66:14a–b. Rather than the man-centered worship of God’s enemies (cf. Isaiah 66:14d, Isaiah 66:17), believers have received from God an appetite to behold God’s glory (Isaiah 66:18). 

God raises up not a banner, this time, but a sign (Isaiah 66:19) to gather all nations to Himself. Jesus identifies Himself as the sign, Who would be lifted up and draw all peoples to Himself (cf. John 12:32)! And, when the Spirit gives us to see Him truly, what we behold is the glory of God Himself (cf. John 1:14). Isaiah 66:19 describes the great mission enterprise to declare God’s glory everywhere that it has not been known. Thus are new “Israelites” from all the nations gathered by any means possible (Isaiah 66:20).

A whole new world of worship. A new Israel gather at a new Jerusalem (Isaiah 66:20) as a new priesthood (Isaiah 66:21) as the beginning of a new creation (Isaiah 66:22). This a covenantal creation: YHWH says it remains “before Me.” The language in verse 22c reveals the Servant of Isaiah 59:21 as the One being addressed. It is Christ, His seed, and His Name, which fills the new creation. Each of these aspects of the eternal blessedness to come centers upon Christ Himself. And the whole of life in this new world is as if it were both New Moon and Sabbath every day (Isaiah 66:23)! 

A world of grateful remembrance. Next to this new Jerusalem, there is a graveyard of the tormented. Many have this idea that in the new heavens and new earth, we will not be aware that there are people in Hell. Perhaps we forget that God is rightly glorified by it (cf. Romans 9:22; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9), and the glorified saints will praise Him for it (cf. Revelation 19:3–4). The Lord Jesus also emphasizes that those who remain in the first Adam will suffer an eternal Hell in which their own worm does not die, and their own fire is not quenched (Isaiah 66:24, cf. Mark 9:42–48).

And perhaps we forget that the knowledge of what we have been saved from would increase our gratitude for God’s grace and our awe at it. As glorified saints are blessed in God’s glory forever and ever, they will do so over-against the constant awareness of what they themselves had deserved, and from which God’s incomprehensible mercy has spared them!

What time do you take to enjoy God’s glory? By what means? How does this prepare you for eternity? By what “sign” do you hope that others will be drawn to Christ? From what have you been saved? What place does meditating upon this have in your life now? To what effect?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You for giving us to know and love Your glory already in this life. Forgive us for how infrequently we consider Your glory. And forgive us for how weak are both our desire to know Your glory and our enjoyment of that glory. Christ was raised up as a sign to draw us to Himself, but we too rarely think of the greatness of His cross. Forgive us! And forgive us for being forgetful of the Hell that we have deserved. Grant that we might be mindful of how complete have been Your grace and Your salvation, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the LORD” or TPH76 “God the Lord Is Known in Judah”

A Day of Great Joy and Great Terror [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 66:14–17]

What is the last day like? Isaiah 66:14–17 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the last day is joy for those who have loved the Lord and anguish for those hateful enemies who worshiped their own way. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.09.18 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 66:14–17

Read Isaiah 66:14–17

Questions from the Scripture text: How will the tremblers at God’s Word respond to the glory of Jerusalem (Isaiah 66:14a–b, cf. Revelation 21)? What will they know (Isaiah 66:14c)? But who will know what else (verse 14d)? How will they come to know themselves as His enemies (Isaiah 66:15a–b)? And what will He do (Isaiah 66:15-16)? What had these enemies done (Isaiah 66:17a)? For what place (verse 17b)? And what person (verse 17c)? To do what (verse 17d)? What will happen to all of them, and at what times (verse 17e)? 

What is the last day like? Isaiah 66:14–17 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the last day is joy for those who have loved the Lord and anguish for those hateful enemies who worshiped their own way.  

The last day will be one of both great rejoicing on the part of the tremblers at God Word (Isaiah 66:14a, cf. Isaiah 66:2f, Isaiah 66:5b, Isaiah 66:10-13) and anguish for His enemies (Isaiah 66:14d). The language of Isaiah 66:15-16 is literally full of fire, with five different fire-related words. The joy and rest of Zion and her children in the last day (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 21:1–7, Revelation 21:9–27) is conjoined to their deliverance and the vindication of God’s honor in His flaming fury (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9; Revelation 21:8). 

This fury is expressed upon those who have consecrated themselves (Isaiah 66:17a)—not unto Him in the worship that He has appointed, but unto their own ideas of what is worship (and therefore an idea in their own mind that is not actually God). They worshiped where they liked (verse 17b), one in their own midst (verse 17c), and in the way they wished (verse 17d). And now they will be consumed together (verse 17e). God is jealous for His own holiness. Either we know Him now, as He is; and worship Him now, as He says; or He will express Himself upon us in fury forever. But if we know Him as He has given Himself to us, especially so now in Christ, we will rest and rejoice in Him, forever!

How does your joy over the Lord Himself appear in your rejoicing over the good of the church? How will it do so on the last day? How does love for His holiness appear in your approval and anticipation of His wrath?

Sample prayer:  Lord, gladden us in Your redeeming favor, and comfort us in Your righteous fury. Give us to rejoice and flourish now, in the last day, and forever, in Jesus Christ, we ask, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the LORD” or TPH76 “God the Lord Is Known in Judah”

Comfort and Joy for Tremblers at God's Word [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 66:5–13]

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 is God’s beloved, to which and through which He gives life, joy, and comfort. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.09.11 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 66:5–13

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”

Getting Worship Right by Getting God and Ourselves Right [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 66:1–4]

When is worship offensive to God? Isaiah 66:1–4 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that getting worship wrong is a consequence of getting God wrong and getting ourselves wrong. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.09.04 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 66:1–4

Read Isaiah 66:1–4

Questions from the Scripture text: Whose speech is this (Isaiah 66:1a)? What is heaven to him (verse 1b)? What is earth (verse 1c)? What rhetorical questions does He ask in verse 1d–e? What is the implied answer? Why would even heaven, earth, and temple not be worthy gifts for Him (Isaiah 66:2a–c)? What are two characteristics of the one upon whom God does look with favor (verse 2d–e)? What is another (verse 2f)? In what manner have Israelites carried out the worship/religious commandments that God had given (Isaiah 66:3a–d)? To what are their “authorized” worship practices spiritually equivalent (verse 3e–f)? What had they chosen (verse 3e), and what does God now choose to begin upon them (Isaiah 66:4a)? What will He bring upon them (verse 4b)? Why—what had God done, and what didn’t they do (verse 4c–d)? What did they do (verse 4e)? What did they choose (verse 4f)?

When is worship offensive to God? Isaiah 66:1–4 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that any worship that man chooses for himself is offensive to the God Who should have been our choice.  

Rejecting the idea of worship as bringing other things to God. This word from the Lord shows how ridiculous is the idea that God needs or desires anything from us. This applies to worship. Just like He didn’t need a temple (Isaiah 66:1d–e), or even heaven and earth (verse 1b–c), He doesn’t need reading, singing, praying, preaching, or hearing. We must not think of our worship or religion as something that God needs or wants from us (Isaiah 66:2a–c). As we recently learned throughout the book of Leviticus, the language of “offering” with respect to God is the language of drawing near. It isn’t other things that we are to bring to God, so much as we are to bring Him ourselves.

Coming to God as those who have nothing to offer. We owe God our whole self, but we are not a worthy gift to give Him. We have corrupted ourselves. He Himself is the ever-blessed God Who made us in His image—to know Him and make Him known, to be loved by Him and to love Him. But what we have done in Adam is to reject all of this and bankrupt ourselves spiritually. So, God looks with favor (Isaiah 66:2d) upon those who recognize this: they are poor; they have a contrite spirit; they don’t think they have anything worthy of bringing to God (verse 2e). Instead, they tremble at the words of the God Who is still willing to bring them near (verse 2f). 

Oh, dear reader, do you not see this about the worship of God? He needs nothing, and we owe Him everything—but we are unable to give Him anything. And yet, for even such as we are, God has given a way of drawing near to Him! And not, ultimately, bulls, lambs, grain offerings, or incense, but Himself in His own dear Son, through faith worked by His almighty Spirit. How great is His grace in worship!

Rejecting worship that is according to our desires rather than his. Do we do the things in worship because we have chosen them or because God has? The worshiper in Isaiah 66:3a–d is doing actions that God has commanded for worship, but he’s doing them because they are his own choice (verse 3e). “Right” worship done because we like that worship, rather than because God does, is as bad as if we worshiped by the actions in the second part of each of those lines (slaying a man, breaking a dog’s neck, offering swine’s blood, blessing an idol). One sure way to know that we are guilty of this is if we are willing to add to God’s worship anything that feels worshipful to us, or that we enjoy, or that we think will provide some benefit, or for any other reason than that God has mercifully provided it as His authorized way for the poor in spirit to draw near to Him.

God’s rejection of those who choose their own worship. If we choose to worship in a way for any other reason than God’s delight in it (Isaiah 66:4f), we do evil before His eyes (verse 4e). God has called us to Himself and spoken to us (verse 4c–d). Worshiping our own way rejects His favorable call to draw near. Whether we come in a self-serving way, and He judges us by giving our delusion (verse 4a); or, whether we come in a legalistic way, as if God is an offended deity whom we must placate with presents (verse 4b); it is a visitation of punishment to be given over to false worship. How grievous it would be to have anything in worship other than God Himself!

How do you come to God with poverty of spirit and contrite spirit for worship? What do you want to do in worship and why? What do you hope to get out of worship?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for bringing You worship as if You needed it from us. How merciful You are to bring sinners near to You through Christ! But still, we have valued worship according to what delights us, rather than choosing it because it has delighted You to bring us near in Christ. Here is Your greatest mercy to us, and yet it is a place where we have sinned greatly against You. O, forgive us! How thankful we are that You that You bring sinners near to You through Your Son and by Your Spirit! So cleanse us by Christ’s blood, and conform us to Him by the work of Your Spirit, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP51B “From My Sins, O Hide Your Face” or TPH163 “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty”

Joyous New Creatures and Creation [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 65:17–25]

What will make the trouble of the creation be forgotten? Isaiah 65:17–25 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 God will make a new creation that causes the former one to be forgotten. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.08.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 65:17–25

Read Isaiah 65:17–25

Questions from the Scripture text: To what does Isaiah 65:17a call our attention? What will this new heavens and new earth do to the effect that the former ones have upon us (verse 17b)? What idea is peppered throughout Isaiah 65:18-19b as the theme? Whom does God command to rejoice? In what/whom? Who does most of the rejoicing in these verses/this creation? What will no longer be heard where (Isaiah 65:19c–d)? What would someone in this new earth conclude about someone who “died young” at one hundred years old (Isaiah 65:20)? Who will enjoy a man’s work (Isaiah 65:21, Isaiah 65:22c–d)? Who won’t enjoy that person’s work (Isaiah 65:22a–b)? What metaphor does he use for their longevity (verse 22c)? What will they do all this time (verse 22d)? How much of the curse will be repealed (Isaiah 65:23)? What relational situation is the climax of this (Isaiah 65:24)? How will the creation itself reflect this (Isaiah 65:25)? 

What will make the trouble of the creation be forgotten? Isaiah 65:17–25 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 God will make a new creation that causes the former one to be forgotten.  

God has just declared His intention to form a new Israel in Christ, so that the former state of the church was forgotten (Isaiah 65:16). 

Now, He tells them that this culminates in an entirely new creation that makes the cursed creation to be forgotten (Isaiah 65:17)—a creation not of groaning (cf. Romans 8:19–23) but of rejoicing (Isaiah 65:18). 

Not only will His people rejoice over the creation (Isaiah 65:18), but God Himself will be rejoicing over His people (Isaiah 65:19a–b), gladdening them in Himself (verse 19c–d). 

There will be no more death, for death belongs to the accursed (Isaiah 65:20), and if someone were to die at the age of a hundred, he would be considered an accursed child cut down in the flower of life.

There will be no curses remaining from the Mosaic covenant (Isaiah 65:21-22, cf. Deuteronomy 28:15–51).

There will be no curses remaining from the Adamic covenant (Isaiah 65:23, cf. Genesis 3:16–19).

But greatest of all, there will be no estrangement from God, only perfect fellowship with Him (Isaiah 65:24).

And the creation itself will reflect the blessedness of this estate. With the devil (“that ancient serpent") having licked the dust of defeat (cf. Genesis 3:15, Psalm 72:9), there will be no death at all, and actual animal serpents will eat dust, just as lions eat straw (Isaiah 65:25). 

Christ is not just the new Israel of the forever-church and the new Adam of the forever-humanity. He is the everlasting God of the new creation, the covenant God who not only gives us joy but makes us to delight in God, as He, our God delights in us! 

This is what the Lord has purposed for those who fear Him. Leave off all empty and useless religious thoughts, and draw near to Him in the way that He has given you to do so: in Christ!

What aspects of the curse do you feel most keenly? What labor has been futile for you? How have you felt the soon-ness and certainty of your death? How have you experienced the loss of the deaths of others? How have you experienced being estranged from God? But how has He given you to enjoy your labor? How has He given you to enjoy the benefits of Christ and His resurrection already? How does He give you to enjoy the fat that while you are speaking, He hears? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for being so satisfied with this groaning, cursed creation, when You have intended for us a new creation. But forgive us, also, for not delighting in the work of Your hands. All that You have made is good, but we have brought sin and death into the world. Forgive us for failing to see that all fruitfulness and enjoyment of our labor is grace and mercy from You. And grant that we would enjoy You Yourself more than any of it, until You bring us to enjoy You more than anything even in the new creation. So, give us to serve You and enjoy You for the rest of this life, and forever in the next, we ask, in Christ’s Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song” or TPH299 “Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come”

A Cautionary Tale of Idolatry [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 65:11–16]

How does idolatry progress, and how does God respond to it? Isaiah 65:11–16 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that idolatry doesn’t just add to God but turns us against Him, so that He is right to judge the idolaters among His people and make them into a warning for others. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.08.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 65:11–16

Read Isaiah 65:11–16

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom does Israel forsake (Isaiah 65:11a)? Whom do they forget (verse 11b)? But for whom do they prepare a table (verse 11c)? For whom do they furnish a drink offering (verse 11d)? How will YHWH repay them (Isaiah 65:12a–b)? Why—how have they “responded” to Him (verse 12c–d)? What did they do instead (verse 12e–f)? Who speaks/renders verdict in Isaiah 65:13a? What will His servants receive (verse 13b, d, f; Isaiah 65:14a)? What will happen to unbelieving Israel (Isaiah 65:13c, e, g; Isaiah 65:14b–c)? How will the elect remember them (Isaiah 65:15a)? Why (verse 15b–c)? To Whom alone, then, will people turn for blessing and to offer worship (Isaiah 65:16a–d)? What will God have done with His servants’ troubles (verse 16e–f)? 

How does idolatry progress, and how does God respond to it? Isaiah 65:11–16 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that idolatry doesn’t just add to God but turns us against Him, so that He is right to judge the idolaters among His people and make them into a warning for others.  

False worship leads to false gods, Isaiah 65:11. Those mountains which men preferred for worship in Isaiah 65:7c are now contrasted with the Lord’s own holy mountain in Isaiah 65:11b. Whenever man begins to add his own ideas to worship, it inevitably leads to the forgetting of the Lord Himself. One thing leads to another, and pretty soon a man is trusting in fortune (NKJ “Gad,” verse 11c) and living for destiny (NKJ “Meni,” verse 11d). Christians who think they are too sophisticated to worship idols of stone make the same worship errors and spiritual errors to this day.

Discipline that Discriminates, Isaiah 65:12-14. We saw that the Lord will make for Himself a believing remnant (cf. Isaiah 65:8-10). Now, we see the difference that results from their repentance and faith. God is One Who discriminates between those who are His by faith and life (“Behold, My servants”) and those who are in His church but not genuinely His (“But you”). The differences are appropriate. They have worshiped ridiculous, purported deities who depend upon their worshipers for food and drink (Isaiah 65:11c–d), so they will go hungry and thirsty (Isaiah 65:13c, e). But those who belong to YHWH, Who needs nothing, they will feast with true joy (verse 13b, d, f; Isaiah 65:14a), while unbelieving Israel descends into failure and misery (Isaiah 65:13g, Isaiah 65:14b–c).

Discipline that instructs, Isaiah 65:15. This discrimination the Lord intended for the instruction of His elect. They would see those who are false within the church as a warning, a curse (cf. verse 15a). He still has His chosen, His servants (verse 15c), but He calls them by another name. 

Discipline that succeeds for others, Isaiah 65:16. What are the results among the elect servants of the Lord? They refuse to bless themselves in creatures or any false God; they bless themselves only in the God of truth (cf. verse 16a–b). They offer every sort of worship only to the true God, here summarized under swearing by the name of God in vows and oaths. How happy are they whose sins God has put away (verse 16e–f; cf. Psalm 32:1–2)!

What sorts of things has man added (ancient or new) to the worship of God? How do people end up trusting in their fortune or their destiny, rather than in God? What did God end up doing to Israel? What should this warn us from doing and encourage us to do?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for when we have added to Your worship. Whatever we add, we tend to prefer to what You have commanded. We so easily slouch into crediting things to fortune or destiny and become forgetful of You. You would be right to take away our food, our drink, and our joy. But, You have been merciful and chosen a remnant to save and to make into Your servants. Thank You for Your great mercy to us. Keep forgiving us, and granting us repentance and sanctification we ask, through Christ, AMEN!

 Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness!” or TPH434 “A Debtor to Mercy Alone” 

Grace to Overcome Wrath-Provoking Religion [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 65:1–10]

To whom does the Lord give Himself? Isaiah 65:1–10 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord gives Himself, by sovereign grace, to sinners from all nations. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.08.14 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 65:1–10

Read Isaiah 65:1–10

Questions from the Scripture text: By whom was the Lord sought (Isaiah 65:1a)? Found (verse 1b)? To whom did He present Himself (verse 1c–d)? How does He describe His relation to Jacob and Judah (Isaiah 65:2a, cf. Romans 10:20–21)? In what way have they been rebellious (Isaiah 65:2b–c)? What else have they done (Isaiah 65:3a)? In what ways did they provoke Him to anger (Isaiah 65:3-4)? What have all these things said to the Lord (Isaiah 65:5a–c)? With what effect (verse 5d–e)? What are we to consider (Isaiah 65:6a)? Where has this condemnation been recorded? What will the Lord do (Isaiah 65:6b–d, Isaiah 65:7e)? What will He repay? Into what? Who speaks in Isaiah 65:8a? From where does new wine originate (verse 8b)? What mustn’t be done if it is to be obtained (verse 8c)? What is in the cluster (verse 8d)? Who will bring forth what from whom (Isaiah 65:9a)? From whom will He bring forth what else (verse 9b)? What does He call these descendants and heirs in verse 9c? What in verse 9d? What formerly marred/cursed places will be restored (Isaiah 65:10)?  

To whom does the Lord give Himself? Isaiah 65:1–10 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord gives Himself, by sovereign grace, to sinners from all nations.  

Beginning to finish. Isaiah 65:1 forms a bookend with Isaiah 66:19–20, letting us know that we are now in the conclusion to the whole of Isaiah’s prophecy.

Grace to the nations (Isaiah 65:1). The Lord is sought, found, and known by people from the nations. “Not called by My Name” means those who began outside the church—in this case, outside Jacob and Judah. In Romans 10:20, the apostle quotes this verse to show that it was the Lord’s plan all along to save from among the nations. His description of them shows that this saving is only by sovereign, electing, regenerating grace: “ones not asking” and “ones not seeking Me.”

Wrath to church members (Isaiah 65:2-7). Isaiah 65:2 sharply contrasts Isaiah 65:1. The people called by His Name have refused all of His overtures to them. They are rebellious (walking according to their own thoughts, rather than God’s good thoughts, Isaiah 65:2). And they have provoked YHWH continually to anger to His face (Isaiah 65:3a)! 

Immediately, dear reader, you should know how these members of the visible church have so provoked the wrath of the Lord, lest you/we now repeat the same. What are “their own thoughts” that have replaced God’s Word? 

First, they worshiped in the beauty of creation (“who sacrifice in gardens,” Isaiah 65:3b). Rather than worshiping in the assembly that the Lord calls at the place the Lord has called it and the time that the Lord has called it, these people thought the beauty of the creation could enhance or even substitute for the ordinary worship of God. And this provoked God to wrath!

Second, they worshiped by the efforts and skills of men (“burn incense on altars of brick,” Isaiah 65:3c). Rather than following God’s simple design for the altar, they have employed the creativity and skill of man to produce worship that man finds more impressive. But what impresses man, here provokes God to wrath!

Third, they attributed power or knowledge to the dead (“who sit among the graves, and spend the night in the tombs,” Isaiah 65:4a–b). Even in branches of the visible church today, there are those who look for spiritual power or insight in dead saints and what they leave behind. But their graves themselves remind us that they are helpless sinners dependent entirely upon the same grace that we are! Looking to the dead for help may seem spiritual, but it provokes God to wrath!

Finally, they cared much more to indulge themselves than to consecrate themselves separate from the world. Bacon sounds delicious, as does lobster broth, but God had proscribed these things (Isaiah 65:4b–c) as part of their being holy. 

In sum, by following their own ideas for worship, spirituality, and pleasure, they were basically saying that they enjoyed religion without God Himself (Isaiah 65:5a–b), as if they could have a holiness that didn’t derive from Him and was even better than His (verse 5c)! It is no wonder that He was continually furious with them (verse 5d–e) and decreed that He would repay them in full measure into the core of their being (“their bosom,” Isaiah 65:6-7).

Grace to elect church members (Isaiah 65:8-10). Toward the beginning of the prophet’s book, this rebellious and wrath-provoking people were described as a disappointing vineyard (cf. Isaiah 5:1–7). Now, the illustration returns with the Lord refusing to destroy some clusters from the vineyard, because there will yet be new wine in them. For His Servant’s sake, which is to say, for the sake of Christ, there are some who will not be destroyed.

Whereas we might have said before “even from the nations the Lord will preserve a remnant!” At this point in the prophecy of Isaiah, we find ourselves saying, “Even from Jacob and Judah, the Lord will preserve for Himself a remnant!” (Isaiah 65:8-9). These are His elect (Isaiah 65:9c), whose being conformed to Christ is implied in the phrase “My servants” (verse 9d). Whereas Sharon and Achor are both to be devastated in Israel’s punishment, yet the covenant blessing will return. Those seeking from the nations in v1 are now joined in Isaiah 65:10 by those elect whom the Lord makes to be “My people who have sought Me.” Glorious grace! 

So, in glorious grace, the Lord saves into His church from outside; and, in glorious grace, the Lord converts those from within His church. If we find in ourselves inclinations toward the things that provoked His wrath in Isaiah 65:2-7, let us repent in dependence upon His Spirit, looking for His grace to change our minds about worship and life.

What do you think is most beautiful in worship? What do you find most impressive in worship? What does God Himself think about these things, according to this passage? Did you begin your life inside the church, or outside the church? How is God glorified by the way that you have come to know Him?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us, for all day long You have stretched out Your hands to us, but how often we have walked according to our own thoughts! This has shown up very specifically in how we have thought and felt about worship, delighting in creaturely beauty rather than the beauty of the Creator, and rejoicing in our own skill rather than Your design and power. Though much of our spirituality has deserved wrath, grant now that, for the sake of Your Servant Jesus Christ, You would bring forth Christ-likeness in us, so that we might not be destroyed, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP67 “O God, Give Us Your Blessing” or TPH425 “How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place=

Lord, Do Not Restrain Your Saving Love! [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 63:15–64:12]

What hope is there for those whose sins carry them away like the wind? Isaiah 63:15–64:12 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the only hope for sinners is the love and zeal and power of the Lord, their Redeemer. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.08.07 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 63:15–64:12

Read Isaiah 63:15–64:12

Questions from the Scripture text: What does Isaiah 63:15a–b ask YHWH to do? What is Isaiah concerned seems to be the case (verse 15c–d)? But what must be the answer—what two familial terms does Isaiah 63:16 use about YHWH? Even over-against whom? What has YHWH given them over to (Isaiah 63:17)? What is the hope for their returning? What does Isaiah call Israel in verse 17d, laying hold of that inheritance? And Isaiah 63:18a? What pitiful circumstance does Isaiah 63:18 plead? What even more pitiful circumstance does Isaiah 63:19 describe? For what solution does Isaiah 64:1 plead? In what sort of power, and to what end (Isaiah 64:1-2)? What precedent was there for this (Isaiah 64:3, cf. Exodus 19:18)? From forever to forever, what has only YHWH been and done (Isaiah 64:4)? What does God do for whom (Isaiah 64:5a–b)? And against whom (verse 5c)? What does this mean for Israel; what are they doing, and what do they need (verse 5d–e)? What is their condition (Isaiah 64:6a)? What is the quality of all their righteousnesses (verse 6b)? With what result in them themselves (verse 6c–e)? What doesn’t anyone do (Isaiah 64:7a–b)? Why don’t/can’t they (verse 7c–d)? What does Isaiah 64:8 again ask Him to be? What does it freely admit, as it asks for His help (cf. Isaiah 29:16; Isaiah 45:9)? What do Isaiah 64:9a–b ask Him to do? Upon what grounds (verse 9c)? What circumstances do Isaiah 64:10-11 again repeat? With what hoped for (or hoped against) response (Isaiah 64:12)? 

What hope is there for those whose sins carry them away like the wind? Isaiah 63:15–64:12 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the only hope for sinners is the love and zeal and power of the Lord, their Redeemer.  

Having preached and written about God’s coming salvation in Christ, Isaiah’s attention now turns to Israel’s present situation. How can he compare the promised forever-salvation to just a few hundred years in the land (Isaiah 63:18) in which the people hardly walked with the Lord at all (Isaiah 63:19)? If God’s love waxes hot for His people, how can it be that He has given them over to such straying and such sin (Isaiah 63:17)?

The reality is that even the people’s best righteousnesses are like “garments of menstruation” (Isaiah 64:6b). Their sin easily prevails over them (verse 6c–e). What believer has not felt this to be true about himself?

So the prophet draws his hope not at all from the people’s character or intentions, but from God. He has made Himself not only Father to them (Isaiah 63:16a, verse 16d, Isaiah 64:8b—even in Christ, cf. Isaiah 9:6), but especially Redeemer (Isaiah 63:16e). This has been one of the keywords in the prophecy that the Spirit has compelled Isaiah to proclaim, and now he clings to the Lord as next of kin.

The bookends of this prophecy look to the Lord not only as Father, but as Redeemer—the Husband Whose passionate heart for His bride is expressed with zeal and strength (Isaiah 63:15, Isaiah 64:12). Surely, He will not restrain His love! In the Hebrew, Isaiah 64:1-2 are in the past tense; the prophet is crying out for what he wishes had already happened. But this implies continued prayer that it might happen even now, even more urgently that it would happen immediately. “Oh if you had already torn open the heavens and You would have come down!” (Isaiah 64:1).  Man could not have imagined what the Lord would do at the Exodus (Isaiah 64:3), and Isaiah is counting on the Lord continuing to be this Lord. He is counting on Him continuing to be the One Who delivers His people in ways that ear couldn’t hear or eye see (Isaiah 64:4). And indeed, the Lord has done this: the Lord of glory has been crucified (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:9)!

Can the Lord do this? Surely He has the power and authority to do so. Isaiah 64:8 marshals the same illustration used against the unbelief of rebellion (cf. Isaiah 29:16; Isaiah 45:9) to ward off the unbelief that would think that granting repentance from sin is too tall an order. Belief, faith, now cries out, “we are the clay, and You our Potter, and all we are the work of Your hand”!

For what do you feel the need, in your own life, that the Lord would tear open the heavens and come down in power and love and deliverance? In your family’s life? In your church’s life? In the life of the church more broadly? In the life of the nation? What hope can there be of this?

Sample prayer:  Lord, You are our Father and our Redeemer, but we have strayed from Your ways and hardened our hearts from fearing You. We so often act as if You do not rule over us, as if we are not called by Your Name. And even our righteousnesses are as polluted garments. Our sinfulness so easily carries us away like a tornado. We forget to call upon Your Name. We do not, indeed cannot, stir up ourselves to take hold of You. But You are full of love to Your Redeemed, and You are almighty in power and great in zeal. Come now, and display all of that toward us. Tear the heavens open, as it were, and come down by Your Spirit and revive us and reform us. Restrain Yourself no longer, and display that You have forgiven us our sins, as You cleanse us from our remaining unrighteousness, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP51A “God, Be Merciful to Me” or TPH434 “A Debtor to Mercy Alone” 

Return of the King [2024.07.28 Morning Sermon in Isaiah 63:1–6]

In His saving work, King Jesus is glorified as the majestic King Who delivers His people with a zeal and power and justice that are fueled by His magnificent love.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

Who Is This King of Glory? [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 63:1–6]

Whom do the watchers and the bride see coming? Isaiah 63:1–6 prepares us for the first serial reading in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord Jesus is the kingly and divine Speaker, Justifier, Savior, Avenger, and Redeemer. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)

2024.07.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 63:1–6

Read Isaiah 63:1–6

Questions from the Scripture text: From where does the one in Isaiah 63:1a appear to be coming? In what attire (verse 1b–c)? And what glory (verse 1d)? What are His opening words (verse 1e)? What does Isaiah 63:2 ask about his clothing? What has this One done, alongside whom (Isaiah 63:3a–b)? Why has He done this (verse 3c–d)? With what effect (verse 3e–f)? What is in His heart (Isaiah 63:4a)? What has come (verse 4b)? What had He seen (Isaiah 63:5a–c)? How, then did salvation come (verse 5d)? And for what end did He pursue (verse 5e)? What did He do to the peoples (Isaiah 63:6a–b)? Why? With what result (verse 6c)? 

Whom do the watchers and the bride see coming? Isaiah 63:1–6 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord Jesus is the kingly and divine Speaker, Justifier, Savior, Avenger, and Redeemer. 

In Isaiah 62:6, there were watchmen praying for salvation. The daughter of Zion was told to look for her salvation in a Savior, Who had earned and accomplished (cf. Isaiah 62:11) a holy, redeemed, desired, cherished people (cf. Isaiah 62:12). 

Now the scene moves to the wall, with the watchmen and the hopeful bride, as a lone Figure appears on the horizon (Isaiah 63:1). He comes from the direction of perpetual enemy Edom (verse 1a) and its capital city Bozrah (verse 1b). 

And the first thing that can be seen is the glint in the moonlight of the vividness of His apparel (Isaiah 63:1c). He moves in a way that communicates greatness and strength, not a commoner but a King (verse 1d). And in response to their question, His speech is swift and strong, like His gait, communicating three primary things about Him: He is a speaker, He is righteous, and He is a mighty Savior.

By identifying Himself firstly as a Speaker, He shows Himself to be the Anointed One of Isaiah 61:1–3: the Preacher of good tidings, the Proclaimer of liberty, the Proclaimer of the year of favor, the Comforter of mourners, the Consoler of Zion’s mourners. Although vengeance receives much mention in our passage (in line with our Lord’s second coming), it is His being a Speaker, and Righteous, and Savior that are mentioned first (in line with His first coming). And when He identified Himself in the synagogue at Nazareth, He identified Himself as this Preacher (cf. Luke 4:16–22).

By the time He answers, He is close enough that they can see not only the vividness, but the color, and their question changes from “Who” to “why” (Isaiah 63:2). “Red” is a play on words with “Edom,” and “winepress” is a play on words with “Bozrah.” So there may also be some inquiry as to why He’s coming from that direction. His answer continues their metaphor, but the vintage that He has trodden are the enemy themselves. The quantity of it and the saturation of the stain is because He has done this entirely by Himself (Isaiah 63:3, Isaiah 63:5). This identifies this King as a Man Who is more than a man. There is no one else who could do this, and no one else who would do this, but YHWH Himself (cf. Isaiah 41:28, Isaiah 59:15–16). 

Just as we must be committed to not taking vengeance, since it belongs to the Lord (cf. Isaiah 35:4; Romans 12:19); the Lord Jesus is committed to taking vengeance, precisely because it belongs to Him. He says “it is in My heart” (Isaiah 63:4a). His Name is Jesus, Yahweh Who Saves, and He does so not only as a Deliverer, but as a Redeemer. There is a year that His heart calls “the year of My redeemed.” We must not lose sight of what is behind this word, “redeemed,” and the wonderful truth that the Lord Himself is Redeemer unto us.

In His first coming, He has proclaimed His comfort and salvation, and He has been our righteousness, and He has earned and accomplished our salvation (Isaiah 63:1e). But there is a day and a year in His heart when He will collect for Himself this bride, to Whom He has claimed the place of next-of-kin, and given to claim Him as her own next-of-kin (Isaiah 63:4b). 

If Isaiah 61:1–3 was the picture of the Anointed, come to redeem His bride, Isaiah 63:1-7 is the picture of the Anointed, come to collect His bride whom He has redeemed. It is a day of a vengeance (Isaiah 63:5-6) that is an essential component to His saving His bride (cf. Isaiah 63:5d). And He is committed to it with all the zeal that He has for His kingship and His royal bride. As this passage presents Him to us, may His Spirit compel our hearts to rest upon Him and thrill our hearts to rejoice over Him.

Why do you need Christ as Speaker? Why do you need Christ as righteousness? Why do you need Christ as Savior? Why do you need Christ as Avenger? Why do you need Christ as Redeemer?

Sample prayer: Lord, You are the great Speaker. Forgive us for when we have not listened or trusted. You are our only righteousness. Forgive us for when we have felt pretty justified in ourselves. You are our only Savior. Forgive us, for when we have thought that there was hope in any other, and even for when we have felt that there was no hope. You are our Avenger. Forgive us, for when we have thought that there is no justice and that our plight has gone unnoticed. And You are our Redeemer. Forgive us, for when our adulterous hearts have found purpose, identity, and ultimate delight in anything other than You. Forgive us, and grant that Your Spirit would make us to behold You as You truly are, and as You have truthfully told us in Your Word, we ask in Your Name, Lord Jesus, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP24 “The Earth and the Riches” or TPH280 “Wondrous King, All Glorious” 

Come, Thou Almighty King! [Family Worship lesson in Isaiah 10:20–11:16]

How will the kingdom of the Son of Jesse come, when the line of David has been cut down to a stump? Isaiah 11 looks forward to the first serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that there was coming a King Who is Himself the Almighty, and who will be our ultimate Noah, our ultimate Moses, and our ultimate David—Who regains paradise, reverses the fall, retrieves the nations, and revenges them. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)