2019.03.30 Hopewell @Home ▫ Genesis 7:7-24

Read Genesis 7:7-24

Questions for Littles: Where did Noah go in Genesis 7:7? Who went with him? Because of what? What else went with him (Genesis 7:8)? How did they enter (Genesis 7:9)? Why was it done this way? What happened after seven days (Genesis 7:10)? How does Genesis 7:11 make it plain that this is an historical event? How does it emphasize Noah’s actual age at the time? What does this tell us about other men’s ages of this period, which were similar to Noah’s? How long did it rain (Genesis 7:12)? What does Genesis 7:13-15 emphasize about how long it took to enter the ark? Who are named in Genesis 7:13? What else entered with them (Genesis 7:14)? How did they come onto the ark (Genesis 7:15)? What was in them? Who had commanded this (Genesis 7:16)? Who shut them all in the ark? How long did it rain (Genesis 7:17)? What did the increased waters do to the ark? Where did it rise? What does Genesis 7:18 say about the waters? What did the ark do in verse 18? What does Genesis 7:19 say about the waters? What were covered? What does Genesis 7:20 say about the waters? What were covered? Which flesh is first mentioned as dying in Genesis 7:21? Who are mentioned last in verse 21? What body part does Genesis 7:22 mention? Of what does this remind us (cf. Genesis 2:7)?  How does Genesis 7:23 restate Genesis 7:21-22? What does it add at the end? What does Genesis 7:24 say about the waters? How long did they prevail, before they even began to recede?

In the Scripture for tomorrow’s sermon, there is much focus upon water level. On the one hand, the text makes it clearly, laughably impossible that this could have been a local flood. On the other hand, this takes us back to the first day of creation, where the earth was covered by the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God hovered over the waters.

Genesis 7:11 takes us back to day 2, that entire day that was spent on the raquiya (firmament), and now a window is being opened in it, and the protection and restraint is being removed.

Genesis 7:14, with its repeated mention of “after its kind,” takes us back to days 5 and 6 with not just the land animals but the birds perishing.

Genesis 7:22 takes us back to day 6 by the specific mention of nostrils, the only other mention of which in Genesis is Genesis 2:7, where God had breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life.

In a sense, the flood is being described here as the uncreation. But the original is not entirely lost. Noah, and those who were with him, were participants in this original creation. We have here the beginning of a theme that will last throughout Scripture—the theme of a “remnant.” The Lord repeatedly shows the greatness of His mercy and saving power to some by carrying out justice with others.

Who are perishing now? Who are being saved now? How are they being saved?

Suggested Songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage?” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace”

2019.03.29 Hopewell @Home ▫ John 11:17-32

Read John 11:17-32

Questions for Littles: Who “came” in John 11:17? What did He find? How long had Lazarus been in the tomb? What city was Bethany near (John 11:18)? How far? Who had joined the women around Mary and Martha (John 11:19)? For what purpose? What did Martha hear (John 11:20)? What did she do? Where was Mary? What does Martha say to Jesus in John 11:21? What does she say that she knows in John 11:22? What does this imply that God would do to Lazarus now, if Jesus asked? What does Jesus tell her will happen in John 11:23? When does Martha say that she knows that this will happen in John 11:24? What does Jesus say about Himself in John 11:25? What does He say about those who believe into Him? What additional information does Jesus provide in John 11:26? What question does He ask? What does she answer that she believes about Him in John 11:27?  Whom does she go get in John 11:28? How soon does Mary come (John 11:29)? Where was Jesus (John 11:30)? Who saw Mary get up to go to Jesus (John 11:31)? Where did they think she was going? To do what? What does Mary do, when she arrives at Jesus (John 11:32)? What does she say to Him?

In the Gospel reading this week, Martha “claims for herself the better thing”—going immediately to be with Jesus. She does not seem to remember even her also-grieving sister. She expresses excellent faith in Christ.

She knows that if He was there that Lazarus would not have died. On the one hand, this sounds unbelieving with regard to Jesus’s power, since He does not need to be nearby in order to save someone. But it is also very similar to what Jesus Himself implied in John 11:15. This is faith not only in His power but in His love.

Also, she knows that Lazarus will not stay dead even now. True, it sounds like she is missing the fact that Jesus is God. But that might actually be part of her confession in John 11:27 since he who is son of man is man, and He who is Son of God is God, and since she uses language that refers to Christ as existing before His life on earth. She grieves as someone who has true hope. At the very least, she knows that her brother will rise again at the last day.

More importantly, she knows that whatever Jesus says or promises about Himself is absolutely true. Her answer in verse 27 is not symmetrical to Jesus’s statement and question in John 11:25-26. That would have been for her to answer, “Yes, I believe that You are the resurrection. Yes, I believe that You are the life. Yes, I believe that You raise the dead. Yes, I believe that those who trust in You will never die.” Instead, her answer is that she believes that He is the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.

This is what the Lord Jesus is doing here: not just revealing specific powers or abilities or characteristics—but that His purpose is to reveal Himself, to display Himself to us that we might believe about Him all of the things that He ever says or shows us about Himself!

What are some things that Jesus has revealed about Himself in the Bible? Do you believe Him?

Suggested songs: ARP110B “The Lord Has Spoken to My Lord” or TPH280 “Wondrous King”

2019.03.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ 2 Corinthians 5:9-21

Read 2 Corinthians 5:9-21

Questions for Littles: What does the apostle aim at, whether present in the body or absent from the body (2 Corinthians 5:9)? Where must we all appear (2 Corinthians 5:10)? What will we do there? According to what will we receive? What did the apostle know (2 Corinthians 5:11)? How did the apostle respond to that terror? To whom was he well known (i.e. as one who would receive good at the judgment seat)? Whom else did he trust could see that? According to 2 Corinthians 5:12, why was he reminding the Corinthians of that? What did others boast about? What did he want them to boast about? If others thought they were crazy, who would be glorified anyway (2 Corinthians 5:13a)? If others thought they were wise, whom would this help (2 Corinthians 5:13b)? What compels (constrains!) the apostle (2 Corinthians 5:14a)? Who died in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14b)? So, if the “us” that lived for ourselves is dead, for whom does the “new” us live (2 Corinthians 5:15)? What believers do we regard according to what they were before Christ’s resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:16)? Whom else do we not regard according to His pre-resurrection status? Where can we already see the new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17a)? How certain is it that this work will be finished (2 Corinthians 5:17b)? From Whom has all of this come (2 Corinthians 5:18a)? How has He accomplished this (2 Corinthians 5:18b, cf. 2 Corinthians 5:19ab)? And how is He applying this accomplished work (2 Corinthians 5:18c, cf. 2 Corinthians 5:19c)? What does the reconciliation-applying ministry of the Word sound like in 2 Corinthians 5:20? What did God do to Christ in order to reconcile us (2 Corinthians 5:21a)? What does God do to us in order to reconcile us (2 Corinthians 5:21b)?

In this week’s Epistle reading, we find the working out in the apostle’s life of his confidence that he will at last come to a full experience of Christ’s glory in the resurrection. He knows the terror of the Lord—what it would be like for him if he appeared at the judgment outside of Jesus and having done no works of faith at all. And this has a profound effect upon him in two different ways.

First, it means that he doesn’t belong to himself. The self that belonged to him died at the cross. The self that lives now belongs to Jesus and is constrained by the love of Jesus.

Second, if Jesus’s love is pressing him into all that he does, the knowledge of the judgment makes him all the more urgent with sinners—not so much desiring their favor as he is hoping that the Lord will give them spiritual life so that they will come to view his faith in Jesus as the display of a truly sound mind.

How does Jesus bring them to such life and faith? By the ministry of the Word of reconciliation. What does that ministry look like? Pleading. Imploring. Earnest speech declaring the wonderful reconciliation of God to sinners in Christ, and urging sinners therefore to trust in Christ, die with Christ, be forgiven in Christ, rise with Christ, live for Christ, and behold the glory of Christ!

What would it look like for your life to be compelled by the love of Christ?

Suggested songs: ARP51B “God, Be Merciful to Me” or TPH465 “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

2019.03.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 21

Read Joshua 21

Questions for Littles: Whose heads of fathers’ houses came near in Joshua 21:1? To whom did they come near? Where did they speak to them (Joshua 21:2)? Of what did they remind them that Yahweh had commanded? Who give the Levites cities and common lands in Joshua 21:3? From what did they give these cities and common lands? How does Joshua 21:4 tell us that these decisions are being made—what “came out” for the families of the Kohathites? Which Kohathites are mentioned first? Among which three tribes were they given cities and lands? Where else do Joshua 21:9-11 and Joshua 21:13-19 tell us that these same families received cities and lands? With whom did this make them near neighbors (Joshua 21:12)? Which families’ cities are named in Joshua 21:20-26? Which families’ names are named in Joshua 21:27-33? Which families’ cities are named in Joshua 21:34-40? What did these cities all come with (cf. Joshua 21:41-42)? How much of the promised land did Yahweh give to Israel (Joshua 21:43)? To whom had He sworn that this would happen? What had they now done at this point? What did Yahweh give them all around (Joshua 21:44a)? According to what had He done this? Who had been able to stand against them? Who had delivered their enemies into their hand? What had not failed (Joshua 21:45)?

In this week’s Old Testament reading, the Levites do NOT receive their inheritance. The book of Joshua has repeatedly reminded us that the inheritance of the Levites is the Lord Himself and His worship. When the Lord now takes care of all of their other needs He is displaying His own faithfulness to keep every Word and His own goodness to attend to all our needs. So, in a sense, what they are receiving is not the inheritance but the experience of how gloriously good that inheritance is—the Lord Himself!

In a sense, there is a reminder here that, according to God’s command, the Lord is the ultimate inheritance not only of the Levites but of all of His people. He spreads the Levites throughout the land, in all of the territories of His people, thereby spreading the display and experience of His own presence among His people.

He gives His people the privilege of giving of their own inheritance to provide for the Levites (and therefore the display and experience of God’s presence). He still does that for us today—giving us the privilege of participating in the earthly maintenance of those through whose ministries He especially draws near to us. As He does so, He keeps reminding us that the very good blessings that He gives us in this life are not our ultimate inheritance, but that He Himself is our ultimate inheritance!

Finally, the chapter concludes with what is the great theme of the entire book: not one word of Yahweh has fallen (Joshua 21:45, literally). The Word of Yahweh is so closely identified with Him that it is completely and perfectly reliable just as He is. Dear believer, you can count on it!

What difference does it make if God is Your greatest possession and delight? What are some words of promise that you have from God that will not fall?

Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly I Am with You” or TPH243 “How Firm a Foundation”

2019.03.26 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 26:1-9

Read Isaiah 26:1-9

Questions for Littles: When God makes a feast for all peoples in Zion (cf. Isaiah 25), where will a song be sung in Isaiah 26:1? What do the people sing that they have? What does God provide, that functions as “walls and bulwarks” for them? What do they ask to have opened in Isaiah 26:2? What kind of nation enters in? What does this nation keep? Whom does the Lord keep in perfect peace—on what is his mind focused, and in whom does he trust (Isaiah 26:3)? In whom does Isaiah 26:4 teach us to trust? What does versse 4 call Him (cf. footnote)? What does He do to those who are lifted up/proud (Isaiah 26:5)? How far down does He ultimately bring them in verse 5? What happens to them when they are brought down to the dust (Isaiah 26:6)? Who does this to them? What is the way of the just in Isaiah 26:7? What name does this verse call God? Whose path does He level out for them? Where have Yahweh’s people waited for Him (Isaiah 26:8)? What is the desire of their soul? At what times, particularly, has the prophet desired the Lord (Isaiah 26:9)? What will the inhabitants of the world learn when the judgments of Yahweh are displayed upon the earth? 

This week’s Call to Worship, Prayer for Help, Song of Adoration, and Confession of Sin all came from Isaiah 26:1-9. This was so that when we sang together for the opening of Zion’s gates for us to enter and see the Lord, we would see that we are singing the thoughts of God after Him.

And it is He Himself who is the beauty of Zion. In this passage we see the strength of God. His salvation is the protection and strength of the city (Isaiah 26:1), and He Himself is everlasting strength (Isaiah 26:4).

In this passage, we see the mercy of God. In the context of Isaiah, it is marvelous that there is such a thing as a righteous nation that remains faithful. But that is because these things may be had through trusting in the Lord (Isaiah 26:3-4).

In this passage, we see the faithfulness of God. He is the One who keeps His people in perfect peace.

In this passage, we see the justice of God. He lays low the proud and lifts up the humble, preparing a proper path for them to walk in.

In this passage, we see that God is satisfying. He fulfills the desires of His people not merely by providing them other things, but by providing Himself as the fulfilment of their desires.

What impact does God’s strength have on you? His mercy? His faithfulness? etc.

Suggested songs: ARP24 “The Earth and the Riches” or TPH163 “Open Now Thy Gates”

2019.03.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ Genesis 7:1-6

Read Genesis 7:1-6

Questions for Littles: Who speaks in Genesis 7:1? To whom is He speaking? Where does He tell him to come? Who has seen [to it!] that Noah is righteous? Before Whom is Noah righteous? How many pairs of each clean animal is Noah to take (Genesis 7:2)? How many unclean? How many pairs each of the birds (Genesis 7:3)? What reason does verse 3 give? How many more days at this point until God acts (Genesis 7:4)? What is God going to make happen? For how long? What determined what Noah would do (Genesis 7:5)? How much of what was commanded did Noah do? How old was Noah when the floodwaters came on the earth (Genesis 7:6)?

In the Scripture for this week’s sermon, the Holy Spirit points out to us several things about Noah’s salvation from the flood that teach us about our own salvation from Hell—and, ultimately, He teaches us about Jesus, our Savior.

First, we learn that God provides righteousness to Noah. It seems obvious that Noah is different, and that Yahweh has chosen him to be saved and to save humanity, but Yahweh underscores this for him: “I have seen (provided!) that you are righteous before Me.” This is no small righteousness. This is righteousness before the eyes of the Holy, Holy, Holy God—before Him whose eyes are too holy to look upon evil, and who dwells in unapproachable light. This can only be God’s own righteousness. And so only God can provide it. And, we know that it only comes by believing into Jesus.

Next, we learn that worship is the purpose of Noah’s salvation. There is a minimum of seven—probably 14—of every clean animal here. What are they there for? Not eating (yet, Genesis 9:3-4). For the eight of Noah, life is literally over-complicated and over-crowded with worship. The Lord is making it very clear to him (and to us) why they (and we) are being saved: for the worship of God. This points us to Jesus in two ways: first, the ultimate meaning of these sacrifices is not that God delights in roast meat but that God delights in His Son and His Son’s obedience. When we believe into Jesus, God’s delight in Jesus includes us.

Finally, we learn that we are unworthy of salvation. There is a seven-day-long drumroll as they sit in the ark, on the ground, waiting for everything to begin. The perishing people on the outside, and the animals that exist to perish as sacrifices on the inside, are a testimony to them of what they deserve. They are like the thieves on the cross—reminding us that the pouring out of God’s wrath upon Christ is a display of what we deserve and would suffer forever, if we do not believe into Him.

Why do you need Jesus to be your righteousness? Why does God save sinners? How should your unworthiness to be saved make you feel toward Jesus? How should it make you feel toward others?

Suggested Songs: ARP130A “Lord, from the Depths” or TPH425 “How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place”

2019.03.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Genesis 7:1-6

Read Genesis 7:1-6

Questions for Littles: Who speaks in Genesis 7:1? To whom is He speaking? Where does He tell him to come? Who has seen [to it!] that Noah is righteous? Before Whom is Noah righteous? How many pairs of each clean animal is Noah to take (Genesis 7:2)? How many unclean? How many pairs each of the birds (Genesis 7:3)? What reason does verse 3 give? How many more days at this point until God acts (Genesis 7:4)? What is God going to make happen? For how long? What determined what Noah would do (Genesis 7:5)? How much of what was commanded did Noah do? How old was Noah when the floodwaters came on the earth (Genesis 7:6)? 

In the Scripture for tomorrow’s sermon, we learn whom the Lord saved, how the Lord saved him, and why the Lord saved him.

First, we learn whom the Lord saved. He saved Noah. And all his household. And all the animals that were with him. It is tempting to say that the Lord saved “the righteous ones,” (and more on that in a minute), but we would have a singular/plural problem at that point. There is only one righteous one in Genesis 7:1! I have seen (to it!) that you (singular!) are righteous before Me. Salvation from the flood is a lowercase-s salvation, but it imitates capital-s salvation because those who are saved are saved by being considered by God in the righteous one.

Second, we learn how the Lord saved. For seven people, and seven pairs of every bird and clean animal kind, and two (possibly two pairs) of every unclean animal kind, the Lord saved them by placing them with Noah. It was not that they were worthy—it was that they were in someone who is worthy. And the Lord saved them by placing them in an ark. He did not enable them, with assisting grace, to survive the onslaught of the storm for forty days and then to tread water for a year! It was not that they were able—it was that God provided them something that actually was able to survive the storm.

And, the Lord saved them by making Noah righteous. When He says “I have seen,” He uses the same language as in Genesis 22:8 and Genesis 22:14. It is the same verb as “see,” but it means what we mean when we say “I’ll see to that.” It is especially this way with the Lord, who ordains all that He sees. And it is even more especially this way with grace, in which the Lord overcomes guilt and weakness by overruling power. He saved through a provision of righteousness.

Capital-s salvation is like this even more: by the worthiness of a representative, by placing us who could never succeed in saving into a vessel that cannot fail to save, and by providing for us a righteousness that comes from Him alone.

Finally, we learn why the Lord saved. Space on the ark is, obviously, at a premium. The flying birds might serve some important functions, and most don’t take up much room. But seven pairs of every clean animal? Why? Mankind hasn’t even been granted to eat them yet! Well, that’s just the point, isn’t it? Mankind isn’t being saved in order that he might eat. Clean animals were useful primarily for one thing to this point. Sacrifice. Mankind was being saved only to worship!

This is what capital-s salvation is ultimately for. “If You, Yahweh, should count our sins against us, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You that You may be reverenced!” (Psalm 130:3-4).

Where/how can you get worthiness, ability, and righteousness for capital-s salvation?

Suggested Songs: ARP130 “Lord, from the Depths” or TPH130A “Lord, from the Depths to You I Cry!”

2019.03.22 Hopewell @Home ▫ John 1:19-36

Read John 1:19-36

Questions for Littles: What did the Jews want to know from John (John 1:19)? Whom did he say he was not (John 1:20-21)? Who/what did he say that he was (John 1:23)? With what did John baptize (John 1:26)? What did John call Jesus in John 1:29? What did he say Jesus would do? What reason does he give for Jesus being greater than he (John 1:30)? What does John say he saw in John 1:32? With what/whom does John say that Jesus will baptize (John 1:33)? Whom does he say that Jesus is in John 1:34? 

In the Gospel reading this week, the Jews are looking for the Christ, and they wonder if John the Baptizer is He. But he’s not the Christ. He’s not Elijah who would come first (cf. Malachi 4:5). He’s not the Prophet (cf. Deuteronomy 18:15).

Ironically, John didn’t even know it, but Jesus would later identify him as the Elijah who would come (cf. Matthew 17:11-13). What John did now is who Jesus is: Yahweh Himself, come to save us.

First, John identifies himself as going ahead to announce the arrival of the Yahweh (John 1:23, cf. Isaiah 40:3).

Second, even though Jesus is six months younger than John, John says that Jesus is greater than he is, because Jesus was before him (John 1:26-30).

Third, John presents Jesus’ ability to pour out the Holy Spirit as being like John’s ability to pour out water (John 1:33).

Finally, John directly says that Jesus is the Son of God (John 1:34). The son of man is man. The Son of God is God.

Four proofs that John knew Jesus is God—and he still begins to doubt when he’s imprisoned. Let us never be surprised at how our faith can waver!

But even more amazing than the fact that Jesus is God is what He came to be—not just a man, but a lamb. No, not a cute, little, wooly mammal. A sacrifice. A man whose blood would be shed to pay for sins—not just of one man but of men from all over the world.

As God, and the Lamb, there no one whom we must worship but Jesus, and no one whom we must trust in but Jesus.

How have you responded to Jesus’s divinity? To Jesus’s sacrifice?

Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage?” or TPH280 “Wondrous King, All Glorious”

2019.03.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Corinthians 12

Read 1 Corinthians 12

Questions for Littles: What is this passage “concerning” (1 Corinthians 12:1)? What does the apostle want them not to be? What had they been (1 Corinthians 12:2)? Regardless of how they were led, to what kind of idols had they been carried away? What had some who claimed to be speaking by the Spirit said about Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:3)? What were others saying when they were taken over by the Holy Spirit? By what diverse things did this Spirit-speech come (1 Corinthians 12:4)? What is another name for these gifts (1 Corinthians 12:5)? What is another (1 Corinthians 12:6)? But what is there only one of for this (1 Corinthians 12:4)? And only one of (1 Corinthians 12:5)? And only one of (1 Corinthians 12:6)? For whom were these manifestations being given (1 Corinthians 12:7)? What was one kind of word the Spirit gave (1 Corinthians 12:8a)? And another kind of word the Spirit gave (verse 8b)? And what were different signs that the Spirit gave about these words (1 Corinthians 12:9b, 1 Corinthians 12:10a, verse 10b, verse 10c, verse 10d, verse 10e)? And what was the Spirit, the Lord, the God who works all in all, working through these words that were being attested by these signs (1 Corinthians 12:9a, 1 Corinthians 12:11)? How many bodies does Christ have (1 Corinthians 12:12)? What do all members of the body have from the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13)? What do all do into the Spirit? How many members does the body have (1 Corinthians 12:14)? What should a member never say about itself (1 Corinthians 12:15-19)? What should a member never say about another member (1 Corinthians 12:20-21)? What should the members of the body be giving to one another according to 1 Corinthians 12:22-24? What should the members of the body be giving to one another according to 1 Corinthians 12:25? What else should we be doing for one another (1 Corinthians 12:26)? What activity (just as with 1 Corinthians 12:4-11) has the central focus in the roles described in 1 Corinthians 12:28-31? What would the “best gifts” be, and who would have them? What kind of way is the next passage going to describe? 

In this week’s Epistle reading, we hear about spiritual life. Notice that I did not write spiritual “gifts.” That is because they, in fact, are not the focus here. 1 Corinthians 12:1 does not mention gifts, but simply spiritual (things/life).

They had had no spiritual life previously, because they followed idols that could not talk. True, demons sometimes talked (and still were—saying that Jesus was still accursed!). But there was no true revelation, and there was no spiritual life through it.

That was a stark contrast with real spirituality, in real Christianity, which was all through the Word. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the Word. Naturally, everyone wanted to be one through whom the Word came, or through whom the Word-authenticating signs came.

But that wasn’t a role that was for everyone. What were the roles for everyone? Faith—which came only by the work of God the Holy Spirit!... nothing to sniff at!! And recognizing oneself as part of the body. And recognizing others as part of the body. And honoring those in the body who seemed to be the least. And not having division among the body but caring for every single member. And suffering with one another. And rejoicing over one another’s honors.

These were the real evidences of Holy-Spirit-power!

What 1 Corinthians 12 evidences of Holy Spirit power do you see? Can you be a part of?

Suggested songs: ARP51B “God, Be Merciful to Me” or TPH392 “Holy Ghost, Dispel Our Sadness”

2019.03.20 Hopewell @Home ▫ Isaiah 44:1-8

Wednesday, March 20, 2019 ▫ Read Isaiah 44:1-8

Questions for Littles: What does the Lord call Jacob in Isaiah 44:1? What does He call Israel? What does He command them to do in this verse? Who made Israel (Isaiah 44:2)? Who formed them from the womb? To whom does Jacob belong as servant? Who chose them as Jeshurun (the one He makes upright)? What command appears in this verse? What will the Lord do to thirsty one with water in Isaiah 44:3ab? Who does this Water turn out to be in verse 3c? What does it turn out to be in verse 3d? Who are the ones that are parched for the Spirit and blessing of God? What will be the result of the Spirit being poured out upon the descendants of God’s people (Isaiah 44:4)? How does this new life show itself in their words in their understanding of themselves in Isaiah 44:5a? Verse 5b? Verse 5c? Verse 5d? Whom does Yahweh declare Himself to be to Israel in Isaiah 44:6a? Whom does Yahweh of armies declare Himself to be to Israel in verse 6b? What does He declare Himself in verses 6c-d? What relationship does the Word of God have to history in Isaiah 44:7-8? How does He command them to respond in verse 8 (cf. Isaiah 44:2)? 

In this week’s Old Testament reading, we have one of the great passages of the hope of Israel. When the gospel introduced John as the way-preparer of Isaiah 40, they would have very much had in mind chapter 44 as well.

There had always been a true, spiritual Israel within outward covenant Israel—a remnant of the saved within the church (cf. Romans 9:1-13). But God had promised a day when He would pour out His Spirit like water to make a dry and dead and thirsty people into a people who are characterized by vibrant spiritual life (cf. Ezekiel 36:22-29, ff). Those great passages from Ezekiel 36 and Isaiah 44 were part of what was known as “the hope of Israel,” for which the people were waiting (cf. Luke 2:25, Acts 26:6, Acts 28:20). This is also why Jesus expresses shock that Nicodemus doesn’t understand what it means to be born of water and the Spirit (cf. John 3:5-10; John 7:37-39).

And we can understand why Jesus would be astonished. Aren’t these wonderful statements? The Lord takes us into His own service. He brings us as if “from the womb” as His own children. He makes us righteous ones (Jeshurun). He chooses us. He pours out His Spirit upon us like water. He is our Helper. He is our King. He is our Redeemer. And the One who is all these things to us is the only true and living God, the First and the Last, the One who ordains the end from the beginning, the only Rock from whom gushes rivers and floods of living water.

What is the result of the Lord’s declarations about who He is unto us, and what He does for us? What is the result of His pouring out His own Spirit upon us? Spiritual life that makes us to recognize ourselves as His. “I am Yahweh’s,” we say (Isaiah 44:5a). “I am the true Jacob,” we say (verse 5b). “My very identity is to belong to the Lord” (verse 5c). “I am a true Israelite,” we name ourselves (verse 5d).

This is the Spirit’s work within us, and this is our response to baptism, which has been announced since John as the pouring out to which they looked forward in Isaiah 44 and Ezekiel 36. God directs our confidence not to what we are or what we do, but precisely because in baptism He points us to His declaring us as His very own, so also in baptism, He directs us our confidence to be entirely into who and what He is, and what it is that He has done and promised to do!

In whose identity does your baptism tell you to find salvation? In whose work does it?

Suggested songs: ARP23B “The Lord’s My Shepherd” or TPH391 “Come, O Come, Thou Quickening Spirit”