Isaiah 44 ✒️ False gods

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Isaiah 44 ✒️ False gods

May 6, 2024 • Dr. Dave Burnette

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1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:

2Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

3For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

4And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.

5One shall say, I am the LORD's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.

6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

7And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.

8Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.

9They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.

10Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?

11Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.

12The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.

13The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.

14He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.

15Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.

16He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:

17And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.

18They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

19And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?

20He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?

21Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.

22I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

23Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.

24Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;

25That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

26That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:

27That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:

28That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

COMMENTARY by Dr. Dave Burnette

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Isaiah

Date Penned: (700-681 BC)

Overview: To Tell of God's Salvation through the Messiah (c 1-66)

Theme: Words of Comfort (c 40-66)

Message: The Idols Are False God's (v 1-28)

Isaiah 44 Commentary

(44:2) Jesurun - Jesurun ("the upright one") is a poetic name of endearment for Israel (Deuteronomy 32:15; 33:5, 26).

(44:3) The Holy Spirit - This great promise of hope was fulfilled at Pentecost, when the promised Holy Spirit was poured out on all believers (Acts 2:1-21; see also Isaiah 32:15=17; Joel 2:28-32; Zechariah 12:10). All Christians can experience the love of God poured into their hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

(44:5) Being Unashamed - The time will come when Israel will be proud of belonging to God. If we are truly God's, we should be unashamed and delighted to let everyone know about our relationship with him (44:8). This seems difficult when so many want to malign Christians for their faith, but Jesus told us not to be ashamed of him (Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26). This passionate delight in God comes when we allow God's Spirit to do his full work of turning our hearts toward him.

(44:8-9) False Idols - Those who manufactured idols were guilty of false advertising. They made big promises, but idols are worthless and helpless. In contrast, God fulfills all his claims and delivers on all his promises. God challenges us to be his witnesses. When we share our faith with those who are searching for meaning in life or have no hope of eternal life, we are not proclaiming anything shoddy or unreliable. God is real, and life with him is best. Pray for boldness to share your faith in Christ with friends, relatives, and neighbors.

(44:8) Only One God - All the nations surrounding Israel worshiped their own gods. Here the Lord makes it clear that only one God exists. All the rest are false or fake gods. They were made up by humans and then prayed for protection and sustenance. Before entering the Promised Land, Moses said, "Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else" (Deuteronomy 4:39). The Ten Commandments state that we should not worship any false god or make any idols (Exodus 20:3-4; Deuteronomy 5:7-8). The end result of idolatry is counting on something that can't help you. Even worse, it is being caught in Satan's web of deception, where he desperately wants you to stay--as far away from the one true God as possible.

(44:9-20) Making Idols - Here Isaiah describes how people make their own gods. How absurd to make a god from the same tree that gives firewood. But we can carve out our own gods too--money, attention, power. If we make a god of our own choosing, we deceive ourselves if we expect it to empower our lives.

(44:11) Sinful Numbers - Sinful people find strength in numbers. They encourage others to join with them in their sinful practices. But sticking together does nothing to change the fact that one day everyone will stand before God in judgment. Paul said that everyone would stand before God to be judged (Romans 14:10), and John's vision described this future event of everyone standing in God's throne room awaiting this judgment (Revelation 20:12). Think twice before joining the crowd; make sure they are standing for the right things.

(44:18-20) Doing Our Own Thing - The people around Isaiah kept their eyes closed and their minds shut. They could not bring themselves to ask if their idols were a lie. Today, people still go their own way and do not take the time to ask if they are living godly lives. Jesus quoted Isaiah, saying, "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them" (Matthew 13:15; see also Isaiah 6:10). Paul quoted the same passage when preaching in Rome (Acts 28:27). Paul also wrote, "having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart" (Ephesians 4:18). Only the Holy Spirit can open the minds and hearts of those who are far from God.

(44:21) Serving Idols - God said that we should serve our creator (177; 40:28; 43:15; 45:9. Idolaters do the opposite-serving or worshiping what they have made rather than the one who made them. Our creator paid the price to set us free from our sins against him. By contrast, no idol ever created anybody, and no idol can redeem us from our sins.

(44:25-26) The Liars - The "liars" were false prophets who claimed to bring messages from God but had not actually heard from him. "Diviners," or fortune-tellers, were people who created fake omens for their own benefit. Because God is truth, he is the standard for all teachings. We can always trust his Word as absolute truth. His Word is completely accurate, and we can measure all other teachings against it. If you are unsure about a teaching, test it against God's Word. God condemned the false prophets because they gave advice opposite to his.

(44:28) Prophecy from Isaiah - Isaiah, who prophesied from about 740 to 681 BC, called Cyrus by name almost 150 years before he ruled (559-530 BC)! Some later historians said that Cyrus read this prophecy and was so moved that he carried it out. Isaiah also predicted that Jerusalem would fall more than 100 years before it happened (586 BC) and that the temple would be rebuilt about 200 years before it happened. No human could guess or forecast that these events would occur. Clearly these prophecies came from God, who alone knows the future.

LIFE APPLICATION by Dr. Dave Burnette

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue in the Book of Isaiah with Chapter 44. In our text today, we see the idols are false gods, and there is only one God. In making applications, we see that today, people still make idols. In making applications today, we see some make idols as in days past while others make things, possessions, sports, work, food, etc., as idols in their lives. They lift their idol above the Lord, and Isaiah reminds us that there is only one God, and He is Lord. How about you? Do you see the idols in your life? Let us learn from our text today and the reminder of our Lord that idols are false gods and there is only one true God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the God of the Bible, the Great I Am.

Isaiah 66 ✒️ A Choice

May 28, 2024 • Dr. Dave Burnette

1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. 3He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. 4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. 5Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. 6A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies. 7Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. 8Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. 9Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God. 10Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: 11That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. 12For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. 13As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. 14And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies. 15For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. 16For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many. 17They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD. 18For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory. 19And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. 20And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD. 21And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD. 22For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. 23And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. 24And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. COMMENTARY by Dr. Dave Burnette Written By: God through Inspiration Penned By: Isaiah Date Penned: (700-681 BC) Overview: To Tell of God's Salvation through the Messiah (c 1-66) Theme: Words of Comfort (c 40-66) Message: The World will see God's Goodness (v 1-24) Isaiah 66 Commentary (66:1) Even the beautiful temple in Jerusalem was woefully inadequate for the God who created everything and is present everywhere. God cannot be confined to any human structure (see 2 Chronicles 6:18; Acts 7:48-50). This chapter is a fitting climax to the book of Isaiah. God will lift up the humble, judge all people, destroy the wicked, bring all believers together, and establish the new heavens and new earth. Let the hope of this encourage you each day. (66:2-3) Humility - These key verses summarize Isaiah's message. He contrasted two ways of living: that of humble persons who have a profound reverence for God's messages and their application to life, and that of those who choose their own way. The sacrifices of the arrogant were only external compliance. In their hearts, these people were murderers, perverts, and idolaters. God shows mercy to the humble, but he brings down the proud and self-sufficient (see Luke 1:51-53). Our society urges us to be assertive and to affirm ourselves, but don't let your freedom and right to choose lead you away from God's pathway to eternal life. (66:7-9) Unstoppable - God will not leave his work of national restoration unfinished. In this image of childbirth, God shows that he will accomplish what he has promised quickly. It will be as unstoppable as the birth of a baby. And this time, the birth will happen so fast that it will skip the birth pains. Jerusalem will be quickly reinhabited, and the rejoicing will follow. (66:15-17) The Second Coming - This is a vivid picture of the great judgment that will occur at Christ's second coming (2 Thessalonians 1:7=9). In the Bible, smoke and fire often represent God. His fire will ultimately punish and purify the world. (See the note on Isaiah 30:27.) (66:19) Missionaries - God's people have, in fact, gone out as missionaries to all parts of the earth--to Tarshish (Spain), to the Libyans in northern Africa (Pul), to the Lydians (Lud) in western Asia Minor, to northeastern Asia Minor (Tubal), and to Greece (Javan). (66:22-24) Faithful - Isaiah brings his book to a close with great drama. For the faithless, he presents a sobering portrayal of judgment. For the faithful, he paints a glorious picture of their rich reward: Through him, God says, "So shall your seed and your name remain." The contrast is so striking that we would think everyone would want to be God's follower. But we are often just as rebellious, foolish, and reluctant to change as the Israelites were. We are just as negligent in feeding the hungry, working for justice, obeying God's Word, and taking up his causes. Make sure you are among those who will be richly blessed. LIFE APPLICATION by Dr. Dave Burnette Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue in the Book of Isaiah with Chapter 66. In our text today, the world will see God's goodness as Isaiah ends. In this chapter, Isaiah summarizes how we can choose God and apply His Word to our lives versus living for ourselves. In making an application, we see we still have a choice and free will to choose or reject Christ. In doing so, we will suffer the consequences now and for eternity. Regardless of our choice, we will bow our knees and confess that Jesus is Lord before we enter our eternal choice. How about you? What choice have you made? Let us learn from our text today and the book of Isaiah to remember that we have a choice. If we choose Jesus Christ, our sins will be forgiven, and we will have an eternal home in Heaven.

Isaiah 65 ✒️ Just Passing Through

May 27, 2024 • Dr. Dave Burnette

1 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. 2I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; 3A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; 4Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; 5Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. 6Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom, 7Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom. 8Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all. 9And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. 10And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me. 11But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number. 12Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not. 13Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: 14Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. 15And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: 16That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes. 17For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19And 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. 20There 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. 21And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. 22They 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. 23They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. 24And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 25The 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. COMMENTARY by Dr. Dave Burnette Written By: God through Inspiration Penned By: Isaiah Date Penned: (700-681 BC) Overview: To Tell of God's Salvation through the Messiah (c 1-66) Theme: Words of Comfort (c 40-66) Message: The New Heavens and the New Earth (v 1-25) Isaiah 65 Commentary (65:1) A Gospel for All - The Israelites considered themselves to be the only people of God, but the time would come when other nations would seek him. Paul mentions Isaiah's statement in Romans 10:20 and points out that these other nations were the Gentiles. God's people today are those who accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. The gospel is for every person. Do not ignore or reject anyone when it comes to sharing the gospel. You may be surprised at how many people who are different from you are sincerely searching for God. (65:3:5) Hypocrites - God said these people directly disobeyed his laws when they worshiped and sacrificed to idols (Exodus 20:1-6), consulted the dead and evil spirits (Leviticus 19:31), and ate forbidden foods (Leviticus 11). But they were so perverse that they still thought they were spiritually superior to everyone else. Jesus called such people hypocrites (Matthew 23:13-39). (65:6) Judgement - God said he would pay back the people for their sins. Judgment is not our job but God's because he alone is just. Who else knows our hearts and minds? Who else knows what is a completely fair reward or punishment? Leave judgment of others up to God. If he were to give us what we deserve, he would wipe us out. Instead, pray for his mercy. (65:8-9) A Faithful Remnant - God will always preserve a faithful remnant of his people. No matter how bad the world is, there will always be some who remain loyal to him and call him Father. Jesus made this point in Matthew 13:36-43- (65:10) The Valley of Achor - Sharon is a plain in the western part of Israel. The valley of Achor is in the east, near Jericho. The valley of Achor was also called the Valley of Trouble because Achan was executed there for hiding goods he had taken during battle, which had been set apart for the Lord (Joshua 7:10-26). Even in this troubled valley, peace will come. Restoration will be complete. (65:11-12) Fortune and Destiny - Some people today seem to be worshiping these same gods of Troop and Number (Fortune and Destiny). They deny that God deeply cares for all people, wants to have a relationship with each of them, and wants to guide their lives. These people believe their futures are controlled by some capricious, impersonal force. Often, they have given up on leading moral lives because they believe doing so doesn't matter. When you talk to someone like this, show the personal, loving way Jesus worked with people and the rich plan he offers (John 10:10). (65:17-25) A New Heaven and New Earth - Here is a pictorial description of the new heavens and new earth. They are eternal, and in them safety, peace, and plenty will be available to all (see also 66:22-23; 2 Peter 313; Revelation 21:1). The peaceful descriptions in Isaiah 65:25 show us that animals will no longer fear predators. The reference to snakes eating dust represents the final destruction of all evil. This passage is about the future reign of Jesus on earth, when sin and death will have finally been destroyed. Eternal life in this place is the great reward for all who believe in him. LIFE APPLICATION by Dr. Dave Burnette Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue in the Book of Isaiah with Chapter 65. In our text today, we see the new heavens and earth, reminding us that we are just passing through this world where we live. Our lives are a vapor as we are here today and gone tomorrow. In applying, we see the importance of doing His Work and His Will by sharing the Gospel with those we come in contact with daily. How about you? Do you Share the Gospel? Let us learn from our text today and the words of Isaiah to remember that life is just a vapor. We must take advantage of the time we are given to share the Gospel with all we come in contact with.

Isaiah 64 ✒️ The Potter and The Clay

May 26, 2024 • Dr. Dave Burnette

1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, 2As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! 3When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence. 4For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. 5Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved. 6But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. 7And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. 8But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. 9Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people. 10Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation. 11Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste. 12Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore? COMMENTARY by Dr. Dave Burnette Written By: God through Inspiration Penned By: Isaiah Date Penned: (700-681 BC) Overview: To Tell of God's Salvation through the Messiah (c 1-66) Theme: Words of Comfort (c 40-66) Message: The Lord is the Potter (v 1-12) Isaiah 64 Commentary (64:1-6) God's Mercy - God's appearance is so intense that it is like a consuming fire that burns everything in its path. If we are impure, how can we be saved? Only by God's mercy. The Israelites had experienced God's presence at Mount Sinai. When God met with Moses, there was a thunderstorm, smoke, and an earthquake (Exodus 19:16-19). If God were to meet us today, his glory would overwhelm us, especially when we look at our "filthy rags." (64:6) A Hope in Jesus Christ - Sin makes us unclean so that we cannot approach God any more than a person in filthy rags could dine at a king's table (see 6:5; Romans 3:23). Our best efforts are still infected with sin. Our only hope, therefore, is faith in Jesus Christ, who can cleanse us and bring us into God's presence (Romans 3). (See the notes on Titus 2:14; 3:4-8; Hebrews 9:13-14; 10:21-22 on how we are cleansed today.) This passage can easily be misunderstood. It doesn't mean that God will reject us if we come to him in faith, nor that he despises our efforts to please him. It means that if we come to him demanding acceptance on the basis of our "good" conduct, God will point out that our righteousness is but filthy rags compared to his infinite righteousness. This message is primarily for the unrepentant person, not the true follower of God. LIFE APPLICATION by Dr. Dave Burnette Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue in the Book of Isaiah with Chapter 64. In our text today, we see the Lord is the Potter, and we are the Clay. In applying, we see that the Lord shapes us and molds us with situations and circumstances in our lives. Today, we see that the Lord is still working on us no matter what stage of Christianity we are in. The Potter knows how much pressure and water are needed to mold us into vessels of honor fit for the master's use. How about you? Do you see the Lord working in your life? Let us learn from our text today with the example of the Lord being the Potter and we are the Clay to remember that the Lord is working on us with the situations and circumstances of our lives.