Isaiah Study Notes - Chapter 60

Isaiah Study Notes - Chapter 60

Isaiah Study Notes - Chapter 60

Verses 15-22

December 20, 2017

15 Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.

Forsaken - Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34.  My God, My God why have you forsaken Me.

Hated - John 15:18.  The world hated Me before it hated you.

Isaiah is describing the church during the time he worked with the Word.  The church was forsaken by God.  The name Christian was hated or whatever name the faithful went by such as Israel or Hebrew.

so that no man went through thee - This word picture of a ruined city also describes the church.

I will make thee an eternal excellency - The church struggles and looks like it is crushed but it will not be destroyed.  The gates of hell...

a joy of many generations - Everyone in this city will have joy even though there be martyrs.  A time will come when people will say, I wish I could have listened to Isaiah.  At the time, no one wanted to hear Isaiah.  Note: joy is a gift from God.  You start with no joy.  You receive a little bit of joy at a time.  This joy never goes away.  Happiness is different.  You start with a lot of happiness.  This happiness is slowly lost.  Eventually it is gone.

16 Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

This is not worldly wealth that the kings will give the church.  It is food and clothing.  Some kings will be moved by the plight of the Christians and provide some care for their basic needs.  Paul says (Rom. 8:36), “We are being killed all the day long,” and (1 Cor. 4:9), “God has exhibited us apostles as last of all.”  As the Word spread and the Christians were dispersed throughout the New Testament, the kings were also humbled.  They could not stop the spread of Christianity.  The emphasis is the description of the LORD as Savior and Redeemer.

17 For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.

This is a general saying.  The Lord will change sadness into joy.  He will make good things more precious.  It is like a political candidate promising to make things better during a campaign.  This is the LORD speaking.  thy officers (bishops/pastors) peace (KJV).  your overseers peace (ESV).   Luther: Visitation means episcopate. Thus the word ἐπισκοπεῖν is used in the psalm concerning Judas, “May another take his episcopate” (cf. Ps. 109:8). A bishop is an overseer, a caretaker of his office. Thus Peter says that a bishop must not be a busybody in other men’s affairs (1 Peter 4:15), that is, be hindered by alien cares and tasks. But his own office is to look around and to visit with the Word and sacraments...Your visitation, that is, “your episcopate.” I (the Lord) will furnish the pastors.

18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.

Luther: “I want to take care that there shall be no injury, devastation, and destruction where this Word has been.” Just as above, every calamity will cease when the Word is present. For the godly, instructed in the Word, have peace with God, and they will also have peace with the brother and will harm no one. They will live peaceably with all (Rom. 12:18). Hearts will not be torn and disquieted, but all will be in peace. Injury and disturbance of the peace will be reduced internally and externally.

19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.   20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.  21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.  22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time. (Isa. 60:15-22 KJV)

Third Sunday in Advent

Third Sunday in Advent

Third Sunday in Advent

December 17, 2017

Title:  Jesus is the Mystery of God.

Grace and mercy to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

It is written in 1 Corinthians 4 1This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.  Thus far the text.

Let us pray: Gracious Father, Your Son Jesus Christ, is the mystery of God whom You have made known to us in Your Holy Scriptures.  Grant us faithfulness to Your Word; in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Saint Paul is preaching these Words to the church gathered in Corinth.  It sounds a bit abrasive to us.  Saint Paul is telling the congregation how they regard him as their pastor.  The Corinthians were divided.  In the midst of many divisions, some followed Paul; but some followed Apollos, some followed Peter, some claimed to follow no man but Christ.

Saint Paul admonishes the Corinthian church, This is how one should regard (me and Apollos and Peter), as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.   

Paul says, regard us as servants of Christ.  Do not regard us as great leaders but rather regard us as fellow Christians saved by grace through faith in Jesus just as you are.

Paul also says, regard us as stewards of the mysteries of God.  

Think of stewards like this: the apostles and pastors are given a “power of attorney”.  They are responsible to distribute God’s gifts; according to God’s direction; according to His written Word.  

Think of the mysteries of God like this:  Jesus is the mystery of God who is received by faith.

Paul, Apollos, and Cephas were equally stewards of the mysteries of God.

The same is true for you.  Beginning with Pastor … and up to Pastor Saunders and even me, the Lord has granted you public stewards of the mysteries of God among the saints gathered at Our Savior Lutheran in Muscatine.  They all had the same responsibility: distribute the gifts of God our Father to you.

What is required of stewards?  It is required that they are found trustworthy to what is written in the Holy Scriptures.  They are to believe in Jesus Christ.  But for you, they are to preach and teach and pray and baptize and absolve and commune you regularly.  At the end of many years and decades of trustworthy stewardship, the Lord will commend the steward, saying well done my good and faithful steward.  This is true even if the church does not give a commendation because all they see is shrinking attendance, too many requests for repentance and faith, too little attention to boards and councils and conventions.

I am sometimes asked how this applies to the rest of the church.  The Lord has given you your own sphere of stewardship.  Your sphere includes your mom and dad, your husband or wife, your son or daughter, your employer or employee.  How do you exercise your responsibilities; your stewardship?  Like a pastor, look at what is written.  You have the Ten Commandments.  You are to believe in Jesus Christ.  You are to pray for yourself and others in Jesus name.  Attend the Divine Service.  This is true.  But your stewardship for others is to honor your father and mother.  If mom or dad is not asking you to sin against Jesus then do what they say even if you don’t want to.  This is your stewardship; your responsibility.  Students, do the homework your teacher assigns you whether you like it or not.  This is your stewardship.  Husbands and wives, love and cherish each other.  If your spouse is not asking you to sin against Jesus then do what she says even if you don’t want to.  This is your stewardship; your responsibility.  At the end of many years and decades of trustworthy stewardship, the Lord will commend you, saying well done my good and faithful steward.  Whether your stewardship is as a pastor of the mysteries of God in a little congregation or a bricklayer for a large company, as Christian stewards we are thoroughly furnished unto all good works through the study of Holy Scripture (which) is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16-17 KJV).

You will be found trustworthy because God our Father has sent His only-begotten Son Jesus Christ who did the good work of laying down His life and picking it back up again to fulfill the Ten Commandments and bear your sins and iniquities.

Jesus is the Mystery of God our Father.  I can neither explain this mystery nor will I try.  But, as far a Jesus is revealed in the Holy Scriptures this mystery I will proclaim.  Come quickly, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

The peace of God, which passes understanding, guard and keep your body and soul in Jesus Christ, who is the Mystery of God our Father.  Amen.