COMFORTED WITH HOPE
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· 53 viewsWe can experience comfort at this season of Advent because of our hope in Christ.
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INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
I found myself looking back in retrospect this week and my mind landed me back in some of those good old days when I was a child and was blessed to sit down and watch some television with my parents and siblings. My dad was a ole country boy at heart, so, one of the shows he used to like to watch on the television was “Hee Haw” (does anybody remember that show?). Well, on that show there was a skit where about 4 fellas sat around drinking moonshine and singing the hillbilly blues. I never shall forget the lyrics to their song:
Gloom, despair, and agony on me; deep dark depression, excessive misery. If it weren’t for bad luck, i’d have no luck at all! Gloom, despair, and agony on me.
While I laughed then, I cry now when I think about the countless number of people who are in that very condition at this present hour. And the truth of the matter is that it has nothing to do with luck at all. We all are prone to suffer from this gloom, despair, and agony simply because we all are a part of this human experience. However, it is quite possible, that some of that gloom, despair, and agony; that deep dark depression and excessive misery may actually be the result of our own making.
SCRIPTURE READING
SCRIPTURE READING
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“Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God.
“Speak kindly to Jerusalem;
And call out to her, that her warfare has ended,
That her iniquity has been removed,
That she has received of the Lord’s hand
Double for all her sins.”
A voice is calling,
“Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness;
Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.
“Let every valley be lifted up,
And every mountain and hill be made low;
And let the rough ground become a plain,
And the rugged terrain a broad valley;
Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
And all flesh will see it together;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
CONTEXT OF THE TEXT
CONTEXT OF THE TEXT
The authorship of the later chapters of Isaiah is debated; the geographical and historical perspective of these chapters shifts from Jerusalem at the turn of the seventh century BC to Babylon in the mid-sixth century BC. As a prophet, Isaiah could have been shown circumstances and events 150 years in the future. But the tone of the speeches in this later section suggests they were written by a contemporary of the events, who pleads with the people to trust God for restoration.
Regardless of the setting and identity of the human author, these chapters have much in common with chs. 1–39. They show a well-planned development of Isaiah’s concerns for Yahweh’s holiness, sovereignty, and plans for restoration of Judah.
Second Isaiah AYBD
40:1 comfort my people The consolation and comfort of Israel is a key theme of chs. 40–55. While oracles of restoration and salvation are interspersed with oracles of judgment throughout chs. 1–39, this part of the books is characterized by a reduced focus on judgment; the prophet’s words of comfort are directed at those who have already been punished (see v. 2).
God is commanding someone to speak to Jerusalem, not speaking directly to Jerusalem. The commands here (“comfort”; “speak tenderly”) are plural, indicating that God is speaking to a group, possibly the members of His divine council (see ; ).
God is commanding someone to speak to Jerusalem, not speaking directly to Jerusalem. The commands here (“comfort”; “speak tenderly”) are plural, indicating that God is speaking to a group, possibly the members of His divine council (see ; ).
He says Comfort My People by giving them hope.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
CENTRAL IDEA
CENTRAL IDEA
The text is tailored to teach us that We, like exiled Judah, can experience comfort at this season of Advent because of our hope in Christ.
POINT 1
POINT 1
Our hope in Christ tells us that He is Our God.
The text says Comfort, O comfort My people, says your God. in the text, God’s people had come to experience distress, affliction, discouragement, and hopelessness because they did not behave as God’s people. God sets certain criteria for His people and He has very real expectations that they conduct themselves as such. According to , Israel was “Ammi” - God’s people.
and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”
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In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.
When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain.
Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel:
‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.
‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;
and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”
So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the Lord had commanded him.
All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!” And Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.
The Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever.” Then Moses told the words of the people to the Lord.
The Lord also said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments;
and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
“You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death.
‘No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.”
So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments.
He said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”
So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.
And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.
When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder.
The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the Lord to gaze, and many of them perish.
“Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, or else the Lord will break out against them.”
Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds about the mountain and consecrate it.’ ”
Then the Lord said to him, “Go down and come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, or He will break forth upon them.”
So Moses went down to the people and told them.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
Israel and Judah had failed miserably; to the extent that the Lord had to teach an object lesson about their unfaithfulness through the prophet Hosea. Hosea fell in love with an unfaithful woman. (are you praying with me?) To this union three children were born: Jezreel (seed sown), Lo-ruhamah (Not pitied), and Lo-Ammi (Not My people). That name represented ultimate tragedy for Israel: dissolution of God’s covenant relationship with them. God was saying to Israel, “Name him Lo-ammi—‘Not my people’—for Israel is not my people, and I am not their God” ().
Although all seemed lost, Hosea’s prophecy did not end on a note of doom. Rather, he foresaw that Israel would repent. In response, God would restore his covenant relationship with them: “And to those I called ‘Not my people,’ I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’ Then they will reply, ‘You are our God!’ ” ().
Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). In Tyndale Bible dictionary (p. 36). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
Somebody in this room today can experience comfort because your Hope in Christ tells you that He is your God.
remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
POINT 2
POINT 2
POINT 2
POINT 2
Our hope in Christ tells us that He has Corrected us.
The tone of the text is not harmful; it is threaded through and through with tenderness. The Lord’s decree was to “Comfort My people, by speaking tenderly”. God said tell m people that I said “they’ve paid more than enough”. The Faithlife Study Bible informs us that “her warfare has ended” can be understood as her compulsory labor is fulfilled The Hebrew term tsava’ can indicate armed service or servitude. The following assertion that she has paid “double” for her sins suggests the context is a prison sentence or penal servitude.
her compulsory labor is fulfilled The Hebrew term tsava’ can indicate armed service or servitude. The following assertion that she has paid “double” for her sins suggests the context is a prison sentence or penal servitude.
Some of you all in here today, remember the famous quote from the original TV series Hawaii Five-0: “You do the crime, you do the time”. When it gets right down to it, Sin is a crime; and in every case and sense, it is a crime against God.
Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.
is paid for The Hebrew here can mean “pardoned” or “paid for.”
In the proper sense, the department of Corrections is suppose to just that: Correct. However, it continues to institutionalize because it too has and continues to commit the crime of sin against God. But, Oh bless His name today, The Lord says to speak tenderly to His people who had sinned against Him that their sentence has ended, that her iniquity has been pardoned (paid for), and that she has received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. The Hebrew term used here (meaning “double” or “two”) only occurs here and in . This context suggests a meaning of “more than enough” rather than specifically “double.” Compare , where Zophar suggests that Job suffers less than he deserves.
The Lord says to speak tenderly to His people who had sinned against Him that their sentence has ended, that her iniquity has been pardoned (paid for), and that she has received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. The Hebrew term used here (meaning “double” or “two”) only occurs here and in . This context suggests a meaning of “more than enough” rather than specifically “double.” Compare , where Zophar suggests that Job suffers less than he deserves.
double for all her sins The Hebrew term used here (meaning “double” or “two”) only occurs here and in . This context suggests a meaning of “more than enough” rather than specifically “double.” Compare , where Zophar suggests that Job suffers less than he deserves.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Is there anybody here today who is being comforted because your hope in Christ tells you that you been corrected. and
For whom the Lord loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
And He scourges every son whom He receives.”
POINT 3
POINT 3
Our hope in Christ tells us that He is Calling us
The text says “A voice is calling”. This verse is quoted in all four Gospels in connection with John the Baptist, who prepares the way for Jesus. A different understanding of syntax (how the phrases were related) has led to the NT (and Septuagint) understanding of “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” versus “in the wilderness prepare.” The Hebrew parallelism connects the phrase with “make straight in the desert.”
This voice is calling out “Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Yes, He is calling us to the highway. The highway through the desert was also described in .
A highway will be there, a roadway,
And it will be called the Highway of Holiness.
The unclean will not travel on it,
But it will be for him who walks that way,
And fools will not wander on it.
No lion will be there,
Nor will any vicious beast go up on it;
These will not be found there.
But the redeemed will walk there,
And the ransomed of the Lord will return
And come with joyful shouting to Zion,
With everlasting joy upon their heads.
They will find gladness and joy,
And sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Did I say He’s calling?
. Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling for you and for me; See, on the portals he's waiting and watching, Watching for you and for me.
Chorus. Come home, come home, Ye who are weary, come home; Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling, O sinner, come home.
2. Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, Pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, Mercies for you and for me?
2. Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, Pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, Mercies for you and for me?
3. Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing, Passing from you and from me; Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming, Coming for you and for me.
4. Oh! for the wonderful love he has promised Promised for you and for me; Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, Pardon for you and for me.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Somebody ought to want to shout, sing, and celebrate that you are experiencing comfort because your hope in Christ tells you that He is calling you.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
There are so many people who need a word of Comfort at this very hour. They have reserved themselves to live out the hillbilly blues: Gloom, despair, and agony on me! Deep dark depression excessive misery. They need to know that they don’t have to stay in that situation, they too can experience comfort if they would place their hope in Christ.
Verse 6-8 mirrors the commission of , when the Lord asks the question “whom shall I send and who will go for us?” I believe that is question that the Lord has for each and every one of us today.
Chorus. Come home, come home, Ye who are weary, come home; Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling, O sinner, come home.
2. Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, Pleading for you and for me? Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, Mercies for you and for me?
Have you ever experience God’s comfort? The Apostle Paul wrote these words in
3. Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing, Passing from you and from me; Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming, Coming for you and for me.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer;
and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.
You ought to be a People of God comforter today: Tell your neighbor “It was for crimes that I had done, he hung upon the tree; amazing pity, grace unknown, and love beyond degree! and comfort them by saying I know he cares for you!
4. Oh! for the wonderful love he has promised Promised for you and for me; Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, Pardon for you and for me.
I gotta leave you here; but, would you help me help somebody? Can you tell somebody: Be not dismayed whatever betide, God will take care of you!
INVITATION
INVITATION
The Christmas holiday season is reported to be for many the most miserable time of the year. But the good news of the gospel is that we can see this season in a different light when we look at it against the background of unfailing love and kindness. Just look at where you are and where you could be; look back at those times when the Lord provided you with comfort and inspired continued hope. See
Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness.
Surely my soul remembers
And is bowed down within me.
This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I have hope in Him.”
