Isaiah 56

Intro

Intro

Group Intro

- Goal

We are to eagerly hunger for spiritual nutrition in greater degrees - Spiritually mature

Regardless of your background or where you are in your relationship with Jesus, you are called to grow

- What we do

Scripture

Prayer

Community

Review

3rd Servant song

The mystery of glorification and suffering of the servant

The servant’s life of suffering

The purpose of suffering -

Substitutionary atonement

Resolves the tension of the OT - God is Just and the Justifier

The servant’s death of suffering - No complaint, willing

Mystery revealed

This was God’s plan - Not just an angry old man

Sin was taken, but righteousness is also given

Leads to this restored people

Out of His unique, ultimate suffering, Christ is uniquely, ultimately glorified

Lesson Intro

With a wondrous truth like this, what is left to be said? We have seen the core of the gospel, why Jesus came, how to be made right with God. Is that not enough?

In some ways it is hard to imagine what more needs to be said after ch.55 concludes. Why did Isaiah add anything more? What more could be added to the promises of return to the land and the forgiveness of sin by the pure grace of God? ... Something about the theology of chs. 1-55 is not complete. - Oswalt

* * * In some ways it is hard to imagine what more needs to be said after ch.55 concludes. Why did Isaiah add anything more? What more could be added to the promises of return to the land and the forgiveness of sin by the pure grace of God? ... Something about the theology of chs. 1-55 is not complete. - Oswalt

Particularly in the reformed tradition, it is easy to focus exclusively on justification in the chain of salvation. But that is one link.

Questions brought up and addressed in 56-66

How should we now live? In what way and by what power?

Who receives this grace?

Will it extend past the traditional recipients? How will it reach them?

Will this grace mean it is ok to be apathetic?

In historical terms, what was the purpose of the exile and return?

The great temptation of the return will be to rest in the glories of unconditional election and strong hope. But to do that would be to miss the point of election and to frustrate the hope. Oswalt

* * * * * The great temptation of the return will be to rest in the glories of unconditional election and strong hope. But to do that would be to miss the point of election and to frustrate the hope. Oswalt

There is ultimately a tension in the book that needs to be resolved

7-39 - Live a righteous life because sin brings destruction

40-55 - You will receive grace that depends on nothing

Wrong answers to this problem

Can I be elect and then live however I want?

Am I back to square one?

Are those who have been delivered from their sins by the grace of God simply doomed to profane God's name again? Oswalt

To bring back the starting question of , How will this sinful, broken Israel be that holy Israel fulfilling God's mission?

* * * * o bring back the starting question of , How will this sinful broken Israel be that holy Israel fulfilling God's mission?

Characteristics of a waiting people (Motyer) in 56-66

Positive characteristics -

Motyer, J. A. (1996). The prophecy of Isaiah: an introduction & commentary (p. 462). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

This is the year of the Lord's favor - the year of Jubilee

Good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, comfort all who mourn - bad situations will be made good

Called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified - we will stand like 300yr old live oaks as a testimony to God

Strangers shall tend your flocks, but you shall be called the priests of the Lord - We will have our needs met and we will focus on God and doing his work, fulfilling our purpose

Negative characteristics -

Your hand are defiled with blood, your lips have spoken lies

A Redeemer will come to those who turn from

Human inability for holiness is contrasted with God’s ability to glorify them

There is a final glory in the future in , , & 65

The mixed life of God’s people now

The Christian life has more tensions, more gray areas, seeming contradictions

This comes from living between the already and not yet

To be more precise, it is not so much gray as it is black and white mixed together

Truth mixed with error

WCF 25.5 The purest Churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error: and some have so degenerated, as to become no Churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan. Nevertheless, there shall be always a Church on earth, to worship God according to His will.

Not endorsing or accepting error, but acknowledging its presence

It is not just churches, but denominations, our grasp of theology, our lives and relationships

Comes from two sources

Some is false teachers

Wolves in sheep’s clothing -

Nearly every NT book addresses false teachers

Some is immaturity and the nature of living in between Calvary and Zion

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Do you feel this tension inside you? Do you see this tension in the church? So what are we called to do as wait for heaven in the middle of this tension? What will God do?

We would indeed be blind not to observe that 56:1 reflects precisely where the church stands today: looking back to the once-for-all redemption at Calvary (52:13–53:12) and awaiting a final divine act which will rescue the church from sin, failure and opposition and deal finally with any and every counterforce. Motyer

Read

We saw God was preparing this Servant

He was like a sharp arrow, but hidden in a quiver

He would bring Jacob back to God, and if that wasnt enough, he would bring all the nations too

This would culminate in a relationship, that was intimate like a mother and her nursing child and permanent like tattoo on your hand

Context

This will be another “servant song” that will continue those themes

Yet this is kind of a crescendo

Climax of the gospel in the OT - Motyer

NT writers recognized this - quoted/alluded to 31 times

It will resolve the main tension of the OT between a sinful people and a holy God

Yahweh, Yahweh, a God merciful and gracious... forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty

Saw it in every story in Judges

How can a holy God keep His promise in remember our sins no more?

How this salvation and peace that Isaiah has been preaching will come about?

Now What - v.1-2

( )

This is a pattern of the Christian life

Thus says the Lord - Here is how God says we should live

Structure

Two commands in v.1

5 Stanzas

Inclusio pattern (bracketed)

Keep Justice

Keep God’s law - external actions

What are some examples of this?

Do Righteousness

First and last - Mystery hidden and Mystery revealed

Second and fourth - life and death of the servant

God’s character - internal motivations

What are some examples of this?

Core truth in the middle

Two patterns in v. 2

Pray and then read

Note that these are both continuous imperfect verbs

It is an ongoing, continuous pattern of action

This is the defining lifestyle and habit of God’s people

Keeps the Sabbath - Why is this one given?

This is a vertical command

A ceremonial recognition of what God has done

Two reasons given in the 10 commandments

Creation - God rested on the 7th day

Exodus - God delivered His people

This is a recreation, being born again

It is an anticipation of what God will do

Sabbath rest of New Jerusalem (which will be unpacked in these final chapters)

This becomes the measuring stick of holiness in God’s people for the rest of Isaiah

Keeps his hand from doing any evil

This is a horizontal command

God’s definition of evil

Why - Both God as creator and God as savior give Him the right to set the rules

He defines what is right and wrong for his people

Sometimes we try to separate ethics from worship

Ex. It doesnt matter what your faith is in, as long as it makes you a better person

But this is a manmade distinction

It asserts our independence from God

It often leads into human defined right and wrong (ex. homosexuality is good because of they are consenting adults engaged in love)

On the other hand we sometime create religious systems that dont intersect our lives

Often leveled against catholics, but protestants are just as bad

* * * * hus avoidance of evil is to be an expression of worship, and true worship must issue in a life of hatred for all that the adored one hates - Oswalt, 456

etc.

Thus avoidance of evil is to be an expression of worship, and true worship must issue in a life of hatred for all that the adored one hates - Oswalt, 456

Motivation of God’s people

Reset of expectations of triumphant Israelites who might see the return from the exile as proof they were untouchable

This is a Dash of cold water on those expecting salvation without a changed life

This is a Dash of cold water on those expecting salvation without a changed life

It means we cannot rest on election

So is this works based religion? Or is it by grace?

What is the reasons given by the text?

Soon my salvation will come

My righteousness revealed

This is salvation by grace that leads to works

Note the preposition - For

Because of my coming salvation

This is a response to salvation, not a prerequisite

Notice the benefits are future, not present

The people are not doing this out of a pure pragmatic cost/benefit analysis

The people are waiting by faith in a future completion of their salvation

As they wait, they obey out of hope

Motivation

Wrong motivation for holiness - human ability

We have seen over and over in ch. 1-39 that the people are unable to do this

And even in the coming chapters we will see the inadequacy of God’s people to be holy on their own, even after being saved

Right motivation #1 - Imitation

Be holy as I am holy - , , 1

We are made in the image of God

As Thomas wants to imitate me in all that I do, how much more should we want to imitate our loving Father

Right motivation #2 - appreciation

We see what God has done for us, and that melts our hearts to our self-seeking sin

Jesus says If you love me, you will keep my commandments - John 14:15

Relationship of this life of holiness (sanctification) to our being made right with God (justification)

, What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? …  For one who has died has been set free from sin.

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7

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? …  For one who has died has been set free from sin.

We are now in a restored relationship and know more deeply the character of our God - so we are able to imitate

We see what God has done for us at the cross - so we now have appreciation for our loving Father (instead of halfhearted obedience to a task master)

Proper construction -

Proper construction -

Do righteousness because my righteousness will be revealed

Imputation of righteousness first, which fuels righteous behavior

Misunderstandings of the relationship between sanctification and justification

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Misunderstanding of the relationship between sanctification and justification

Swapping the order - I work so that I will be right with God

Infusion (Roman Catholic) - God makes me righteous, and this merit makes me approved in his presence

Confusing the two together, instead of keeping them distinct

Evangelical version - My faith is a merit which makes me righteous

Perfection

Either there can be, or must be, perfection in sanctification this side of death

Sometimes associated with the second baptism of the Spirit as a sign of this perfection of sanctification

Dramatic examples of God’s redemption - v. 3-7

Two examples are given. They would be shocking and dramatic to the original audience - v. 3

Example #1 - the Foreigner

This would not be a child of Abraham, not part of God’s people

- certain foreigners were not allowed in the temple

Here he is expressing fear of separation from the true people of God and the salvation and blessing that is found there

Example #2 - The Eunuch

Eunuch - a male whose sexual organs are deformed or not present

Obviously could be a birth defect

Or could be a mutilation

Sometimes for pagan religious acts

Sometimes empire officials had to be eunuchs for loyalty (the thought process was he could have no sons, so he would be less likely to overthrow the king to start his own dynasty)

(the thought process was he could have no sons, so he would be less likely to overthrow the king to start his own dynasty)

Big deal as it separated the the person from the worship of God

- He could not enter the Assembly of the Lord

This may seem extreme, but it taught important points

This may seem extreme, but it taught important points

Sexuality is a good part of God’s creation. While we are not to worship it, neither are we to condone its destruction - Oswalt

This likely was a symbol that God expected perfect people in His presence (think passover lamb)

Big deal as the curse of being childless was a much bigger deal in those days

An obstacle to personal fulfillment

Today we have this crushing desire for career success that is infused into the culture

Similarly, the near east had a crushing priority on children and passing on the family name and legacy

Want to be careful - I am not saying that being barren is not painful for many people here and now, and that they dont experience pressure from family or culture in this area.

But I am saying that it was a inescapable social pressure then. You would be defined by whether or not you had children

amplified by the fact it was a sign of being under the direct curse of God

The covenant listed many curses - poor harvests, invasion by enemies

This was another prominant curse in the list -

So the logic would seem to work backwards - those who couldnt have kids didnt just have a personal desire blocked, they were under the curse and so not loved by God

We see this dramatic tension several times

Sarah, Rachel, Hannah

Each of these cases it led to family conflict

And there is an underlying questioning of whether God really loved them

The Eunuch receives a name - v. 4-5

Characteristics - Not all without exception, but those defined by certain characteristics

Not all without exception, but those defined by certain characteristics

Keep the Sabbath

Choose the things that please God

Hold fast to the covenant

Continual imperfects - this is an ongoing lifestyle, an unstopping pattern

Notice they match v. 1-2

Blessing

Will give a name

A legacy better than sons or daughters

Blessing meets the need at its deepest point

In my house and within my walls

House = temple

The eunuch will be welcome in a place previously off limits

Not just welcome, but will be given a legacy (monument)

This is a heavenly, not an earthly blessing

Matches previous characterization of salvation and blessing as future

But it is a blessing that cannot be lost like a last name that can be extinguished

Store up treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy -

Foreigners will give acceptable worship -v. 6-7

Which foreigners?

Characteristics

Join themselves to the Lord and Minister to Him

Minister to Him

Love His name and His people

Love His people

Keeps the Sabbath and Holds fast to the covenant

Holds fast to the covenant

Notes

They are not in it for personal benefit, but because they love the Lord

This not just holding to a theoretical theological system or a philosophy - this is an active personal relationship

Blessing -

Will be brought to the holy mountain and the house of prayer

This is imagery of the temple and New Jerusalem

No longer afraid of separation, but Will be made joyful there

Their sacrifices are accepted

Their worship is accepted

Nature of God’s people - v. 7-8

God house will be defined by diversity - House of prayer for all peoples

What this is not

Not universalism - all without exception. It is all kinds of people

Not inclusive of unrepentant sinners

Our culture wants to define diversity beyond God-defined attributes (race, personality) to human defined categories that embrace sin (sexuality)

Sometimes in this mission, the church waters down the moral conclusions of the gospel to minimize the offense of the message

Wont be able to cover in detail, but Isaiah spends a lot of time detailing how repentance is a key aspect of the christian life

As has been shown, all are sinners. But those accepted in God’s presence embrace God’s covenant and Sabbath through the sanctifying grace that follows justification

This diversity is not a concession but a fulfillment; this is what the Lord’s house was always meant to be - Motyer

Heaven will not look like FPC Pooler, the PCA, or the American church

It is easy to try and make the church into our image

How do we do this?

God is the one who will gather this diverse people to Himself

Two groups of people

He will bring back the Outcasts of Israel

These are not geographic exiles, but spiritual ones

Ones who had been cut off by their sin, God pursuing the lost sheep

He will gather others besides these - gentiles

God is the one doing the action

This is not gym for those looking to improve themselves, or a clan inherited by blood, but a hospital for those God has rescued

God will pursue His people, justify them by the substitutionary atonement of Jesus, and will lead them into sanctification by that grace

Future passages on sanctification

Failure of the leaders and the unfaithful worship of Israel - rest of 56:9-57:13

Importance of repentance and heart worship in God’s people - 57:14 - 58

The actions that come out of the heart - 59

This all leads to the day of final judgment and salvation