anitasanecdotes

In Isaiah 51 and 52 God tells his people not to fear their oppressors. God will deliver them from those who would do them harm. They need not fight the battle themselves because God will go before them. They need not be afraid because God is their Redeemer. The people need to trust in Him alone. He is the one who has the power to defeat their enemies.

We live much of our lives in fear. We are afraid of the economy, the government, war, violence, illness. We forget that God is with us. God is fighting our battle for us. We rest in the shadow of his hand. He protects us and brings us through difficult times. If we allow ourselves to be consumed with fear we let our enemies win. If we trust in the Lord and believe that He is in charge and has already worked toward their defeat we win the battle. We need to keep ourselves pure in obedience and trust to God. God is faithful. God will prevail. That is our reality as people of faith. If we live in that reality we will also prevail because of Him.

Hebrews 9 compares the ritual of atonement offered by the high priest with the complete atonement granted by Jesus our perfect High Priest. Each year the high priest went into the holy of holies to offer sacrifices of atonement not only for the people but for himself as well as a condition of the old covenant. Because the blood was of a lamb or heifer it did not permanently atone for the people’s sins. This ritual must be carried out each year. Jews to this day observe this Day of Atonement Yom Kippur, although they no longer sacrifice since the temple does not exist.

Jesus didn’t just go into the Holy of Holies here on earth, which is a representation of the throne of God in heaven, he went into heaven and stands even now before God Himself on our behalf. He became the perfect sacrifice, a human for humanity, so that once for all our sins have been atoned. This is not a copy but the true atonement. Christ is our mediator of the new covenant God has made with us through Jesus. He no longer needs to deal with our sin only with our salvation.

Isaiah 49 and 50 begin several chapters that refer to the suffering servant of the Lord. We who are Christians believe they speak directly of Jesus. As we read these passages we can aspects of Jesus life, death and ultimate victory. Even as Jerusalem cries out to God, the Lord assures it that it has been inscribed on the palms of His hands. We are inscribed in the nail prints on Jesus’ hands. He does not and cannot forget us. He is the one who loves us with an everlasting love whom we have rejected. But that rejection was necessary for our redemption. He is the one who obeys God’s commands eves when it is costly. We are called to listen to His voice.

Hebrews 8 speaks of the fact that the first covenant with God’s people was based upon the law. Its fault was in that it required us to be faithful to it. Since we cannot keep the covenant it is easily broken and always in need of reconciliation and restoration. God has established a new covenant in the life of Jesus. The law is no longer written on stone or paper. It is placed within our hearts. Its fulfillment is not based upon our ability to keep it but on Christ’s ability. Jesus mediates for us and God’s mercy is extended to us through Him.

In Isaiah 47 God speaks to Babylon and Chaldea. He explains that they only came to power because He was angry with His people. They may have thought that they would be powerful forever and that their wealth would remain but God is still in control. They will be brought down because of their sinfulness.

In Isaiah 48 God speaks to Israel. He tells them that now they are free from Babylon. But He reminds them that if they had kept His commandments they would not have had to go through this suffering. He reminds them that He told them about this long ago. As we remember God told the people in the wilderness that if they kept His commandments they would be blessed but if they did not they would be punished. This punishment should not have come as a surprise to them. God calls them a rebel people.

God is saving His people for His own sake, not for theirs. They have been tested and now He is saving them.

We, too, know that it is better to follow in the Lord’s way than to take our own path. But we are a rebellious people. We try to take control. And we will bear the consequences of our actions. But it is comforting to know that God is still there and wants to save us from ourselves and our bad decisions. When we recognize that God is still in control and surrender ourselves to Him He embraces us with His steadfast love. We are God’s people even when we don’t know it. We are God’s people even when we deny it. God is always faithful.

Hebrews 7 is a continuation of the last chapter. The writer is comparing Jesus to the high priest Melchizedek, who was actually the King of Salem. His name is significant because it means king of righteousness, the word Salem means peace so he is also the king of peace. Melchizidek blessed Abraham and Abraham gave him one-tenth of his spoils. This is the beginning of the concept of the tithe where we give one-tenth of our earnings to the Lord as an offering. We often do not speak about this kind of giving anymore. There are many who will feel that it is an imposition to give that amount to the church. The concept of the tithe is to give to God first before you have spent your money. At that point you may spend the 90% however you wish. Since the tithe is already given it is easier to deal with the remainder rather than waiting to give to God and finding other ways to spend your money instead of giving it to the church.

Jesus was not in Aaron’s line or the line of Levi and yet God anoints him as High Priest. This is the same as Melchizedek who did not come from Abraham’s line and yet was able to bless him. Jesus is our Ling of Righteousness and our King of Peace. It is through him that we may approach God. He intercedes for us and makes atonement for our sins permanently. While the Levitical priests were fallible and prone to weakness, Jesus is infallible and is perfect. This is the High Priest of the new covenant.

Isaiah 45 and 46 speak of Cyrus, God’s chosen anointed one, who will save the people of Israel and rid the nation of idols. Cyrus is from Persia and yet he is righteous. He respects the God of Israel. Because of this, God will bless him in battle. Finally, the people of Israel will stop seeking after idols. They will turn once again to their God.

God speaks to Cyrus and tells him the He calls Cyrus by name and gives him his surname even though Cyrus doesn’t know God. God knows and chooses us before we even know His name. God gives us His name and calls us His own.

God orders righteousness to rain down upon the earth so that salvation may spring up. While this statement is God’s command, it could also be our prayer: “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation may spring up, and let it cause righteousness to sprout up also.”

The Lord reminds His people that He has always been there. He has not been hidden. He knows that they will give up their idols and will be a light to the world. Everyone will bow to the Lord.  God’s purpose will win out over all those who tray to lead the people astray. Even those who have stubbornly turned away will know God’s deliverance.

Psalm 107 speaks of God’s steadfast love. When God’s people have found themselves in trouble either by their own hand or by others they cry out to the Lord and the Lord saves them. Time and time again, God has been faithful. God deserves our thanks and praise.

Isaiah 43 and 44 continue in the same vein as the preceding chapters. God repeats his love for Israel. He affirms that they are His chosen people. He continues to offer them forgiveness. He reminds them that they gods our powerless and cannot help. God lets the people know that Cyrus will be the one who will rebuild Jerusalem and the temple.

Hebrews 6 encourages the readers to remember the foundational teachings and not fall back into old teachings that are no longer true. So many of the Jewish Christians wanted to fall back into the old ways of circumcision and sacrifice. They forgot the Christ fulfilled all of that. The writer is having to go over things that they should already know and accept. He accuses those who go back to the old teachings of crucifying Christ all over again. He exhorts them to move forward in faith.

Isaiah 41 and 42 contain several repeated phrases: my servant…whom I have chosen; do not fear…I am with you; I am your God/the Lord. Even though the people will be going through tough times God wants them to know that they are the chosen ones with whom he has made a covenant. They do not need to fear because He will save them.

God spends a great deal of time reminding them that He is God, the Lord. These idols…these gods will not help them. They are not the real deal. God has prepared the earth for his people and they will have power over it.

There is a reference about a man from the north who will be sent by God. It is a reference to King Cyrus of Persia who ultimately delivers them from Babylon. But the reference presents a type of Messiah whose description can apply to Jesus.

Hebrews 5 compares Jesus with the high priests who act on behalf of the people. Being mere humans they must also sacrifice for their own sins. Jesus became not only the High Priest but also the sacrifice and now is able to save all who obey him.

The writer laments that he is unable to go into deeper detail with the readers because they can only handle spiritual milk. Often when in a church the members have not continued their study of the word, the pastor is forced to be superficial in teaching. The congregation cannot handle being challenged by deeper things. We all are responsible to continue our learning or we, like the readers of Hebrews, will become dull in understanding.

Isaiah 39 tells of Hezekiah’s poor judgment trusting the King of Babylon. Isaiah informs the king that Babylon will one day take all of the treasures he showed Babylon’s king.

Isaiah 40 returns to prophecy. It speaks words of comfort. The time of judgment will pass. God will again make things right for Jerusalem.

We find yet another of the Messianic prophecies. This speaks of the good shepherd who will take care of his flock. Jesus calls himself the good shepherd and in the minds of his Jewish followers these words would be remembered.

Despite the power of the nations that come against Jerusalem, none can compare with the power of our almighty God. Things may seem impossible but God will prevail. People are like grass they are temporary on the earth but God is eternal. God measured out the earth in His hands. He is ultimately greater than any god humans can create. God is greater than any foe.

When we encounter hopeless situations we need to remember that God is always there. He never sleeps or gets tired. In the wisdom of His time he will lift us up.

Psalm 106 recounts the inconstancy of the people of God. Time and time again the people forgot that the Lord is their God. They trusted in other nations. They trusted in other gods. They broke the covenant God had established with them. They brought upon themselves the punishment promised in that covenant as a result of disobedience and lack of faith. But God is always constant. Whenever the people cry out to Him he responds and shows compassion. No matter how often we stray God is always there. He remembers the covenant.

Isaiah 37 and 38 are a continuation of the retelling of events between Kings Hezekiah of Judah and Sennacherib of Assyria as first told in 2 Kings. The Lord rewards Hezekiah’s faithfulness by confusing the Assyrian troops. Unfortunately, God also tells Hezekiah that future kings will not be faithful and the Assyrians will return and conquer Jerusalem.

Hebrews 4 speaks of entering into God’s rest through Christ. This was established as the Sabbath rest by God at creation. Now it is received “today” by those who put their trust in Him through Christ. God knows the intentions of our hearts and whether we are truly putting our trust in him. God sees us as we are and knows our every sin but Jesus as our great High Priest. He knows our weaknesses and has conquered our sin. Now we can approach the throne of grace with boldness and receive mercy.

Isaiah 35 is considered to be a prophecy about Jesus. It is often read during Advent. It speaks of God’s establishment of his kingdom. God’s people will walk on the Holy Way where no one shall go astray. All will be healed and made whole. Everyone who has been ransomed by the Lord will return to Zion, sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Isaiah 36 recounts the coming of King Sennacherib of Assyria to defeat Jerusalem. Hezekiah is king and despite the taunts of Assyria Hezekiah remains faithful to God. The Assyrians try to turn the people against Hezekiah out of fear for what might happen to them. They encourage the people to turn to other gods. The people do not respond but come to Hezekiah and tell him what the Assyrians have said.

Hebrews 3 compares Jesus to Moses. While Moses was a faithful servant to God Jesus is God’s son and has charge of God’s house. Jesus is the apostle and high priest of our confession.

We are told to encourage each other as long as it is called “today” to keep the faith and not to be deceived by sin. Again, comparing followers of Christ with followers of Moses the writer recounts that God became angry with them because of their unbelief. They were not allowed into the Promised Land because they were disobedient.

I am intrigued by the phrase “as long as it is called today.” We have been given a task: to remain faithful and to encourage others to remain faithful each and every day. That is our life’s work for each day that we live. We are not to worry about tomorrow or fret about yesterday. We are simply to be occupied with each day’s task: to encourage others in faith.

In Isaiah 33 and 34 Isaiah calls out to God for mercy. God is angry with the nations and will bring all of them low. If the people call out to God they will see God working. God will judge and will forgive those who put their trust in Him.

Those who have sinned against the Lord will be destroyed. Their kingdoms will fall.

Hebrews 2 tells how God is giving the coming world to humanity. Everything will be under our control. We do not see this now but we see this promise in Jesus who became human and is now crowned with glory. It is Jesus who makes our salvation perfect through suffering. It is Jesus who makes us holy (sanctifies us). Because we have been sanctified we are now called brothers and sisters of Christ with God as our Father. Because Jesus was tested he can help those who are tested.