This past Sunday we started a study of the prophet Isaiah. It was just an introduction as we considered four questions.
- Who was Isaiah?
- What does it mean to be gripped by the God?
- How would it affect me if I were gripped by God?
- Is it really possible?
In summary of these questions, and so everyone will be on the same page as we come together next week, Isaiah lived and ministered around 749 BC. The nation of Israel had split after King Soloman into two nations almost two hundred years before Isaiah's time. Both the northern part of the Kingdom (Still called Israel with 10 tribes) and the southern part (called Judah with two tribes) were most of the time rebellous against God. The split occurred during the time of the ministry of Elijah and all through this time of rebellion God sent prophets to both the northern and southern kingdom. Isaiah was the prophet in the southern kingdom just prior to it being taken into captivity by the Babylonians. Jeremiah, Ezekial, and Daniel are the other major prophets. A good discussion of the major prophets is given at http://bible.org/seriespage/major-prophets .
Isaiah message was one of warning concerning the coming captivity of the nation. He told the king(s) that the northern nation of Isarael would be going into captivity (which happened aroudn 722bc), and that they would some follow if they continued in there ungodly ways. They did not reform and fell into captivity in around 586bc. When we talk about the Babylonian Captivity it typically is making reference to the captivity of the southern Kingdom of Judah.
Isaiah was gripped by God and was completely committed to the ministry that God had given him. In chapter 6 we read about his call. Isaiah had a healthy few of himself relative to God. He knew that he was a sinful man and without God doing something to him he could not relate to God. God cleansed him and Isaiah immediately accepted the call of God.
Being gripped by God is to be like this. Recognizing the awesomeness of God and our hopelessness without God doing something to us. It is being totally surrendered to the will of God, even if we do not understand it or see how it could be possible. It is falling at the feet of God and knowing that He is holy and we are not. It is becoming totally surrendered to God's will and knowing that we are in His hands. It is a life free of self's program and sold out to God's plan.
When this happens there will be continuous change in my life. God recreated us at the time of our salvation from a lost person who had no hope to a new creation, blessed with all the blessings of God (Phe. 2:1, 1 Cor. 2:14, Rom 3; 2 Cor. 5:17). God tells us as we long for His word that we will continue to grow in an understanding of this new life (1 Peter 2:2). He also tells us that as we are obedient, as we result of our love for Him, that he will disclose Himself to us (John 14:21). Therefore, as we become more gripped by the greatness of God, we will become more transformed to what He desires for us to be. There will be change in our lives. Our body, soul, mind, and spirit will become centered on the things that are important to Him.
Is this really possible? Just look at Hosea 6:3, James 4:8, and Jeremiah 29:13 and see what God says.
CONTINUED STUDY
Last Sunday we looked at the frist part of Isaiah 6, the call of Isaiah. As Amy said in class, becoming overwhelmed with God is just becoming more aware of who He is. (I think that is close to what she said.) What we are going to do is to take a journey through this book of the Bible by following the footsteps of the prophet. We are going to look at the things that Isaiah discovered about God, as he walked along in the ministry that God gave to him.
Therefore, starting at the beginning we will see that the first thing he discovered was by far the most important. You answer the question.
- Read Isaiah 6:1-7
- What was it that Isaiah became aware of about God that made him say, "Woe is me?"
- Do you think about this characteristic of God much?
- When was the last time that you found yourself amazed at God's _______________? What was it that brought you to that point?
Memorize Isaiah 6:3 for this week.
Find some scriptures that help you understand this characteristic of God. Be ready to share them in class this next Sunday.
Why is it important for us to get overwhelmed by this characteristic of God? (1 Peter 1:14-19)
Whenever we see a characteristic of God, the devil will produce a false presentation for people to embrace. What might be some distorted views of this characteristic of God that brought Isaiah to a repentant heart?
What does this characteristic of God, demand of men?
How do men pay this price?
What were the circumstances of King Uzziah's death (2 Chron. 26:16-21)? Do you think this might have had an impact on Isaiah as he entered the temple?
Find some words in the scripture that discribe God. Write a short poem, song, or prayer using these words.
Reflect on you life. Is there anything that you are dealing with that needs to be revealed and repented of so that you can come to understand more clearly this characteristic of God?
Print a copy of this for the meeting next week.
God Bless You,
Rick
PS> I need some pictures of you guys for this Blog. Please send me some. Also, I need someone to become our photo person for future meetings.
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