Monday – December 11, 2023, Kislev 28, 5784
Good morning or good day dear saints of God and welcome back to this engaging study of the Bible Book of Isaiah. As we prepare to plunge into our study, please take a moment and share this teaching as widely as possible. Also, don’t forget that I have published several books which would make wonderful Christmas presents, order through Amazon (3 formats available) or our website for the softcover book. The links are at the end of the teaching. You have seen the featured picture many times unless you are new to the blog and it is to remind us to pray for the persons in the Seven Pillars of society. Dear ones the world is not going to be the ones to solve modern day problems, we the Church have the answers.
Ephesians 6:18 (AMP)
18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
Now, let’s turn our attention to our primary Bible text continuing to read out loud. Yes, out loud, you know why.
Isaiah 48:9-13 (AMP)
9 For My name’s sake I defer My anger, and for the sake of My praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off.
10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried and chosen you in the furnace of affliction.
11 For My own sake, for My own sake, I do it [I refrain and do not utterly destroy you]; for why should I permit My name to be polluted and profaned [which it would be if the Lord completely destroyed His chosen people]? And I will not give My glory to another [by permitting the worshipers of idols to triumph over you].
12 Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, My called [ones]: I am He; I am the First, I also am the Last.
13 Yes, My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand has spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand forth together [to execute My decrees].
The Lord is angry, really angry, but for His own sake, maintaining His character, He will not destroy them which of course is good for them. Look at the Message Bible.
Isaiah 48:9 (MSG)
9 But out of the sheer goodness of my heart, because of who I am, I keep a tight rein on my anger and hold my temper. I don’t wash my hands of you.
Do you suppose He has ever felt this way towards you or me? You can deny it if you want but I am quite certain I have had occasion to tempt Him to great anger, even disappointment, and frustration. Here is the thing that is most disturbing to me, we do it to ourselves either through giving to our carnal nature or allowing a deception of the devil to take root. God is not tempting us with evil. Moving into verse ten we find that even in the midst of their affliction by foreign nations the Lord had not given up on them and pursued them and even continued to choose them in spite of their rebellion. Let’s take a look at the tenth verse in Young’s Literal Translation.
Isaiah 48:10 (YLT)
10 Lo, I have refined thee, and not with silver, I have chosen thee in a furnace of affliction.
God did not put them in the furnace of affliction, they put themselves there. Once again, we see the longsuffering of our God. I for one am very thankful for His patience, compassion, and mercy.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here tomorrow.
Authored by: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
2 Chronicles 20:20 b (KJV)
20 … Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (KJV)
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
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