God’s Grace and Covenant Bring Joy to Repentant Sinners.

[Purity]

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. (Isa 51:1)

Hearken = to listen and pay attention

Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. (Isa 51:4)

Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. (Ishmael) (Isa 51:7)

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? (Isa 51:9)

Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out. (Isa 51:17)

Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. (Isa 52:1)

These Isaiah chapters must teach us all our need and our great problem.

“We do not think as we ought…” because “we do not listen as we ought”

The lesson never changes but how can we listen if the teachings of men rattle around in our minds like opposing voices; trinity, devils and demon's and places of eternal torment, souls and all manner of ungodly notions plague simple minds.

What hope has His voice of an ear?

[SIZE=medium]Acknowledging this can be the beginning of a lifelong search for His High and Lofty ways…and we know from 1 Peter 1:12 that the Angels even today desire to look into matter’s concerning our redemption – it means "to look intently with head bent forward," "to stoop down to examine minutely," [/SIZE]the example of the faces of the Cherubim which were set gazing at the Mercy Seat is one such visual for our learning.

[SIZE=medium]And of course this begs the question, if angels in their divine state along with the inspired prophets took an active interest in the redemptive work of God in the Lord Jesus Christ, how devoted should we be toward such precious things as these? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]Our God inscribed His thoughts both in stone and upon the heart to reveal His Character; even His foreknowledge that we might have confidence in Him. Each time we enquire He is able to provide comfort even before the pain of suffering is experienced; He has already provided a way of escape; even before the burden becomes unbearable to us, He has provided comfort as we read in Isa 54 & 55. [/SIZE]

 

[Purity]

Yahweh’s Grace and Covenant Brings Joy to Repentant Sinners.​

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Good morning my dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our brother read this morning that God is superior to man in all things (Isaiah 55:9): For as the heavens are higher than the earth thus are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts from your thoughts. God’s ways and thoughts are so remarkably higher than ours B&S, He is altogether Holy, Righteous & Pure.

The very fact our God can be both merciful and just at the same time is an example of how his thoughts transcend man’s thoughts. The cross was both God’s mercy and His justice converging in a single act which made possible our eternal salvation – even while we here were all yet sinners.

Unlike all other Kings, His Sovereignty has not held back Him seeking our devotion and love and this morning I pray we all will sense this personally as we remember the Lord.

Now it is true that from His Holiness and Righteousness He calls His children to alertness. Go back with me a few a chapters from our Isaiah’s reading to see how He does this.

We read:

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. (Isa 51:1)

Hearken = to listen and pay attention

Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. (Isa 51:4)

Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their reviling’s. (Ishmael) (Isa 51:7)

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? (Isa 51:9)

Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out. (Isa 51:17)

Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. (Isa 52:1)

These Isaiah chapters from 40 – 55 teach us our great need and a great problem suffered by all generations:

“We do not think as we ought…” because “we do not listen as we ought”​

Do we acknowledging this? And if we do has our lifelong search for His High and Lofty thoughts began in us… we know from 1 Peter 1:12 don’t we, that the Angels, even today, desire to look into matter’s concerning our redemption (look up) – it means "to look intently with head bent forward," "to stoop down to examine minutely," the example of the faces of the Cherubim which were set gazing at the Mercy Seat is one such visual giving for our learning.

And of course this begs the question, if angels in their divine state along with the inspired prophets took an active interest in the redemptive work of God in the Lord Jesus Christ, how devoted should we be toward to such precious things as these?

Moses’ face shone as he gazed at the divine and His God inscribed His thoughts both in stone and upon the heart to reveal His Divine Character; even His foreknowledge was given that we might have confidence in Him.

His thoughts should provide us with deep comfort especially if we are in a time of suffering; for his children in captivity He had already provided them a way of escape; even before the burden became unbearable.

B&S when you are in the midst of despair and loneliness; His Word can ease all our fears and still any fretting we might experience, for we do not want to be doubled minded and anxious about many things do we? If we are when trial comes we will shrink back from our Him and our faith will not please Him at all.
In your daily reading of the Word have you noticed how God writes with such Confidence and Zeal? He writes with great purpose and vision doesn’t He? It’s always full of steadfast love and He shows kindness even in His judgements upon sinful men.

Take Isa 54 & 55 this morning…

Now I am no Hebraist, but I am told if we were all Hebrew scholars reading Isa 54 & 55 immediately we would recognise the soft feminine tones in chapter 54, compared to the masculine tones in Isaiah 55, and we could ask “why did the Spirit of God write this way?” It’s not always what is written but how He has written is often the question.

Well Isaiah 54 has “Zion” (a thing of great beauty in Gods eyes – she is desirable to Him – not in its present state mind you) it’s future people are His objective; His saints, though the present Jews would suffer double for their sins as they will again soon…whereas Isaiah 55 is speaking to “everyone” (Isaiah 55:1 READ) which goes beyond “the Jewish servants of the Lord” found in Isaiah 54:17 (READ) but to “all” peoples of the earth.

There is an intimacy with Zion the like the World knows nothing about…sadly fewer believers are concerned with Gods affection towards His people.

In Isa 48 God command’s them to come out from their captivity and here in Isa 54 & 55 He calls them to a new life; if we were to paraphrase His calling, it would be likened to God saying “My children, gather round, listen to me, the old ways of being stubborn and closed minded with eyes that do not see, and ear's that do not hear, they must be a thing of the past!"

Do you hear me?

For your souls sake you must come with the sincere intention to “listen”, accept my invitation to partake in a new Covenant with Me and let us eat and drink together!

I have prepared a great feast for you all…a table prepared of the Lord, all are welcome; come drink and eat at my table! Leave your money at home; your silver is of no value to me at my table. I desire to give you eternal things, which are established on great and precious promises; I cannot lie and if you come, I can satisfy all my covenants with you…

So B&S, we come, knowing we have broken our promises and sinned grievously before the Lord Almighty. We also have been in captivity to an unmerciful King who reigned over us, King Sin, and no part of our lives have not been touched by him in some way; many die in his Kingdom.

Well….we sit down to eat and to drink and are gathered around His very large table. And our Father is sitting at its head. Mary, some 500 years on would know by experience when she said; “He fills the hungry with good things; but the rich he hath sent away empty.” (Luk 1:53)

Only the hungry sit at the Lords table. Now he begins to open our ears to the sound of Joyful singing – it’s jubilant; full of spiritual feeling with unimaginable gladness, sounds the like we have not heard or seen in this mortal frame.

Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound. They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance. In Thy name shall they rejoice all the day, And in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted. For the Lord is our defence, And the Holy One of Israel is our King

Then God opens our eyes to all Israel and Judah’s captivities, and their many sufferings; we see both past and future, many of us look forward to AD70, where they were reduced to eating their own little one’s for such was their poor condition before God; but God opens our eyes even further and now the barren Zion has more "children" born to her in her "desolate" state than at any other time in her existence and we B&S are now singing with Joy in our hearts even louder and louder, as we realise Sarah is now giving suck to innumerable children, being the mother of us all.

Yet to view the earth He bends, Yea, to earth He condescends; Passing by the rich and great For the low and desolate.

Our Father wants to show us more so much does He desire to reveal; that which is beyond the joyous singing, beyond the mountains and hills clapping to a time of great peace – and a great calm comes upon us as he reminds us that governments will fail and the people will be scattered; though mountains and hills be removed; He promises us those same mountains and hills will clap and sing joyfully to the Lord at His table; because of His great Mercy and the covenant of peace he made with David.

With joy and peace shall then be led The glad converted lands: The lofty mountains then shall sing,
The forests clap their hands. Where briars grew midst barren wilds Shall firs and myrtles spring;
And nature to its utmost bounds Eternal praises sing.

It’s a time when Yahweh's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, (above all nations) and it will be lifted up above the hills (above all peoples). So to both Jew and Gentile God offers a coming peace; and we feel it as we sit at His table and eat of His spiritual food.
Now to Jew and to Gentile alike, He wants both to know this coming peace, it’s important to Him we understand the peace is real so He takes us to:

Isa 54:10,13 cmp Isa 55:12 The coming of peace

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. (Isa 54:10)

And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. (Isa 54:13)

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains (nations) and the hills peoples) shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. (Isa 55:12)

Notice amidst the vision of nations and peoples being removed and the eventual stability of David’s throne in the earth, above all this; He wants us to know He is Kind!

He is saying, I am a Kind Father and “my kindness shall not leave you, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed” Isa 54:10

“Come close my Children”

Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (Isa 55:3)

With His Words ringing in our ears we begin to draw closer to God listening intently with increasing interest…then God proceeds to show us all what He has planned:

I will give you “New Relationships” in the earth, though you have been trodden under foot for most of your existence and only known enemies, I will make you “a” praise in the earth and provide you with richest of blessings – you will have nations as friends, and they will seek to do trade with you and your prosperity will benefit the whole earth. And they will pray for your spiritual welfare and hope in your prosperity; because of you all these friends will receive blessing from Me, your Father.

55:4 Look, I made you Israel a witness to nations, a ruler and commander of nations.”

55:5 Look, you will summon nations you did not previously know; nations that did not previously know you will run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he bestows honor on you.

Suddenly we realise our Father in showing us these things, is no longer looking at Israel’s false religious beliefs, or their sinful practices, or the problems they endured for a time. Yahweh has provided them the "eternal solution", He offers them an “everlasting covenant” come eat! “free food” and free water. The table is filled with goodness and we are sitting at His table, after four successive callings from Him to “come, come, come, come!” Isa 55:1-3

We are glad we listened and the food and drink is full of taste for He is good, as we continue to eat and drink and the Spirit of God fills the room and the angels are singing and praising God as we realise the everlasting covenant through David, provides us with the forgiveness of sins, and our joy increases more and more.

The wine is flowing everywhere and grain is growing in the tops of mountains where the cold winds usually destroy everything, but the harshest of plants.

Thy bounty every season crowns With all the bliss it yields; With joyful clusters loads the vine; With strength'ning grain, the fields.

We begin to see the vineyards of Amos 9 and the joy of those Israelites returning to the Land once more to see homes they did not build, and wells they did not dig and eat the fruit of trees they did not plant. Wine and milk which is old prophecy of Jacob’s in Gen 49:12 is now the fulfilled prosperity of Judah (and his brothers) and none in all the earth can be compared to her beauty. We now realise all the spiritual blessings and visions of chapter 54 encompassed a covenant community to which you belong and all the benefits of the everlasting covenant are from a Father whose loving deeds Who is faithful and sure have fallen upon you…because you listened to Him, you came to Him, you sought Him with tears and you turned to Him and repented of your sins and it’s because of this you find yourself singing with Joy in your heart.

Then we look into each others eyes and begin to realise everything God he said will happen, its here. But as we have read in Isa 54 & 55 we see the wonderful visions of Kingdom slendour; we feel a deep void in our midst; someone is missing from the Lords table…

Where is the only beggotten Son?

Where is the suffering servant of the Lord?

It’s only two chapters since we where shown his mistreatment and disfigured state…have we hid our faces from him? It is not easy to look upon a man as despised and despicably treated as he. Many did not believed the report of how God would free His people from sin and death as Isa 53:1 has asked? They stumbled over him didn’t they?

Then you realise the wine, milk and bread you have been eating has been provided by his scourging's. The visions of peaceful tranquillity are established by the nails which pierced his hands and feet for our sins. Looking into your thoughts our Heavenly Father speaks…“It pleased me to bruise him my children as it pleases me to fellowship in His sufferings with you till this day.”

But our minds cannot help go to John 8:57 where people thought Jesus was 50 years of age, though only 33…17 years older?

Everything about him was despised, his birth place, his teaching, his disciples, even his own people rejected him "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him" and they mocked him "He saved others, but he can't save himself!"

He was opposed and menaced at every turn (Luke 4:29); he suffered the indifference and the maligning of his own kindred (John 7:5; Mark 3:21). Though as a servant He worked himself to exhaustion (Luke 8:46; John 4:6; Mar 4:36). While others slept, he spent whole nights in agonizing prayer over their wellbeing, not considering his own condition or needs once.

He was a servant of suffering, not infrequent suffering; he was familiar with suffering, it was his friend and helped him to know he was the Son of God. He was "to know sickness": like leprosy B&S the like from whom men would hide their faces: (as the leper hid his face and cried, "unclean!" cp Lev 13:45). Either way, "the servant is likened to a seriously ill person who is shunned by others because of his horrible disease".

We are told he was stricken! Again the language of leprosy. We see him our messiah likened to an unclean man to be shunned, lest they also become "defiled" by contact with him.

And his affliction: was a deep and long lasting humiliation from others.

Our minds are taken back to Isa 53 and forward to the suffering servants death on a cross and we see him not just a long crucifixion – but the atonement was in the dying – the long suffering which pertain unto death (Heb 2:9) – A living sacrifice – a long slow life of death.

We are comforted with bread and wine this morning because he was a living sacrifice crushed: like the port in that cup, which we shall soon drink – and this crushing is what gives us peace at our Father’s table!

And sadly we realise this past week we all were like sheep, who have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.

Many of us at the Lords table are now deeply saddened by the price he paid – we find it that much more difficult to rejoice, though the invitation this morning is to come and eat and drink; sing and be joyful; but how can we B&S, when he is not at this table with us? We can but eat and drink in remembrance of his life and suffering, yes we have knowledge of his glory, don’t we, but what would we prefer? (pause)

We are left only with his example.

“When he suffered he did not open his mouth, he was silent before the Sanhedrin (Mat 26:63); silent before Herod (Luk 23:9); and before Pilate (Mat 27:12-14; Joh 19:9). Cp *Jer 11:19.

His greatest example B&S “was to be silent”….and to listen! – He was silent like no other and no other could listen like he did.

When false witnesses accused him and a malicious council conspired against him and pious self-righteous leaders plotted his death, he was silent.

He had the power to overcome his enemies and cast off this yoke, Jesus was silent. He had the wisdom to overcome all the lies and put all men to shame openly, but Jesus was silent.

Rather his Father commanded him to be led to his crucifixion like a passive lamb going to his slaughter, like a dumb sheep before its shearers – silent, but listening to every Command of his Father.

The prophet wrote in Isaiah 50:4

50:4 The sovereign Lord has given me the capacity to be his spokesman, 9 so that I know how to help the weary. 10 He wakes me up every morning; he makes me alert so I can listen attentively as disciples do. 11 50:5 The sovereign Lord has spoken to me clearly; 12 I have not rebelled, I have not turned back.

50:6 I offered my back to those who attacked, 13 my jaws to those who tore out my beard; I did not hide my face from insults and spitting. 50:7 But the sovereign Lord helps me, so I am not humiliated. For that reason I am steadfastly resolved; 14 I know I will not be put to shame. 50:8 The one who vindicates me is close by. Who dares to argue with me? Let us confront each other! 15 Who is my accuser? 16 Let him challenge me! 17

Notice how our Lord gave every part of this body – his back, his jaws, his beard and face but the one attribute of his body never gave was his ears. Without his ears B&S he could not buy of the spiritual food and drink which sustained him continually. It wasn’t the bread and wine which perishes which we will partake shortly and throughout the week – it’s a constant belief that the Wisdom of God is food and drink indeed and nothing can be compared unto it.

Jesus placed his head into the bosom of the Father where his ears were very close to his Fathers lips. God spoke ever so gently into his Sons ears morning by morning so he was never alone.

He is the servant whom the Law spoke of in great detail – an “Hebrew servant” who had served his six years as a man for his Master and in the seventh years could go free leaving behind his wife and children.

His Heavenly Master delighted in him B&S (Isa 42:1).

And during his years of servitude the Lord obtained a wife and children. The wife we know was "Jerusalem which is above" (Gal 4:26; Rev 21:9-10), and “behold” the children are here present this morning; "Behold I and the children which God hath given me" (Isa 8:18 & Heb 2:13). When the time of "release" came, he refused to accept it, and instead continues to serve his Master in heaven on behalf of his wife and family to this day, in loving service both to them and to His Father. A slave who had come to love his master, his wife and children, would appreciate the motives of Christ having sat at His table and eaten of His food and drunk of His wine.

Do we believe B&S the suffering servant whose ear was bore through with an aul? Exo 21:5

In John 6:37 Jesus said “Everyone whom the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will never send away.

Come down to verse 45

6:45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ (Isaiah 54:13) Everyone who hears and learns from the Father comes to me.

He purchased a free gift of food and drink with his many sacrifices in service to God.

• He hearkened when we refused
• We was awake and alert while we asleep
• He had no need to “come” for he was always there!
• He gave all his time to “listening” while we hear many earthly voices
• He put to death his own voice, while we listen to ours often

If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (Joh 6:35)

And finally…

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Rev 3:20)

Let us now eat and drink in remembrance of him.