Tag Archives: Babylon

Day 245: The Servant

Isaiah 41-42

One of the more amazing aspects of Isaiah is that he prophesies historical events that occurred during the Babylonian exile. Remember, Isaiah lived approximately 100 years before Babylon destroyed Jerusalem. And Isaiah is looking beyond that to Babylon’s eventual defeat by Persia!!

Isaiah alludes to the rise of Persia and the fall of Babylon in 41:2, “one from the east whom victory meets at every step…” He describes the fear of the nations as Cyrus, King of Persia “trample(s) on rulers as on mortar, as the potter treads clay” (41:25). The nations look to idols to protect them (41:5-7), but God mocks their efforts (41:21-29) and assures his people to trust in Him, alone…

But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:8-10).

It is within this passage that Isaiah first refers to Israel as “my servant.” The idea of “the servant” is prevalent in this middle section of Isaiah… occurring 20 times in Chapters 41-53.

The servant’s role was special. The servant was appointed to be a light to the Gentiles by faithfully upholding the Law in righteousness. We learn in Isaiah 42:18-25 that Israel dismally failed in its role of being God’s anointed Servant… Because of Israel’s failure, God promised to send another Servant – a Servant who was able to be a light to the Gentiles – a Servant who was able to uphold the law in All righteousness.

The Servant is the Messiah.

Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations (Isaiah 42:1).

Throughout the next 11 chapters, Isaiah sometimes refers to the “servant” as Israel and other times as the Messiah. The role of the servant applies to both Israel and the Messiah – because the Messiah was the ultimate fulfillment of all that the Servant was meant to be, and which Israel failed to be.

I’m so thankful for Jesus. He is the Servant that obeyed the law perfectly on my behalf, and because of His sacrifice, I can rest in the sure salvation of God!

For I, the Lord your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
I am the one who helps you” (Isaiah 41:13).

Day 179: The last laugh

Jeremiah 49-50; Acts 5:17-42

Acts 5 is an amazing story of God’s protection and sovereign power as He sends his angel to free the apostles from prison. They were put in prison by the High Priest because he was enraged that the Apostles continued to preach in the name of Jesus…and the people were actually listening!

Imagine the surprise and humiliation of the High Priest and his council when they sent for the prisoners only to find them missing! And where were these Apostles? In the temple, teaching about the resurrected Christ!

As my 10-year-old would say… “Boom! In Your Face.” The power of the Jewish council was nothing in the face of God’s power and will. Their persecution would only serve to strengthen the church. Nothing could stand in God’s way.

As the Apostles stood before the Jewish council, the council was enraged at their boldness – so much that they wanted to kill them! But a practical Pharisee addressed his peers…

So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God! (Acts 5:38-39)

This is truth! The ways of men are like a shadow, but the ways of God are sure and strong!

Think of Jeremiah as he boldly prophesied against the powerful nations of his day. Imagine what Nebuchadnezzar might have thought of Jeremiah’s prophecies against his mighty Babylon (Jer. 50), the most powerful nation of its day… I think Nebuchadnezzar would have laughed.

But do you know what exists of ancient Babylon today?? Nothing. It is an uninhabited ruin.* God’s ways are sure and strong. He always gets the last laugh :)

*ESV Study Bible, note on Jer. 50:39-40, Crossway Publishers

Day 161: Motivated by love

Jeremiah 5-6; John 13:18-38

Jeremiah 5-6 concludes a series of sermons Jeremiah probably gave during Josiah’s reign (3:6). Chapter 5 opens with God asking Jeremiah to find one man who does justice – one man who seeks truth – so that He might pardon him. And Jeremiah can’t. The people are so absolutely corrupt that not one person could be found. God laments…

How can I pardon you?
Your children have forsaken me
and have sworn by those who are no gods.
When I fed them to the full,
they committed adultery
and trooped to the houses of whores.
They were well-fed, lusty stallions,
each neighing for his neighbor’s wife.
Shall I not punish them for these things?
declares the Lord;
and shall I not avenge myself
on a nation such as this? (Jeremiah 5:7-9).

God desires to pardon his people – but what good would that serve? When he blesses them, they despise him. Even in judgment there is grace, for God could never utterly destroy his people. God says twice in these chapters that he would destroy but “not make a full end” (5:10; 18). He will preserve a remnant. A remnant of people from whom the Promised One would come.

The Promised One… Jesus, betrayed by his own disciple. Jesus, abandoned by his closest friends in his darkest hour. Jesus, taking the punishment for our apostate selves He accomplished what Israel could not – perfect obedience motivated by love for the Father.

Not motivated by duty, or self-preservation – but by love.

God sent Babylon to destroy Judah because he loved them. God sent his only son to die on our behalf because he loves us. Even Jeremiah was motivated by love – love for God and love for his brethren.

Jesus – in the face of betrayal – gave his disciples a “new” commandment…

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

How does Jesus love us? Not in a sweet, sentimental way – but in a sacrificial – other seeking – sort of way. This is the sort of love God calls us to. This was the sort of love Jeremiah was called to. And even though we are not called to be prophets as Jeremiah was, we are called to love our neighbor sacrificially… so the world will see – and the world might be saved!

…Now if I could only practice what I write! Lord, help me to love others as you love me. Please pry my eyes off of myself and help me see the broken and lost – and give me compassion – and the grace to love them well.