RebeccaL
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Posts posted by RebeccaL
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On 8/2/2013 at 4:46 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q4. (Isaiah 65:17-25) Why do you think the final state is referred to as the new heavens and the new earth? What is new about them? Which verse talks about the end of pain and sorrow? Which verse mentions instant communication? Which verse illustrates the peace of this Kingdom?
I think it’s called “New” because this time Creation will have different circumstances in which to live. God will once again walk among us, but this time we as humans won’t have any worldly concerns or fears, which is different from our current situation.
Verse 65:19 talks about the end of pain and sorrow.
Verse 65:24 talks about “instant communication” with God.
Verse 65:25 talks about there being peace.
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On 8/2/2013 at 4:41 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q6. (Isaiah 58:13-14) In these verses what positive actions align themselves with a true keeping the Sabbath? What negative actions should be avoided in a true keeping of the Sabbath?
Rest, with a heart intended on showing God our love for him through worship and enjoying all that he provides. Putting aside our busyness, DIY jobs, chores, etc and focussing on the good in our lives, all of which is given to us from God. So for me, as a mom of small children, weekends are still work days - cooking, cleaning, generally running the show. But this really convicts me; I don’t want to disrespect God because wow he has given me so much, none of which I deserve. So I’m going to start setting aside either Saturday or Sunday to just be, with my heart just being thankful to God. When I die, I won’t care that my laundry was done every Sunday, but I will care that I took time to look around and see the treasures God gave me, and I will care that I enjoyed them and cherished them.
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On 8/2/2013 at 4:39 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q4. (Isaiah 58:6-7) What kinds of injustice does Isaiah condemn in these verses? Exploiting workers and turning a blind eye to the oppressed and the poor
What excuses do we use to rationalize not being generous to the poor – in our communities or in our families? Some think it’s the government’s job, some the Church, to care for the poor. Sometimes we worry giving help to the poor enables the poor to take advantage of the givers, or that it’s their scam to avoid working.
In what ways is “tough love” important to help people? In what ways could it hurt them? “Tough love” can help people by showing them how to care for themselves rather than relying on others all the time, but it can also be harmful if there isn’t plenty of compassion behind the toughness.
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On 8/2/2013 at 4:38 PM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q3. (Isaiah 57:15) What things do we learn about God in this verse?
We learn that God comes close to those are weary, or broken-hearted in some way, or have failed themselves in some way and are asking God for help and want a new way of life, or perhaps just want some relief. If their hearts believe that God is who he says he is, then he is right there with them.
What is the great paradox here?
God, being the holiest being, purest in love, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, the Creator of all that we see and all that we are, emptied himself of his power and became a lowly human, just like us, so that he could walk with us, and teach us at our level.Why does God care so much about the downtrodden and the contrite?
Perhaps because they are lost, and when found all the angels celebrate, and they like to celebrate! ? But seriously maybe it’s because saving the lost adds to God’s Kingdom on Earth. Jesus said the Kingdom is at hand, and while here on Earth isn’t what it will be like when we are with God as described in Revelation 21, it is a peek at what it will be like. When we have community and are helping and serving one another, loving our neighbors, it’s a peek at what it will be like. At the moment, with COVID-19 still rampant, community is impossible, so there are probably a lot of people in need of help.
Do you and your congregation care for the downtrodden and contrite with the same intensity? No way. I personally don’t and I would really like to. There is a homeless man in town who I have food to one day, and I had intended on bringing him food regularly going forward, but then COVID-19 happened. I don’t even know where he is. It’s a challenge to help people right now. Hmm, I think I will pray about this and try to find a way to help. -
On 8/2/2013 at 6:27 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q2. (Isaiah 53) Which New Testament parallels to Isaiah 53 convince you that Jesus himself saw his own mission and destiny spelled out in Isaiah 53? If you aren’t convinced, what stands in your way?
I welcome any and all responses. I wish I didn’t but sometimes I do doubt the veracity of the Bible and the Atonement Theory. I do not think believing is a matter of being convinced but of choosing to believe. I do not believe there was actually an Adam and Eve, or a great flood or a fish that swallowed a man whole then after 3 day spit him out. I believe these are stories intended to teach us about God’s character and who we are in Him/Her/It. The Atonement doesn’t make sense to me. If Jesus took away our sin so we can have relationship with God, why is there still sin in the world? If sin needed to be taken away, where is it now? Why is there still suffering? How do we know that eternity with God is an actual real thing? Why would we want eternity with God? What is the alternative? Why would God require payment for sin, what does He get out of the transaction? Blood? Satisfaction? I do want to understand. Ultimately, I think we all must choose to believe, simply choose, not because it makes sense or because someone has proven it to be true, but simply because we want to have relationship with God. And where that takes us, well, only God truly knows. I believe God exists because I can feel it. I believe Jesus died for our sins because I choose to live my life in that belief. I want to see what my life is like when I walk in that belief: that Jesus died for our sins. But yes, believing for me is not a matter of being convinced at all. It is simply a choice.
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On 8/2/2013 at 6:17 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q6. (Isaiah 45:1-4) How can Cyrus be called by name more than a century before he was born? In what sense is Cyrus “anointed” by God? How can an unbeliever accomplish God’s purposes? What does this tell us about God? About being humble in our judgments of others?
It is astonishing that Isaiah predicts unbelieving Cyrus’ existence, and much more that he enables the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple there! Of course, it isn’t Isaiah’s prediction, but God-breathed prophecy. Cyrus was anointed by God but being described in Isaiah 43, and told of as being used by God to help return the people of Isarael to God. God can use anything for His glory, even an unbeliever. This tells us that God is all-powerful and there is nothing, not even unbelief, who can prevent God from accomplishing whatever it is He wants to accomplish. Because God uses all kinds of people to accomplish His work, we mustn’t judge a book by its cover, so to speak. You never know when God is actually at work through someone, even if they seem to be doing or intending wrong or evil.
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On 8/2/2013 at 6:05 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q3. (Isaiah 30:15-29) Why does God long to show us grace (30:18)? What does that say about God’s character? What prevents his grace? Have you ever experienced the kind of guidance Isaiah mentions in verse 21? What is necessary in us so that we can hear God’s voice?
He longs to show us grace because He is a God of justice. He gives mercy to the poor and vulnerable. We prevent his grace by relying on ourselves and not putting our trust in God and by not helping our poor and vulnerable around us. I have heard God’s voice in three different ways: circumstancial (my prayer was answered in a miraculous way), audible (I literally heard a voice say “Do not be afraid”), and through thoughts and realisations I have had that directed me (for example I chose the word “surrender” as my word for 2020, although I didn’t quite understand why, I just immediately clung to it, that was January. Then in April, I had a realisation on easter morning that I would choose to believe that Jesus was resurrected and have faith in that belief rather than trying to prove it or trying to believe in a round about way that it was figurative or something. I then realised what I actually decided in that moment to do was to surrender to Jesus).
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On 8/2/2013 at 6:00 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q3. (Isaiah 25:7) Why does the promise that “he will swallow up death forever” provide such comfort to us when we grieve the death of loved ones? When we contemplate our own death? What will we experience instead of death when Christ comes?
When someone we love dies, we naturally want to know they are ok and happy now, free from all pain and God’s promise that He will take away death forever makes us think that our loved one is only dead in this world and the soul is back home and safe and happy.
I find it it extremely hard to understand and therefore explain. As for my own death, I used to not be afraid but lately I have been; I don’t want to miss out on life experiences here and I would so miss my children and husband and family, but then I realize that this is attachment to this world.
Does this promise mean mean as believers we won’t die?
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As for the last part of this question, I do not think there is a contradiction. God’s Will is perfect, and I am part of His Will when I love God, love my neighbors and walk with God, praying unceasingly, shunning evil, nurturing my faith and knowledge of God’s Word and His creation.
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On 8/2/2013 at 5:58 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q1. (Isaiah 24) What is the reason that Yahweh will devastate the earth (24:5-6)? Because God’s people, chosen and Gentile, have been rebellious and not kept the Covenant.
Why do we feel so threatened by this kind of prophecy? A non-believer would chalk this up to nonsense, but a small part of them would wonder if they were wrong. They would think about all the ways they haven’t been “good” and wonder, “If there is a God, would I be destroyed because I haven’t been “good”?” It’s childish but it’s the way we begin to learn, and that’s ok. I have learned that God looks in our hearts. That bad things happen to faithful people just as they do to non-believers because our God is not a tit-for-tat kind of Being. All things are working towards Love. But all this is hidden from non-believers and prophecies like this are scary and threatening. It’s one way to get them to think and ask questions, and hopefully they do! God wants us to ask questions and search for answers! He welcomes our doubt because The Word can handle all of our doubt and then some! Scripture interprets scripture and there are no questions too hard for The Truth.
Why is this kind of prophecy important to forming faithful disciples who “fear the Lord”? Well, this kind of prophecy might scare a questioning person or new believer into being faithful. But once we start growing in our faith, we are transformed into a new person and prophecy like this has a different meaning - it is God’s Will which is always better than our own. A person just starting in their walk with God would really struggle with understanding, truly understanding, that. Jesus says his yoke is light, and it is, so much lighter than the world’s.
In what way does the glitter and glory of man (1 John 2:15-17) contradict this kind of prophecy?
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Q3. (Isaiah 22) Why is Judah faulted for making necessary military preparations in the face of the Assyrian armies? Because they still hadn’t turned to God and repented. That should have been the first thing to do. They are relying on themselves for security rather than on God’s grace and mercy.
What should they have done at the same time (verses 11-12)? Sought the Lord, repented and humbled themselves before God.
What seems to be the sin of Shebna, steward of the palace (verses 15-19)? Shebna appears to have used state funds to build himself a grand tomb for when he dies.
Have you ever been guilty of selfishness instead of doing your duty to Christ? Sadly, yes. For a very long time, I didn’t understand God’s grace in my life or see all the ways He was merciful, and I thought everything I had came down to me and me only. Now I understand and am grateful, and seek God every day, and try to repent of my sins as soon as I am aware of them, and try to remember to be grateful for all that He/She has given me.
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Q2. (Isaiah 20) Why did God command Isaiah to go naked for three years? As a symbol to the people of Judah. Assyria would often strip captives, so Isaiah’s nakedness was reflecting that.
What was its meaning? As a reminder to not partner with Egypt because it will be overthrown by Assyria.
What effect did this acted prophecy have on Judah’s foreign policy? No effect. Judah joined in the rebellion with Egypt against Assyria and was attacked and taken captive, all of Judah except Jerusalem.
If you were Isaiah, would you have obeyed God? I would but it would require of me to go even deeper into my faith. It makes me realize that acting out faith like that forces upon one a mindset of faithfulness that perhaps cannot be reached without doing something extreme like that. I am left questioning the strength of my own faith now as I have never acted out in faith. I can barely get into a discussion about faith with non-believers, in fear that I might say the wrong thing or offend someone!
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Jesse was David’s father. This passage refers to the Branch, indicating the Messiah, who is beautiful and glorious. The oppressed, the broken-hearted, the captives and the prisoners. When the Messiah comes the wicked will experience His judgement and wrath.
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On 8/2/2013 at 5:51 AM, Pastor Ralph said:
Q3. (Isaiah 9:6-7) What in the text convinces us that the Child/Son is the Messiah himself? What do you learn about the Messiah from the four word pairs describing him? Which of these saving attributes do you need most in your life right now?
The names convince us that the Child is the Messiah Himself: “Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”.
”Everlasting Father” is particularly interesting to me insofar as it isn’t “eternal” Father, but “everlasting”: “eternal” doesn’t have time underpinning it and refers to existence outside of time, whereas “everlasting” does - God was before, has always been and will always be.
We learn that the Messiah is God, that He is the Son and the Father, He is mighty but also the essence of peace, and He will always be and has always been.
In my life right now, I look for God’s mightiness and hope for miracles to get through the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Isaiah told Ahaz to trust God and stand up to Assyria, and not to join Israel and Syria against Assyria. Ahaz chose to disregard it because he had more faith in Assyria’s power than in God. Ahaz instead offered Judah as Assyria’s vassal. As a result of Ahaz disobedience to Isaiah’s peiphecy, Assyria besieged Judah “up to its neck”; it plundered and destroyed everything except Jerusalem. I think we sometimes think we know better than God because we can’t SEE God but we can SEE whatever it is we’re dealing with, so we think God doesn’t know or care so we need to act in our own “realistic” way. Then, more problems arise. Also perhaps when one hasn’t been trusting God regularly, it is hard to when the chips are really down and one is afraid. It’s hard to hear God when one hasn’t been turning to God for a very long time.
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1. God wanted Isaiah to be very clear about who God is and why Isaiah should fear Her and obey Him, and perhaps also to encourage Isaiah as he prophesied to closed ears.
2. The multi-sensory description in this passage point to the shear majesty and power of God; the sight (smoke, robe filling the place, the odd appearance of the seraphim), the sound (thundering and resonating “Holy, holy, holy” of the seraphim), the feel (we can presume the sound was felt in his body, and that can I still fear but also awe).
3. From the seraphim’s chant we learn God is the very definition of holy, because they say it in threes. Perhaps God is beyond our notion of holiness or beyond anything we have ever known to be holy. Or perhaps we learn that we experience holiness because God is the source of holiness. She created holiness.
Q6. The Eternal Kingdom
in 11. The Glory of God’s Reign (Isaiah 60-66)
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I really struggle with this duality, us versus them, believers versus non-believers. I really struggle with how Love (God=Love) can also utterly abandon its own creation when that who God created to have a will of their own exercizes their will and chooses not to believe - yet they are good and loving humans. I don’t understand why belief is the tipping point. Why isn’t it simply loving others? God dwells in each of us and when we love another we love God. Like Jesus said, when we show kindness to the weakest of us, we’re showing kindness to Jesus himself.
I think it’s more plausible that God will abandon the truly evil humans, but this, too, is simple human duality thinking. We could never know the sad and unfortunate circumstances around some people’s upbringings which lend themselves to the evil inside a human, but God can and does, so here, too, even truly evil humans, when themselves victims of evil in their own lives have caused them to become evil, shouldn’t God even give them a break?
Christ is all about unity - the constant renewal of life all around us, and how we are a part of it - this is Love.
I think I need to spend a lot more time studying Revelation, and perhaps Isaiah 65-67. I just want to understand why the duality (repentant vs non-repentant, believers vs non-believers) and I want to understand how Jesus could say the meek shall inherit the earth, when the meek could also be people who were never taught the Word of God, or shown the love of God ever in their lives.