Isaiah 11

The ongoing prophesy of the coming of the Christ. He shall come from the house of Jesse (King David's father). Symbolic of his reign are the following characteristics: wisdom and understanding, counsel and strength, knowledge and the fear of the Lord, righteousness, justice, faithfulness, peace, unity, security. The nations will seek him and Ephraim and Judah will be friends. All things that stand in the way of God's word going forth to the nations will be taken out of the way.

NOTES:
* Jesus comes from the obscurity of the house of Jesse rather than the mighty house of King David. David's house had been cut down, obliterated by the time of Jesus birth such that only a stump was left. Joseph and Mary were not from a rich household but from a house of obscurity.

* It is good to cross reference to Is 9:6,7:

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

* Judah and Ephraim are a type for the Jews and Gentiles. Jesus came so that both Jews and Gentiles are reconciled both to God and to one another. And he has opened the door for this to happen.

Psalm 40, 41

One thing that continually strikes me about the Psalms is that David (and the other writers) didn't live in the time of grace post resurrection. So as in these 2 Psalms you have David making pleas to God reminding him of his salvation and promises. It is almost like, 'God you said do this and I've done it so therefore please have compassion on me.' Of course being pre resurrection they did not have the promise of forgiveness of sins as we have it. Jesus' blood had not be shed for them at that point in time.

At the same time we shouldn't shun asking God for help, for protection, for his blessings. Our battles are not against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers and strongholds. BUT we live with the assurance that Jesus the Messiah has died for our sins and we have salvation through his blood that wipes clean for us the record book of our wrongs.

Psalm 38, 39

Both these Psalms of David deal with a sense of being far from God, and a loneliness that comes from a sense of guilt and remorse for sins committed.

Ps 38:3,4 There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation; There is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities are gone over my head; As a burden they weigh too much for me.

Ps 38:21 Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, do not be far from me!

Ps 39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; Make me not the reproach of the foolish.

Many people today have that same sense of God being far away. The honest realise that this feeling comes from their own disobedience to God. The righteous have learnt that the only way man can get rid of these feelings is to repent and believe in their hearts and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Isaiah 9,10

The prophetic announcement of Jesus' birth and reign, bringing peace and God's governance. Yet still there is anger against Israel's arrogance. God then uses the Assyrian empire to fulfill his purposes. And the remnant return.


NOTES:
The parallels for today are plainly there. Jesus is already on the throne and God's grace falls on all, both the wicked and His family. But even as John prophesied in the book of Revelation to the church of Laodicea, 'you say, "I am rich and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and and poor and blind and naked.' God then goes on to say, 'Those whom I love, I also love and reprove and discipline, therefore be zealous and repent.' The message is clear it is easy to become arrogant with all we have, the materialistic in some ways hedonistic life we live, but God says, walk carefully down that route because your pride simply hides the reality of whom you are and I will reprove and discipline you.

If God chooses to use nonbelievers or even heretics within the church to bring about repentance, reform and revival then we should not be surprised.