I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.
Isaiah warns those with political power who use that power to enrich themselves and oppress the poor and needy. God will send disaster upon them and they will have no one to call on for rescue. This is as true today as it was in the days of Isaiah. God does not look the other way. He will bring judgment, in His time, against those who use their power to oppress. Isaiah then speaks to the king of Assyria (and to all whom God has used to bring His judgment on evildoers). He tells the king of Assyria that he has been a tool which God has used to punish His people for their sins. However, the king of Assyria believes that he has risen through his own abilities and that he can do as he pleases. God says that He will punish him for his hubris. This warning applies to all who believe that their might is their own and can be exercised without restraint.
Isaiah made a prophecy about a leader who was to arise in the future. As a Christian, I understand this leader to be Jesus Christ. However, the passage lists some characteristics that we should look for in our leaders.
And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
Let us turn to people upon whom God’s Spirit resides when we look for someone to lead. But the prophet does not leave it at that. He tells us how to recognize that God’s Spirit is resting on someone.
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
They will know what to do in difficult situations. They will demonstrate wisdom and understanding.
the Spirit of counsel and might,
But more than that, they will be able to give others wise advice when they face trouble and will exhibit God’s power when evil makes its presence known.
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
A good leader will demonstrate knowledge of God..and will fear Him in his innermost being.
He will delight in obeying the Lord.
As a result, a good leader will take pleasure in doing God’s will.
He will not judge by appearance
nor make a decision based on hearsay.
A good leader will look beyond appearances and seek knowledge of a situation before he makes a decision. He will not rely on hearsay, but will seek out the facts.
He will give justice to the poor
and make fair decisions for the exploited.
A good leader will look out for the interests of those who are usually left out of the calculations of those with power. Only Christ will ever fully fulfill this prophecy (there is more to it), but let us look for men like this to be our leaders.
Paul wrote that he felt like a fool for writing the way he did, highlighting his accomplishments and credentials. He did so because he felt compelled to do so to show the Corinthians that he was no less than the “super apostles” that had come to them since his last visit. He goes on to say that he is about to come to visit them a third time and once more he will accept no support from them. Paul is clearly responding to people who had claimed that he was not trusted because he had used trickery to take advantage of the Corinthian believers. Paul points out to them that it is a strange form of taking advantage when the person doing the taking advantage receives no benefit from those he is taking advantage of. He points out that even the men he sent to them as his messengers, such as Titus, did not take advantage of them. Paul concludes by explaining that he did not write his defense of himself for the sake of his own reputation. Rather, he wrote this defense of his own credentials so that the Corinthian believers would listen to his message and take it to heart.
Paul shows us in this passage the importance of leaders in the Church being above the appearance of impropriety. Those who were attempting to lead the Corinthian believers astray had accused Paul of using trickery and deceit to convince them to follow his teachings. Paul points out that he received no benefits from their following what he taught them. He essentially asks them what he gained from this supposed trickery? How did he take advantage of them? In the same way, leaders in our congregations today should make sure that their behavior is above reproach so that those who seek to undermine their ministry have no basis for maligning them.
This psalm has a message that I will take to heart. I will tell anyone who is afraid that this psalm contains the answer to their fears.
But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in You.
I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
This is the thing to always remember, if we put our trust in God, He will be faithful. He has promised that all things work together for the good of those who love Him. There is nothing that can happen to us that is outside of God’s control. This is such an important concept that the psalmist repeats it.
I praise God for what he has promised;
yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?
I will put my trust in God and as a result I will never need to fear anyone else.
The proverb writer warns us against accepting hospitality from a begrudging/stingy host. He warns us that no matter how tasty the food, the “price” we pay, when we accept food from someone who offered expecting to be refused, will be more than we wish to pay.