WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday July 28, 2013

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GIFTS FOR THE TEMPLE

(Consecrate your gifts to GOD)

(Ezra 8:24-36)

After praying for traveling grace, Ezra appointed twelve leaders of the priests (each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel), including Sherebiah and Hashabiah to be in charge of transporting the silver, gold, and other items that King Artaxerxes, his council, and other leaders, and, the people of Israel had given for the temple of the LORD at Jerusalem. Ezra carefully weighed the treasure, cataloged it, and gave it to the men to transport. This is the full measure of his account;

·         24 tons of silver

·         7,500 pounds of silver utensils

·         7,500 pounds of gold

·         20 gold bowls that were equal in value to 1,000 gold coins

·         2 fine articles of polished bronze, as precious as gold

And then Ezra gave the priests this message; “You and these treasures have been set apart (consecrated) as “holy to the LORD”. This silver and gold is a “freewill offering” to the LORD, the GOD of our ancestors. Guard these treasures well until you present them, without an ounce lost, to the leading priests, the Levites, and the leaders of Israel at the storerooms of the LORD’s Temple in Jerusalem”.

And so they broke camp at the Ahava Canal, and embarked on their 900-mile journey to Jerusalem. It was a journey that would take the better part of four months. And the LORD protected them and secured them from the enemies and bandits along the way, because they invited HIM in and sought HIS help at the beginning of their travels.

Whenever we call on GOD at the start of any “Christian journey”, or endeavor, HE will abide with us all along the way, and deliver us safely to our destination. We must continue on our Christian journey, with a faith that is unwavering, even when we are faced with the trials and tribulations that we will surely encounter, because we are going against the grain of this world.     

After arriving in Jerusalem, they rested for three days, and on the fourth day, the treasures were weighed at the Temple of GOD and entrusted to Meremoth and Eleazar the priests, and to Jozabad and Noadiah the Levites. Everything was accounted for, both in number, and in weight, and was officially recorded.

Afterwards, all the people, who returned from exile with Ezra, and all the Jewish residents of Jerusalem gathered together as “a show of the unity of GOD’s people”, and they sacrificed burnt offerings to GOD, all the day long. They presented up to HIM;

·         Twelve oxen (as burnt offering)

·         Ninety-six rams

·         Seventy-seven lambs

·         Twelve goats (as sin offering)    

After finishing up with all spiritual matters concerning GOD, then, King Artaxerxes decrees were delivered to his officials in the province west of the Euphrates River, who then showed their full cooperation to the people of Israel, and to the Temple of GOD.

Ezra was a faithful steward of what GOD had entrusted him with, and the people freely gave back to GOD, those gifts that came from the excesses of their blessings from HIM. They all responded in the “right way” with their “time”, “talents”, and “treasures”, and thereby, set a wonderful early biblical example for all Christians, for all time.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday July 21, 2013

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FASTING AND PRAYING

(Preparing for GOD’s Service with fasting and prayer)

(Ezra 7:25-28 & 8:21-23)

Chapters 7-10, of the Book of Ezra, deals with events that took place in Jerusalem, after Ezra returned from Babylon in 458 B.C. Fifty-eight years have passed since the “Passover Celebration” that is chronicled at the end of chapter 6, and the Persian Empire is now being headed by King Artaxerxes, the grandson of Darius.

Ezra was a direct descendant of Aaron the Priest, the brother of Moses, the man of GOD. He was a “Scribe” who was well-versed in the “Law of GOD” that was given to Moses on Mount Sinai. When he came up to Jerusalem (Chapter 7), Artaxerxes gave him everything that he “asked for”, because the hand of the LORD was upon him, just as HIS hand was upon his predecessors, Darius and Cyrus.

Some of the people of Israel, as well as some of the priests, Levites, and other temple officials, and servants came up with Ezra during the seventh year of Artaxerxes reign, into Palestine. During this time, the teachings of GOD’s Law, was being increasingly ignored, and temple worship was becoming more and more routine, with each passing day.

When Ezra arrived, he brought with him, large donations for the temple, and a royal commission to appoint judges, and to enforce, both, Old Testament Law, and, Persian Law, in Judah. He had been instructed by King Artaxerxes to “use the wisdom of GOD” to appoint magistrates and judges, who were familiar with the Laws of GOD, to govern over the people of Judah. And if the people weren’t familiar with those laws, Ezra himself, was charged to teach them. Anyone who refused to comply with GOD’s Laws, and the laws of the Persian Empire, would be immediately punished with death (Vs. 25-26)   

Because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of GOD, and to teach the Word to the people, while preparing them with “prayer and fasting”, GOD graciously blessed him and his company as they had traveled for several months through dangerous territories with a large amount of treasure and no human security (Vs.8-10).

In verses 27-28 we see Ezra beginning to refer to himself in the “first person” for the first time in his writings. Here he praises the LORD for touching the heart of Artaxerxes and giving him the desire to want to “beautify the temple of the LORD” in Jerusalem with his own finances (v.27). He also thanked GOD for honoring him before the king, and before all of his royal court in Persia (v.28).

In Ezra 8:15-20 Ezra tells us that they assembled by the Ahava Canal (9 miles north of Babylon), which was used as “a staging area” for the Jews who were preparing to return to Palestine from Babylon. There they camped for three days while he went over the list of the names of those who were present, and among them, was not one volunteer Levite priest to be found.

And so Ezra sent for a group of “Israelite leaders” and “wise men”, and then, he sent them all to a Levite named Iddo, who was the leader of the Levite priests at Casiphia in Babylon. Their charge was to request that he send some Levites to minister in the temple at Jerusalem. Iddo sent Sherebiah, who was a very astute man, along with 18 of his sons and brothers. He also sent Hashabiah, Jeshaiah and 20 of his sons and brothers, along with 220 other temple workers.

When they reached the staging area, Ezra ordered everyone that was traveling to Jerusalem with him to “fast” and “pray”, and “humble themselves” before the LORD. They prayed that GOD would give them “traveling grace”, and protect them, their children, and their cargo from harm.

The king had already been so generous to them that Ezra was ashamed to request that, in addition, he supply them with horses and soldiers for protection. And besides, he wanted to show everyone that they could “depend on the protection of GOD” during their journey. And so GOD heard and answered their “earnest prayers” and HE granted them safe passage back to Jerusalem.

Prayer should never be an attempt to bend the will of GOD, but rather, should always be aimed towards submitting our wills “TO” the will of GOD. Ezra and the Israelites conformed their wills to the will of GOD, through earnest prayer, and then they “fasted” to “take their focus off the flesh” (off themselves), and place it firmly on GOD, so that they might “successfully carry out GOD’s will” to the letter, during their assignment in Jerusalem.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday July 14, 2013

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DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE

(Dedicating our work to GOD)

(Ezra 6)

In Ezra chapter 6, after Tattenai, governor of the province west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and other government officials sent a letter to King Darius of Persia seeking to halt the construction on the temple at Jerusalem by Zerubbabel and others (Ezra 5:6-17), the king ordered a search of the Babylonian archives to find out if it was true that King Cyrus, his predecessor, had ever issued a decree to rebuild it (6:1).

The search was made first in the palace at Babylon, and then later at the royal summer palace at the fortress of Ecbatana, in the province of Media. In the palace in Media, a scroll was found that told of King Cyrus’ original decree to allow the Israelites to rebuild the temple of GOD there in Jerusalem (6:2). King Darius then, instead of stopping the reconstruction of the temple, ordered that Tattenai and his officials stop their interference in the building project, and further ordered them to fully finance and personally assist in the completion of the work (Vs. 6-12).

It is the classic story of how GOD will provide for those who are attempting to do HIS work in the world, HIS way. When GOD gives a person a task to do, HE always gives them the power necessary to carry out and complete that task to HIS satisfaction. Oftentimes, GOD has already prepared us, long in advance, for the work HE will call us to do at some future date, and HE will always remove those roadblocks that satan sets up in our way. Here in this passage, GOD not only removes the roadblock out of the way of Zerubbabel and the Israelites, but HE also uses those who sought to block the way, to actually pitch in and help out, in addition to fulfilling their regular duties for their king.

The Jewish leaders, and the people, continued their work and were greatly encouraged by the preaching and help of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah along the way. The temple was finished in four years, and it was constructed just as it had been commanded by GOD, and sanctioned by the kings of Persia (Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes).

In 515 B.C., on the twelfth day in the last month of the year, exactly 70 years after the temple was first destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C., the reconstruction of the temple was completed. This was about five and a half years after GOD had sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to tell the Israelite people to go back to work on the temple (Ezra 5:1-2).

And although this temple never quite reached the glory of the one built by King Solomon, the people still rejoiced in its dedication with just as much zeal as anyone ever had before them. And although nothing is said of it being filled with the glory of GOD as the original temple was, one must know that GOD was indeed pleased with their efforts.

During the dedication ceremony 712 animal sacrifices were made, including 12 male goats as sin offerings for the twelve tribes of Israel. Then the priests and Levites were divided into their various divisions to serve in the temple, following all of the instructions of Moses, the man of GOD (Vs. 17-18). In the spring of the following year, the returning exiles were able to celebrate their first Passover in the new temple of GOD (Vs. 19-22).

This temple was later enlarged to a more magnificent scale and was further beautified by King Herod the Great, at the beginning of the first century A.D. However, it was destroyed again in A.D. 70 by the Romans, at the hands of the Emperor Titus. JESUS had foretold of this destruction during HIS three-year earthbound ministry (Mark 13:1-2 & Luke 19:41-44).

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander   

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday July 7, 2013

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THE TEMPLE RESTORED

(Give thanks to GOD)

(Ezra 3:8-13)

In the second month (mid-spring) of the second year of the Israelite’s return from Babylon, all the available people began to work on re-building the temple of the LORD. It was the same month that Solomon had begun building the original temple in Jerusalem. All the Levites who were twenty years old or older were put in charge of the re-construction project.

The people had spent more than seven months just gathering and collecting material and now they were ready to begin laying the foundation to GOD’s house of praise and worship. And so, in the spirit of a “great revival”, Israelite unity was the order of the day. They were not just building a “physical foundation” made of bricks and mortar, they were also building a “spiritual foundation” that would allow them to resume the life of a believer in the Almighty GOD, through prayer, worship, sacrifice, praise, and obedience.

They sang together while they worked and prayed together to get the foundation laid to perfect specifications under the law of Moses, the man of GOD. Everyone, young and old united their voices together in praise and worship to the LORD for HIS continued goodness to HIS people throughout the years.

However, in verse 12 we can almost sense an “interruption” in that unity as the older priests, who had been around long enough to remember the first temple built by the skillful leadership of Solomon and his crew, began to weep aloud when they saw the new foundation. Perhaps they were longing for the old and golden times, and the absolute splendor of the original edifice, or, perhaps they were weeping because it was the sins of their generation that led to the fall of the “United Kingdom” of David and Solomon. They knew that if their generation had heeded the warnings of GOD’s prophets, Jerusalem and the temple would still be standing.

Nevertheless, the younger crowd continued with their “joyful shouts”, and those shouts, began to mingle together with the “weeping of the old”. And together, they created a commotion that personifies the ups and downs of the “human experience” and also that of the “Christian experience”.

“Christian unity”, can and will, always transcend the differences of the human experience, and, it will always transcend the ages, from generation to generation. We see here in this passage that, even before we knew what Christian Unity was, it was already present in the hearts of men. It is the kind of unity that JESUS prayed about in John 17, and, the kind of unity that Paul wrote about, to the Churches in all of his “doctrinal letters”. Christian unity is not a unity, not born, of bricks and mortar, but rather, it is “a unity of personal relationships”, not unlike the one we’ve already seen between the FATHER and the SON, as an example to us, for all times.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

 

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday June 30, 2013

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JOYFUL WORSHIP RESTORED

(Worship requires sacrifice)

(Ezra 3:1-7)

Tishri, the seventh month on the Jewish calendar was a great month for the Israelites in terms of their observances of religious rites and celebrations. In the month of Tishri, which is correlated by September-October on our calendar, are no less than three religious festivals that are highlighted in the Holy Bible because they were imposed by GOD HIMSELF.

·         First, on the very first day of the month, the “Feast of Trumpets”, also known as “Rosh Hashanah” takes place (Leviticus 23:23-25). It is a celebration of “complete rest” (a Sabbath Day) and all regular work must cease. All the people were called together into a sacred assembly with a loud blast from a trumpet, and they presented offerings to the LORD by fire all day long.

·         On the tenth day of the month, exactly nine days after the Feast of Trumpets, came the “Day of Atonement” (Leviticus 23:26-32). It was another day of “complete rest and fasting”, and, atonement for sins was performed, in total humility, by burning offerings to GOD by fire on the altar. This day was considered to be a “Sabbath Day” also.

·         And then finally on the fifth day following the Day of Atonement, the Israelites would begin a “Festival of Shelters”, or, “Feast of Tabernacles” (Leviticus 23:33-43), which would continue for eight days. This feast began with a day of complete rest, and a sacred assembly by the people. On each of the seven festival days burnt offerings were presented to the LORD by fire. On the eighth day they again gathered for a sacred assembly. It was also a work-free day, and one of presenting still more sacrificial burnt offerings and grain offerings to the LORD.

In the book of Ezra, taking up at chapter 3, we see a re-instating of these great observances following the release of the captured Israelites from Babylon. The people had now taken about three months to re-settle in their new homes, and despite their fear of local residents, they began to rebuild GOD’s sacred altar on the old site, where it stood prior to the Babylonian Invasion in 586 B.C. Immediately they began to sacrifice burnt offerings on the new altar of the LORD, every morning, and every evening (Vs. 1-3), a full fifteen days before the Festival of Shelters began.

That month the Festival of Shelters was celebrated on time, just as it was prescribed by Moses, the man of GOD, and they offered the burnt offerings that were specified for each day of the festival. They also offered the regular burnt offerings, offerings required for the new moon celebrations, their “freewill offerings”, and, they also observed all the other annual festivals to the LORD during that year. And this was all before they began laying the foundation for the LORD’s temple (Vs.4-6).

Later on the people, with help from King Cyrus, hired masons and carpenters, and bought cedar logs from Tyre and Sidon (modern-day Lebanon), paying for them with food, wine, and olive oil, and they floated the logs down from the Lebanon mountains, along the Mediterranean Sea to Joppa (v.7). These cedar logs were the same as those that were used by King Solomon to build the original temple at Jerusalem. They were massive trees that grew up to 120 feet in height, and had a circumference of 30-40 feet. The wood was the most fragrant in the world and resisted rot, and repelled insects very well.

The people of Israel had learned the valuable lesson that, GOD is their only protector. That is why they rebuilt the altar of praise and worship before they rebuilt the wall. GOD had proven HIMSELF to be their “protector and sustainer” in exile, while they were surrounded by the enemy, and they were sure that GOD would be their “wall of protection” during this reconstruction period.

They also wanted to send a message to the surrounding community that they didn’t need a temple in order to worship and praise GOD. The leaders also clearly wanted to establish a precedent for their own people, that, the first reconstruction efforts should be a place of “dedication to GOD”, and for “repentance of sin”. And by putting GOD first, they would be able to succeed in the rest of their efforts.

It is GOD, WHO will bring us through the trials and tribulations of this world, and, it is the “true Christian” who faithfully ascribes salvation to GOD. The salvation GOD gives us is not a deliverance of escape, but rather, it is a deliverance of conquest. When one escapes, he has to constantly look over his shoulder to see if what he escaped from is gaining on him. But when one is able to conquer that which bothers, threatens, or controls him, he becomes free from all such frets and worries. He can then have that measure of peace and protection that we all seek. And it is that kind of protection, a person can only receive through faith in, and obedience to, the Almighty GOD, our SAVIOR, through JESUS CHRIST.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday June 23, 2013

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THE GLORIOUS NEW CREATION

(Rejoice in what GOD is always doing)

(Isaiah 65:17-25)

Isaiah 65, verses 17-25 contains the final of four prophecies in this chapter that represent actual responses by GOD to the remnant’s prayers of Isaiah chapters 63 and 64. In many ways these responses sum up the greater message of the entire book. In this fourth prophesy the LORD says that HE will establish a glorious kingdom in which peace and righteousness will grow and flourish.

Here the prophet Isaiah, whom GOD is speaking through, does not seem to distinguish between this kingdom (millennial kingdom) and the one described by the Apostle John in Revelation 21 (coming after the millennial kingdom). In fact, his description seems to combine elements of both. Never the less, apparently, Isaiah saw the two as one, in this most elaborate of visions, which reaches beyond time and into eternity.

Isaiah chapter 60 and Ezekiel chapters, 40-48, also contains parallels of the vision shared here in this passage concerning the “new heaven”, the “new earth”, and a New Jerusalem. The Israelites had long understood that the “earthly Jerusalem” was always intended to be the site for the temple of GOD. Since the days when King David first moved the Jewish worship center from Mount Gerizim to Jerusalem, he had in mind to build GOD’s temple there.

Biblical history records, however, that the task of building that temple would be assigned to King Solomon, David’s son. The temple would be a symbol of GOD’s presence among HIS people, and would be a place where GOD could be approached in worship. As seen in Revelation 21, the “new” Jerusalem fulfills the promise of the “old”, and we see GOD is present in reality, and, it is only HIS people who can worship him freely, for all eternity.

John’s vision of the new Jerusalem magnifies to a great degree, the visions of the Old Testament prophets that were expressed and depicted hundreds of years earlier. Isaiah, Haggai, and Ezekiel, all had visions of a “rebuilt” Jerusalem. When we consider those facts, it becomes increasingly easy to see that the idea of a “new” Jerusalem had been a constant dream of GOD’s faithful over the years.

In the Greek, there are two words that are used for “new”. One is “neos”, and it is “a new version, or “type” of something that already exists, for example, a new car. We can build a new car, and in fact, new cars are constantly being built daily, however they are not new to the world, as cars have existed since the turn of the 20^th century.

The other Greek word used for “new” is “kainos”, and it is something that is new to the world, and has never existed before”, it is in this sense that the LORD is speaking in this passage (Isaiah 65:17), as well as in Revelation verse 5, where HE says, “Behold, I make all things new”.

In verse 22, of John’s revelation, he reveals that there is no temple in this “new” Jerusalem. This may come as a surprise when we consider how precious the temple was to the Jews who lived in the Jerusalem of Isaiah’s day. However, the apostle’s description of the new city, as being in the shape of a cube 1400 miles in width, length, and height, suggests that Jerusalem itself is a temple, having GOD and the LAMB, both, eternally present within it. The city will need no physical edifice to serve as a temple, because, wherever JESUS is, there, the Church will be also. And we should always remember, that, it is the presence of CHRIST JESUS that makes a gathering a Church.

Furthermore, John reveals that there will be no need for light in the New Jerusalem, because the glory of GOD will provide ample illumination with JESUS the CHRIST being its lamp. John also sees a city whose gates will remain open forever, because there will be no night. And in Revelation 21:24 we see that, everyone who is saved will walk in the light of this wonderful city, and they will bring with them, the glory and honor that is uniquely their own.

From every nation of the earth, we have extracted some unique gift or talent, and our gifts and talents are our glory, given to us by GOD. To the Romans we owe for the ability to organize, formulate, and administer governmental law. And to the Greeks we owe for theology. But, on a smaller scale, every person that comes into the Church, for the purpose of serving, has talents and gifts that the LORD can use.

Shifting gears, in verse 27, John concludes chapter 21 of Revelation with a stern warning to those who refuse to discontinue in the evilness of their ways. Those who refuse to depart from evil will be forever barred from becoming citizens of this great new community of GOD. And Isaiah says in 65:20-22 that he envisions that those who are obedient will live as long as trees, but does not speak of the same eternal life as John does. However, in both instances it is safe to say that, “It is not the “repentant sinner”, but rather, it is the “defiant sinner”, whose name will not be found in the LAMB’s Book of Life. All defiant sinners will be barred from entrance into the city of GOD.

All in all, it doesn’t really matter what we take away from these prophetic, mysterious accounts of these men of GOD. And, in spite of what we think, their central focus will forever remain consistent as their writings continue to be passed down from generation to generation. The lingering message found within these passages, is one that is crystal clear despite their reputations of having enormous complexities. They simply serve to remind us that, in times of great conflict, GOD’s people must remain faithful, humble, and patient to the end.

The promise of victory through CHRIST, over the forces of the evil one, is something that is virtually assured. And to the unbeliever I have only this statement; “It is a life-changing thing, both, getting to know, and, becoming accustomed to practicing, the word of GOD. GOD’s word has already come, in fact, it has been with us since the beginning, and it simply cannot be, nor, will not be, disregarded. GOD’s word is synonymous with life, and therefore, it is effective and penetrating. It absolutely scrutinizes all of our thoughts, desires and intentions.

All things lay naked before GOD, as HE simply sees all, hears all, and knows all that we do. And every one of us will have to make an account for the deeds done in our lifetime, and, whether or not we believe that HE exists, therefore, becomes totally irrelevant.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday June 16, 2013

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MEANINGLESS WORSHIP

(The condition of our hearts and lives influences our worship)

(Isaiah 29:9-16)

Many pre-dominantly African-American churches are well-known for long Sunday worship services that feature loud gospel music, and praise dancing. We even see hand clapping, and outstretched hands to GOD, even while they are performing “demonic miming” in the church. We seem to have developed a knack for “honoring GOD with our lips” and “dishonoring HIM with our actions and hearts”, at one and the same time.

However, great prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel provide strong warnings to all people who attempt to entertain and impress each other with a public display of religious ceremonies that tend to veil a heart that has no genuine connection to GOD, or, to JESUS CHRIST.  

Isaiah 29, verses 9-24, like the passage of verses 1-8, comprise of a prophecy that consist of two parts;

·         The first part (Vs.9-16) is actually made up of three short prophecies of judgment, likely from the years leading up to 701 B.C., and the threatened invasion by the Assyrian King, Sennacherib, into Judah (2 Kings 18). The three short prophecies all have the same subject, which is the blindness and the lack of understanding of Judah’s leadership.

·         The second part (Vs.17-24) is a prophecy of salvation that is reminiscent of parts of Isaiah chapters 24-27 (Isaiah’s apocalypse) and chapters 40-55. The obvious pattern of “sin”, “judgment”, and “hope” seems to strengthen with each catastrophe, and continues throughout the book of Isaiah. Here also (Vs.9-12), the way Isaiah seems to go about his mission, may very well remind us of Isaiah’s vision in the temple in chapter 6,verses 1-13.

In verses 13-14, which are also about “blindness”, we see that, because of the hypocrisy of Israel, its leaders would be deprived of the resourcefulness that is needed to guide the nation through a difficult crisis ahead. The original context of this prophecy seems to speak of a time when irresponsibility and short-sightedness led to the devastation of Judah. However, as it stands, it can be taken as a general attack on the “lip-service” of GOD’s people who were faithfully attending acts of worship, mouthing the words of prayer and hymns, without actually taking seriously, what they were saying and doing.

The LORD judged Judah’s hypocritical attempt to maintain a show of worshipping HIM, while actually living as though HIS ways were not important at all. The people had replaced “true worship” with “lip-service”, “man-made rules”, and bible text that they merely memorized and reduced down to just “church talk”. While using their mouths to flatter GOD, their hearts remained far from HIM, and in truth, they loved many other things more than they loved GOD.

GOD hates “false worship” and so HE promises to confound Judah with many wonders. The LORD would demonstrate that HE alone is worthy of worship and praise, and in the midst of HIS wondrous acts, the wisdom of the wisest men in Israel would vanish, and all understanding of the people would be hidden. Whenever we separate ourselves from a right relationship with GOD, our human wisdom fails us, and here we clearly see GOD saying that HIS power will confound the very best of “human intellect”.

In verses 15-16 we see just WHO is sovereign and in charge in this world, and that, of course, is the LORD. Hypocritical worship grows out of selfish pride, and selfish pride leads to self-delusion. It is very possible for a person to convince himself, or herself, that they can hide their plans and actions from GOD. Here in these verses, Isaiah confronts those who were going to great lengths to keep their unfaithfulness secret from GOD.

Such attempts are not just limited to Isaiah’s day, but perhaps, are even more common here in the twenty-first century church. In today’s church we surely seem to need reminding that nothing is hidden from GOD, and we would do well to adopt what I call “the attitude of Hagar”, and become convinced that the GOD of Abraham is “the GOD WHO sees me”.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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