SAMPLE SIM FALL 2021-3
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SAMPLE SIM #20 Isaiah 41:5-14
Date and Author
The book of Isaiah was authored during the second half of the 8
th
century B.C by Isaiah’s son of Amoz.
1
Although, Isaiah was from the northern kingdom in Jerusalem, the setting of his prophetic ministry took place in Judah.
2
Moreover, church tradition espouses that Isaiah was a member of Judah’s royal family, that he was married to a prophetess and was the Father of two sons.
3
Occasion for the writing
In lieu of the impending Babylonian exile, Isaiah addresses the questions that he knows Judah will ask in exile.
4
The prophet recognizes that the themes of Judah’s questions will be, “Has Yahweh been defeated by the Babylonian gods?” God answers that question, in Isaiah 46:9 “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me”. The second thematic question, is “Has not our sin separated us from our God forever?” To which God responds in Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God…” In this way, God speaks comfort to Judah and not judgement and assures them that they will be witnesses to his delivering power.
5
Therefore, the nations are as nothing to him, so Judah should not fear being abandoned.
6
1
John N. Oswalt, The NIV Application Commentary: From Biblical text to Contemporary Life
(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003), 33. 2
Ibid, 18.
3
Dillard, Raymond B. & Longman, Tremper, An Introduction to the Old Testament 2
nd
edition (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006), 311.
4
John N. Oswalt, The NIV Application Commentary: From Biblical text to Contemporary Life
(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003), 443.
5
Ibid.
6
Ibid. 1
Interpretive Principles There are 5 interpretive principles for the prophetic genre. First, prophecy is primarily forth telling truths concerning God’s will for the present as opposed to foretelling future events.
7
Second, as covenant enforcers, the prophets stood before the people on behalf of God conveying his will.
8
For that reason, the prophet’s message was never original but it was the ministry of the prophet to voice God’s message to His people.
9
Therefore, the essential function of the prophet was to remind Israel of provisions in her covenant with the Lord.
10
Third, it’s important to note the main divisions of a prophet’s message.
11
Biblical prophecies are distinct from narratives in that they don’t convey a story.
12
Instead, prophecies are a string of oracles or prophetic topics that the Lord reveled to the prophet over time.
13
Fourth, to rightly divide the prophetic genre, historical background study is required.
14
To appreciate the significance of the prophet’s message, being familiar with the circumstances, the historical setting, the historicity of the book and what behavior summoned the prophetic message all prove critical to the prophetic genre.
15
Finally, as New Testament believers, the prophetic books are revelatory of God’s steadfast love and holiness toward His people, despite their tendency to wander from Him. To that end, the prophetic books emphasize the correlation that must exist between right belief and right behavior. 16
7
Walt Russell, Playing With Fire: How the Bible Ignites Change in Your Soul (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2000), 177.
8
Ibid. 9
Ibid.
10
Ibid, 184.
11
Ibid, 186.
12
Ibid.
13
Ibid. 14
Ibid. 15
Ibid, 187.
16
Ibid.
2
The phrases that stood out to me were the “I” statements included within Isaiah 41:7-14. God tells Israel, that “I have chosen you” (Isaiah 41:8); “I took you” and “I called you” (Isaiah 41:9); “I have chosen you” (Isaiah 41:9); “I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10); “I am your God” (Isaiah 41:10); “I will strengthen you and help you” (Isaiah 41:10); “I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10); “I am the Lord your God” (Isaiah 41:13); “I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13); “For I myself will help you” (Isaiah 41:14).
The Meaning of the Passage
The meaning of this passage confronts Judah’s fears that the Lord has forsaken them.
17
Yet, despite Judah’s sin, they still belong to the unchanging, matchless God and He remains with
them.
18
Within the space of Isaiah 41:1-42:9 two subsections are identified, each beginning with a challenge for idolaters to present their best case that their god is divine.
19
Isaiah 41:1-20 speaks of the terror that God’s ensuing judgement is bringing upon the nations, but in verses 8-20 Judah is assured that she has no need to fear.
20
Isaiah 41:21-42:9 the Lord demonstrates his superiority over the gods, because he has in fact told the future.
21
Therefore, Judah’s captivity in Babylon does not minimize God’s power and enduring covenant with His people.
22
God has not forsaken Judah in their hour of judgement, instead he is personally present with them in captivity and he will be “strengthen”, “help” and “uphold” them.
23
To that end, God is with Judah in their distress
and this word of encouragement assures them that he will be at the center of the outcome.
24
The 17
John N. Oswalt, The NIV Application Commentary: From Biblical text to Contemporary Life
(Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003), 460.
18
Ibid, 459-465.
19
Ibid, 458.
20
Ibid. 21
Ibid. 22
Ibid. 23
Ibid, 460.
24
Ibid, 460.
3
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big idea sentence, is that God’s people are not to give into fear even in the direst of circumstances, for God remains faithful to be their God.
Lectico Divina
During my time of meditation on this passage, I was reminded me that God is with me and that nothing can separate me from his love. Even in my sin and in the space where I am enduring the consequences of my sin-God remains with me. While those who trust in idols don’t have this same security and refuge; I have a word from the Lord, that does not fail but always prevails-and that word assures me that He is with me. With that, he remains with me to strengthen, help and uphold me with his righteous right hand, for that’s the mighty God that I serve. In this new season of serving in a new role, I’ve recognized how often I am filled with fear. Although, this role engages the areas of my spiritual gifts, I find that my thoughts are often symptomatic of imposter syndrome. But what the Holy Spirit reminds me of in this passage is that perfection is not a prerequisite for God’s use. In fact, the Lord has given me these gifts to fulfill His purpose. Moreover, I will find my greatest joy in using them for His purposes. Therefore, I can trust him instead of giving into fear, nor do I have to anxiously look around like I don’t have God. For He is my God and He will strengthen, help and uphold me by His righteous right hand. 4