Article archive
11/06/2012 07:56
The OT portion of Isaiah (chapters 1-39) may be called “God Calls for Return to Faith.” The next 27 chapters (the NT portion) may be called “God Provides Restoration.” Chapter 40 begins with a word from God to comfort his people. Our minds must recognize a huge divide between chapters 39...
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10/25/2012 09:53
The Penal Substitution theory of the atonement refers to the doctrine that Christ died on the cross as a substitute for sinners. God imputed the guilt of our sins to Christ, and he, in our place, bore the punishment that we deserve. This was a full payment for sins, which satisfied both...
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10/20/2012 10:58
Several theories of the atonement have been advanced over the centuries of this present age. A few of the more notable ones include the following:
Recapitulation theory – Irenaeus, one of the 2nd century church fathers, articulated this theory that argues Jesus succeeded where Adam...
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10/12/2012 10:20
In chapter 38 we read that Hezekiah became ill. This was probably in his 14th year just as the Assyrian conflict is beginning. Isaiah came to him and told him to put his affairs in order because he would die from the illness. Hezekiah, in tears, prayed to God recounting his faithful and...
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10/05/2012 11:57
The Assyrian Rabshakeh (advisor to King Sennacherib) came to Jerusalem with a large contingent of the Assyrian army on orders from Sennacherib who remained with the rest of the army finishing up the battle of the last Judean forces at Lachish and then at Libnah. Judean officials...
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09/28/2012 11:27
Chapter 34 begins with a demand that all nations pay attention. We can imagine the cheering that had been going on with God’s judgment on Assyria. But Isaiah delivers a blast to turn their concentration to a greater matter. All of them are guilty. All the nations have turned from...
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09/21/2012 09:53
The tone of Isaiah changes beginning with chapter 32. Prior to this chapter, greater emphasis was placed on the rebellion by Judah, Israel, and other nations. We saw God’s heart of longing for their return; we read of the judgment on each nation and the use of Assyria as the tool of...
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09/15/2012 10:10
We have already mentioned the command in Deuteronomy urging Israel not ever to return to Egypt for dependency. Yet in Isaiah 30 we see Judah doing just that. And it seems that Isaiah has the Deut 17:14-16 injunction in mind as he relates the disobedient attitude of the Jews because he...
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09/08/2012 07:36
Having left the discussion of God’s plan using Israel in Isaiah 29, we are confronted in Isaiah 30 by a plan that is not God’s. The Jews are in rebellion—the same kind of rebellion that they have been in throughout their history. It is a rebellion of choosing their own way without...
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08/31/2012 14:33
To wrap up our side study of authority, we need to look at certain New Testament texts that mention authority. Returning first, however, to Philippians 2, we see once again what our hearts should be. We are to “make [our] own attitude that of Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5). We are to imitate...
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