THE
BIBLE JESUS READ: THE PROPHETS—WHEN GOD TALKS BACK
Isaiah 42:14-17
The Writing Prophets of the Old Covenant
Era have been taken captive in contemporary times by those who incorrectly see
them as keys for understanding when Jesus will return. This is a disturbing
phenomenon because of the insights of such great value that are therefore
overlooked. It is also a rather incredible oddity that modern Bible “experts”
would claim to see in the Old Testament what Jesus Himself was unable to see
(cf. Lk. 24:44-45; Matt. 24:35-36).
The Writing Prophets need to be
rediscovered in our day. Their especially compelling record of God’s amazing
love is much needed today as a cure for the prevailing sense of being unloved.
God cares! The Prophets prove this fact in a most compelling way. Let us all
listen to the voice of love as, in the Prophets, God responds to our protests
that He does not care.
THE MODERN MESSAGE OF
THE ANCIENT PROPHETS
1. The
seeming unconcern of God for economic inequity, injustice, the horrors of war,
the “success” of the wicked, and suffering of the innocent, were as perplexing
then as they are now.
2. The
Prophets address more pointedly than any other writings the dilemma of, while
being human, trying to make sense of this world of God’s own creation.
a. Why
doesn’t God do something about evil (Isa. 64:7)?
b. What
good does it do to pray about such things (Isa. 64:1-2)?
c. Why
does God allow evil to persist as we helplessly watch (Hab. 1:1-4)?
d. Why
does God allow us to experience such profound sadness (Jer. 9:1-2).
e. What
good does is it for God to have power, if He does not use it (Jer. 14:9)?
GOD HAS MOST
CERTAINLY RESPONDED TO MAN’S COMPLAINTS
1. God
has revealed Himself in His servants, the prophets (Am. 3:7).
2. God
has chosen to rely more on words, however, than on mighty acts (cf. Heb. 4:12).
3. God
does not consider “mere” words an inferior means of communication.
4. In
the Prophets, God reveals His willing vulnerability in choosing to so love His
creation.
5. He
opened Himself up to much pain by creating us as He did—beings of choice.
GOD SPEAKS FROM HIS
HEART
1. He
feels deep pain at being betrayed by those He loves (Ezek. 16).
2. Abandonment
brings Him agony (Isa. 42:14-22).
3. God
is exasperated at how far from Him His people can go (Jer. 32:35).
4. God
longs to be known and understood by those He loves (Jer. 9:23-24).
5. He
especially pleads for understanding when He must punish (Jer. 9:9).
6. The
Lord, however, is compelled to call back, after punishment, those He loves
(Hos. 11:8-9).
7. Consider
especially the object lesson of Hosea (Hos. 1:2; 3:1-5).
8. God
feels the pains that only One deeply in love can feel.
THE ULTIMATE
EXPRESSION OF LOVE IN A LOOK AHEAD
1. The
Prophets were also given a look ahead to the ultimate expression of God’s
love—Jesus.
2. God
would come to be with His people in the most literal way possible (Isa. 7:14).
3. But
the price paid for this visit would be greater than we could comprehend (Isa.
53; Ps. 22:1-21).
4. Through
this great, sacrificial act of love, God would make a way for His people to
escape their sins and live with Him forever (Isa. 9:6-7).
Truly, God loves us. He has opened Himself
up for much pain and anguish in choosing to love us so deeply. It is a thing of
wonderment that the God of all creation would so incline Himself toward sinful
humans! In the troublesome worries of our perplexing existence, there is much
comfort to be found in this. When God answered back to human complaints He
revealed things about Himself that now brings us peace. The Prophets are
without question of considerable value in such awesome insights!
Edwin
9/24/00
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