Book of Isaiah-3

Way of Redemption ( Studies from the book of Isaiah-3) IntroductionDiscussQ what is redemption?

Q-According to the old testament,who can redeem?

Q-How did Jesus qualify as the mankind's redeemer? ( The leader needs to make sure everyone understands the concept of redemption. Explanation is needed if there are new believers.

When somebody, pays the price for our debts and frees us, he becomes our redeemer. Because of sin, mankind is enslaved to satan. To free mankind from sin, one who is one of them ( a man), and one who is without sin was needed as a redeemer.

Jesus Son of God, the spotless lamb was born as man to redeem mankind. By his death on the cross, He paid the price for the sins of all men and freed us. Jesus thus became our redeeemer.

When we accept Jesus as our savior, he becomes our Lord. Thus for every believer, Jesus Christ is Savior, Lord, redeemer and God.) 1.Seeing the Redeemer-Isaiah 33:17-24 The people of Judah were in distress. They were full of fear because of the invaders who spoke strange languages. They were afraid because the enemy was powerful. It is in these times, that the prophet Isaiah, is asking the people of Judah to see through the eyes of faith, a glorious future promised by God. Seeing this future would enable them to deal with what they saw all around them.

Isaiah likely spoke these words when the Assyrians were attacking the nation of Judah.

In contrast to what they were experiencing, God promised (prophecies) that -his people would see “the king in his beauty”(Is33:17) .

-This king would restore the kingdom and expand the borders. The former fears would become a distant memory. Is33:18,19.

-The king would restore peace and bring security to the city of Jerusalem.V 20.

-The people would again celebrate the feasts and festivals.God himself would guarantee the safety and blessinng of the land v21.

-V 22 emphasizes that God would be the judge, lawgiver and King of his people.

--He would be their redeemer, the One who would save them. − v 23,24 says, Judah will enjoy the blessings of physical and spiritual wholeness, while Assyria was compared to a broken down ship that would be plundered.

God did restore Jerusalem after the exile, yet these prophecies in totality will be fulfilled in the Messianic age. Isaiah was delivering hope to a people whose backs were against the wall. Inspite of their situation, they were told not to lose heart because a day would come when things would change for them. They could trust in God's promises of restoration. The best was yet to come.

As a believer you will face enemies that will cause fear to rise in your heart. But if you can see through eyes of faith, you can face your enemy with confidence that the victory is yours.

Discuss Q-Your enemy can be sickness, dissappointment, accident, financial problems etc. How can you have faith and confidence when you face the enemy?

2. Joy of Transformation-Isaiah 35:1-7 Isaiah 35 looks forward to the restoration of Judah and the Messianic age. Isaiah offered hope to the people by describing a transformed desert, in v 1,2 and 7. The transformed desert would have the “glory of Lebanon” and “the excellency of Carmel and sharon”. These regions were known for their lush forests and vegetation. This glory and splendor that the desert would have would reflect the glory and splendor of God. From the beauty of the natural world, the people would recognise the handiwork of the creator.

Also the description of the desert, can be a figurative description of the spiritual condition of the nation of Judah. Because of her sins, Judah had dried up spiritually, resulting in distressing times. What was true of Judah then, can be true of many people today. Because of sin many people are spiritually dry and dead. If you are spiritually dry, dont blame the church, the preacher and the place, look into yourself and turn to Jesus. He supplies the living waters (Holy Spirit) , that have the power of transforming deserts into fertile grounds. (Jn 6:37-39).

It is because of this hope of transformation, that Isaiah told the people not to worry. V 5and 6 describe the transformation of the people. Here the reference to healing is to both physical and spiritual healing. (Is 6:9,10). The joy of restoration is evident.”the lame leap, the blind see and mute shout and sing for Joy.” When we think of all that God has already done for us, we have much to rejoce about. We also have reason to rejoice because of all the promises for the future.If you are feeling fearful or discouraged, remind yourself of the change (transformation), Jesus has alrready done in your life.

So rejoice in his promise to complete His work in you(Phil1:6) 3 Path of the redeemed- Isaiah 35:8-10 The final verses of Isaiah 35, continue with the imagery of a desert, this time with a highway running through it. In olden days travel could be very dangerous,with robbers or wild animals a certain danger. But the highway the Lord would make, back to Judah would not be dangerous at all, because God would be watching over it. He would make it a limited access highway allowing only certain people to travel on it.

First only the redeemed people of the Lord are allowed on it.(v:9). The people were facing both a spiritual and physical exile. Only those who separate themselves from a sinful life are allowed on this highway of Holiness (v 8). The trip ends in Zion with singing, joy, and gladness of the heart.

For Israel, this referred to their return from exile to the city of Jerusalem. For us today, it refers to the New jerusalem, the eternal, heavenly city of God (Rev 21) Are you one of the redeemed? Then you are expected to live a righteous and holy life. This we can never do in our own strength but with the help of the Holy Spirit. Our redeemer God will contnue to work in our lives, transforming us by the power of the washing of the word and his Holy Spirit. As we worship him with joy and gladness, keeping our relationship with God fresh and vibrant, we will be able to walk,” the way of Holiness” with assurance..

Concluding prayer -pray together, surrendering yourself to God afresh.Ask him to to tranform you with the Holy Spirit guidance.

-Pray for each others needs -Pray for that God will bless and multiply all carecells.

-Pray for GCLC pastors, missions, ministries and sunday services