Bible Study                                     Notes 2001

9 Jan 2001

Isaiah 48

SPIRITUAL-HISTORICAL HERITAGE
1. Jacob- Israel ("Supplanter" to "Prince with God") Isa. 48:1
2. "Well-springs" (and not "desert") Isa. 48:1
3. "Who swears by the Name of God" (mng. Allowed to call upon God as Witness) Isa. 48:1
4. "They call themselves after the Holy City" Isa. 48:2
5. "They lean on the God of Israel" Isa. 48:2

THE DEGENERATION OF THE NATION
1. Obstinacy- "neck like an iron sinew, your brow bronze" Isa. 48:4
2. Turned away from God to worship idols Isa. 48:5
3. Treachery Isa. 48:8
4. Transgression Isa. 48:8

NEW THINGS… HIDDEN THINGS... Isa. 48:6
1. God had previously "declared the former things from the beginning" Isa. 48:3
2. However, the idolatrous nation claimed that the idols worshipped gave them these teachings Isa. 48:5
3. The people tended to make use of what God had said to their advantage Isa. 48:7
4. God thus declared that He will now cause "new things…hidden things" to be heard, so that they cannot deal so treacherously with God Isa. 48:8

"FOR MY NAME'S SAKE" Isa. 48:9-11
(An important truth to keep in the heart)
1. "For My Name's sake… for My praise…" I will defer My anger Isa. 48:9
2. God chooses to test and refine than to destroy Isa. 48:10
3. God will not allow His glory to be dragged down and profaned Isa. 48:11

A SPECIAL "NEW" WORD TO ISRAEL
1. Israel still considered "Called" despite sins Isa. 48:12, 15
2. The sinful nation still loved, despite treachery Isa. 48:14
3. He who created the foundation of the earth, will send His Messiah Servant to His people, despite their unworthiness Isa. 48:12, 16, 17
a) Sent by the Lord
b) Empowered by the Spirit Isa. 48:16
4. If only Israel had obeyed, then would the nation have been enormously blessed Isa. 48:18-19
a) Blessed with peace like a river
b) Blessed with righteousness like the waves of the sea
c) Descendants would have been like the sand
d) Their good name would not have been cut off
5. Redemption promised Isa. 48:20
a) Physically- from Babylon Isa. 48:20
b) Spiritually- from sins

MEDITATION
"I will love you, O Lord, my strength" Psalm 18:1