OMGaaahhh

Be thou my vision, O high King of Heaven

[doughnutwarrior]

Ezra 3

So these guys have finally started to build the temple of the LORD, and they started with the altar. They apparently feared the locals of the area that they were building in (of exactly what, I don’t know), but then they offered all these burnt sacrifices as mentioned in Leviticus 1. Along with the burnt offerings, they were pretty much doing everything else (new moon offerings, appointed feasts offerings, Feast of Booths, etc.). I’m certain that not a single Israelite survivor was left out in participating in these events. After, along with the fact burnt offerings included even sacrificing a cheap turtledove or pigeon (Leviticus 1:14-17), free will offerings were offered left and right. 

Once the foundation of the temple of the LORD was laid, based on all the directions written in Leviticus, everything should have been back to normal. All the measurements were probably right, all the material was the same, even the rituals of the days of old were being practiced. This was an appropriate time for these survivors to celebrate their feat, and that is exactly what a lot of them did. They responded in worship. 

However, we see clearly, in verses 12-13 of this chapter, that not every Hebrew shared the same feelings as everyone else. The older ones, who had seen the temple before their exile were weeping. They were weeping on par with those who were shouting for joy that no one could differentiate the two noises. But wow these guys had to be mourning pretty darn loud for that to happen. 

Were these guys weeping because this new temple could not compare to the OG temple? I think that’s the reason. But the next question I ask is if they are justified in their weeping. Shouldn’t these elders share in the joy of this great accomplishment? Aren’t they being a little unreasonable by desiring the times of the past? At least their conquerors gave them money to build this thing!

Perhaps this weeping is similar to something found in Romans 8:22-30. Yes, weeping and groaning are different, but I think the reason for these two things are the same; there is a longing for some sort of former glory. Yes, physically this new temple that was built was the same as the original one, and everyone was doing all the rituals as were instructed, but there were many reasons why all of this was still so different. One of the reasons is that the Israelites are now enslaved by Persia. Although they are allowed to worship as instructed in Leviticus, they are still doing it under captivity, and this is not the way God wants worship to be done. It’s supposed to be done freely. So of course there would be weeping from the elders who knew what it felt like to worship as a free people. I’m speculating that this is one possible reason.

I should be doing more weeping. Yes there is joy in my salvation, but there are countless other souls who do not know Christ. As nice as this world may seem, there’s still so much brokenness and there’s absolutely nothing I can do about it. To not weep is to be like the Israelites who have no idea how ridiculously beautiful everything is supposed to actually be. God, open my eyes to see this.

Thanks.

[doughnutwarrior]

Ezra 2

Too many names and numbers in this chapter. Some names are familiar while others are... not. But anyway, let’s get started.

From the beginning of this chapter, we see some familiar faces. Nehemiah was the guy who helped rebuild the temple of the LORD (I think). And Mordecai is Esther’s uncle!!! Whooaaa it all makes sense. I’m assuming the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther are in chronological order and are the happenings of the Jewish nation after being conquered by the Babylonians and the Persians. 

And then comes the long list of names and numbers. I guess it’s kinda cool how they know exactly who and how many people made the journey back to Jerusalem. It at least shows how careful and exact the Israelites were when it came to lineage. It even mentions from verses 59-63 how these random guys from these random places were not considered true Israelites because they could not prove their heritage and their names were not found in the genealogies.

In total, there were 42,360 Israelites whose hearts had been stirred to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Just to put this number in perspective, back in the day, King David did census on his fighting men. One of the resulting numbers were 500,000 soldiers from the tribe of Judah alone (2 Samuel 24:9). Recall that these 42,360 men included tribes from Judah, Benjamin, and the Levites. What the heck happened??? These guys are endangered!!! But they will never go extinct!!! As small as this number is, it is important to keep in mind the promises of God. In 2 Samuel 7:16, God tells David that his house and kingdom shall be established forever. And God never breaks his promises. Of course God is talking about Jesus and His kingdom (Jesus hails from the house of Judah and line of David). But still, God will never break His promise. Small numbers, big numbers. Doesn’t matter to God. After all, going back to the beginning, during the time of Joseph, the whole tribe of Israel numbered only 70 LOL (Genesis 46:27). 

Also kind of interesting to note that these guys made freewill offerings to God when they arrived. I tried looking up what “freewill” offerings were in Leviticus. But looking at Leviticus 22:17-25, it seems that these are just burnt/peace offerings made to God out of their own free will and not necessarily because they had to. This is definitely something that is pleasing to God.

[doughnutwarrior]

Ezra 1

Well, here goes nothing. 

YAY FINALLY A NEW BOOK! Ezra... I remember in one of my past posts, I said I would start Ezra next whenever I finished Isaiah. I remember it had something to do with fasting. Well I’m sure it will come up soon. Anyway, LEZDODIS!

I know that in verse 1, it says that the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus as prophesied by Jeremiah, but the prophecy of Cyrus was in Isaiah, too!!! Isaiah 44:28 and then the rest of chapter 45. And just like Isaiah 44:28 says, God is using Cyrus to fulfill His purposes of rebuilding the temple of the LORD. Kind of crazy how this exact prophecy is coming to fruition.

Another thing that sticks out is this word “stirred up”. It’s mentioned in verse 1, when the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus. It’s mentioned again in verse 5 when God stirred up the spirits of the Israelites to rebuild the house of the LORD. I think it’s pretty important that both these people (Cyrus and the Israelites) were stirred because these people were not the ones you’d expect to rebuild the temple of God. Cyrus is the king of Persia who dominated even the Babylonians (who had dominated the Jews). I’m 100% certain that the Persians did not worship the living God of Israel. And I’m pretty sure Cyrus saw Him as just another God that he worshiped possibly alongside a bunch of other Gods. Why would this pagan king want the temple of God rebuilt? Well, it pretty much says it in the verse 2. God has charged him to build Him a house at Jerusalem. And let’s be real. It’s wouldn’t be wrong to say it’s completely unexpected for this pagan king to obey God. After all, countless kings of Israel and Judah had disobeyed the voice of the LORD. It’s a miracle that Cyrus chose to obey Him.

Secondly, the Israelites must be depressed as crap. They lost their glorious kingdom and they have been dominated by two super powers so far. Surely the curses of Deuteronomy 28:15-68 were the story of their lives for a long long time. I doubt that rebuilding the temple of the God who has seemingly forsook them is something they would willingly want to do. 

AND YET, God has stirred these people’s hearts. Only the stirring of the spirit of man by the hand of God himself could possibly cause them to willingly order a decree to rebuild the temple and willingly rise up to travel to Jerusalem in order to start construction of the temple that might as well have been destroyed by the man who ordered the reconstruction! 

STIR AND SPUR US JESUS!!! Thank you Jesus...

[doughnutwarrior]

Isaiah 65 part 2 (almost forgotten)

Haven’t done this in a while and realized that I almost missed a part! Finals are hard. I need to read the Bible more. 

Is this real life? This “new heavens and a new earth” thing. Man, this stuff is too good to be true. Looking at it from the perspective of where I am now in my life (taking a day study break from finals), all this stuff seems like it’s for someone else. What I mean by that is that someone else who’s in a suckier situation than me would find much comfort in reading something like this. But then I put myself in the shoes of those whose lives are at risk for the sake of Christ, and things are a lot more different…

Well anyway, there are some similarities to this passage and Revelations 21:1-4. Yes, there’s that concept of new heavens and new earth, but what sticks out is the idea of the passing away of former things. In this Isaiah passage, it states that “the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind” (verse 17). In the Revelations passage (verse 4), it also says that the former things are no more (death, mourning, crying, pain). That’s pretty cool. This also is pretty relatable to what Pastor Matt’s been preaching on in Ephesians last month (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Hmmm, reading further into it, this is not only a transformation of a certain place that we live in, but it is also a transformation of self (referring to the passing away of former things). According to Revelations 21:3, the dwelling place of God is with man. Yes, there’s that new heaven and earth where everyone and God will be located at. But more specifically, within the new heavens and new earth, the dwelling place of God is with man. That’s why I’m linking this new creation stuff and passing away of formal things with us as well, and not just our surroundings. Even in the Ephesians passage, Paul states that we are to put off our old self, which belongs to the former manner of life, and put on the new self. This is why as I read this Isaiah passage, there’s also a transformation that God will do in us as well. As we live through life endure through the difficult process of putting of the former manner of life and putting on the righteousness of Christ, God’s promise is that there will come a day where that struggle will be over. Wow, thank you Jesus.

Verse 24 - It’s like next level faithfulness of God right here. BEFORE we even call, God will answer. Well honestly, hasn’t it always been like that (Matthew 6:8)?

Verse 25 – ANIMALS IN HEAVEN??? Perhaps!

[doughnutwarrior]

Isaiah 64

Dang the plea from Isaiah here sounds so desperate. He sees that Israel is nowhere near its former glory when they were God’s people and He was their God. There was once a time when His power would make the mountains shake and the nations tremble. And looking back at the earlier books of the Old Testament, those times really did exist! Where is the God that parted the Red Sea? Where is the God that took down Goliath? The fame of the God of Israel used to be great, but now it seems that this nation has “become like those over whom You have never ruled, like those who are not called by Your name”.

Isaiah repents big time in verses 6-7, stating a very fundamental truth of the Christian faith. “All our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.” Israel has become a nation unclean, and because of this, God has hidden His face from them. And in verses 8-12, I can almost imagine Isaiah pleading to God with tears.

From what I am observing, Isaiah approaches God in a very humble way. First he acknowledges who God is and the great works that He had done. Then he repents (on behalf of the people and himself). Then he also acknowledges the relationship between God and the people of Israel (after all, they are still the chosen people of God and that will never change). And finally, Isaiah asks God to turn away His anger from a people whom He had once shown much love and prosperity. This chapter ends with a question: God, what will you do?

[doughnutwarrior]

Isaiah 63

The day has finally come where God’s justice is executed on the earth. It is He who is Mighty to Save. The language here is very similar to that of Revelation 14:17-20. This might be the same thing might not. Although it’s a pretty gruesome picture, I can’t really complain. Considering all the beheadings, burnings, mindless slaughtering, rapes, and other awful things that go on unseen and unpunished, this whole trampling in the winepress thing doesn’t seem all that bad (lol ok this is starting to make me sound too cruel). It’s like whenever I watch a violent movie and the villain, who has committed a bunch of heinous crimes, dies a quick bullet-to-the-head death, I feel like that wasn’t enough. To me, that wasn’t justice! He got off easy! But then again, I know based on scripture and even news accounts that God’s justice can seem too severe. The punishments in hell are definitely much too horrendous to describe in this silly little commentary. Ahh I guess all that matters is that I ask for God’s heart of justice and leave all the execution to Jesus. After all, Romans 12:20-21. That is what I am called to do.

And then there are the times where it seems God’s vengeance is upon us. The times where it seems He is fighting against us. In the time of Isaiah, the Israelites brought it upon themselves when they started to rebel and grieve the Holy Spirit. During this time, the people (well at least Isaiah) recount the days of old and the wonderful things that He had done for them- marvelous works that prove His faithfulness and goodness.  And then after remembering, Isaiah cries out to God on behalf of a rebellious people and even himself.

He refers to God as Father in verse 16. Even in the big, bad, Old Testament, we see that there is still that aspect of a father-child relationship between God and His people. Dang.

[doughnutwarrior]

Isaiah 62

I don't really know what the first part of verse 5 is saying but the second part is saying that God will rejoice over Israel like a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. The marriage between Christ and Israel is also seen in Revelation 20:9-11. (Hmmm what's interesting is that I was originally gonna say that this marriage relationship is similar to Jesus and the church. I googled this and read an article that said the church is not the bride of Christ. The church is the body of Christ and there are analogies that use the covenant of marriage (Ephesians 5:22-24), but the body of Christ is not the bride. It is the Holy City that is Jerusalem that is the bride. Definitely gotta check up on this lol). 

This type of rejoicing that is described in Isaiah is over a nation that was previously called "Forsaken" and "Desolate. This depravity and desolation has not only been lifted, but something greater has taken its place. God's not saying that He'll simply tolerate Israel, but He will REJOICE over what He has redeemed. This definitely applies to us as well. The enemy comes only to steal and kill and destroy. Jesus comes that we may have life and have it abundantly. ABUNDANTLY. Dang, I feel like I forget this all the time... LORD Jesus help me overcome the debtors mentality...

[doughnutwarrior]

Isaiah 60

So many different thingsthe Spirit of the LORD is capable of. A lot of times, when people think of being “Spirit-filled”, they think of crazy supernatural stuff like tongues, prophecy, healing, and stuff like that. But wow, it’s so much more than that (and of course still supernatural!). In verses 1-3, being Spirit-filled enables us to bring good news to the poor, bind up the broken-hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and opening of the eyes to those who are blind, comfort those who mourn, give the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit. And this is all so that those who hear and believe the good news would be called oaks of righteousness all for His glory. There seems to be so many facets to the Spirit, but the Spirit is one (1 Corinthians 12:11) and we are sealed with EVERY spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). If the scriptures are true, we are capable of doing all of these things mentioned in Isaiah in the rest of the Bible. WOWZERZ.

The chapter goes on to talk more about the coming prosperity of Israel, but once again, there is hope for the nations as well! In verse 10, Isaiah rejoices because God has clothed him with the “garments of salvation” and the “robe of righteousness”. I’m sure when the Israelites heard this prophecy, they were looking forward to tangible freedom from their long captivity by the Babylonians or some other foreign nation. In verse 11, it says God will sow righteousness and praise in all nations and there will come a time when these will sprout. Dang, this is the time that I am living in. Righteousness and praise be everywhere!!!!!!!

[doughnutwarrior]

Isaiah 60

When the glorious light of God shines on us, we become a source of light as well. In verse 1, Isaiah is like "the light has come, therefore, arise and shine!" In the context of the Israelites, this light that is radiating from them seems to attract a lot of attention, as described throughout the whole chapter. Some of these things include the sons and daughters of Israel, wealth of nations, camels, gold, good news, offering items (flocks and rams), foreigners, kings, etc. DANG. 

And wow, lest the Israelites or anyone else grow prideful, it says in verse 19 and 20 that this light source will not be the moon or sun or any created thing, but will be the Creator Himself. Kind of and interesting point that something created by God (ex. the sun), could give off such a blinding light. How much more bright is the glory of Him who created such a thing. 

[doughnutwarrior]

Isaiah  59 part 2

We got some armor of God right here in this chapter. In verse 17, we see the breastplate of righteousness and helmet of salvation. These two pieces of armor are seen in Ephesians 6 (kinda cool, but I'm pretty sure Paul got it from Isaiah). But there are two other articles of armor that are not in the Ephesians 6 passage; these two are the garments of vengeance and the cloak of zeal...

Garment of vengeance: I want this stuff!!! As Pastor Bruce said in the LJRD retreat, it is an injustice that I have the King of Glory inside of me and there are thousands on Georgia Tech campus who either do not know him or even never heard of him. I usually see the word "vengeance" with a negative connotation, but here, it's akin to fighting for what's right. God is one of justice after all. We're gonna take back what the enemy has stolen!!!

Cloak of Zeal: Passion burn inside of me!!! Passion for Jesus Christ that is undeniable and ever growing. Passion that does not keep longing for the days of the past but strains forward to the prize.

Belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes fitted with the readiness of the Gospel, shield of faith, sword of the Spirit that is God's Word, garment of vengeance, cloak of zeal, King of Glory who has already won it all...

The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GG no re, enemy.

[doughnutwarrior]

Isaiah 59

This is wickedness. Verses 3-8 describe such an evil that is characteristic of the wicked (like wicked level over 9000). The mouth is filled with lies and wickedness, injustice is promoted, literally more evil is birthed, swift to shed innocent blood, know no peace. Too much evil. Is this us??? Part of me says "I'm not that bad. I don't lay adder eggs and produce viper babies". But another part of me is saying "This doesn't even begin to describe the wickedness that lies in me"...

[doughnutwarrior]

Isaiah 58

Sometimes we seek the LORD with the wrong heart and wonder why it seems that God is not there. When I read this, it's almost as if God is saying "You seek Me as if you deserve to get something out of it." We must approach God with a clean and contrite spirit (chapter 17:15). Simply fasting in order to look like we're fasting (even if it's only before God) is not what pleases Him. The fast that pleases the LORD is SOCIAL JUSTICE. There's also an emphasis on freedom ("loose the bonds of wickedness", "undo the straps of the yoke", "let the oppressed go free", "break every yoke"). This chapter also mentions Sabbath (omg another one) saying how if we establish this day as holy and not as a day to seek our own pleasure, we will take delight in the LORD. I need to take this command more seriously...

[doughnutwarrior]

Isaiah 57

This is referring to more of the second half of this chapter...

God is holy, magnificent, awesome, and matchless. He dwells in THE high and Holy place. Yet it also says He dwells with the lowly and contrite. Crazy how God dwells in such seemingly opposite places. Or perhaps that's just how God works (Matthew 5:3,5). The poor in spirit have the Kingdom of God. The meek will inherit the earth.

In verses 17-21, there are two types of people. Both seem to be sinners. Yet one experiences healing and restoration while the other is declared wicked and receives no peace... why?

[doughnutwarrior]

Isaiah 56 part 2

These watchmen suck. They are about as useless as a dog that cannot bark. They are lazy. They are glutinous and insatiable. They have no understanding and seek after their own ways. They have forgotten what their purpose was. These watchmen are very different from the watchmen we see in Isaiah 52:8. These good watchmen, who have long been awaiting the return of the King, rejoice at His coming. As I mentioned before in a previous entry, these guys are rejoicing even before the King enters the gate. He's at a far distance away but just the sight of Him gives reason to rejoice. So different from the lazy watchmen who are not awake and have quickly lost hope in any sort of coming salvation.

[doughnutwarrior]

Isaiah 56 part 1

Keeping the Sabbath is definitely pleasing to the LORD. Based on verses 1-8, keeping the Sabbath is equated to holding fast His covenant and choosing the things that please Him. Whether you are Jew or Gentile, the general statement here seems to be "Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil." 

This part of the chapter also shows how inviting God is. "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples". God is not exclusive, but when you become part of God's family, you are exclusive. As mentioned in verse 5, when God includes someone into His family, He will give them a monument and a name better than sons and daughters. That be cray cray. 

[doughnutwarrior]

Isaiah 55

It's almost as if God is telling us to test out His goodness. Indeed God is good for that is one of His characteristics, but the first two verses of this chapter are almost saying, "Don't take my word for it. See for yourselves." Another verse that came to mind was the "taste and see that the LORD is good" (Psalm 34:8), and it has that "see for yourself" attitude. When it really comes down to it, no matter how much you tell someone how amazing something is, that person will never understand the goodness of it unless they experience it firsthand. This is something God knows and so He invites us to experience the goodness and satisfaction of delighting in Him. And the crazy thing is, it's all free of charge. So many of us put so much effort into something temporary that we think will satisfy us but doesn't, and here is the end all to our every desire to be filled with something eternal, and it's free. It's too good to be true. 

Is the presence of the Lord more accessible than we think? Could it be that this invitation to dine at the greatest buffet in the universe of all universes is much more upfront than we thought? I would think so from analyzing the tone in the first verse. Then why is it that when I try to approach the Lord in prayer, I find that I'm praying to thin air so many times? Perhaps it has something to do with verse 7. Perhaps there are displeasing habits and thoughts that I still hold onto deep inside the darkest depths of my heart...

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting!

[doughnutwarrior]

Isaiah 54

Omg, God is not angry with me and will never be. This is something that is really hard to grasp in my mind because I'm wired so transactionally. But it basically says in verse 9 that God promises not to become angry with His people ever again (just as He promised to never destroy the earth with water during the days of Noah). And this "covenant of peace" is sure to be the real deal. As mentioned in verse 10, even though mountains and hills and other geological structures supernaturally become obliterated, this promise will hold true. 

As finally declared in the end of this chapter, this is the vindication from the LORD Himself. Omgggg.