Gift of Hope

There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over David’s kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of armies will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:7)

Isaiah must have been excited when he reached the end of the prophecy. The Messiah, for whom all the Jews waited and anticipated, would come. Dispirited, the people of Israel may have felt after Assyria battered their country for many years. Yet Isaiah gave a fresh word from God about His promise to them of the Messiah, the anointed One.

Dispirited Israel reminds me of a child who hoped for a school break. Halloween came and went, while candy remained. Thanksgiving came and went with nothing too exciting happening. Will Christmas ever arrive, the child may have wondered? The wait was endless, it seemed. But, upon awaking early one morning, the child looks out his window and sees something new, something that bolstered his hope and anticipation once again. Snow! Surely Christmas is today!

With Isaiah’s words from God, he helped bolster the spirits of the people of Israel, who felt woefully battered. With hope renewed, they remembered God is faithful to them, to Himself, and to His promises. Isaiah’s prophecy led them to seek God anew. Once released from captivity, will the people of Israel hold on to this hope from God? History recounts this tale.

As a review, what hope did Isaiah’s prophecy in verses one to six give the people? Isaiah told them—Jews and Gentiles—they “will see a great light” though they live in darkness and captivity (vs. 2). Isaiah meant God would send the light that would shine on them. (Remember, this hope has both a now and not yet part to it.) God would also multiply their nation, increasing the joy. This would generate joyful praise and worship of God because of His blessings, mirroring their celebrations after harvests or wartime victories. The feasting festivals caused by God’s joy would include people around them, so joy would spread from person to another (vs. 3). Isaiah said God would free the people of Israel from captivity, so they would not live under a foreign government, slavedrivers, and masters (vs. 4). Their government would be what God intended for them. The peace God would give would come from no more wars (vs. 5). He would burn the armor, armaments, and clothing of war like kindling.

God's actions and provisions in verses one through five would have caused great rejoicing, knowing God did not leave them at the mercy of their adversaries. Isaiah built to a crescendo in this prophecy. He desired to lead the people to return to God, trusting only God could achieve this. God is the ultimate covenant maker and keeper. Verses six and seven emphasize what God would do because of who He is.

God’s covenant in verses one through five laid the foundation for verses six and seven. What Isaiah 9:1-5 alluded to in metaphor, Isaiah expanded upon with verse six. With verse six, Isaiah said how God would give them these things. God informed them about the birth of a Child and the giving of a Son. 6). God's promise was not merely a child; He offered a unique Personage, directly from Himself. Old Testament understanding of God was that He was among them in His tabernacle and by fire and cloud. God was around them. Through this Child and Son, God would provide for the people. He would be with them—Emmanuel. This Child and Son, fully human and fully divine, would be born from a woman and conceived by the Spirit. He would be from the Jewish lineage. He would be God with them (Isaiah 41:10).

This prophesied Child and Son would carry the governing responsibilities and burden on His shoulders, so His people’s burden would be lighter. The Son’s burden upon His people as their God, Messiah, and King would be light. His government would not be tyrannical (vs. 6). God declared that this Child and Son would need no advisors as He would possess all knowledge. This Child and Son would be omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and eternal, encompassing all timelines at once. In this Child and Son’s government and kingdom, peace would reign. Peace would occur because no war, fear, suffering, sickness, doubts, and selfishness would exist. God’s people would recognize and worship Yahweh God completely.

The people may not have grasped entirely what God intended when Isaiah prophesied. Isaiah explained and emphasized the prophecy further with verse seven. He emphasized two things: who caused the actions, and the magnitude of the actions.

With Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah built upon verse six and highlighted what he said in verses two through five. Isaiah showed, yet again, the Child and Son fulfilled prophecies. First, remember about whom God foretold; He foretold about the light He would send. This light would possess tangible qualities. It would be a person—fully divine and fully human. We understand that because of verse six—a Child and Son will be born. Isaiah confirmed the metaphor of light and dark as being related to the personage sent from God—the Messiah. Since this Personage came from God and is God, but resided in human form on earth, He kept divine power. This Child and Son would have the power to fulfill all God had prophesied, giving them hope, peace, joy, and freedom. The Light is not intangible and lacking power; but He is real and comes with ultimate and almighty power (omnipotent). Since the Child and Son are divine, the people could grasp that His government and peace would increase. Nothing can stop God or His Son, the Messiah.

God foretold more about this Light—Child and Son. He said His reign would follow David's, as a Judean descendant. Remember, God had promised David’s reign and kingdom would not end in 2 Samuel 7:8-16, especially verse sixteen. God told David, “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.” The Messiah—the Light, Child, and Son—would rule on David’s throne and establish it forever. This emphasizes God's unending rule, extending beyond the Assyrian captivity. God will never leave them, and nothing and no one could remove Him. God, the One who created all things and Whom nothing could defeat, founded David’s throne and kingdom. This kingdom has the Son—Messiah—as the chief cornerstone (Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 28:16, Acts 4:10-12, Ephesians 2:20-22, 1 Peter 2:7). This statement shows God’s divine authority in His covenant with David, which He established and would fulfill. God continued giving His people hope even though they would go into captivity.

God told the people about His kingdom in verse seven(b). He said He would rule with justice and righteousness. This justice and righteousness are a reiteration of verse six, where God said, His name will “be called Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God.” Righteous is who God is. This means the Son is always good. He will rule with justice. His might is more than physical power, it includes morality. Because God is righteous, His actions for His people to battle against darkness come from moral courage. As the Son is a personage of the triune Godhead, He acts with righteousness; He has moral courage. Nothing could tempt the Son to act contrary to what is good for His wise and knowledgeable purposes. Jesus stood against Satan’s schemes while in the desert for 40 days (Matthew 4:1-11). He proved Himself willing and able to be moral and purposeful. The Messiah chose to follow through with triune God’s plan to save all people even though it would cause Him excruciating pain. This Child and Son would rule on David’s throne with righteousness and justice.

The Davidic covenant God made with David in 2 Samuel 7:8-13 states the prophesied One from David’s line would reign in his kingdom forever (vs. 13). The Israelite's promised Son of God, their Messiah, would not rule only during his 33 years on Earth. Because He is fully divine and fully human, His human form died, but Himself as a person of the triune Godhead did not. Isaiah's prophecy declared this Child and Son would reign eternally, starting with the Messiah's kingship at His second coming. God existed before creation and time and will last forever beyond time’s ending.

Though time passes between the Son’s earthly life and when God fulfills His prophecy, Isaiah said it would occur because of God’s zeal to keep and protect His people. God’s zeal is His fervor and devotion, His passion to protect His people. God’s armies will keep them protected by His might and wisdom. Nothing and no being will take His people from Him. God’s children are His forever. Jesus taught this in John 3:16 and 10:27-30. John taught it in 1 John 5:13. Time to God is immaterial. What He says, He will do. God promised light, joy, peace, and multiplication of the people of Israel—all Jews and Gentiles. He is greater than time, which He created, and any enemies or schemes against His people and/or Himself.

God’s majesty and magnitude, the ultimacy of who He is, would ensure the fulfillment of this prophecy. Captured people can rely upon God and that He will fulfill His prophecies, some of which Isaiah told the people of God. In Isaiah 9:1-6, Isaiah prophesied so the people whom Assyria battered and captured would realize God is not definable by their own circumstances. He exists forever and His promises and reign will last forever. He did not want them to lose hope. God wanted the people of Israel to understand He would not discipline them forever for their unfaithfulness to Him. He would bring them back to the land He promised to them.

God wanted the people of Israel to realize that despite their sins of self-centered living and neglecting to seek and worship Him as their sole God, He would remain faithful to them. This promise of the Child and Son—the Messiah—extends beyond Hebrews and includes everyone. Jesus said this in John 3:16. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish (be separated forever from Him) but have eternal life.” This promise was for the people in the past, present, and future, including us.

The prophecy's fulfillment is yet to come. It still plays out beyond our lives. Throughout our lives, we can hold on to hope, knowing that Jesus is on the throne. His reign never ends. The Messiah will return for His people and rescue them from sin and death. He will take them to His kingdom to live with Him forever.

Our circumstances, no matter how difficult and painful, do not define God and His power, wisdom, or fulfillment of His prophecies. Nothing defines God’s ability, purposes, or longevity; He is undefinable, uncontainable, and unshakable. He will defeat your circumstances and will be true to you, His promises, and Himself. God is good all the time and, all the time, God is good. We can have hope, joy, and peace despite of our circumstances.

Seek God and all these things—hope, joy, peace—He will give to you. It will ease your anxiety, and you will find rest (peace) in Jesus and His promises. Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:33. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.” (Isaiah 9:2)

One this day after Christmas, people often feel disappointed because Christmas day has passed. The luster has left the hope of the holiday and the regular-ness of life returns. Isaiah 9:7 reminds us that God is with us every day. Yes, the day of celebrating Christmas is in the past. That does not mean the anticipation God gives should end. It does not mean less exists to celebrate and anticipate. While the thrill of opening presents has passed, the reason for Christmas, celebrating God’s giving of the Messiah, continues to be present.

Jesus the Messiah has not returned to earth for His second coming. We can still hold on to hope and peace, embracing freedom and the Light, and participate in multiplying His nation of believers, encompassing both Jews and Gentiles. We can still participate in that multiplication and becoming part of His nation. So much more is worthy of our anticipation, and the receiving of His hope, joy, peace, and freedom.

Be one of the children who runs to the window, sees snow, and says, "Today, it must be Christmas!" Keep anticipating Jesus’ return. Keep receiving His joy and peace. Keep growing closer to Jesus. Keep hope alive by sharing about this good news of the gospel of Jesus so others can hear, understand, and believe in Him, too. By that, you help multiply the nation and you obey Jesus’ command to go to the nations, disciple, baptize, and teach people to follow Him (Matthew 28:19-20).  Jesus will return. Are you anticipating His return?

Do you need hope?

Are you tired of being afraid, struggling, and having no peace?

Seek the Light Who shines forever.

He gives eternal hope, joy, and peace now and forever.

“Seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NASB)

 

Gift of Peace

 

For the boot of the marching warrior in the roar of battle, and cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire. (Isaiah 9:5, NASB)

Anyone who is a parent, has been a parent, and/or has worked with children knows peace and quiet are rare. If children are quiet, that silence comes for one of three reasons; either the child is asleep, is sick, or is getting into trouble. Isaiah’s prophecy told of the peace the people of Israel would have. It will occur not because of what they do, but because God gives it. God causes peace. The peace about which Isaiah prophesied does not occur by individuals. God’s peace is greater and overcomes whatever humanity, angels, demons, or principalities can create. What God causes, these other beings cannot take away unless God allows it. In the next paragraphs, we will recall what Isaiah said in Isaiah 9:1-4. After that, we will study verse five on its own, aiming to understand verse five in context with the first four verses.

For whom did Isaiah prophesy? In verses one and two, the student realizes Isaiah spoke to the people of Israel. Because the Zebulun and Naphtali lands had residents consisting of Israelites, Canaanites, and other nations, Isaiah prophesied to both Jews and Gentiles. Isaiah 9:1-7 is for every person on earth. Why was it necessary to speak a prophecy of peace to the people of Israel then?

Israel did not have peace for almost two decades. The Assyrian army would battle Israel, then take the people of Israel captive in 722 BC. What did God want these people of Israel to recall for the time of their captivity? He wanted them to understand that their captivity would not occur forever; they would receive freedom. In the moment of their freedom, it would be as a great light, a lift of the burdens from their shoulders (v. 2a).

God gave hope and promised light would come out of the darkness. This light for the people meant release from captivity. God would cause their release. Nothing within a person can bring the light of freedom unless God tells the person to do something and then gives him or her the ability to do it, like He did with Moses. Israel received hope from God with this prophecy. The hope God gave the people of Israel was a beacon of light that threatened to shroud their hearts, minds, and spirits. God’s promises are for the present time and the future. His hope makes it so. God included every person in this prophecy, as told to them through Isaiah. Their dark days of slavery would end. God would cause it to happen. He gives the light and hope.

God, through Isaiah, continued telling what He would do for the people of Israel. He added, in Isaiah 9:3, that He would multiply the nation. This multiplication would include the number of people who would live in Israel by a literal increase in population, which included both Jews and Gentiles. It would include all people, through the millennia, who came to God through belief in Him and His Son, Jesus. God would call them His children.

Since God’s promises included all people of all time, His multiplying Israel’s nation would multiply the number of God’s people, which did not include only Jews. This multiplication by God included the geo-political landscape of earth. The people of the promise—Jews and Gentiles—would expand the geographical borders of the promised land to everywhere in the world believers lived. The parts of the world in which believers lived expanded God’s land of promise to be as vast as His created world and heavenly kingdom. God will “multiply the nation” (3a).

With this promise of God, composed of several parts, a natural reaction would occur because of what God would do. God would fill the people of Israel with joy (v. 3b). With the gifts of joy, light, and multiplication of the nation God gives to His people, their bubbling over of gratitude and amazement flowed from them. When joy bubbles up through a person, a natural reaction occurs—that person bursts forth in rejoicing. Rejoicing can happen by singing, dancing, praising God, sharing God’s blessings with other people, and worshipping God.

Isaiah gave an analogy to help these future captives understand the depths of joy they would have during their captivity and afterwards. He said they would rejoice like when the harvest came in (v. 3b). Isaiah added another analogy. He said the people would rejoice like when they divide the plunders of war among themselves (v. 3c). The people would react to God’s actions of shining a light on them, giving them joy, and multiplying the nation. They would rejoice with other captives and praise God.

God promised more than light, joy, and multiplication. It joined with Isaiah’s prophecies in Isaiah 42:7 & 61:1-2 and Jesus’ statement about Himself in Luke 4:18. Through Isaiah 9:4, God told the people of Israel that He would give them freedom. He said He would break the yoke, staff, and rod with which their oppressor enslaved the people (v. 4). Isaiah used an analogy for their release that would resonate with the people. Their freedom would feel like when God routed their longtime enemy, Midian. While Gideon and three-hundred soldiers watched, God confused and routed the Midianites in 1184 BC.

The people of the joint kingdom of Israel regularly recalled this story of God’s hand delivering them from the Midianites. Because the Midianite defeat was familiar to the Israelites, Isaiah knew comparing it to God’s defeat of the Assyrians would give the people of Israel great encouragement, comfort, and joy. God would redeem the people of Israel from the soldiers, government, and slave drivers called Assyria.

In verse five, Isaiah continued using the battle analogy, which he began in verse three(c). He helped the people recall battles by using their senses. Isaiah described the battle sounds and implements of a soldier. He said, “For the boot of the marching warrior in the roar (and clanging) of battle, and cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire” (NASB). These words brought to memory the sight, sound, and smell of battle. The putrid odor of blood on cloaks and bodies. The clanging metal of armor shielding soldiers’ bodies. The heavy tromping of boots marching into battle. The blasting of bugles by generals’ orders. The panic and fearful escaping of nature from the area. People would recall of these sensory memories of battle. By recalling sensory details, Isaiah's prophecy reminded the people of the sights, sounds, and smells of battles fought by armies such as those of Midian and Egypt. They helped the people remember how God preceded them and defeated their enemies.

Without God’s light, hope, and peace, those memories of battle would haunt the people of Israel forever. Yet, with God, anything can happen. God gives light, hope, and peace. He causes the changes to set people free. Paul wrote in Romans 8:37 that God’s children are more than conquerors. They are more than slaves or conquered people. God causes freedom by His actions. He said this through Isaiah. God said every marching boot and blood-soaked cloak would burn as fuel for the fire. The people would be free. God would provide their freedom and conquer the enemies of the people of Israel. He will always provide freedom for His people who seek Him (2 Chronicles 7:14). With that freedom comes peace. Before freedom, God gives light, hope, and peace.

This freedom God gives would cause rejoicing by the people. Just as they danced at a harvest with joy and divided the plunder of war among themselves with excitement and joy, the people of Israel would dance with joy at God defeating the country that overpowered and enslaved them. The Israelites recalled their harvest celebrations and victory celebrations. In their minds, they heard their celebrations, recalled the taste of food in their mouths, and sensed the celebration in their being.

They could hang onto God’s promise with hope and relive from memory how God, in the past, gave them victory. The memories of God’s intervention are spiritual markers for people. People can recall spiritual markers throughout life. A person can recall and rejoice at what God did in his or her life. God’s joy is for all time. Rejoicing is humanity’s outflow of God’s gracious gifts. It leads to people loving God with their whole being as God taught people to do in the Old and New Testaments (Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37).

God's actions, His gifts of joy, peace, hope, and future freedom would cause the people of Israel to react. That reaction would cause them to love the Lord their God with all their heart, spirit, mind, and strength. This morale booster, by Isaiah’s prophecy, telling what God would do, would strengthen and encourage the captives. The prophecy enabled them to endure captivity with hope, live with the memories of what God did in the past, and buoy themselves with thoughts of what He will do in the future. God would arm the captives with hope, so they were ready to endure. Paul wrote about the great power of God, which God wanted the people of Israel to remember. He continued his teaching and testimony by writing in Romans 8:37-39:

In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39, NASB)

The Isaiah 9:1-7 prophecy transcends a single moment; it lasts forever. God is always the Conqueror. He is always faithful to His promises and His people. The Israelites’ freedom from captivity in 523 BC did not signal the end of the prophecy. This prophecy from God is for all people, as Isaiah 9:1 recorded. God’s word lasts forever because He is eternal.

Because people will exist until Jesus’ second coming to Earth, this prophecy of release from captivity has not fully occurred. Jesus has not yet consummated it. God made available through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection the ultimate release from captivity to sin and death. Jesus gives this freedom—this redemption from slavery to sin and death—when a person confesses belief in Him as their Savior.

Jesus ended all battles and wars for people who believe in Him. No captivity can separate God from anyone who believes in Jesus. God declares freedom for His children, and nothing can defeat Him. The freedom Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection provided makes possible the defeat of sin, its judgment, and death from the moment anyone believes in Him. God will consummate the salvation of believers upon Jesus’ return to earth. At that time, Jesus will claim His disciples and take them to His kingdom to live with Him forever. No force can keep His disciples captive.

This freedom God gives also provides joy from Him so people can rejoice. Knowing this freedom gives peace to the hearts, spirits, and minds of people who seek God and who come to a relationship with Him through belief in Jesus the Christ. Because God is for us, giving us joy, hope, freedom, and peace; therefore, “who can be against us” (Romans 8:32)?

How do we realize at this point God intended that? We will understand more when we finish studying the entire prophecy with verses six and seven. We recognize, too, by Jesus’ teaching and Paul’s letters, that this prophecy intended eternal redemption and reconciliation with God (Luke 4:18-20, Matthew 5:17-18, Luke 24:25-27, Colossians 1:19-20). This will be the topic of the next Bible study.

For now, consider your relationship with sin and with the Redeemer who releases believers from sin’s captivity. Are you still captive to sin and its resultant judgment of eternal death? That outcome is not what God desires for you. He loves you and wants to have an eternal relationship with you in heaven.

Today, you have a choice. Which outcome will you pursue: eternal captivity or freedom from being captive to sin and death, which gives you a right relationship with God? It always remains your choice. Choose God, Jesus, redemption, joy, hope, peace, and eternal life.

Jesus came to give us peace through redemption and reconciliation with God.

Chaos no longer reigns over His disciples. Let God give His peace to you.

For unto us a Child will be born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, NKJV)

Gift of Joy

You will multiply the nation, You will increase their joy:

They will rejoice in Your presence as with the joy of harvest,

As people rejoice when they divide the spoils. --Isaiah 9:3, NASB

Remember, in the first lesson of this series, Isaiah spoke to the northern kingdom of Israel about their soon upcoming captivity at the hands of the Assyrians. This captivity included both Jew and Gentile residents of Israel. This meant the prophecy for the near and distant futures was for Jews and Gentiles, not merely the Jews. In chapter eight, Isaiah used the analogy of dark and light. He used it again in Isaiah 9:2. The light referred to the release of the captives—Jew and Gentile—from Assyria in the future. This prophecy referred to the Messiah, who would come to rescue and redeem everyone held in captivity in the distant future. More, yet, comes from the Isaiah 9:1-7 prophecy.

 Through his words in Isaiah 9:3, Isaiah tells the people of the northern kingdom of Israel and people in the future, God would do more than give them joy by His light shining in the darkness (vs. 2). God does not just offer joy to weary hearts, minds, spirits, and might. He gives everything a person needs for their whole being—heart, soul, mind, and strength. God recognizes the whole being of each human, His creation. He recognized it when He commanded the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6:5 to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and might. Jesus reiterated this command and called it the greatest commandment when He taught it in Mark 12:29-30. He said in reply to the scribe, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and will all your mind, and with all your strength.”

For God to expect a person to love Him with the totality of his or her being, He provides what is necessary for each of those parts of a person. God’s light would shine in the darkness; so, keep hoping and trusting in Him. God’s light is not there to tease people; it gives hope for the near future to escape whatever persecution, torment, calamity, or difficulty a person encounters. His light also gives hope for the distant future, the future hope of which Isaiah would tell. With the rest of Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 9:1-7, God revealed what—Who—that future hope of hopes is. That hope was, is, and will always be the Messiah, of whom God told and revealed, and whom believers now eagerly await His second coming.

Consider, in this week and the next four weeks, with verses three through seven, how God’s light was joy and more. Remember, in Isaiah 9:1, Isaiah said the prophecy from God came for both Jews and Gentiles who lived there. In the second verse, Isaiah declared this prophecy is meant for “the people who walk in darkness.” Notice, he did not say the prophecy is only for the Jews who walk in darkness. God intended the prophecy for Jews and Gentiles—each person.

Isaiah said the prophecies of God were for Jews and Gentiles in verse one, then the occurrences of verses two and three would happen. Since we studied verse two last time, this study is on verse three. God said He would “multiply the nation.” This multiplication would occur through population and geography. Population is the numerical counting of heads. The population of Israel’s northern kingdom would increase by the returning of the captives to their homes. That would be the near future hope about which verse three prophesied. The distant future hope included a population increase of people who believe in the Messiah. The number of God’s children would increase because more people receive salvation through belief in the Messiah. Jesus’ righteousness given to believers increased the population of the heirs of God’s promise to Abraham’s (Genesis 15:2-6 and Hebrews 11:8-10). The Messiah came for all people, not just the Jews.

Consider now the geographical part of this prophecy. To increase the geography of a nation, the borders must expand. God’s multiplying the nation of Israel gave the Jews the near future hope of expanding their national borders, like when King Solomon reigned. The Jews regarded Solomon as the greatest king of all Israel. During Solomon’s reign, the kingdom encompassed more land than at any other time. The geography of the nation would increase in the distant future when people worldwide believed in the Messiah. The multiplying boundary spoke not of a literal physical national border expansion only, but of a growth in the number of people around the world who worshipped God because of belief in the Messiah. These two aspects—population and geography—with their near and distant future hopes, encompassed the multiplication God would bring to the nation.

God multiplied the nation, and He increased the people’s joy in this prophecy through Isaiah. By God’s shining His pure light on the people of the nations, He would “increase their joy” (vs. 3b). Verse two relayed the change agent. Though verse three sounds like the result/reaction of the change agent (God’s actions), only parts “c” through “e” are the results/reaction. Parts 3a and 3b continue to show God’s work, His gifts. His actions are the change agents. The increase of the nation and of joy of verse three are change agents. Why? The answer is because God is the One who gives the light in the darkness (vs. 2) and Who increases the nation and the joy of the people (vs. 3a & b). These gifts from God of pure joy, light, and the multiplication of the nation (God’s actions) would cause the people to respond/react with an outbreak of rejoicing. How would people show their reaction to the light, multiplication, and joy God gave them? Today, people explode with joy by dancing, singing, testifying about what God gave to them, praising God, and thanking God. In the Bible, King David did the same in 2 Samuel 6:14 while the priests carried the Ark of the Covenant to the Temple. Rejoicing leads to a festive celebration of worship and praise for God among people. These gifts from God and the resultant rejoicing would cause people to love God with their whole heart, mind, soul, and strength, just as God commanded in Deuteronomy 6 and Jesus taught in Mark 12.

God does not give a message merely to increase hope. His hope is based on Himself—His faithfulness to humanity, the people He created. God does not give hope, then take it away. He does not tease people. The basis of the hope God gives comes from Himself, which He fully fills into each person with His hope. With this prophecy of near and distant future hope, God fulfilled the prophecy with the life of Jesus, the Messiah.

Some people believed in God before Jesus came to earth. God credited their faith as righteousness before the Messiah’s arrival: Abraham, David, Noah, and others listed in Hebrews 11. They received the distant future hope by faith because of God declaring them right. When they died or God took them to His heavens without an earthly death, like Enoch and Elijah, they experienced the distant future hope. Their joy in God stemmed from His nature, not from having seen the Messiah. Likewise, Isaiah’s prophecy caused many of the captive people in Assyria to rejoice in God with the pure joy God gave to them. They rejoiced because of the hope of Him fulfilling His promises. God promised multiplication and pure joy (vs. 3). He promised light in the darkness (vs. 2). God gives these to any person today who believes in the Messiah.

Believers in Jesus can rejoice at their salvation given by Jesus, the Messiah. This evidences the “now” part of salvation. The “not yet” part of salvation, for which people rejoice with hope, is the future return of the Messiah to earth, His second coming. Jesus’ future return and taking believers to His kingdom for eternity is about what they can rejoice about now and about what they can continue to rejoice throughout eternity.

At that time, in God’s kingdom, every person who believed in God before the Messiah’s advent on earth and those who believed in the Messiah, since His advent, will rejoice eternally in His presence. In Isaiah 9:3d & e, Isaiah gave two human examples of great joy to which the hearers and readers could relate. In 3d, Isaiah said their rejoicing would be like when they finished bringing in the harvest. They rejoiced at their bounty with celebration, often as a party among the tribe members and as a thank offering to God. Having harvested, they had enough in storage for them to rest and to provide for their needs. They thanked God and each other. At those times, the people would wholeheartedly love the Lord God with all they were and owned. They quickly rose to help and love others when they were in high spirits and received a bounty. Like this reaction to an exceptional harvest, the people would rejoice now and forever to God’s promise of Light in the darkness, and His gifts of multiplication and joy.

Isaiah 9:3e, Isaiah said the people would rejoice like when they celebrate the defeat of their enemy and counted and divided the spoils of the war. Because their victory resulted in wealth, the people would rejoice. They would celebrate and give thanks to God for helping them defeat their enemy. The celebrants would give a tithe to God and help other people, resulting from their bounty. They would often love God and people more readily when they received something unexpected, a windfall of wealth. As with a surprise bounty from the spoils of war caused rejoicing and praise to God, the people would celebrate God’s promises Light in the darkness, and His gifts of joy and multiplication from that time throughout eternity.

 Isaiah spoke, in Isaiah 9:3, to the people of the northern kingdom. He prophesied God would multiply the nation and increase their joy. Because God caused these, when people realized these things came from God, they would rejoice by acting out the joy God put into them. That rejoicing would cause them to celebrate and worship. Celebrating and worshiping God would show their love to Him and to people. Like with the harvest, God provided food for their bodies and joy for their spirit. Additionally, God provided for all physical needs with the unexpected wealth from the spoils of war. In acknowledging God with celebration and worship, God cared for their hearts, minds, spirits, and bodies. With their hearts, minds, and spirits attuned to God, loving God with their whole being became possible. Love for God often leads to love for others. Loving other people is the second greatest commandment Jesus taught in Matthew 22:39 when He said, “The second (commandment) is like it (the Greatest Commandment), ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The whole of the Bible shows the scarlet thread of God. From when God created the world and humanity sinned, God sought a renewed relationship with the people He created. He planned for it when He gave humans the ability to reason and make their own decisions. God knew they would disobey Him, so He created the perfect plan to cleanse them of their sins. With the cleansing Jesus provided by dying on the cross, His sacrifice makes it possible for whoever trusts in Him to be declared righteous by God. When God makes a person righteous by his or her belief in Jesus, that person can be in a right relationship with God and live forever with Him now and in His kingdom.

From creation through Jesus’ triumphant second coming, God seeks a relationship with each person. Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter nine highlights God’s plan. God’s plan is for every person. He is the Light and will shine on them. He will multiply their nation and give them joy. Those who believe in the Messiah will have an unfettered relationship with God, which results in love for other people.

Isaiah said more in this prophecy. He began by including all people—Jews and Gentiles. Isaiah spoke of the Light and hope they could have in the darkness. He explained God would take them home and fill them with joy because of who He is, His faithfulness to Himself, and His faithfulness to them. Because of God’s love, promises, hope, and joy, people would love Him with their whole beings, resulting in rejoicing. These would result in God’s children loving others like they love themselves, too.

How would God break into the darkness? How would He release the people from captivity to the Assyrians and whatever would have kept them from Him? What would He do and what price would He pay for an eternal relationship with His created people? Isaiah has more to teach us, just as He instructed the people of Israel.

Anticipate.

Be filled with joy.

Celebrate with rejoicing as the coming days to Christmas roll closer.

 

 

The Dawn of the Light

 

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2, BSB)

At the beginning of Isaiah 9, Isaiah prophesied about the northwestern tribes of Israel—Zebulun and Naphtali. These tribes were two of Israel's three northwestern tribes. Isaiah’s prophecy was not exclusively for the Israelites. For whom was and is this prophecy intended? What was the prophecy? What did it mean? As we gradually go through Isaiah’s prophecy in verses one through seven, we will learn what the prophecy meant and means for Israelites and Gentiles then and now.

In Isaiah 9:1, Isaiah specifically mentioned Zebulun and Naphtali. Isaiah 8 was prophesied to the northern kingdom, too. By mentioning Zebulun and Naphtali specifically, Isaiah meant the prophecy was for every person living in the northern kingdom of Israel then. Why include all the people? Since the Zebulun and Naphtali tribal lands were the borderlands of Israel, people from other nations traveled through and/or made their homes there. The foreigners who came into these lands became intermixed with the Jews in marriage, thought, religion, and culture. Recognizing this, when Isaiah prophesied to Zebulun and Naphtali, he prophesied to the Jews and Gentiles in Israel. When Assyria overthrew the northern kingdom, the Assyrian king captured people, regardless of their nationality. The apostle Matthew used this prophecy in Matthew 4:13-17 to tell the gospel of Jesus Christ. Those verses reiterated that the prophecy of Isaiah was and is for Jews and Gentiles.

Because Isaiah 9:2 speaks of people, we had to understand to whom Isaiah spoke and wrote to consider what Isaiah’s prophecy meant in Isaiah 9:2. Likewise, to understand well the whole prophecy, we must understand its parts. Verse two introduces the metaphor of dark and light God gave to Isaiah to prophesy. Verse two says, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” What did Isaiah mean by the metaphor of light and dark? What message did God want the people from Israel to know?

God’s metaphor of light and dark runs throughout the Bible. Generally, light refers to God and darkness refers to evil. Just as darkness keeps people from seeing reality (its good and evil parts), so spiritual darkness in this passage kept the people in Israel from seeing, hearing, and worshipping God. Darkness continued to confuse the people of Israel, so they did wrong instead of right.

Light represents Yahweh God. He reveals all things (good and evil). Darkness does not. Darkness enshrouded the people of Israel and tricked them into believing lies. Those lies led to the Assyrian enemies capturing the people of Israel. The people for decades had not sought the light and wandered wearily through the darkness of warring empires, raiding bandits, and enemies from their families and tribes. Decades and centuries of guiding themselves into the dark mists led God to discipline them by using their feared enemies.

The people living within Israel did not walk only in darkness. They lived in “the land of the shadow of death.” Assyria, in their battles against Israel for three years, caused thousands of people to die and captured thousands. To ensure obedience to the Assyrian king, the king ordered the blinding or killing of some of their leaders and the castrating of others. This king enslaved the people of Israel. He put rings in their noses by which to lead them. The educated and/or talented, the king used for his benefit. He had them learn the Assyrian language and acquire their knowledge. The Assyrian king did not allow the captives to worship Yahweh God during the first years of their captivity.

These happenings more fully encompassed the “shadow of death” about which Isaiah prophesied. The people of Israel forcefully died in their will because they had no choices. The Assyrians broke the wills and spirits of the people they captured. Israel’s people lived in Assyria, the “land of the shadow of death.” They lacked hope. God, through Isaiah, wanted the people to experience the depths of darkness that would enshroud them as His disciplining them. Yet, He wanted to give them hope. The light, about which Isaiah prophesied, would shatter the darkness. God shatters the darkness. His light would shatter the darkness Assyria put over the people of Israel as Isaiah prophesied.

God would not leave them in Assyria. He did not disinherit the people of Israel. God is faithful to Himself (His promises) and to His people. Their captors would not overpower and enslave them forever; God would not allow it. He does not call people His own and then leave them as captives. God promised, then gave them the Promised Land—a place to call home and to have freedom. The land was theirs forever. Understanding that God is faithful, even when He must discipline, helped hearers then and readers since have hope and keep their faith in God. They would/will not dwell in “the shadow of death” forever.

The people of Israel would know personally what David meant when he sang, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6). Living in Israel and worshipping God in His temple gives freedom from “the shadow of death.” It comes because of the person’s seeking, finding, revering, and obeying God. God would raise His light upon the people. He would give them freedom in areas of their lives that the Assyrian king overpowered and removed. On the day the Israelites received freedom from captivity, the light of God would have dawned anew in their hearts, minds, and spirits. Living in the land of Israel would bring them refreshment in their beings. Israel's refreshment would be living in the land of God and dwelling in His house forever. Still, they would yearn for a deeper relationship with God because they would not be as close to Him as they desired. Sin created a chasm between God and them.

Understanding that Isaiah spoke this prophecy of chapter nine to all people in Israel—Jew and Gentile—the Bible student can surmise why Matthew used this prophecy to share the gospel. Matthew taught about Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection—the gospel of Jesus Christ. For the Israelites taken into captivity, the dawned light was their release from Assyrian captivity. Jesus is the Light that banishes darkness. Living in Israel and worshipping God did not provide pardon for sins and a personal relationship with God. Their freedom from captivity just gave them again a seeking, finding, and revering Him. What more did the Israelites need to be closer to God? God alluded to it in the prophecy of Isaiah 9:1-7.

A nation had been groping for any light and hope onto which to hold. God sent Isaiah to give them hope with His prophecy to all the people from Israel. These people received a hint of hope. This hope was not merely about return the people to the Promised Land.

God intended more, an ultimate Hope—the Light—whose kingdom and power never end. He intended to fulfill His promises completely. Jesus, Light of the world (John 8:12), became human to live among them. He lived sinlessly, taught powerfully, healed mightily, showed great wisdom, and died at the hands of scared people.

Yet, Jesus did not remain dead. No manmade vault or conceived idea can box the Light of the world. Jesus conquered death when He rose from it three days after His death. His light never ends. Jesus is the Son of God, the true Light of all lights and the true Hope of all people. He ushered forth from the northern tribes’ lands, and, from there, God fulfilled His prophecies. Jesus’ Light is unquenchable. No darkness changes or contains Him. Instead, Jesus commands and contains the darkness.

Like the prophecy of Isaiah occurred, and the people returned to the Promised Land, Jesus came to earth as Victor. The restoration of the relationship of God to human that began in Genesis 1 had its penultimate ending with Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus provided the sacrifice for people to be restored to a right relationship with God. The ultimate ending will occur upon Jesus’ return to earth to bind Satan and take the God’s children to be with Him in glory. The dawn of the Light came to earth at Jesus’ birth and forever eclipses darkness and evil. Jesus’ provision of salvation—a restoring of people to a right relationship with God—is the “what more” the Israelites and Gentiles needed for the close relationship with God they desired.

God includes people around the world as those to whom He calls to receive light—permanent freedom from the darkness. He alluded to it in Isaiah 9. Matthew told about it in Matthew 4. Instead of striving hard and never escaping the darkness that imprisons each person, seek the Light of lights and the King of kings. This light is the Savior whose power is greater than any person, life, death, angel of demon (Romans 8:38-39). Satan, the father of darkness, did not trick Jesus or ensnare and enshroud Him. Jesus’ power is greater than all other powers. His Light is eternal and never dims. Why seek the darkness in the mist? Seek the Light that dawned about two millennia ago, which darkness never can dim.

(Note: Jesus’ ministry time of proclaiming Himself as the fulfillment of the prophecies began when Herod imprisoned John. Because the time had come for God’s Light, Jesus went to Capernaum in Naphtali. From Naphtali, Jesus began teaching and preaching in Galilee of the Gentiles. Mary and Joseph raised Him in Nazareth of Zebulun. These two tribes are the ones Isaiah spoke of in his prophecy when he meant every person living in Israel.)

The Crux of the Matter

Nehemiah 

What is it about humans that, when we do not have someone whom we acknowledge has an impassioned view of God in our midst watching over us, we start walking away from the path of God? That gift of free will leads us astray so very much of our lives.

            God knows the hearts of us humans; He created our hearts. The whole human race is blighted by sin since Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17). God had a plan in mind when He created humanity with free will. His plan was to redeem us because He knew then that we would choose to follow our own desires and be disobedient to Him. His plan from the beginning was to provide a savior to save us from the downfall of our wrong choices (sin). This Savior would be His Son, Jesus. His plan from before He created us was to be in a relationship with each of us. Of course, then, He would have a plan to save us from ourselves and our sin. Even when His chosen people, the Hebrews/Israelites sinned, He still had a covenant to them, He would be their God and they would be His people. God told them through Moses in Exodus (chap. 6 vs. 7) this covenant He would have with them. He repeated it in Leviticus 26:12 when they were establishing laws by which to live. He reminded the Israelites eleven times by the prophets (Jeremiah, Ezekial, Isaiah, and Zechariah). It was reiterated by Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:16 and the writer of Hebrews (chap 8 vs. 10). And finally, by John in his exile on Patmos in Revelation 21:3. God’s covenant relationship of love carries throughout the whole life of the Israelites then includes the believing Gentiles all the way to eternity. His covenant of love provided the redemption we humans needed to be in a relationship with the Holy God.

Since this is the case, we may ask, why did the Israelites forget so often? Why did God have to discipline them with conquering even though He sent so many prophets to remind them of their covenant with Him? The answer plain and simple is that we are sinners. He created us with free will and we have freely willed our own wants and desires from the day Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree.

Let us look at an example. Before Nehemiah came on the scene, Judah had been taken captive by Babylon in 597BC. Two other deportations of captive Jews from the southern kingdom occurred in 587BC and 582BC. In the twelfth year of King Artexerxes reign, 453BC (per Nehemiah 1), Nehemiah, the king’s cupbearer, received word from messengers from Jerusalem about the condition of Jerusalem. The city walls were falling down and all the gates were burned. As a Jew this meant two things: 1) they were defenseless and a laughing stock by other nations, and 2) their God who had been so strong to bring them out of Egypt and rout all the nations in the Promised Land was being ridiculed as a small God who could not protect His “chosen people.”  Nehemiah heard the news from the messenger with this in mind and he “sat down and wept and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4 [NASB]).

Nehemiah prayed. He did not pray an ordinary prayer thanking God for his food. Nehemiah prayed a prayer acknowledging God’s greatness and awesomeness (1:5). He prayed a prayer of contrition acknowledging the sins of his own people, the Israelites, asking for forgiveness for their hardening of heart and sinfulness (walking away from Yahweh God) (vv. 6-7). He was bold enough to remind God of His promises to the Israelites,

Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.’ (vv.8-9 [NASB])

He reminded God that the Israelites were “Your servants whom you redeemed (from Egypt) by Your strong hand” (vs. 10). Finally, Nehemiah pleaded with God to be attentive to his prayer, he who delights to revere Yahweh’s name. He begged God be with him as he took his case before King Artexerxes that day and make the King have compassion on him. Nehemiah prayed for all of Israel. What the writer of 2 Chronicles 7:14 stated, “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land” [NASB] is what Nehemiah prayed for all Israel. One other thing we need to consider is that Nehemiah was the King’s cupbearer. Nehemiah was close physically to the King every day. He has spoken to the king since the king’s reign began twelve years before. The King trusted him. His proximity to the man with power was similar to Esther’s proximity to King Ahasuerus (Xerxes, the father of Artexerxes).

As we continue to read Nehemiah, we see Artexerxes granted him permission to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. In chapter 2, Nehemiah rode around the city walls at night not telling those with him what he was doing. After his inspection he gathered the city officials and tells them he sees the walls disrepair. He issues a command, “Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so we will not be a reproach” (2:17 [NASB]). He has appealed to their civic honor. More than that, he appealed to their religious honor. We know this because Nehemiah next spoke of God’s favor upon himself. What honorable man of religion would want to be seen as not caring whether his God is ridiculed? None. Nehemiah appealed to their religious dignity.

Nehemiah often spoke of the people’s religious life. This is only right as Israel was considered to be Zion for the Israelites and Jerusalem the place of God’s temple, His holy place. (Remember, through the prompting of Ezra, the temple was rebuilt before Nehemiah arrived.) The work to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem began in chapter 3. Chapter 4 starts with the leaders of the neighboring lands ridiculing the people of Jerusalem. They sneered at them and chided them. Sanballat, the leader of the Moabites in the city of Horonaim was furious with the rebuilding of the wall. He chided the Jews for trying to bring the wall back to life. (See chap. 2 vs. 10 and remember the Moabites and Ammonites are descended from Lot’s progeny with his two daughters. Their line was not a part of the chosen people.) Sanballat called the stones dusty rubble and burned/dead. He questioned how they could be of any use for their protection. (God delights in bringing life back to things once dead. Remember Elijah and the valley of dry bones. Remember also that with God’s gift of redemption, He gives new life to us.) Tobiah from Ammon also ridiculed the Jews. Sanballat and Tobiah ridiculed them twice at the start of chapter 4. Nehemiah kept the builders on task and the wall was half built when the ridiculers conspired to fight Jerusalem. Nehemiah heard of their plan and the people grew fearful, but he led the people to pray and to carry a weapon in one hand while the other hand built the wall. Nehemiah called upon their faith in Yahweh again. He appealed to their honor and faith as Jews. Nehemiah gave them a battle cry that has been used in recent years in the movie Braveheart. He said, "Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses" (Nehemiah 4:14 [NASB]). This is their rallying cry and truly is the crux of the matter; will they fight for God and for what He says is right?

 In chapter 5, we see Nehemiah called upon the Israelites faith in Yahweh again. To be able to have food to eat or keep their homes, the Israelites took loans at very high rates from their more wealthy brothers. They also sold their sons and daughters as slaves to pay their taxes and duties. When the common Jews confronted Nehemiah about this, he was outraged that one brother could do this to another. He appealed to their unity and brotherhood as chosen children of God. He told them, "The thing which you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies” (5 :9 [NASB])? Nehemiah urged the wealthy citizens to stop doing these things and to return the people’s land, homes, and family members, as well as to return the interest they charged their brothers. The people who did this promised with an oath to the priests and all the witnesses they would return these. Nehemiah became an example of how to live a simple lifestyle, not gouging the poor to live the life he was allowed by law because it would hurt his brothers.

The people of Jerusalem were appeased for a while, but when Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem  the Arab sent messengers to Nehemiah to meet. He knew they were trying to trick him. They did this four times, then Sanballat sent a personal message to Nehemiah using trickery by claiming that Nehemiah had political aspirations. He hoped to trick Nehemiah to defend himself. Nehemiah did not fall for this trick either. Sanballat went so far as to get one of the priests in on his scheme, but Nehemiah understood what was happening was not tricked. These men tried to make the people fearful. That did not work because of Nehemiah’s reminding them of God’s faithfulness. These three men then tried to appeal to Nehemiah’s honor.  That also did not work.

Next, Sanballat and Tobiah stirred up fear in the nations surrounding Jerusalem when the wall around Jerusalem was built in just 52 days. The faithfulness of the Lord to give the people of Jerusalem safety, strength, and endurance as well as the faithfulness of the people of Jerusalem to Yahweh was seen in the speed of its rebuilding  The response of the surrounding nations of people was fear. Nehemiah said in 6:16, “When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God” [NASB]. Tobiah, however, had “spies in the camp.” He was the son-in-law of one of the Jews and the father-in-law of one of the Jewesses. These Jews had done the forbidden and inter-married with the unbelievers from the land, which God gave them as their Promised Land. These “spies” were pouring oil on the fire against Nehemiah and Tobiah sent letters to frighten him (6:19).

After the walls were rebuilt, Nehemiah took a census of the first returned exiles along with their offerings and gifts. Their city’s walls were strong. The people were saved by Yahweh. Ezra, the high priest began the rebuilt life of the citizens with a reading of the Law. People’s eyes were opened. They stood to hear the reading with their hands raised high, their heads bowed to the ground, and said “Amen, Amen” (8:6). The Levitical priests explained the law to the people so they understood the reading. Nehemiah declared the day holy, a great festival was called for, and the Feast of Booths was restored as a part of the people’s religious calendar. This revival among the Israelites continued into public confession of their sins and resulted with a new covenant being made with God and each other, which was written and signed by the leaders of the temple and tribes, including their governor, Nehemiah. The obligations of their covenant with God required returning to Him His portion in offerings of grain, animals, and sons. It also included keeping God’s commandments, statutes, and ordinances, and not marrying people from other nations. This latter was commanded by God before He gave them the Promised Land and was reiterated because the Amorites and Moabites tried to hire a prophet, Balaam, to curse God’s people as they were entering the Promised Land (see Exodus 34:16 and Deuteronomy 7:3).The people were in a good place. They had their safe walls back. They had their honor back. They had their homes back. They were strong in the faith. These things take us to chapter 12 where the wall was dedicated and hymns of thanksgiving were sung. The Levites were assigned their duties in the temple and for God’s service. The people seemed to be living up to their side of the covenant.

Knowing the Israelites as we do in hindsight, we know their faith and obedience will falter. We see the beginnings of it even before the worship and reading of the Law in chapter 8. The people have begun to inter-marry with people of other nations. We have seen in three places where Nehemiah had to bolster their faith to give them courage or conviction to step forward for the Lord. They are like all humanity, each of us make wrong choices and fail God and ourselves. What the people began to do with just Tobiah’s family became a big thing. Many people were intermarrying with unbelievers. The Jews who married into these unbelieving families were being persuaded to consider other gods and ways of life.

This all came to a head in chapter 13. Nehemiah, after 20 years as Governor in Jerusalem, returned to King Artexerxes for a time. We do not know the length of his stay with the king, but it appears not to have been long. Upon his return to Jerusalem, he found that Tobiah the Ammonite had been given a suite of rooms for a living abode within the temple of God in Jerusalem. Eliashib had become a family member of Tobiah’s through marriage. This was most grieving because Eliashib was a high priest and because a non-Israelite was living in God’s house a place in which only a few priests were allowed to live. Nehemiah’s righteous anger in this next part of chapter 13 reminds us of Jesus’ righteous anger when He cleansed the temple in John 2:13-22. The man after Yahweh’s heart, one who is not even a priest, was the one who became God’s beacon for the people of Jerusalem. As we read in 13:4-9, Tobiah and all his belongings were thrown out of the temple. Tobiah was sent packing. The rooms were cleansed and all the utensils of the house of God along with the grain offerings and frankincense were returned to the rooms. Previously Nehemiah appealed to them to honor God and stand up with faith in the face of fear. In this passage, Nehemiah showed them what honoring God meant. It meant not desecrating His house and His people with non-believers. Nehemiah’s fury was a small taste of God’s fury at His command being disobeyed. We read in the book of Ezra that during this time a very severe practice occurred to cleanse the Jewish line. As is said in Ezra 10:3, the people had to “put away all their wives and children according to the counsel of the Lord” [NASB]. All the people of Judah who had married from other nations had to report to Jerusalem within three days or lose all his possessions and the right to assemble with the exiles. Basically, the Jew, if he or she did not divorce their unbelieving spouse, was not given the benefit of being one of the chosen people of God any longer (Ezra 10:7-8). This, cleansing was severe.

Nehemiah returned to the task of getting the people and priests to set things right again in relation to God, His worship, and His house. The tithes were restored. The Sabbath day was restored. Mixed marriages were forbidden. Who was Nehemiah that he had this ability to know God’s heart, inspire man’s faith, know man’s heart, ignore ridicule and slander of his honor, and unite and harmonize a lost and scared people? He was not a priest. He was a faithful chosen child of Yahweh. He was cup bearer to the king, Artexerxes and Yahweh. He knew and was known by King Artexerxes. He also knew and was known by Yahweh. The Heavenly Father/Ruler inspired Nehemiah and gave him a heart for God and His ways. The earthly ruler, Artexerxes, trusted him and gave him from his own physical stores.

Nehemiah did not have some person with a large amount of faith inspiring him and spurring him on for Yahweh like he became for the Israelites in Jerusalem. Nehemiah had an active and committed faith. His faith and love of God made him act, speak, and have the attitude needed for the job to which God called him. His spirit knew God and obeyed in love and reverence for the One True God. Nehemiah was the man for God’s job at that time. The only one inspiring and leading him was God. He had a heart for God and was obedient. With his free will, he chose God.

We go back to our original question: What is it about humans that, when we do not have someone whom we acknowledge has an impassioned view of God in our midst watching over us, we start walking away from the path of God? Do you require someone to watch over you to keep you walking in obedience to God? Maybe it is time to take a walk down your history with God and down His history for you to remember just who He is, faithful and all-powerful God. He is our great and marvelous God who calls us to return and follow Him. Remember His promise, “I will be their God and they will be My people.” The implied promise is He will take care of you for now and forever. It is time to turn/return to our wondrous God. This is the crux of the matter for us.