As we head into Easter week, we know the King has already secured His rule. Isaiah prophesies how it would be established.
Isaiah 31: Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt
1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!
2 And yet he is wise and brings disaster; he does not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evildoers and against the helpers of those who work iniquity.
3 The Egyptians are man, and not God, and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and they will all perish together.
4 For thus the LORD said to me, "As a lion or a young lion growls over his prey, and when a band of shepherds is called out against him he is not terrified by their shouting or daunted at their noise, so the LORD of hosts will come down to fight on Mount Zion and on its hill.
5 Like birds hovering, so the LORD of hosts will protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it; he will spare and rescue it."
6 Turn to him from whom people have deeply revolted, O children of Israel.
7 For in that day everyone shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold, which your hands have sinfully made for you.
8 "And the Assyrian shall fall by a sword, not of man; and a sword, not of man, shall devour him; and he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be put to forced labor.
9 His rock shall pass away in terror, and his officers desert the standard in panic," declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 32: A King Will Reign in Righteousness
1 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice.
2 Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.
3 Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed, and the ears of those who hear will give attention.
4 The heart of the hasty will understand and know, and the tongue of the stammerers will hasten to speak distinctly.
5 The fool will no more be called noble, nor the scoundrel said to be honorable.
6 For the fool speaks folly, and his heart is busy with iniquity, to practice ungodliness, to utter error concerning the LORD, to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied, and to deprive the thirsty of drink.
7 As for the scoundrel---his devices are evil; he plans wicked schemes to ruin the poor with lying words, even when the plea of the needy is right.
8 But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands.
Complacent Women Warned of Disaster
9 Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech.
10 In little more than a year you will shudder, you complacent women; for the grape harvest fails, the fruit harvest will not come.
11 Tremble, you women who are at ease, shudder, you complacent ones; strip, and make yourselves bare, and tie sackcloth around your waist.
12 Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine,
13 for the soil of my people growing up in thorns and briers, yes, for all the joyous houses in the exultant city.
14 For the palace is forsaken, the populous city deserted; the hill and the watchtower will become dens forever, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks;
15 until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.
16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.
17 And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
18 My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
19 And it will hail when the forest falls down, and the city will be utterly laid low.
20 Happy are you who sow beside all waters, who let the feet of the ox and the donkey range free.
Things to think about…
1. Israel was in slavery in Egypt for 400 years. Even though they were delivered from Egypt, they still had very close ties with Egypt and relied on Egypt for protection at times. In Isa 31:1, the Lord says He is the One who is to be trusted as the arm of Egypt will fail. In the same way we often jump to relying on our own resources rather than trusting in the Lord for deliverance. The Lord stretches out his hand to all those who trust in Egypt. He says they will perish together, Isa 31:3.
2. The Lord protects Jerusalem, Isa 31:4, 5. The Assyrians would be punished by the Lord’s hand as they came up against it. Isaiah 31:8-9 prophesies of the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the hands of the Assyrians. But repentance must come first, Isa 31:6,7.
3. Righteousness exalts a nation. A king was coming who would rule in righteousness, Isa 32:1. The fool will no longer be called noble, vs 5, but the noble will stand on their nobility, vs 8. This is what happens in revival. His glory will one day cover the earth when our Lord sets up His earthly kingdom. Come Lord Jesus.
4. Judgement was about to come upon Judah. Within a year the casual lifestyle and comfort the women had known would come to an end, Isa 32:10. The women would particularly cry our vss 9-12. This is because the Assyrians were coming. 46 Judean towns would be destroyed. The largest was Lachish. Many lost their lives. Thousands of people crammed into Jerusalem. Only the Lord could save them. He is of course our only hope as well. He is our hiding place, our shelter and our shade Isa 32:2.
5. Deliverance will finally come when the Lord’s Spirit is poured out, Isa 32:15. Then peace will come. There is now a picture of serenity and peace, vss 16-20. This was case for Jerusalem after the defeat of 185, 000 of Sennacherib’s army were killed in a night. Jesus has defeated our greatest enemies of Sin, Satan and death. May He rule in our hearts until He returns.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. Ric Benson will be looking at the life of Christ in the church.
Pastor Jay has started the young adult’s life group after Sunday mornings café time. Open discussion around difficult topics and defending our faith is the focus.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for Easter season and this weekend’s Good Friday and Easter Sunday service
2. Conflict in Israel and Ukraine.
3. Those who are travelling over Easter. Especially while it’s wet. 60 people have already lost lives on Qld roads this year.
4. Those who are considering baptism.
5. Church finances to cover all expenses.
6. Pray for of Kids@Church, Life groups and church community days.
7. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Monday afternoons. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
8. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
9. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Best turnout we have had for a working bee in a long time. All tasks completed. Thankyou to all involved. Special shout out to Rob Brand – guttering and down pipes completed. Thankyou everyone!
2. Joy in the service with everyone who celebrated Palm Sunday at CBC on Sunday.
3. Kids@Church ministry – Thankyou Maddison for teaching on Easter message.
4. Continue to pray for Tad to gain strength at home. Good to see him at church yesterday. Continue to pray for Glenys as she now has a splint to gain full use in her left arm. Any encouragement you can give will be greatly appreciated.
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Good Friday service 9:00am 29th Mar. Easter Sunday 31st Mar, regular time 9:30am.
2. Life Groups Wednesday night at Church – 6:30pm.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for March...
Q. 18. What did God give Adam and Eve besides bodies? A. He gave them souls that could never die.
