Keeping Ourselves unspotted from the world (Lesson 96)
Introduction:
1. "Pure and undefiled religion before God" includes "keeping ourselves unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). 2. To help us remain free from the world's stains we are studying Isaiah 40:18-31.
Discussion:
I. LET US FIRST EXAMINE THE SITUATION IN JUDAH WHEN ISAIAH WROTE
A. We learn from Isaiah 1:1-4 that God's people in Judah had not kept themselves unspotted from the world. B. (Isaiah 39:5-7) Isaiah informed King Hezekiah that his people would be taken to Babylon. C. Isaiah began a message of comfort in ch.40 -- God would forgive and restore His people. D. However, the Jews would have to wait 70 years until the captivity was over (Jeremiah 29:10). E. To remain unspotted from the world while in captivity, they would have to overcome: 1. the pagan influence of Babylon 2. the idea that God did not care for them.
II. (vs.18-24) TO REMAIN UNSPOTTED FROM THE WORLD WHILE IN CAPTIVITY, THE JEWS WOULD HAVE TO OVERCOME THE PAGAN INFLUENCE OF BABYLON
A. The Babylonians worshipped idols, as illustrated in Daniel 3. B. (vs.18-20) Images can be made of various materials, including gold, silver, and wood. C. (vs.21-24) Isaiah pointed out the foolishness of comparing God to graven images. 1. The Jews had been informed and they understood certain things about God. a. He sits upon "the circle of the earth" -- He reigns in heaven. b. The inhabitants of the earth are as grasshoppers before God. c. God stretches out the heavens as a curtain and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in. d. God rules over the princes and judges of the earth. 2. Remember: The Jews would be in captivity in Babylon -- the Babylonians worshipped idols and images, and the Jews would have to guard against this influence.
III. (vs.25-31) TO REMAIN UNSPOTTED FROM THE WORLD WHILE IN CAPTIVITY, THE JEWS WOULD HAVE TO OVERCOME THE IDEA THAT GOD DID NOT CARE FOR THEM
A. (vs.25-26) The Jews could be reminded of God's power by observing the objects in the heavens He created. 1. They would have to avoid thinking that God was so distant that He did not care for them. 2. See vs.27. B. (vs.28-31) Isaiah pointed out the foolishness of thinking that God did not care for His people. 1. God does not faint or become weary (Psalm 121:4). 2. There is no searching of God's understanding. a. (Psalm 147:5) God's "understanding is infinite." b. He knows the needs of His people, and He cares. 3. (vs.29) God gives power to the faint, and He increases strength to the weak. a. (vs.30) Eventually, even the young will faint, grow weary, and fall; however, . . . b. See vs.31. C. God cannot be compared to any image because He reigns in heaven over everything. D. Even though God reigns in heaven, He cares for and wants to bless His people.
IV. SOMETIMES WE ARE IN SITUATIONS THAT REQUIRE US TO WAIT UPON GOD
A. When this occurs we must not lose sight of God's true identity -- He is Lord of heaven and earth and cannot be compared to any graven image (Acts 17:24-29). B. Also, when this occurs we must not think that God does not care for us (1 Peter 5:7). C. To help us in keeping ourselves unspotted from the world, let us receive instruction and encouragement from Isaiah's writings (Romans 15:4).
