11 Jan 2016, Isaiah 49 以赛亚书 49, The Messiah and the Gentiles 弥赛亚与外邦人

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 49

Theme                  : The Messiah and the Gentiles

God calls the coastlands, representing the gentiles, to listen to His message about the Messiah. This Messiah will be born of a woman, chosen by God to gather exiled Jews in the end times, and is called Israel because He is the head of Israel. The Messiah is so great that God promises to make Him to be a light to the gentiles as well, not just to lowly Israel. We see this being fulfilled after the first coming of Jesus. It will be completely fulfilled after His second coming. God promises that even people far from Israel will come to worship God, including Syene (v. 12), which many believe to be the ancient name for China. God also prophesies that the nation of Israel will abhor the Messiah and reject His salvation (v. 7). But God comforts His people by reminding them that He will never forsake them and will ultimately bring salvation to Israel. In the end times, when they are desolated by their enemies, God will come to rescue them out of pity. Their enemies will literally bring all Jews back, including their children, to Jerusalem. Their enemies will come and bow down and lick their feet. Then all the peoples of the earth will know and worship Jesus.

 

Praying the Scripture

It is truly miraculous that God is able to spread His glorious salvation through the preaching of the cross, which is foolishness to the world (1 Cor. 1:18). In the past, the gospel converted the Roman Empire, Now, the gospel has even spread to communist China, which once vowed to destroy Christianity. Ironically, China is projected to have more Christians than any nation in 15 years. God truly works miracles again and again. Our job is not to make the cross more palatable to the taste of sinful man. Our job is to live out our faith and be faithful to spread the biblical gospel that can miraculously save spiritually dead sinners who have no interest in a righteous and loving God. We should not do it with self-righteous attitude, but with a loving and humble attitude that pleads people to turn to God and prays for God to have mercy on them. Let us be amazed at the fulfillment of God’s prophesies to glorify Himself through the cross. Be in awe and proclaim the gospel with great enthusiasm and live out your faith with integrity and a clear conscience.

经文：以赛亚书49

主题：弥赛亚与外邦人

 

神召代表外邦人的众海岛要听祂言论有关弥赛亚的信息。这位弥赛亚将由一位妇女所生；祂是神所选要在末日召聚被掳的犹太人，并要称为以色列，因为祂是以色列的头。弥赛亚非常之伟大，以致神应许祂不但要作卑微以色列之光，还有作外邦人的光。我们在耶稣的首次降世便看到预言的应验；耶稣二次来临时，预言将完全得应验。神应许即便离以色列遥远的人也要前来敬拜神，包括从秦国来的（12节）；很多人相信这就是中国的古称。神也预言以色列将鄙视弥赛亚并拒绝祂的救恩（7节）。然而，神将安慰祂的子民，提醒他们神永不离弃以色列，并最终要拯救她。末日时，当以色列因仇敌变为荒凉，神要因怜悯拯救她。他们的仇敌必要领犹太人，包括他们的孩子，回到耶路撒冷。他们的仇敌要前来向他们下拜，并舔他们的脚。接着，全地的人要认识并拜耶稣。


用经文祷告

神竟然能借着十字架的传讲，即在世人为愚拙的（林前1:18），扩展祂荣耀的救恩——这真是奇妙！过去，福音使整个罗马帝国归主；现在，福音已传至由共产党执政的中国；中共则曾誓言要排除基督教。反之，在这15年内，中国信徒的人数估计比任何国家来得多。神真是一而再地行神迹啊。我们的责任不是要使十架的信息更对罪人的口味。我们的责任是要活出信心，忠心地传扬圣经的福音，因为它能奇迹般地拯救在灵里已死，对那位公义与慈爱之神毫无关注的罪人。我们不当有自负的心，乃要以谦卑、爱人的心求人归神，并祷告神怜悯他们。神应验了祂的预言，借着十架荣耀自己——让我们为之惊叹！要充满敬畏，用极大热心传扬福音，并以诚信和无愧的良心活出你的信心。