Isaiah 1:1 – Isaiah 13:22
Overview
Day 49 brings us to the book of Isaiah. The kingdom of Israel had been split in two and Isaiah spoke to the kingdom of Judah. He was a spokesperson for the Lord for 40 years up to the time of the exile. The reading for today was different than other books we have read. Isaiah spoke of his current times, exile times and even foretold of the coming of the Messiah Jesus Christ. His message tells Judah that their sin and guilt are great. They have forsaken God and turned their backs on the Holy One. God will avenge his enemies and purge Judah of any impurities. Isaiah details how God will do all of this . Highlights of today’s reading include: the coming of Christs Kingdom, Isaiah’s commission, the sign of Christ, God’s judgment on his people, God’s judgment on Assyria and the Holy Spirit’s characteristics.
Scripture Isaiah 11:1-3
1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD— 3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.
Observation
Isaiah is prophesying about Jesus Christ. The line of David was not wiped out during the exile though it was almost. Jesse is David’s father. See Matthew 1: 1-17 for a detailed genealogy of Christ. Isaiah goes on to say that the Spirit of the Lord will be upon him. Christ also spoke those words while preaching in the synagogue. Isaiah continues to describe that the Holy Spirit of God will give wisdom, understanding, counsel, courage, knowledge, reverence and fear of the Lord.
Application
We see in the scripture above that God’s Spirit rested fully on Jesus. All of the grace and all of His gifts resided upon Him. He had the complete fullness of God within him. As Christians, we are to be like Christ. When someone believes on the Lord Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit dwells within them. As we allow Christ to be Lord of our lives, His Spirit brings out each of these qualities. As followers of Christ, we should seek out each of these qualities so we can emulate our savior. We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The more we try and be like Christ, the more our actions will take up the ministry of Christ here on earth.
Prayer
Thank you God for your Holy Spirit. As I grow in your grace, I pray that each of these qualities will bear fruit and be used through me.
