Reflecting on what we previously studied in Choose Your Victor, Lesson 2, in Romans 8 it gives us a clear description of how each believer in Christ should set their understanding of God. We learned of just a few of the attributes of God toward His own through Christ.
Truly, God is for us and not against us! God, through Christ, desires to guide, help in a time of need, enable us to be a help to others, will set His presence and eternal seal over His own, and many more promises that we’ll soon discuss. However, there is an unquestionable balance as to what has been said, expressed, experienced, promised, warned, written, prophesied, and so on in the bible. If you are reading these studies, you may already be a Christian, but maybe not. This study will address that choice through a biblical view, as well as that vast grey area in between. God's has extended peace, joy, and rest unto His own through Christ and this gives a clear understanding that God’s love is very active, and not passive. Yet this expresses only one attribute that is described in a single word with a two-fold outcome. It is an attribute of God that can help increase our understanding of the bible and guide our choices. And that attribute is “the zeal of the LORD of Host”.
The Hebrew definition of zeal can reference several attributes within an individual. In the King James Version within this study, this word zeal is translated as jealousy in the Isaiah 42 passage below. But other translations reference this word as zeal (qinʾāh). Both terms are describing an inner fervency within an individual. It's a strong emotion, or a fervent desire for what someone may consider to be their own property, with a fear that this property might be lost. This term's root word (qānā) can also translate as an inner fervency on behalf of someone, such as God on behalf of His own as stated in Deuteronomy 32:16, and Zachariah 1:14, or someone jealous on behalf of God such as in Numbers 25:13, and 1 Kings 19:10.
Isaiah chapters 9 and 42 are initiating several actions based on that inner fervency. Let's keep in mind, because it will be a reoccurring theme throughout this study, the zeal of the LORD of Host is active!
God had expressed over the Nation of Israel through the prophet Isaiah in chapter 42 that He will "stir up jealousy". Then God speaks through the prophet to declare what will proceed from this stirring up of this inner fervency.
Isaiah 42: 10-17
Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands. The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once. I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools. And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
There can be no mistaking the deep inner fervency that God has for His own from Isaiah 42, yet even with this infidelity and contempt toward God from Israel, the promises for light and guidance was proclaimed.
Contempt: An inner feeling that someone or something in not worth their consideration, rather they may consider that someone/something to be beneath them. Potentially leading to disdain.
Isaiah 9: 2-7
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Let’s recap some of the actions proclaimed within these Isaiah 9 and 42 passages. They’re proclamations of good will toward Israel, and warnings of retribution for infidelity.
The LORD of Host will establish an eternal ruler which will carry forth justice and righteousness, and initiate peace.
The LORD of Host will initiate a peaceful habitation for His own, forever more!
The LORD of Host has long held His peace against those that consider Him with contempt, but the day will come that He will stand against them with strength, vigor, a shout and a loud cry.
The LORD of Host desires to lead along and minister within humanity. Read again Romans 8 for a study refresher.
All Earth’s creation will be affected at some point, potentially referencing the new heaven and new earth referenced in the Book of Revelation, in timing with this shout, and loud cry.
Considering Isaiah 42:12; those that will choose to place their commitment, and desire within any place but the LORD of Host, will be turned back from His presence, and the result for them is clearly not a moment of pride and defiance as we’ll read later in this study. For the Old Testament individuals, it was idolatry with carved images which ensnared them. The New Testament references different forms of commitments that can ensnare the hearts and lives of individuals.
As we read through the Old Testament prophetic books which address mostly (but not exclusively) Israel and Judah, it dives deep into a study of the heart of God, and we can further understand why it grieved Him to his heart with the carelessness and rebellion within the early days of humanity (Read Genesis 6). God clearly has a deep fervent emotion for those that he has given himself to, whether humanity as a whole, the nation of Israel, or the church body through Christ. Whether for their good and well-being for those that will embrace his covenant, presence, and words, or an indignation to those who will treat His covenants, presence, and words with contempt, and embrace almost anything else but Him.
Genesis 6:5,6
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
Grieved; To help give a clear understanding of this grief in Genesis 6, this Hebrew word (ʿāṣaḇ), is the same word used to describe Jonathan's deep grief for David in 1 Samuel 20:34. This word can denote physical or mental distress, or sometimes both.
1 Samuel 20:32-34
And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David. So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
While noting these two very different natures and circumstances of the Lord of Host and Jonathan, yet the deep distress seems very similar. Truly we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26,27) even to the point to feel distress on behalf of others that will suffer wrong, choose evil over one another, or when another treats a covenant or relationship with contempt.
From other passages of scripture, we can understand that there is a familiar shape and form to God (Ezekiel 1:26), but there is obviously an inner familiarity as well. Such as love, grief, anger, rest, delight, just to name a few.
Considering this grief over early humanity, then jealousy over Israel for their persistent infidelity, let’s reflect on David’s question in Palms.
Psalm 8:4
what is man that you are mindful of him
Then, let’s be grateful for God's answer through Jesus Christ.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world
So what of today in the 2000+ AD era regarding Christ’s church, its ministers, ministries, church laymen, nations? And those that are rich, poor, free, captive, whether they embrace God’s covenant, or are treating it with contempt? And what of humanity as a whole?
Is this inner fervency and zeal still alive and active in the New Testament toward the church, its ministers, individuals, and nations? Yes!
We’ve read of a brief glimpse into this zeal toward commitment within the churches when Jezebel was being rebuked and chastised for leading members of Christ church body astray (Revelation 2:18-23). This was no passive love Jesus had for His own within the church, it was a patient period toward Jezebel, but the chastisement and rebuke came when the repentance was long overdue, and it didn’t come.
To understand this zeal in a balanced perspective, as we’ve read in Isaiah, let’s choose to let the bible teach for itself in a fuller understanding of who Christ is, and what God has still yet to accomplish through Christ.
There are two intended actions mentioned in Isaiah 42;16,17. One as a compassion over the vulnerable and afflicted, and another for indignation over infidelity and contempt toward God.
Isaiah 42: 16,17
And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
Let’s start this review of these two intended actions with the first mentioned. God’s compassion and promise of guidance and “light”.
In textual context, the nation of Israel was the focus of Isaiah 42: 16, and God is still active among the people of Israel for restoration, as we’ll read later in this lesson. But God’s favor and attention was planned from the beginning to be extended to humanity, even in our earliest days. (Genesis 3:22,23)
John 3 points out an inner affection within God for humanity. And that is love. This “love” (agapáō) in the following verse is described as a good will toward, finding joy in someone/something, and with a sense of affection. As we’ll read further in this study series, this love, just as the zeal we've read about, is a VERY active attribute of God, and it’s fully extended for humanity to receive. This love is not distant, un-personal, disconnected, and passive as some might believe.
John 3:16,17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
This “love” was promised to have its place within humanity even within the Old Testament starting in the book of Genesis and continuing through the prophets. We’ve read that God has stated that the nation of Israel would receive a guiding “light”, but God also mentions that through Israel, this light would come as a light for the nations.
We’ll need to be certain we understand the implications of this ‘light” from the following passages. We’ll also need to keep in mind the purpose of this light, as well as God’s love, and inner fervency(zeal), as we continue with the remainder of this study series.
The Promise and Purpose of God's Light
Isaiah 42:6,7
I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Isaiah 49:6
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
The Manifestation of God's Light
Luke 2:25-32
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
John 8:12
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
The Global Distribution of God's Light
Acts 13:44-48
And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Acts 26:12-20
Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
1 John 2:7,8
Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
Now considering this light which has been manifested through the teachings of Christ, as well as the manifestations of miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit, and through Christ body (the church), what does this mean for the church body, the Nation of Israel, gentile nations, individuals, and humanity as a whole? It means an abundance of promises! And an abundance of warnings!
Let’s conclude this lesson with a comprehensive study of what God has desired to pour into humanity. Three truths below should remain clear and in focus throughout the remainder of this study series.
1. God loves the world.
(John 3:16)
2. It is God’s will that all would come to repentance and everlasting life.
(1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9)
3. What God has promised, He will not lie nor revoke.
(Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:17,18)
Rest
Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Peace
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Joy
John 15:9-11
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Unspeakable/Inexpressible Joy
1 Peter 1:8,9
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
The Eternal Holy Spirit
John 14:15-17
If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Fellowship With the Father and Son
John 14:21-23
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him
Life’s Necessities Provided
Matthew 6:25-33
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Answered Prayers
John 14:12-14
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Sincere Faith Shall Have Great Impact
Mark 11:22-24
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Eternal Life
John 6:47-51
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Invitation Into a Holy Priesthood
Revelation 5:7-10
And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
1 Peter 2:4,5
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Treasures in Heaven
Matthew 6:20,21
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Overcomer’s Promises in the Book of Revelation
2:7
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
2:11
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
2:17
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
2:26-28
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
3:5
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
3:12
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
21:5-7
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Israel and of the Children of Judah's Promise; A Return to the Land and a New Heart
Jeremiah 32:36-42
And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. For thus saith the LORD; Like as I have brought all this great evil upon this people, so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them.
These are wonderful promises! And they're motivated by a very active love within God as expressed in John 3:16. Read Genesis – Revelation for a full description of this love and all the promises.
As you do, let’s also keep in mind that a contrasting declaration with two outcomes has been proclaimed by Jesus. More on this in the next lesson.
Choose Your Victor!
Continued in Lesson 3; Part 2. Coming Soon.