Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Do you believe that Jehovah had a plan in mind for your life before you were born? In Isaiah 49 the prophet speaks of this in his life. Sometimes we may be like him and feel that our labor for him is in vain. We need to place ourselves in God’s hands like Isaiah did.

This prophecy turns to the Messiah in verse six. He will also be a light to the gentiles. The symbolism in these following verses speak of those things that Jesus accomplished. The Lord has not forgotten any of us. The Jews will return from all parts of the world where they have been scattered.

Slavery is often spoken of in the Bible and in Isaiah 50 God asks to whom we were sold. Our sin has caused us to be owned by someone other than Jehovah. Is it impossible for Him to save us from our sin? The way of salvation begins in verse four and following when the message is taken up by Jesus, the Messiah, again. He was beaten and spit on and mocked. His beard was pulled out. We are the ones that have condemned Him. His death is for our salvation.

Who do you love as much as Jehovah loves Israel in Isaiah 51? When you love someone, you want to restore the broken relationship. His righteousness, salvation, and justice are eternal. Those who have accepted His instruction know this. Satan wants us to forget what we know about Jehovah. He will treat those who reject Him as the wicked people they are.

In Isaiah 52 Jehovah calls for Israel to free itself from the trap they have slipped into. The price of our sin will be paid, but not with money. What is the good news that will be proclaimed in Israel? “Your God reigns!” The suffering servant will be raised and lifted. He was disfigured and did not resemble a human. These are again prophecies of the Christ, the Messiah, Jesus.

We continue with Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 53 and read that Christ had nothing about His appearance that would draw people to Him. If this is true, why is Jesus always handsome and portrayed as a charismatic figure in paintings and drawings by almost every artist who has illustrated Him? He took our pain and suffered for us. Have you ever contemplated this statement and what it means?

His punishment has brought us peace. Peace that we cannot describe. Remember in the book of Judges that it said that everyone did what was right in their eyes. That is what He came to redeem us from. He was the Lamb that was sacrificed for us. We never need another animal to die for us. The cross was the grave of the wicked and Joseph’s tomb was the place of the rich.

“The Lord makes His life an offering for sin.” How could God justify using a human being as a sacrifice like He did animals? Think for a moment who this man was. He was the Lord. Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” He also told His disciples “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” God himself took our sin to the cross.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger