The Word Revealed

There are some who think, "Out with the old, and in with the new!" and apply this rationale to the Old and New Testament in the Bible.  All of God's word is important for us to read and study.  Since Jesus is the central figure in all Scripture, the Old Testament often points to the New and the New Testament builds on and expands upon the Old.  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness that God's people would be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

This week I read a passage in the Gospel of John that quoted from the book of Isaiah and provided insight by identifying Jesus as God he saw.  John wrote many did not believe Jesus was the Messiah or God in John 12:37-41:  "But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, ³⁸ that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" ³⁹ Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: ⁴⁰ "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them." ⁴¹ These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him."  Take note how John in verse 41 revealed Isaiah saw Jesus' glory and spoke concerning Jesus--long before Jesus was born of the virgin Mary.

The first verse John referred to is found in Isaiah 53:1, and the chapter spoke of the promised Messiah and Servant who would suffer for sinners and justify many:  "Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?"  The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ fulfils this prophecy and many others in the Law, prophets and Psalms concerning the Messiah perfectly.  The other quotation is in Isaiah 6 when the prophet saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up in the temple.  There are several times in the Old Testament when people spoke with an angel or man who proved to be God Himself, as these passages refers to this Person as LORD and He received worship from men.  No one can look upon the face of the Father and live, so at times God revealed Himself in the Person of Jesus Christ--whom John identifies for us by the Holy Spirit.  Isaiah said, "Woe is me!" because he knew the One seated on the throne was the King, the LORD of Hosts (using the proper name of God).

With insight provided by John in the New Testament, we know Isaiah saw the glory of Jesus and conversed with Him in Isaiah 6:8-10:  "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." ⁹ And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' ¹⁰ "Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return and be healed."  I love the purity, consistency and absolute truth of God's word.  From cover to cover it is a revelation of God, His love, power and glory for all time.  How blessed we are to read it, to receive instruction and correction from God, and to live according to God's wisdom graciously provided.  As we read and meditate on God's word, may we grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ.