Isaiah 56-60.
Ch. 56.
*v1. Maintain justice; do what is right. Why? Salvation is near.
*v2. Blessed is the man who does these things.
*Keeping Sabbath is a symbolic representation/summary of keeping covenant with God.
*Rest, peace, obedience, trust, submission, honor.
*We need to get this order right: 1. Connect w/God. 2. Do the good works... Not the other way around. We can't work our way into good standing w/God.
Ch. 57.
*v1,2 Righteous perish, no one ponders or understands. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace. They find peace/rest on their death beds.
*The journey of the lost. A look into the depraved mind.
*v10. You were wearied by all your ways, but you found renewal of your strength...and continued (doing the wrong things).
*v15. God is on a higher plane than us, but associates with the lowly and broken hearted. He not only cares for us, but He is our example of how to love others.
Ch. 58. A Picture of Life in Relationship w/God.
*I can't live my own way and expect to be near God or have Him answer/bless me. Got to be real about this.
*Fasting and sacrifice: what good is it? what is the purpose?
*v6,7. Loose chains of injustice, untie cords of yoke, set oppressed free, break every yoke-share food, shelter, clothing, care for family.
*True fasting-Jesus' example- If we do this (live this way), then...
Ch. 59.
*v1. Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save?... But my sin separates me from God! Hidden His face from me. (Jesus went through this same thing on the cross)
*Integrity?
*What kind of man will I be? Truth, Integrity, Justice, Righteousness, Honesty, Shun Evil. Remember the correct order to be this kind of man. 1. Connect w/God. 2. Those character traits will come...
*v21. God's covenant: My spirit who is on you, and my words I have put in your mouth will not depart from you, your children, descendants...Forever!
Ch. 60. A Picture of Redeemed Israel, New Jerusalem.
*Imagine a world after rapture, as described in Revelation.
*People not connected to Christ will not live Godly lives. Don't be surprised by this. Remember the correct order of things. In fact, v15 says we become prey!
