Page 59 - Isaiah Student Worktext

V. 14-15 The covenant with death probably refers to the alliance with Egypt that will be detailed in
Chapter 30-31. They sought refuge in an enemy rather than in the Lord. It’s a deal with the devil, with
Sheol. They have made lies and falsehood their refuge.

V. 16-22 point directly to the coming of Jesus Christ, the tried and precious cornerstone. Romans 9: 30-
33 and 10: 9-13; 1 Peter 2: 6-8 Justice and righteousness will prevail, and will sweep away the lies.

The covenant made with ‘death’, in this case not just Egypt, but any covenant apart from the Lord, will
be ‘annulled’. There is no possible refuge from the judgment of God other than the grace of God.

The illustration in V. 20 is similar to our saying ‘you’ve made your bed, now lie in it’. The bed is too
short, and the covering is inadequate. But it’s your mess…you have to live with it.

Mount Perazim and the Valley of Gibeon were two places where David, with God’s direct intervention,
defeated the Philistines. Just as God demonstrated His power there, He will also bring to pass His
‘unusual act’.

So, stop mocking the word of God, as spoken through Isaiah or any other prophet.

V. 23-26 In an Old Testament parable, God tells Ephraim to listen and hear what it is that He is saying.
Does the farmer plow, only and always? No, once the soil is prepared, then he sows, the cummin (an
aromatic seed that is ground and used as a flavoring), the wheat, the barley and the ‘spelt’ or rye.

V. 27-29 Once these crops are ready to harvest, there are specific methods of harvesting each. If
farmers understand the laws of sowing and reaping, why does Ephraim not understand God’s laws.

The farmer’s knowledge did not come from within the farmer. It has been passed down through the
generations, but it all originated with God. Just like Isaac Newton ‘discovered’ the laws of gravity or
penicillin’s ability to fight infections, that law or that ability had always been there…God revealed it to
the right people at the right time.

In the case of Ephraim, He is revealing the truth to the people at the right time.

8.4 Let’s Practice…

Questions from Chapter 25
1. What does the banquet that God spreads in V. 6-8 represent?

2. What does this banquet tell us about God’s invitation to men?

Questions from Chapter 26
3. What is the main ideas of chapter 26?

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