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SEPTEMBER 24
DAY 23:What was so shocking to Paul about the Galatians?
That the Galatians were “turning away” (1:6). This is better translated “deserting.” The Greek
word was used of military desertion, which was punishable by death. The form of this Greek verb
indicates that the Galatian believers were voluntarily deserting grace to pursue the legalism taught
by the false teachers.“So soon.”This Greek word can mean either “easily”or “quickly”and sometimes
both. No doubt both senses characterized the Galatians’ response to the false teachers’ heretical
doctrines.“Called you.”This could be translated,“Who called you once and for all”(2 Thess. 2:13,14;
2 Tim.1:8,9;1 Pet.1:15),and refers to God’s effectual call to salvation.“Grace of Christ.”God’s free and
sovereign act of mercy in granting salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ, totally
apart from any human work or merit. “Different gospel.” The Judaizers’ perversion of the true
gospel.They added the requirements,ceremonies,and standards of the Old Covenant as necessary
prerequisites to salvation.
“Some who trouble you” (v. 7). The Greek word could be translated “disturb” and means “to
shake back and forth,” meaning to agitate or stir up. Here, it refers to the deep emotional distur-
bance the Galatian believers experienced.“Pervert.”To turn something into its opposite. By adding
law to the gospel of Christ, the false teachers were effectively destroying grace, turning the mes-
sage of God’s undeserved favor toward sinners into a message of earned and merited favor.“The
gospel of Christ.”The good news of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Throughout history God has devoted certain objects, individuals, and groups of people to
destruction or to be “accursed” (Josh. 6:17,18; 7:1,25,26). Here the Judaizers are identified as mem-
bers of this infamous company.“But even if we, or an angel from heaven”(v.8). Paul’s point is hypo-
thetical, calling on the most unlikely examples for false teaching—himself and holy angels. The
Galatians should receive no messenger,regardless of how impeccable his credentials,if his doctrine
of salvation differs in the slightest degree from God’s truth revealed through Christ and the apos-
tles. “Accursed.” The translation of the familiar Greek word anathama, which refers to devoting
someone to destruction in eternal hell (Rom. 9:3; 1 Cor. 12:3; 16:22).

September 24 are coming when all that is in your house, and
what your fathers have accumulated until this
day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall
be left,’ says the LORD. ‘And they shall take
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Isaiah 39:1–40:31
away some of your sons who will descend from
At that time Merodach-Baladan the son you, whom you will beget; and they shall be
39 of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent let- eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ ”
ters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard 8 So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of
that he had been sick and had recovered. And the LORD which you have spoken is good!” For
2
Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed he said, “At least there will be peace and truth
them the house of his treasures—the silver in my days.”
and gold, the spices and precious ointment, “Comfort, yes, comfort
and all his armory—all that was found among 40 My people!”
his treasures. There was nothing in his house Says your God.
or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not 2 “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry
show them. out to her,
Then Isaiah the prophet went to King That her warfare is ended,
3
Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these
men say, and from where did they come to
you?”
So Hezekiah said, “They came to me from a 40:1,2 Comfort,…comfort. The prophecy
far country, from Babylon.” addressed God’s prophets,instructing them to
4
And he said, “What have they seen in your emphasize the theme of comfort to a captive
house?” people in a foreign land many miles from their
So Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all home city of Jerusalem.God has good plans for
that is in my house; there is nothing among great blessing to Israel in the future because
my treasures that I have not shown them.” they are His covenant people,who are never to
5 be permanently cast away (Rom.11:2).
Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the
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word of the LORD of hosts: ‘Behold, the days
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