Today’s Reading: Isa 27:1–28:29, Luke 9:28–62, Job 6:14–30
Today’s Theme: The Good Judge
Today’s theme is about God as our Good Judge, He judges sin and rebellion, but is always good and seeks to do good to His people.
Isaiah 27:1–28:29
God, the dragon slayer
In that day the LORD with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea. Isaiah 27:1 (ESV)
God, the great Judge, will punish Leviathan in the last days.
The Leviathan was what we today call a Dinosaur, but the bible calls a Dragon. This particular Dragon once lived in the sea and is likely to be the same creature as the Dinosaur that we call Pliosaur (also possibly a Plesiosaur or a Mosasaur). This proves that these great creatures were roaming the earth and oceans just a few thousand years ago.
The great and terrible Leviathan is seen as a type for the Devil, in Revelation 12:9 and Revelation 20:2.
God will slay the Dragon Satan with the mighty sword of His word, which is hard (ferocious and unrelenting), great (large and robust enough to accomplish anything) and Strong (mighty and powerful).
The Devil and his Demons have infested and destroyed the good creation of God, but the twisting Serpent is on the run, God has declared his judgement and will surley bring it to pass.
Glory to the King, our God the Dragon slayer!
God’s vineyard
I, the LORD, am its keeper; every moment I water it. Lest anyone punish it, I keep it night and day; Isaiah 27:3 (ESV)
God is a good and faithful Judge, He is a God of meekness, love and peace and one who keeps His covenants for His own name’s sake. This is the God who keeps Israel, His vineyard.
Israel are God’s elect nation, the one He chose to be the light of the world and bear fruit that would display Him to the world and bring Him pleasure. We thank God that as Gentiles we have been grafted into this vine, as one new man (neither Jew or Gentile) in Christ.
Let all governments and every person take note, God is the one who keeps Israel and the Church, His chosen vineyard.
God, the crown of glory
In that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people, and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. Isaiah 28:5–6 (ESV)
A great promise for Israel of God’s ultimate victory, we pray that this day would come to pass and that we, in a sense, would also see it in our day, that God will be exalted in modern day Israel.
Pray that the secular and ungodly positions of the Israeli government would be replaced with a focus and honour toward the God of the bible and the revelation that Jesus is the Messiah.
Pray that God would give the spirit of justice to leaders and strength to the soldiers who govern and protect Israel.
It is only by God being the crown of the people of Israel, that we will see God glorified through Israel, so we pray for their salvation to the glory of God.
Jesus, the Cornerstone
therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ Isaiah 28:16 (ESV)
This is a clear prophecy about Jesus, He is the cornerstone. See the following New Testament references.
1 Peter 2:6 reads “For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
Acts 4:11 says “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.”
Paul quotes in Romans 9:33 “as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
The cornerstone speaks of the foundation of our trust in God and the judgement of God against those who reject the foundation. It also speaks of Jesus’ function as a good judge.
God’s wisdom is excellent
This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom. Isaiah 28:29 (ESV)
God is the one who created the entire universe, planned our redemption and works out His purposes, we can trust in His counsel and wisdom as the good judge today.
Luke 9:28–62
Jesus the better Moses
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” Luke 9:35 (ESV)
Moses was a great judge of God’s people and is without parallel in all history. Elijah is among the greatest of all prophets. Their joint appearance with Jesus possibly point to Jesus’ role as the one who fulfils the law of Moses and replaces it with the Kingdom of God, while Elijah points to the prophetic office Jesus had and the fulfilment of prophecy that would be achieved.
Whatever their appearance signified, we see that the affirmation from God the father, to the disciples on the mount, elevates Jesus above both Moses and Elijah.
We are called to do as God said, ‘listen to Him’, the better Judge and greatest prophet.
Don’t’ focus on the law of Moses, it has passed. Do not get lost in prophecy, it has some profit but the greatest profit comes from listening to Jesus, He speaks most clearly in the bible.
Reflect the majesty of God
And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, Luke 9:43 (ESV)
The miracles Jesus performed were always to the benefit of the people and to the glory of God, not for a show or for His own sake.
Our lives should reflect the glorious majesty of God, just like the life of Jesus, as we exercise authority over demons, restore families and see the healing power of God released.
Like Jesus, we judge the demons but show the mercy and the goodness of God, to man.
Be the greatest
and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” Luke 9:48 (ESV)
We need to live like Jesus, we need to be humble, serving, good judges.
When I say judge, think of it in terms of God’s word. Our lives, thoughts and actions are all governed by the word, we will exercise righteous judgement according to God’s word.
The only way to greatness in God’s kingdom is through firm belief in the word and through servant, childlike hearts, willing to serve for God’s glory and putting others first, just like Jesus did.
Boldly be the greatest by being a servant and having childlike trust in God’s word. It sounds like a paradox but is the way of God’s kingdom and ensures genuineness and authenticity before God and the church community.
Don’t’ look back
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 (ESV)
Be encouraged today, we read how the enemy’s defeat is certain and God will win in the end. We have seen the power and greatness of Jesus and received instruction on how to live for greatness in the Kingdom, so don’t be distracted, don’t turn back, keep looking to Jesus, keep pressing forward.
We are not cowards, we follow our good judge to the end.
Job 6:14–30
Be teachable
“Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray. Job 6:24 (ESV)
Job’s character is remarkable. We must be like Job; remain teachable and humble under trial. Our God is not a bad judge but a good one, who has our best interest at heart. Be open to the lessons He is teaching you today.
Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.
Additional resources
Desiring God on Luke 9