Numbers 21; Psalms 60-61; Isaiah 10:5-34; James 4
Daily Catechism
QUESTION 94: WHAT IS REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE?
Answer: Repentance unto life is a saving grace, by which a sin- ner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it to God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.
Scripture: Acts 2:37; Joel 2:13; Jeremiah 31:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 7:10, 11; Romans 6:18.
Numbers 21
In this chapter Israel becomes impatient and speaks against the LORD again and fiery serpents come and begin to kill those in the camp. Moses prays when they come to him with repentance and asking for help. The LORD tells Moses to put up a bronze serpent and tells him that if they are bitten, they must simply look to the serpent and believe that God will heal them and they will live. This is referenced by John in his Gospel (John 3:14-15). In the same way we are to trust in Jesus, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification (Rom 4:25).
Psalms 60-61
In Psalm 60 David’s attitude and approach tells that he believes God is utterly in control of the circumstances they face. He says that God has broken down their defenses, not the enemy. He says that their struggles in battle is the God rejecting them. These thoughts tell of the sovereignty of God in all things. In 61 David recognize that his energy and zeal and strength is not boundless and that he is sometimes faint and that he needs to be relying upon God. His image of relying upon God seems explained in verse 4 and it is dwelling in his tent. This would be a picture of intimate communion with God. David then prays for the kings to follow him upon the Davidic his promised unending throne. David trusted God’s promise and leaned into praying in accord with what God said he would do. May you cause us men to pray in accord with your promises O God and may you cause us to desire intimacy with you over the distractions of this life and may you be our refuge when we are weary. Bless our children and may you sustain them and teach them and may you use us to train them up as you would desire.
Isaiah 10:5-34
Wow, the first verse opens with him cursing the ones who oppress the widows and orphans! At the end of the last chapter he said that he would not have compassion on them but now he is calling woe upon the person who carries this out! Matt 26:24- The Son of Man goes as is written but woe to the one who betrays him! The Lord hardens but holds accountable yet. Rom 9:18.
v3-4. If we turn from God then to whom do we run in our trouble! We have only to die!
v5-11. He turns here to the very rod of his wrath and says that they go as he commands them. He says that they don't do his command with hearts committed to him but with hearts devoted to themselves and to pride and to falsehood. They are lackeys working evil and it is serving the sovereign purposes of God!
v12. When God has finished "his work on mount Zion and in Jerusalem", being the judgement that Assyria is waging against them…then he will judge Assyria for their pride and arrogance!
v15. He makes excessively clear here that the axe is not to be proud for what the axe wielder accomplishes. The axe merely does that for which the willer wills. Can the creature turn and wield the creator???
v16. He calls the Assyrians his stout warriors but announces the he will send a sickness to waste them away. In Is 37:36 the angel of the Lord kills 185,000 Assyrians in their sleep.
v17-19. Depicts God judging Assyria and it is the Holy One who does it. Perhaps this Angel of the Lord in Is 37:36 is pre-incarnate Jesus? God is the burning source of the condemnation upon Assyria that the angel will bring. Perhaps also this could be a reference to Calvary and the destruction of sin in one day (three hours). Assyria is brought to nothing.
v20-27. He comforts Israel against worrying about what the Assyrians will do because they will be delivered and he will turn his wrath against the Assyrians.
v33-34 he says that the Assyrians will be "loped down" with terrifying power (killed in the night)! This was in response it would seem to Hezekiah's prayer (Isaiah 37:14-20) under threat of the Assyrian King Sennacherib.
James 4
There are a number of themes or points made in this chapter that each deserve careful study:
- Our sin and the battle within brings us to mistreat one another.
- Our desires that are not for God hurt us.
- We do not have what we need because we are not asking for what we need and when we do ask for something it is again for evil purpose of selfish ambition and collecting of the world.
- We are adulterous people by seeking the world or considering that we might please God in law keeping. We are the bride of Christ and should not whore ourselves to the world or to a law that we were freed from to serve and be joined to another (Rom 7:4, 6).
- Friendship with the world is the antithesis of humble service to God and these are mutually exclusive.
- Process and results of surrender to God. Draw near with repentant, humble hearts and a contrite spirit...that he may draw near and exalt.
- Slander and the inappropriate judging of brothers or of neighbors is a judging of the law...and is wrong.
- Self confidence and boasting is to be put down in favor of relying upon the goodness of God and recognizing his work with gratitude.
Soli Deo Gloria!
