Isaiah 48:1-6 English Standard Version

Israel Refined for God’s Glory

¹ Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and who came from the waters of Judah, who swear by the name of the Lord and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right. ² For they call themselves after the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; the Lord of hosts is his name. ³ “The former things I declared of old; they went out from my mouth, and I announced them; then suddenly I did them, and they came to pass. ⁴ Because I know that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew and your forehead brass, ⁵ I declared them to you from of old, before they came to pass I announced them to you, lest you should say, ‘My idol did them, my carved image and my metal image commanded them.’ ⁶ “You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known.

What is important here is that we are changed because of our God and His plans for each of us. Our change is not because of any self-effort. Jacob became Israel, not because he wanted to change his name but because God gave him a new identity. With that new identity, he acquired a new life, separated from his past and lead to a history that glorified God.

What lessons are to be learned about this past relationship that pertains to us today since God had done a new thing, one never seen before?

Human nature doesn’t change even after we are known by a new name.

John 12:9-11 English Standard Version

The Plot to Kill Lazarus

⁹ When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, ¹¹ because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

Today let us focus on the affect that Lazarus had on the people that knew him. The affect was profound, so much so that minds were changed and what was accepted in the past was being rejected.

As we approach this subject please do not take on any personal persecution that comes from these words but rather seek what the Holy Spirit is speaking to us in these moments.

We all have people we know. Some are close to us and some are just on the fringe of our relationships. Some of the most troubling aspects of these relationships can come from those who are family because they knew us before we came to Christ. Some family members may still reside outside the family of God. There will be some cases where the sharpest rebukes come from our closest family members.

Matthew 10:36-38 English Standard Version

³⁶ And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. ³⁷ Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ³⁸ And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

It is no accident that Jesus speaks to the sufferings of our own personal cross right after speaking directly about family members. The wounds are deeper coming from those who are the closest.

“I knew you when” should not be received as condemnation. It is our anthem of change.