Summary: This sermon looks at seven results of grace that result when God turns our captivity.

Turning Captivity

Psalm 126:1-6 when the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad. Bring back our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the South. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He, who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Brought back = shoob = to turn back, bring back home again, deliver, refresh, relieve

The Lord reverses our captivity and brings us our freedom. It is an act of Grace.

Grace = charis = kindness, divine favor, pleasure and joy designed for the recipient

An Example of Grace

2 Kings 24:8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 52:31-34 Now it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth day of the month, that Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah and brought him out of prison. And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a more prominent seat than those of the kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin changed from his prison garments, and he ate bread regularly before the king all the days of his life. And as for his provisions, there was a regular ration given him by the king of Babylon, a portion for each day until the day of his death, all the days of his life.

Jehoiachin means “Jehovah will establish or set upright” 18yrs old into captivity, 37 yrs in captivity = 55yrs the number of life

Captivity means to strip, make naked

Evil-Merodach, king of the Babylonian Empire 562-560 ruled while Nebuchadnezzar was being humbled and judged by God. Jehoiachin was imprisoned during this time when Evil-Merodach showed favor to him and released him. This typifies Jesus Christ who came to release the captives.

Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

Seven Marvels of God’s Grace

•He gives us a new mind He lifts up the Head of the Imprisoned. (Showed favor to)

1 Samuel 2:8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory. “For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and He has set the world upon them.

1 Corinthians 2:16 For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

•And He spoke Kindly to Him

Song of Solomon 5:16 His mouth is most sweet, Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend,

•He gave him a new position

Hebrew = kawsaw = to cover up or to canopy, spiritual immunity, protection, specifically to do with relationships, to be under.

Seven Blessings of Covenant

Psalm 27:1-5 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident. One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.

a.“underneath are the everlasting arms” – support, assurance of victory.

Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, ‘Destroy!’

Ephesians 2:6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

b.“under His feet” – stability and steadfastness

Exodus 24:10 and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.

c.“under His wings” – strength to soar

Psalm 91:4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

d.“under His shadow” – rest and joyful delight

Song of Solomon 2:3 Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

Psalm 91:1, 5 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

e.“covered you with My hand” –

Exodus 33:22 “So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by.

f.“camels shall cover you” – wealth

Isaiah 60:6 The multitude of camels shall cover your land, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and incense, and they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD.

(Sheba = seven = fullness or completeness, Camels = those that carry burdens or servants)

g.“made a chariot” – the strength of covenant

Song of Solomon 3:9-10 Of the wood of Lebanon Solomon the King Made himself a palanquin: He made its pillars of silver, Its support of gold, Its seat of purple, Its interior paved with love By the daughters of Jerusalem.

•He changed his clothes

Zechariah 3:1-5 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel. Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.” And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the LORD stood by him.

•He gave him bread to eat

Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

•He gave him new provisions

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

•He gave him a portion for everyday

Psalm 125:1 Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

Isaiah 61:1-11 EXCHANGE

Preach – Poor

Heal – Brokenhearted

Liberty – Captives

Open prisons – Bound

Freedom and Justice

Comfort – Mourn

Beauty – Ashes

Oil of Joy – Mourning

Garment of Praise – Spirit of Heaviness

Rebuild Ruins

Raise up Desolations

Shame – Double Honor

No Confusion

Double Honor

Everlasting Joy

Blessedness

Garments of Salvation

Robes of Righteousness

Praise of Others