Sermon Central
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A God Blessed People Series
Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Feb 14, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: God cared for His people even when they did not call out to Him. He would revive His lifeless people with His life giving Spirit and with a renewal of the promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:2; 13:16) that the nation would bless the world. None need fear that Go
A GOD BLESSED PEOPLE
[Ezek. 36:24-28]
The emphasis again shifts from the ill winds of 43:27-28, where God rebukes His people for trying to manipulate Him and become His god, to the glorious prospects He has for His people’s future. God’s judgment was not His final word. In spite of the conquest and destruction of Jerusalem (and the events of 586 B.C.), Israel would remain God’s servant, His chosen people. He cared for them even when they did not call to Him. He would revive His lifeless people with His life giving Spirit and with a renewal of the promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:2; 13:16) that the nation would bless the world. None need fear that God would no longer keep His ancient covenant promises, for He is faithful to His Word (2 Pet. 3:9). No other supposed god has ever done so.
I. A CARED FOR CREATION, 1-2.
II. A SPIRITUALLY REVIVED PEOPLE, 3-5.
III. THE UNIQUENESS OF GOD, 6-8.
Israel deserved their distressing situation in Babylonian captivity. But God is a God of great grace and forgiveness. Verses 1 & 2 tell us that God does not forget His own. “But now listen, O Jacob, My servant; And Israel, whom I have chosen: (2) Thus says the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you, ‘Do not fear, O Jacob My servant; And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
Isaiah calls God’s dejected, downcast, hard-headed people to listen to God’s good news. Again the prophet emphasized God’s choosing (41:8-9) and forming (43:1, 7, 21; 44:24) Israel. God had not given up on them in spite of their attempt to manipulate Him nor because of their hard-hearted rebellion against His word. God encourages His people not to be afraid, in spite of their coming circumstances because He had chosen them. He has created and chosen them for a purpose and they can still fulfill it. He is the covenant Lord who is responsible for the nation’s existence.
Note the words the Lord who made you and formed you from the womb, who will help you. YOU’RE NO ACCIDENT! You’re breathing at this very moment because God planned it! There are illegitimate parents, but no illegitimate children. God’s purposes override human error. He never does anything accidentally. Listen: "Long before He laid down earth’s foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love” (Eph. 1:4 TM). God made you so that He could love you! That’s a truth you can build your life on!
God was thinking of you before He made the world. In fact, you’re why He made it. He designed the exact environment you could thrive in. You’re the focus of His love and the most valuable of all His creation. Listen: "God decided to give us life through the word of truth so we might be the most important of all the things He made" (Jas. 1:18 NCV). Next time you suffer from rejection or an attack of low self-esteem, remind yourself, "I’m the object of God’s love and the most important of all the things He made."
God made you for a reason. Your life has profound meaning! But you only discover that meaning, when you make Jesus the center and the reference point of your life. Listen: "The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what He does for us" (Rom. 12:3 TM). A poet wrote: "You are who you are for a reason. You’re part of an intricate plan. You’re a precious and perfect unique design; you’re God’s special woman or man." So, start acting like it!
God had just called this people sinners (43:27) yet once again reveals His redeeming love for them by using the name Jeshurun. Jeshurun, means “the upright one” and is a poetic name for Israel (Deut. 32:15; 33: 5, 26). It was a term of endearment.
II. A SPIRITUALLY REVIVED PEOPLE, 3-5.
The Lord promises to revive the Children of Israel in verses 3 and 4. ‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground. I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants. (4) And they will spring up among the grass like poplars by streams of water.’
The Lord will revive them physically and spiritually. He will pour water on the . . . land, making it well watered (35:6-7; 41:18; 43:19-20) and He will pour His Holy Spirit (32:15) on their descendants. He will make a new nation out of their offspring. His Spirit moved on nothingness and formed creation (Gen. 1:1). He can certainly give energy and vitality to a spiritually dead and morally corrupt people.
Without the infusion of the Spirit of Life there was no hope for Israel, nor is there for the church today. Divine intervention is our only hope. (See 32:15; Ezek. 36:24-28; Joel 2:12-14, 25-29; 3:1-2).
