King James Version®
STANDARD
LESSON
COMMENTARY
2016–2017
International Sunday School Lessons
Jim Eichenberger
Senior Editor
Ronald L. Nickelson
Commentary Editor
Margaret K. Williams
Activities Editor
Volume 64
Contents
Index of Printed Texts
Fall 2016: The Sovereignty of God
Winter 2016–2017: Creation: A Divine Cycle
Spring 2017: God Loves Us
Summer 2017: God’s Urgent Call
IN THIS VOLUME
Fall Quarter 2016 |
||
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD |
||
Lesson Development |
Douglas Redford (1–4), Jon Weatherly (5–7), Kelvin Jones (8, 9), Mark S. Krause (10–13) |
|
Verbal Illustrations |
Douglas C. Schmidt (1–3), Candace M. Wood (4), Vicki Edwards (5–7), Laura McKillip Wood (8–11), James B. North (12, 13) |
|
Involvement Learning |
Ronald G. Davis (1–3, 10–13), Cheryl Frey (4, 6–9), Emily Henry (5) |
|
What Do You Think? |
Truitt F. Evans Sr. (1–4), Jon Weatherly (5–7), Kelvin Jones (8, 9), Mark S. Krause (10–13) |
|
Winter Quarter 2016–2017 |
||
CREATION: A DIVINE CYCLE |
||
Lesson Development |
Lloyd Ludwick (1), Tom Thatcher (2, 3), Sandra S. Obrecht (4), Mark S. Krause (5, 7, 8), Walter D. Zorn (6, 9), Jon Weatherly (10–13) |
|
Verbal Illustrations |
Vicki Edwards (1, 2), James B. North (3, 4), Laura McKillip Wood (5, 6), Charles R. Boatman (7–13) |
|
Involvement Learning |
Teresa D. Welch (1–4), Cheryl Frey (5–7), Emily Henry (8, 9), Ronald G. Davis (10–13) |
|
What Do You Think? |
Truitt F. Evans Sr. (1–5, 7, 8), Walter D. Zorn (6, 9), Jon Weatherly (10–13) |
|
Spring Quarter 2017 |
||
GOD LOVES US |
||
Lesson Development |
Mark S. Krause (1–4), Walter D. Zorn (5), Jon Weatherly (6–9), Lloyd M. Pelfrey (10–13) |
|
Verbal Illustrations |
Vicki Edwards (1, 2), James B. North (3, 4), Laura McKillip Wood (5, 6), Charles R. Boatman (7–13) |
|
Involvement Learning |
Emily Henry (1, 2), Jonathan Underwood (3, 4), Nicholas A. Tomeo (5), Cheryl Frey (6–9), Ronald G. Davis (10–13) |
|
What Do You Think? |
Jonathan Underwood (1–4), Walter D. Zorn (5), Jon Weatherly (6–9), Gene Andrews (10–13) |
|
Summer Quarter 2017 |
||
GOD’S URGENT CALL |
||
Lesson Development |
Lloyd M. Pelfrey (1–4), Douglas Redford (5–9), Mark S. Krause (10–13) |
|
Verbal Illustrations |
Charles R. Boatman (1–7), Laura McKillip Wood (8, 9), Douglas C. Schmidt (10), Candace Wood (11), James B. North (12, 13) |
|
Involvement Learning |
Cheryl Frey (1–4), Emily Henry (5, 6), Ronald G. Davis (7–9), Teresa D. Welch (10–13) |
|
What Do You Think? |
Rebecca Waters (1), Sandra Merville Hart (2), Truitt F. Evans Sr. (3, 4), Jim Eichenberger (5–9), Gene Andrews (10–13) |
Standard Lesson Commentary is published annually by Standard Publishing, www.standardpub.com. Copyright © 2016 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918. All rights reserved. Scripture taken from the King James Version. Lessons and/or readings based on International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching; copyright © 2013, by the Committee on the Uniform Series.
INDEX OF PRINTED TEXTS
The printed texts for 2016–2017 are arranged here in the order in which they appear in the Bible.
REFERENCE |
PAGE |
Exodus 3:1–12 |
377 |
Judges 4:1–10 |
345 |
Judges 6:11–18 |
353 |
Judges 11:4–11 |
361 |
Judges 11:29–31 |
361 |
Judges 13:1–7 |
369 |
Judges 13:24, 25 |
369 |
Psalm 23 |
265 |
Psalm 33:1–9 |
153 |
Psalm 65 |
169 |
Psalm 96 |
161 |
Psalm 104:1–4 |
177 |
Psalm 104:24–30 |
177 |
Psalm 148 |
185 |
Isaiah 6:1–8 |
385 |
Isaiah 11:1–9 |
9 |
Isaiah 25:6–10a |
17 |
Isaiah 40:21–31 |
25 |
Isaiah 61:1–4 |
33 |
Isaiah 61:8–11 |
33 |
Jeremiah 1:4–10 |
393 |
Ezekiel 3:1–11 |
401 |
Joel 2:12, 13 |
257 |
Joel 2:18, 19 |
257 |
Joel 2:28–32 |
257 |
Amos 7:10–17 |
409 |
Jonah 1:7–17 |
305 |
Jonah 2 |
313 |
Jonah 3 |
321 |
Jonah 4 |
329 |
Matthew 7:24–29 |
49 |
Luke 1:8–20 |
137 |
Luke 1:26–38 |
121 |
Luke 1:39–56 |
129 |
Luke 2:8–20 |
145 |
John 3:1–16 |
273 |
John 10:1–15 |
297 |
John 15:1–17 |
249 |
John 20:1–10 |
281 |
Acts 6:1–8 |
417 |
Acts 8:26–39 |
425 |
Acts 9:10–20 |
433 |
Acts 10:19–33 |
441 |
Romans 5:6–11 |
289 |
Romans 8:31–39 |
289 |
Galatians 3:26–29 |
193 |
Galatians 4:1–7 |
193 |
Galatians 4:8–20 |
201 |
Galatians 5:1–17 |
209 |
Galatians 5:18–26 |
217 |
Galatians 6:1–10 |
217 |
Ephesians 2:1–10 |
241 |
Hebrews 1:1–9 |
41 |
Hebrews 3:1–6 |
49 |
Hebrews 4:14–16 |
57 |
Hebrews 5:1–10 |
57 |
Hebrews 7:1–3 |
65 |
Hebrews 7:18–28 |
65 |
Hebrews 12:1–13 |
73 |
1 Peter 1:3–9 |
281 |
1 John 4:7–19 |
233 |
Revelation 21:1–8 |
81 |
Revelation 21:9–14 |
89 |
Revelation 21:22–27 |
89 |
Revelation 22:1–7 |
97 |
Revelation 22:11–21 |
105 |
FALL 2016
KING JAMES VERSION
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
Special Features |
||
Quarterly Quiz |
||
Quarter at a Glance |
Douglas Redford |
|
Get the Setting |
Mark S. Krause |
|
This Quarter in the Word (Daily Bible Readings) |
||
Lesson Cycle Chart, 2016–2022 |
||
No Bad Singers (Teacher Tips) |
Ronald L. Nickelson |
|
Student Activity Reproducible Pages (annual Deluxe Edition only) |
|
|
Student Activity Reproducible Pages (free download) |
www.standardlesson.com |
|
In the World (weekly online feature) |
www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world |
|
Lessons |
||
Unit 1: The Sovereignty of the Father |
||
September 4 |
The Peaceful Kingdom |
Isaiah 11:1–9 |
September 11 |
The Mountain of God |
Isaiah 25:6–10a |
September 18 |
Foundations of the Earth |
Isaiah 40:21–31 |
September 25 |
Everlasting Covenant |
Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 |
Unit 2: The Sovereignty of Jesus |
||
October 2 |
The Brightness of God’s Glory |
Hebrews 1:1–9 |
October 9 |
Builder of the House |
Hebrews 3:1–6; Matthew 7:24–29 |
October 16 |
The Great High Priest |
Hebrews 4:14–5:10 |
October 23 |
The High Priest Forever |
Hebrews 7:1–3, 18–28 |
October 30 |
Model of Endurance |
Hebrews 12:1–13 |
Unit 3: Alpha and Omega |
||
November 6 |
Brand New |
Revelation 21:1–8 |
November 13 |
New Jerusalem |
Revelation 21:9–14, 22–27 |
November 20 |
Living Waters |
Revelation 22:1–7 |
November 27 |
First and Last |
Revelation 22:11–21 |
QUARTERLY QUIZ
Use these questions as a pretest or as a review. Click here for answers.
Lesson 1
1. The Messiah is prophesied to be able to slay the wicked with His breath. T/F. Isaiah 11:4
2. In the coming peace, the wolf will dwell with the what? (lamb, owl, snake?) Isaiah 11:6
Lesson 2
1. Isaiah believed future blessings of the Lord would fall only on Israel. T/F. Isaiah 25:6
2. Isaiah foresaw a time when the Lord will wipe away ____. Isaiah 25:8
Lesson 3
1. From God’s perspective, people are like what? (grasshoppers, sparrows, roses?) Isaiah 40:22
2. Isaiah teaches that those who trust God will mount up with wings as ____. Isaiah 40:31
Lesson 4
1. The “acceptable year of the Lord” will include a “day of vengeance.” T/F. Isaiah 61:2
2. God will give the garment of ____ for the spirit of heaviness. Isaiah 61:3
Lesson 5
1. In Old Testament times, God spoke to “the fathers” by the ____. Hebrews 1:1
2. What has the Son inherited that is more excellent than that of the angels? (mission, people, name?) Hebrews 1:4
Lesson 6
1. Biblically, Jesus can be called what? (pick two: dove, apostle, high priest, shaman?) Hebrews 3:1
2. The wise man builds his house on ____. Matthew 7:24
Lesson 7
1. What did Jesus experience that is just like what we experience? (commission of sin, failures of faith, temptations?) Hebrews 4:15
2. The Jewish high priest had to offer sacrifices for his own sins. T/F. Hebrews 5:3
Lesson 8
1. Melchisedec was the king of what city? (Salem, Ai, Tyre?) Hebrews 7:1
2. Who gave Melchisedec a tenth of the spoils from battle? (Noah, Abraham, Saul?) Hebrews 7:2
Lesson 9
1. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. T/F. Hebrews 12:2
2. The first readers of Hebrews had resisted to the point of blood. T/F. Hebrews 12:4
Lesson 10
1. When John sees the new heaven and earth, there is no more ____. Revelation 21:1
2. The “lake which burneth with fire” is called “the second ____.” Revelation 21:8
Lesson 11
1. How many gates will the new Jerusalem have? (3, 7, 12?) Revelation 21:12
2. The new Jerusalem will have an extraordinarily large temple. T/F. Revelation 21:22
Lesson 12
1. The tree of life in the new Jerusalem will produce healing leaves. T/F. Revelation 22:2
2. John was assured that the sayings were faithful and what? (profound, honorable, true?) Revelation 22:6
Lesson 13
1. When Christ returns, He will bring what? (reward, crown, leaves?) Revelation 22:12
2. Jesus is the bright and morning ____. Revelation 22:16
3. Adding things to the book of Revelation will bring plagues. T/F. Revelation 22:18
QUARTER AT A GLANCE
by Douglas Redford
The Bible clearly teaches the sovereignty of God, the theme of this quarter’s lessons. Believing in that sovereignty is not difficult when life is going well. What often leaves us perplexed (and sometimes annoyed or even angry) are the turmoils and tragedies of daily life. These can cause us to wonder, “Is God really sovereign? If so, then why do nations wage genocide? Why do people flaunt wickedness with impunity? Why do families continue to disintegrate?”
Troubling Times
We take care to note that many portions of the Bible that proclaim God’s sovereignty were recorded during periods of great turmoil and tragedy. The prophet Isaiah, for example, carried out his ministry during a time when God’s people were confronted by the seemingly invincible Assyrian empire. God’s sovereignty? Nice in theory, perhaps; but that idea can be hard to embrace when Assyrian troops are overrunning your territory! As if that were not enough to discourage God’s people, Isaiah also looked ahead to the time when Babylon would pose a similar threat. Can God be truly sovereign amidst all this chaos?
The Scripture texts for our first unit of lessons boldly assert the Lord’s plans for His kingdom. That kingdom is to be characterized by true and lasting peace (lesson 1), freedom from grief and want (lesson 2), and the riches of an everlasting covenant (lesson 4). No enemy can limit what the Lord’s sovereign purpose intends to accomplish. Foes such as Assyria and Babylon may have their day in the sun, but the Lord is the one who brings their “princes to nothing” and makes “the judges of the earth as vanity” (Isaiah 40:23, lesson 3).
Our third unit of lessons also considers daunting threats to the people of God—in this case, His church. These four lessons from Revelation concentrate on the grand finale of God’s sovereign plan to bring His people to a place where the brokenness of a sin-cursed world exists no more. All of those “former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Isaiah’s vision in lesson 2 is fulfilled in the establishment of “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1, lesson 10).
Sovereign Savior
What Revelation describes is possible only through the all-sufficient work of Jesus. His sovereignty is the primary message of the book of Hebrews. From that book come the lessons of our second unit of study. The unsurpassed excellence of Jesus is proclaimed right from the book’s opening words (lesson 5). Jesus is “a son over his own house,” the house to which we belong “if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Hebrews 3:6, lesson 6).
In exercising His sovereignty, Jesus has become the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2, lesson 9). His suffering at the cross earned Him these designations as well as that of “great high priest” (Hebrews 4:14, lesson 7).
With a similar spirit of endurance, Christians today proclaim Christ to a sin-soaked world, the very existence of which causes people to challenge the concept of a sovereign God. As we endure and respond to these challenges, we must not forget that His sovereignty has been questioned before—during the onslaught of the Assyrians in Old Testament times, amidst the shame of the cross in New Testament times, etc. Yet God’s promises and purposes have remained steadfast.
They remain so for us—during whatever today’s times may bring. We acknowledge that sovereignty when we pray “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20, lesson 13).
GET THE SETTING
by Mark S. Krause
In the game Rock-Paper-Scissors, no position is all-powerful. Rock breaks scissors; scissors cut paper; paper covers rock. The pagan nations in Bible times had a similar view of their gods.
Less Than All-Powerful Gods
Pagans did not see any one deity as being almighty. Take for example Baal, worshipped by the Canaanites. Baal was understood to be the god of weather and therefore of agricultural abundance. Although seen as very powerful, there were checks on his abilities. Canaanites believed that Baal was subservient to the creator god, named El. They did not worship El as much, though, seeing him as distant and uninvolved in the world. Baal had consorts (goddess wives) who wielded great influence over him. Furthermore, Canaanite priests and priestesses supposedly knew the weaknesses of the gods and how to curry their favor. In this sense, people had limited power over their deities.
Competitive Gods
The various pantheons of pagan deities were not places of harmony! The Greeks pictured Mt. Olympus (the home of many gods) as a place of plots, intrigues, and rivalries. Such gods could be jealous, petty, and vain. Although the gods had great power, humans could challenge and trick them at times, a favorite theme of the myths.
Other ancient cultures saw their gods as needy beings who competed for human worship and devotion. For example, the Gilgamesh flood myth relates the story of a certain man named Utnapishtim who builds a giant boat and survives the deluge. When the waters subside, he leaves the boat, offers animal sacrifice, and burns incense. The story says the gods, who apparently were starved for human adoration while Utnapishtim and his people were afloat, “swarmed like flies” over the smell of the sacrifice and the incense.
Changing Gods
Ancient peoples created new deities when agendas called for it. Pharaoh Akhenaten, of the fourteenth-century BC, is an example. He abandoned the gods of his ancestors to focus on Aten, his version of the sun god. Seen by some historians as a shift toward a “one god” doctrine, Akhenaten’s ideas did not last. Egyptians quickly reverted to their “many gods” outlook after his death.
Students of ancient history know of a set of Greek gods and a parallel set of Roman gods. For example, the Greek Zeus is the Roman Jupiter and the Greek Hermes is the Roman Mercury. It wasn’t quite as simple as different names for the same gods, though. As the Romans occupied Greek-speaking lands, they imposed their own view of deities. For example, the city of Ephesus had a famous temple dedicated to Artemis, the Greek goddess of hunting, that the Romans aligned with their goddess Diana. Although these goddesses were similar, they were not identical (see Acts 19).
God of the Bible
In contrast with these pagan deities, the Bible presents a singular, all-powerful God. He alone sustains the world that He alone created. He doesn’t compete with other gods, because there are no other gods. It doesn’t matter if kings change allegiance among various false gods, because the God of the Bible remains the true God. He is not needy for our worship, but has created us to worship Him. In this, worship is about our fulfilling our purpose, not about fulfilling God’s needs. The God of the Bible is not a mix of various national deities and their myths, but is the true God who has revealed himself to us through His Word.
Our God, the sovereign Lord of the universe, is unlike any pagan god of the ancient world or any false god of the modern one. “All the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens” (Psalm 96:5).
THIS QUARTER IN THE WORD
Mon, Aug. 29 |
God’s Offer to Solomon |
1 Kings 3:3–9 |
Tue, Aug. 30 |
God Pleased with Solomon’s Requests |
1 Kings 3:10–15 |
Wed, Aug. 31 |
Live Together in Harmony |
1 Peter 3:8–13 |
Thu, Sep. 1 |
Build a Peaceful Lifestyle |
2 Peter 1:3–11 |
Fri, Sep. 2 |
Support the Interests of Others |
Philippians 2:1–11 |
Sat, Sep. 3 |
Build a Just and Righteous Community |
Psalm 72:1–7 |
Sun, Sep. 4 |
Presiding Over a Peaceful Community |
Isaiah 11:1–9 |
Mon, Sep. 5 |
Praise for Deliverance from Oppression |
Isaiah 25:1–5 |
Tue, Sep. 6 |
Healing Can’t Wait! |
Luke 14:1–6 |
Wed, Sep. 7 |
Wait to Be Seated |
Luke 14:7–11 |
Thu, Sep. 8 |
Invite the Needy to Your Table |
Luke 14:12–14 |
Fri, Sep. 9 |
Dinner Will Be Served! |
Luke 14:15–23 |
Sat, Sep. 10 |
Christ Died for Our Sins |
1 Corinthians 15:1–11 |
Sun, Sep. 11 |
Attending God’s Banquet Feast |
Isaiah 25:6–10a |
Mon, Sep. 12 |
See God’s Saving Power |
Luke 3:2–6 |
Tue, Sep. 13 |
Power to Overcome Illness |
Isaiah 38:9–20 |
Wed, Sep. 14 |
God’s Word Stands Forever |
Isaiah 40:1–8 |
Thu, Sep. 15 |
God Leads like a Shepherd |
Isaiah 40:9–11 |
Fri, Sep. 16 |
God’s Wisdom Is Unmatched |
Isaiah 40:12–14 |
Sat, Sep. 17 |
God Unlike the Nations and Idols |
Isaiah 40:15–20 |
Sun, Sep. 18 |
Our Powerful and Everlasting God |
Isaiah 40:21–31 |
Mon, Sep. 19 |
A Light to the Nations |
Isaiah 42:5–9 |
Tue, Sep. 20 |
Anointed for Ministry |
Luke 4:16–21 |
Wed, Sep. 21 |
No Ministry in Our Backyard |
Luke 4:22–30 |
Thu, Sep. 22 |
The Exiles Will Return |
Isaiah 60:1–5 |
Fri, Sep. 23 |
The Glory of the Nation Restored |
Isaiah 60:19–22 |
Sat, Sep. 24 |
With Everlasting Love and Compassion |
Isaiah 54:4–8 |
Sun, Sep. 25 |
Righteousness and Praise Will Always Rule |
Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 |
Mon, Sep. 26 |
Becoming Children of God |
John 1:1–14 |
Tue, Sep. 27 |
Receiving Grace upon Grace |
John 1:15–18 |
Wed, Sep. 28 |
From Death to Life |
John 5:24–27 |
Thu, Sep. 29 |
Jesus, Superior to the Angels |
Hebrews 1:10–14 |
Fri, Sep. 30 |
Jesus Reconciles All Things |
Colossians 1:15–20 |
Sat, Oct. 1 |
Jesus, Author of All Spiritual Blessings |
Ephesians 1:3–8a |
Sun, Oct. 2 |
Jesus, Imprint of God’s Very Being |
Hebrews 1:1–9 |
Mon, Oct. 3 |
Angels in God’s Plan |
Hebrews 2:5–8b |
Tue, Oct. 4 |
Keep Your Commitment to Christ |
Hebrews 3:7–15 |
Wed, Oct. 5 |
Hold Fast to Our Confession |
Hebrews 10:19–25 |
Thu, Oct. 6 |
Jesus Christ, the Only Foundation |
1 Corinthians 3:10–12 |
Fri, Oct. 7 |
Requesting then Receiving Help |
Matthew 7:7–11 |
Sat, Oct. 8 |
Obedient Actions Required of All Members |
Matthew 7:19–23 |
Sun, Oct. 9 |
Working at Jesus’ Behest |
Hebrews 3:1–6; Matthew 7:24–29 |
Mon, Oct. 10 |
Gifts for the Work of Ministry |
Ephesians 4:7–13 |
Tue, Oct. 11 |
Grateful for God’s Mercy |
1 Timothy 1:12–17 |
Wed, Oct. 12 |
Maintain Faith and a Good Conscience |
1 Timothy 1:18–20 |
Thu, Oct. 13 |
Guard Your Faith with Powerful Love |
2 Timothy 1:3–14 |
Fri, Oct. 14 |
A Good Soldier of Jesus Christ |
2 Timothy 2:1–7 |
Sat, Oct. 15 |
Jesus Carries Forward the Father’s Will |
Matthew 26:36–39 |
Sun, Oct. 16 |
Jesus the Great High Priest |
Hebrews 4:14–5:10 |
Mon, Oct. 17 |
Victory of God’s Priest-King |
Psalm 110 |
Tue, Oct. 18 |
Service by and Support of Priests |
Numbers 18:21–24 |
Wed, Oct. 19 |
Believers’ Inheritance in Christ |
Ephesians 1:11–16 |
Thu, Oct. 20 |
Power of God Invested in Christ |
Ephesians 1:17–23 |
Fri, Oct. 21 |
Jesus’ One Offering |
Hebrews 9:11–15, 23–28 |
Sat, Oct. 22 |
Power of an Indestructible Life |
Hebrews 7; 15–17 |
Sun, Oct. 23 |
Jesus, Living Intercessor for the People |
Hebrews 7:1–3, 19b–28 |
Mon, Oct. 24 |
I Know Their Suffering |
Exodus 3:7–10 |
Tue, Oct. 25 |
Cry for Help Answered |
Psalm 22:1–5 |
Wed, Oct. 26 |
By His Bruises We Are Healed |
Isaiah 53:1–6 |
Thu, Oct. 27 |
Run the Race to Win |
1 Corinthians 9:24–27 |
Fri, Oct. 28 |
Endure Discipline, Share in God’s Holiness |
Hebrews 10:35–39 |
Sat, Oct. 29 |
You Are Blessed for Enduring Suffering |
James 1:12–16 |
Sun, Oct. 30 |
Discipline Yields Peaceful Fruit |
Hebrews 12:1–13 |
Mon, Oct. 31 |
God Will Dwell Among Them |
Exodus 29:42–46 |
Tue, Nov. 1 |
Who Dwells on God’s Holy Hill |
Psalm 15 |
Wed, Nov. 2 |
Life in the New Heaven and Earth |
Isaiah 65:20–25 |
Thu, Nov. 3 |
Those Who Believe Have Eternal Life |
John 6:35–40 |
Fri, Nov. 4 |
Mercy of Jesus Leads to Eternal Life |
Jude 20–25 |
Sat, Nov. 5 |
God Will Wipe Away All Tears |
Revelation 7:13–17 |
Sun, Nov. 6 |
Mortals in God’s Presence |
Revelation 21:1–8 |
Mon, Nov. 7 |
The First Heaven and Earth |
Genesis 1:28–2:3 |
Tue, Nov. 8 |
The Glory of God Will Return |
Ezekiel 43:1–9 |
Wed, Nov. 9 |
Dwellers in the New Jerusalem |
Revelation 3:10–12 |
Thu, Nov. 10 |
Missing from the Holy City |
Revelation 21:1–4 |
Fri, Nov. 11 |
City of the Alpha and Omega |
Revelation 21:5–8 |
Sat, Nov. 12 |
The Architectural Splendor of the New Jerusalem |
Revelation 21:15–21 |
Sun, Nov. 13 |
Vision of the New Jerusalem |
Revelation 21:9–14, 22–27 |
Mon, Nov. 14 |
Wash and Be Healed |
2 Kings 5:10–14 |
Tue, Nov. 15 |
Healing River Flows from the Temple |
Ezekiel 47:1, 2, 12 |
Wed, Nov. 16 |
God Is Present and City Is Secure |
Psalm 46 |
Thu, Nov. 17 |
The Sustaining, Healing Water of Life |
Isaiah 41:17–20 |
Fri, Nov. 18 |
The Lord Acts with Passion |
Isaiah 42:10–17 |
Sat, Nov. 19 |
The Paralytic Walks Again |
Matthew 9:2–8 |
Sun, Nov. 20 |
Ready for the Lord’s Return |
Revelation 22:1–7 |
Mon, Nov. 21 |
You Will Not Find Me |
John 7:32–36 |
Tue, Nov. 22 |
This Is the Messiah |
John 7:37–43 |
Wed, Nov. 23 |
The Lord God, the Almighty |
Revelation 1:4b–8 |
Thu, Nov. 24 |
Your First Work Rewarded |
Revelation 2:1–7 |
Fri, Nov. 25 |
Worship Without End |
Revelation 7:9–12 |
Sat, Nov. 26 |
Promised Redemption Fulfilled |
Isaiah 43:1–7 |
Sun, Nov. 27 |
Yes, I Am Coming Soon! |
Revelation 22:12–21 |
LESSON CYCLE CHART
International Sunday School Lesson Cycle, September 2016–August 2022
Year |
Fall Quarter (Sep, Oct, Nov) |
Winter Quarter (Dec, Jan, Feb) |
Spring Quarter (Mar, Apr, May) |
Summer Quarter (Jun, Jul, Aug) |
2016–2017 |
The Sovereignty of God (Isaiah, Matthew, Hebrews, Revelation) |
Creation: A Divine Cycle (Psalms, Luke, Galatians) |
God Loves Us (Psalms, Joel, Jonah, John, Romans, Ephesians, 1 Peter, 1 John) |
God’s Urgent Call (Exodus, Judges, Prophets, Acts) |
2017–2018 |
Covenant with God (Pentateuch, 1 & 2 Samuel, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, 1 Corinthians, Hebrews) |
Faith in Action (Daniel, Matthew, Acts, Ephesians, 1 Timothy, James) |
Acknowledging God (Pentateuch, 2 Chronicles, Psalms, Luke, John, 2 Corinthians, Hebrews, Revelation) |
Justice in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Romans, 2 Corinthians, Colossians) |
2018–2019 |
God’s World and God’s People (Genesis) |
Our Love for God (Exodus, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Psalms, Matthew, Luke, Epistles) |
Discipleship and Mission (Matthew, Luke, Acts, Romans) |
Covenant in God (Ruth, 1 Samuel, Matthew, Mark, Ephesians, Colossians, Hebrews) |
2019–2020 |
Responding to God’s Grace (Pentateuch, 1 Samuel, 1 Kings, Luke, Epistles) |
Honoring God (1 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Matthew, Luke) |
Justice and the Prophets (Esther, Prophets, 1 Corinthians) |
Many Faces of Wisdom (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Gospels, James) |
2020–2021 |
Love for One Another (Genesis, 1 Samuel, Luke, John, Acts, Epistles) |
Call in the New Testament (Isaiah, Gospels, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Hebrews, 2 Timothy) |
Prophets Faithful to God’s Covenant (Exodus, Joshua, 1 & 2 Kings, Ezra, Nehemiah, Prophets) |
Confident Hope (Leviticus, Matthew, Luke, Romans, 2 Corinthians, Hebrews, 1 John) |
2021–2022 |
Celebrating God (Exodus, 2 Samuel, Psalms, Mark, Acts, Revelation) |
Justice, Law, History (Pentateuch, 2 Samuel, Ezra, Job, Isaiah, Nahum) |
God Frees and Redeems (Deuteronomy, Ezra, Matthew, John, Romans, Galatians) |
Partners in a New Creation (Isaiah, John, Revelation) |
God |
Creation |
Love |
Call |
Covenant |
Faith |
Worship |
Justice |
Copyright © 2015 Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Based on International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.
NO BAD SINGERS
Teacher Tips by Ronald L. Nickelson
Many years ago, I was watching a TV program about people who were learning to sing. Family and friends considered them to be hopeless cases—people who couldn’t carry a tune in the proverbial bucket. Their attempts to sing were truly cringeworthy.
But the instructor had a positive outlook. Her philosophy was that there are no bad singers; there are only untrained singers. And her training method worked!
I have adopted the same outlook regarding teachers of the Bible: there are no bad teachers; there are only untrained teachers. Take my father, for instance. When I was in high school in the early 1970s, he was thrust into the role of teacher of my Sunday school class. So with Standard Lesson Commentary in hand, he stood and read it to us. Head down. No eye contact. Bored students. My father was not a bad teacher, merely an untrained one.
Broadly speaking, there are two aspects to becoming an able teacher: (1) developing a certain level of subject-matter expertise and (2) developing skills in the teaching craft itself. Both can involve self-training and training by others.
You, the Subject-Matter Expert
The most important thing you can do to improve your teaching is to work toward subject-matter expertise on the Bible as a whole. How can you teach something you don’t know (compare Hebrews 5:12–14)? Don’t merely read the Bible in your private times; study it. There is a difference (2 Timothy 2:15).
Even so, self-study usually can take one only so far. A person desiring to learn about medicine can study medical textbooks personally, but the highest levels of learning will come through the guidance of those who are already physicians. That’s why people go to medical school. Not everyone is able to attend Bible college in residence, of course. But many such colleges offer online courses. Avail yourself of these! To prepare yourself and others for deeper levels of study, your church can offer the Bible overview in Standard Publishing’s Training for Service 26-session certification program.
Today, I have considerable skills in carpentry and auto mechanics. One reason is that my father’s subject-matter expertise in those areas went a long way in enabling him to teach them to me in his one-on-one “classroom” at home. Even so, subject-matter expertise does not automatically translate into good teaching skills. We have all encountered (or heard others complain of) teachers who “know it, but can’t teach it.” Subject-matter expertise must be accompanied by teaching skills.
You, the Skilled
Teaching is a spiritual gift (see Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28; compare 1 Timothy 3:2). But having been so gifted by the Holy Spirit doesn’t mean there’s nothing to learn about the teaching craft! All teachers can grow in techniques and skills.
A good place to start is self-directed study of the methods of skilled teachers. I do that every time I look back over the years at my father’s one-on-one classroom at home. He knew how much to expect from me at my age. He knew when to be “hands on” in directing my learning and when to be “hands off” so I could make my own mistakes. He knew my learning style. He knew how to handle me when I became a “problem” student.
I learned a lot about teaching when I had the privilege of attending the Air Force’s Academic Instructor School. Eye-opening it was! If you are not in a position to receive formal instruction regarding the teaching craft, invite a mentor to attend your class for the express purpose of evaluating how you can improve. Search YouTube® videos on the teaching craft. And if you ask for feedback from your learners, they will oblige!
September 4
Lesson 1 (KJV)
THE PEACEFUL KINGDOM
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 72:1–7
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 11:1–9
ISAIAH 11:1–9
1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Graphic: Dynamic Graphics / liquidlibrary / Thinkstock
KEY VERSE
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
—Isaiah 11:9
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
Unit 1: The Sovereignty of the Father
LESSONS 1–4
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Summarize the impact that the promised Branch was prophesied to have.
2. Contrast the peace that the Branch inaugurates with modern understandings of peace.
3. Suggest one way he or she can promote the peace that the Branch inaugurates and make a plan to do so.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A.Searching for Peace
B.Lesson Background
I.The Just Ruler (ISAIAH 11:1–5)
A.His Humanity (v. 1)
Out of the Ashes
B.His Divinity (vv.2, 3a)
C.His Righteousness (vv. 3b–5)
II.The Peaceful Rule (ISAIAH 11:6–9)
A.Radical Change (vv. 6–8)
Getting Along
B.Global Change (v. 9)
Conclusion
A.Two Pictures of Peace
B.Prayer
C.Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT |
|
Ahaz |
Ay-haz. |
Assyria |
Uh-sear-ee-uh. |
Azariah |
Az-uh-rye-uh. |
Beatitudes |
Bee-a-tuh-toods (a as in mat). |
Hosea |
Ho-zay-uh. |
Uzziah |
Uh-zye-uh. |
Zechariah |
Zek-uh-rye-uh. |
Introduction
A. Searching for Peace
Before there were GPS (Global Positioning System) devices, I used the set of maps in the back of the telephone book to find a location in my city. First, I had to look up the street name in the index. Then I had to find the correct map by referring to the code that accompanied the index entry. I had to make sure I ended up looking at the right map, otherwise I could find myself “running out of room” as the street trailed off the edge of the (wrong) map before I found the desired location.
Our world seeks many of the positive qualities described in today’s lesson text from the prophet Isaiah. Who in his or her right mind does not desire righteousness, equity, and peace? The problem is that the ethical maps that the world consults are too small—they are limited to this world’s sinful perspective, and they do not reflect God’s point of view. We will find righteousness, equity, and peace (along with many other blessings) only when we humble ourselves enough to consult Heaven’s GPS: God’s Promised Son. It is He who is at the heart of today’s study.
B. Lesson Background
The book of Isaiah appears in our Bibles as the first of the group known as the Major Prophets—so-called because of their length (the Minor Prophets are shorter books). Isaiah is known for his numerous prophecies of Jesus, many of which are quoted in the New Testament. Some of these prophecies will be highlighted in the first four lessons of this quarter, a unit titled, “The Sovereignty of the Father.”
The issue of God’s sovereignty likely was a hot-button topic in Isaiah’s day, since that was one of the more chaotic times in the history of God’s people. Isaiah’s call to prophetic service came “in the year that King Uzziah died” (Isaiah 6:1). That was about 738 BC, not quite two hundred years after God’s people had split into the two kingdoms of Israel to the north and Judah to the south. Uzziah (or Azariah; see 2 Kings 15:1, 13) was one of Judah’s better kings, though he finished poorly as a result of pride (2 Chronicles 26:16–21).
Isaiah 7 records the prophet’s confrontation with one of Judah’s worst kings, Ahaz (grandson of Uzziah). At the time, Judah was facing the rising threat of Assyria to the northeast. Ahaz rejected the counsel of Isaiah to trust in the Lord (Isaiah 7:1–12). The prophet warned the defiant king of the folly of this course of action (or inaction) and declared that Assyria would indeed wreak havoc on Judah (7:17–20; 10:5, 6).
It is always a mistake, though, to underestimate God in the midst of a seemingly hopeless situation. Often that is when He does His best work! Isaiah 10:10, 11, 22, 23 predicted that God’s judgment on His people would not leave much. But it would leave something: a remnant sufficient for God to carry out His sovereign purpose (10:20, 21).
God had informed Isaiah that his ministry would not appear to be that successful. The prophet was to proclaim God’s message “until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, … and the land be utterly desolate” (Isaiah 6:11). The population of Judah would go into exile (6:12). Although God compared the people with a tree stripped of its leaves, “the holy seed” would remain from which new growth would come (6:13).
I. The Just Ruler
(ISAIAH 11:1–5)
A. His Humanity (v. 1)
1a. And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse.
Isaiah provides another picture of life emerging from unpromising conditions. Hindsight establishes that Jesus is the subject of the unfolding prophecy. But why would Jesse, the father of King David, be mentioned rather than David himself?
In the case at hand, Isaiah is not prophesying the coming of a successor of David; Isaiah is announcing, rather, that another David will come. This is in keeping with prophecies such as those found in Jeremiah 30:8, 9; Ezekiel 34:23, 24; and Hosea 3:5. About 270 years before Isaiah’s day, God raised up a shepherd boy (David) to become king over Israel; about 740 years after Isaiah, Jesus will come as the good shepherd who will “lay down [His] life for the sheep” (John 10:14, 15). The idea of humble origins suggested by the verse before us applies to both David and Jesus.
1b. And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
The word Branch is used elsewhere in the Old Testament as a title for the coming Messiah (Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15; Zechariah 3:8; 6:12). The Hebrew language has no uppercase letters, but the word is capitalized here to call attention to the divinity of the one being foretold.
The Hebrew word for Branch is netzer, a point that may help to illuminate a passage in the Gospels. Matthew 2:23 states that Jesus resided in the town of Nazareth “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.” Noticing how close in sound are the words Nazareth and netzer, perhaps Matthew has in mind the promise concerning the Branch. Jesus’ living in Nazareth (“Branchville”) fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy by describing the lowly village (compare John 1:45, 46) where Jesus grew up.
OUT OF THE ASHES
Peter Gladwin was barely a year old when his family’s house caught fire, leaving him scarred and disabled. Growing up in a rough neighborhood, he was frequently in trouble with the police. He lost the use of an arm in a knife fight. He eventually descended into a life of substance abuse.
Then Peter found the Lord. Peter eventually became a probation officer, working in dangerous communities, drug rehabilitation centers, and prisons. He founded a ministry called Out of Ashes, which uses the transforming power of the gospel to rescue people from the consequences of their poor, sinful decisions.
Isaiah predicted that the Messiah would come in the midst of a seemingly hopeless situation. But the Lord specializes in bringing hope out of hopelessness! When all options seem exhausted, He has ways of making the impossible happen. Gladwin discovered that the Lord remains our first and final hope. Have you?
—D. C. S.
B. His Divinity (vv. 2, 3a)
2. And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
The spirit of the Lord refers to the Holy Spirit, who came upon Jesus at His baptism (Matthew 3:16). The word rest implies a constant dwelling. John 3:34 tells us that Jesus possessed the Spirit without “measure” or limitation. The other uses of the word spirit in the verse before us may be understood as descriptive of the attitudes that the Spirit of the Lord will produce in the promised Branch (as when we speak of someone having a caring spirit).
The qualities Isaiah lists call to mind passages that highlight their presence in Jesus. For example, Paul notes Jesus’ wisdom in 1 Corinthians 1:24 and Colossians 2:2, 3. The word counsel suggests the prophecy of a “Counsellor” in Isaiah 9:6. Might could be linked to the title “mighty God,” also in Isaiah 9:6, since the words might and mighty come from the same Hebrew word.
What Do You Think?
What steps can we take to ensure that church plans, programs, and projects enhance rather than hinder the work of the Branch (Jesus)?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■Regarding the individual Christian
■Regarding the church as a body
3a. And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD.
The Hebrew verb translated understanding occurs only 11 times in the Old Testament, with an aromatic sense in 8 of the other 10. If the same is intended here, the idea would be to perceive something in a positive sense (compare Genesis 8:21). This implies the promised Branch’s high degree of commitment to pleasing the Lord.
C. His Righteousness (vv. 3b–5)
3b. And he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears.
The remainder of verse 3 refers to two other senses of perception: seeing and hearing. The promised Branch will not be guided by visual, physical appearances or by opinions voiced by others. His eyes and his ears are to be governed by the will of His Father. Centuries hence, Jesus (the Branch) will say, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30).
4a. But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth.
The Branch will be guided by God’s unchanging standards of right and wrong, not by the shifting whims of culture. The Branch will display the qualities of righteousness and equity on behalf of those most often neglected or mistreated: the poor and the meek. God requires His people in both Old and New Testament times to care for the poor and not become callous toward them (Leviticus 23:22; Deuteronomy 15:7, 8; Psalm 41:1; Galatians 2:10; James 2:1–4).
Isaiah’s words may be intended to acknowledge those who recognize their spiritual poverty and humbly admit that they depend on God for help. One should note Jesus’ language about “the poor in spirit” and “the meek” in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3, 5).
What Do You Think?
How can Christians model both the “judge not” (Matthew 7:1; etc.) and “judge” (1 Corinthians 5:12, 13; etc.) attributes that Jesus expects?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■Considering correct and incorrect ideas about judging
■Considering context
■Other
4b. And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
This half-verse goes on to describe an aspect of the Branch’s judgment that is far more severe. Such language calls to mind the picture given elsewhere in the New Testament of Jesus’ final judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7–9; Hebrews 10:26–31; Revelation 19:11–15, 21). We may note that during His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrates both sides of judgment described by Isaiah. Jesus deals compassionately with the outcasts of His day, but some of His harshest words are reserved for those religious leaders who look at the “sinners” around them with great contempt. Such leaders frequently feel the sting of the rod of his mouth. Jesus does not mince words with them!
5. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
This verse offers another way of picturing what is to characterize the conduct of the promised Branch. Girdle refers to the belt or sash that is worn around an individual’s loins, or waist, in biblical times. It holds clothing in place. Thus the qualities of righteousness and faithfulness will support or sustain the promised Branch’s character and conduct, specifically the judgment highlighted in verse 4a, above.
Reins also refers to the area of the loins. But it points more to the inner organs where emotions and motives are believed to originate (Psalm 7:9; 26:2; 73:21; Jeremiah 20:12; Revelation 2:23). For faithfulness to be the girdle of the Branch’s reins implies that this quality is to be the prime motivation behind every phase of His conduct.
II. The Peaceful Rule
(ISAIAH 11:6–9)
A. Radical Change (vv. 6–8)
6a. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together.
This verse begins a very striking series of portrayals of the impact of the promised Branch’s ministry. The changes described are radical—in fact, miraculous—in nature. Only the Creator himself can bring about the kind of transformation among His created beings that we see here. The wolf, the leopard, and the young lion are predatory animals. The lamb, the kid (young goat), and the fatling (a cow being raised or “fattened” for meat) do not stand a chance of survival before any of them under normal conditions. Here, however, are these creatures living at peace with one another, with no violence or aggressiveness whatsoever!
What Do You Think?
What can you do to address the causes of strife that result in people preying on (rather than praying for) others?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■Regarding strife resulting from differing religious convictions
■Regarding strife between social classes
■Other
6b. And a little child shall lead them.
As if the unusual pairings of verse 6a were not remarkable enough, the leader of the menagerie is to be a little child! We would never place animals like wolves, leopards, or lions in a petting zoo for young children to touch them. Yet that is the picture Isaiah paints.
7. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The prophet continues his depiction of peaceful surroundings. Again we see animals acting quite contrary to what we expect of them. A cow, with no worry of being attacked, shares a meal with a bear. Meanwhile, their young ones nap side by side. The carnivorous lion switches to a vegetarian diet (see parallel expressions in Isaiah 65:25a).
What Do You Think?
How can your church help move a fallen world toward the ideal picture painted by Isaiah?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■Concerning evangelism and benevolence (outreach)
■Concerning spiritual maturity of her members (inreach)
■Concerning worship practices (upreach)
Visual for Lesson 1. Keep this chart on display for the first four Sundays of this quarter to give your learners a chronological perspective.
8. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.
Once more, the degree of human interaction with deadly creatures is amazing: a sucking child (a nursing infant) need not be protected from the asp (the Hebrew is also translated “adder” in Psalm 58:4; 91:13). The last phrase offers parallel elements. The (different) child in view here is no longer in the nursing stage, but is weaned (weaning normally occurs at around three years of age). Like the first child, this one is seen to do something that no conscientious parent would allow: explore an area known to be infested with deadly snakes, for that is what a cockatrice is. See Proverbs 23:32, where the same Hebrew word is translated “adder” and stands parallel with the word serpent. The serpent was humanity’s first enemy (Genesis 3).
GETTING ALONG
A cheetah kitten named Sahara and a puppy named Alexa grew up together in the Cincinnati Zoo and became good friends. They maintained their playful relationship even a decade later. Perhaps you have seen YouTube® videos of house cats and parakeets, etc., lounging around together. Such “odd couples” amaze us because their behavior is not the norm.
Isaiah describes a time of peace where everything seems unnatural: lions eating grass; cows and bears grazing together; leopards and goats, wolves and sheep, babies and snakes—all getting along. Such peace will characterize humanity when Jesus returns to reign in all fullness. This peace will not just be a state of harmony between people, but also between people and God.
This kind of peace is not as the world gives, but as only God’s Son can provide (compare John 14:27). The curse of sin will be lifted fully, never to return. How do we prepare for the great day when Jesus brings that final peace?
—D. C. S.
B. Global Change (v. 9)
9a. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain.
The phrase holy mountain occurs 21 times in the Hebrew Old Testament (sometimes this is translated “holy hill,” as in Psalm 99:9). The book of Isaiah features 6 of these 21, and this is the first. Of particular note among the others is Isaiah 65:25b, which features identical wording in both English and Hebrew to what we see in the verse before us (compare Isaiah 56:7; 57:13; 65:11; 66:20).
9b. For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
The conjunction for points us to the cause of the marvelous picture of peace that Isaiah paints up to this point. The fact that the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord is quite a positive thing (Habakkuk 2:14 is very similar; compare Jeremiah 31:34). Two ways are suggested for understanding the fulfillment of this prophetic portrait of peace, each with biblical support.
One way is to view Isaiah’s description as that of the literal “new heavens” and “new earth,” mentioned in Isaiah 65:17; 66:22. Between those two texts, 65:25a is quite similar to 11:6, 7, and 9 in today’s lesson. All this is seen to imply Isaiah to be depicting the complete elimination of the curse of sin (compare Revelation 21:1). According to Paul, the “whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together” (Romans 8:22) as it longs for the day of deliverance from the “bondage of corruption” (8:21). The pain that we see in the created world—the violence that animals inflict on one another (and on humans)—will no longer be present when God re-creates the universe “wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13).
The other potential interpretation is to see the prophecies fulfilled in a more figurative sense, with the animals representing humans who clash with one another. In the Bible, human enemies are often compared with animals (Psalm 22:12, 13, 16, 20, 21; Acts 20:29; etc.). But because of the Branch’s impact and the forgiveness and peace He brings about (through Jesus’ death and resurrection), hatred and bitterness are no more.
Possibly Isaiah’s words are intended to be understood both ways. Just as the words of Isaiah 11:4 are descriptive both of Jesus’ earthly ministry and what will occur at His return, so verses 6–9 may be picturing the impact of the church’s ministry as it takes the gospel to the world as well as what Jesus himself will bring to pass when He returns to usher in the new heavens and the new earth.
What Do You Think?
How does verse 9 challenge you today?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■Regarding short-term goals of your life in Christ
■Regarding long-term goals of your life in Christ
Conclusion