On 8-2-15, Isaiah 59:15b-21 or 15-21 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Our Redeemer Comes or A Redeemer in Zion

Our Redeemer Comes

 or 

A Redeemer in Zion

Isaiah 59:15b-21 or 15-21

August 2, 2015

Commentary 

by

Jed Greenough

Have you ever been forced into action?  For example, were you suddenly put into a position where you had to save someone from drowning or choking.  Maybe you were in the military or law enforcement and situations were such that you had to act.

We have more incidental things in our life that bring a reaction out of us because we are parents or neighbors or Christians.  We just do them because you don’t wait for someone else to do what needs to be done.

When we read of God in today’s scripture it kind of reads like man could have done something but we know when we read Romans 3:10 “There is no one righteous, not even one.”  

Certainly not by God’s standards and so “His own arm worked salvation for Him and His own righteousness sustained Him.”  Only He could “put on the garments of vengeance”.

We do things because of who we are and we see them through to the best of our ability and when God is doing it that is as thorough as it is going to get!

So when we read “He will repay wrath to His enemies and retribution to His foes;” you can bet that the action taken will be complete.  And it isn’t just retribution that will be complete but also His plan of redemption

Do not see this scripture as a return to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile and a temporary squelching of foes.  Rather we should see this scripture as referring to Christ. 

Paul speaks of this scripture in Romans 11:25-32 which gives us clarity on the subject. 

Understanding that and having Christ and Israel in sight we can understand the big picture of God’s plan for ALL of us.

For Discussion:

1. This is a perfect example of how God who never changes is the same God in the Old Testament as the one in the New Testament.

2. Discuss the beauty of God’s word.

3. Discuss God’s plan.

4. Read Romans 9-11.

5. Discuss from verse 15, “whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.”

6. Discuss His coming “like a pent up flood”.

7. Discuss the relationship of righteousness and salvation.

Upcoming Lessons

August 9      A Choice to be Just     Jeremiah 7:1-15

August 16    A Call for Repentance     Ezekiel 18:1-13, 31-32 or 30-32

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved