Isaiah – Substitute

Isaiah – (in the Hebrew) Jehovah has saved

substitute – (W) To put in the place of another.

The prophet Isaiah said in 1.18-20 “Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. AND “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured...the Lord hath spoken it.”

You are allowed to question and “reason” out anything you hear regarding His Word. However, if you refuse to believe you will be destroyed. “the Lord hath spoken it.”

Illustration: objects – medicine/honey, beets/cookies, peace globe/crown of thorns. Let students choose their preference. Ask why they chose one over the other.

• Sometimes things that are good for you are not the easiest to consume and
• things that seem easier are not the best for you.
• Honey is sweet and not bitter like the cough syrup but by itself will not help a cough.
• Cookies will keep you from getting hungry for a while but have no nutritional value or lasting benefit to your body.

Our bodies are sin sick and weak without the Lord and His Word to keep us spiritually healthy to thrive in His Will, Way and Work. If one would be completely honest, our flesh would rather have the easier part of God's ways – that is the blessings and abundance rather than sacrifice or pain. Can you really substitute the easier thing for lasting help?

Piece of paper:

Write “Isaiah 53/Substitute” at the top of the page – can you see a substitute as we read this key chapter?

• Read, then have students go back and write any words thought important and/or draw a pix of what the words make you think of as I reread and ask questions – particularly about the meaning of “substitute”

Isaiah 53

1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
Do you believe all that is written in scripture? Even the part about obeying and honoring parents, adults in authority and anyone that has rule over you?
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
What does tender plant mean? (easily bruised) Do you say and do things deliberately that hurt others?

Why would the writer say there is no beauty in Jesus? Verse 3 will explain why

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Why was He despised, why did we “hide” from Him? It seemed that sorrow and grief followed Him, in spite of miracles shown in the NT – no one actively seeks out the sad way of life -
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Which two phrases indicate what He did for us? “borne our griefs, carried our sorrows”
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
What did He suffer that we might know peace in spite of our “transgressions/sins? Wounded, bruised, beaten with stripes
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
How many “went astray?” All Whose way was more important than His way? Everyone else's/”My way”
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Did He cry out for mercy or vengeance when mocked, cursed and beat? No
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Do you want to “declare” Him? Isaiah asked the question “who shall declare...”
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
So, even though He was innocent (no violence, deceit) He had to die?
10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
Why would God be pleased to allow His Son to suffer so? The only way back to God is thru a perfect man and we c/n be perfect. (Jn 14.6, 7) “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Who was satisfied by His suffering? V10 says “it pleased the Lord”
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
How far did He go to be your substitute? “death” - “He poured out His soul unto death”

The real question for today:

Is He YOUR substitute? Did He die for You? How do you know? (believed and was saved)

Song of Solomon – my Beloved

What does love mean to you?

Webster's defines love as “in a general sense to be pleased with; to regard with affection.”

the word “love” is written 24X's in the 8 chapters of SOS.

Because God first loved us we can love others.
Questions –

1. Does Jesus Love people?
2. Do you know that God loves you?
3. What did Jesus do to show His love for us?
4. Who do you Love? (write on dry erase)
5. Have you ever felt someone love you?
6. How do you know that they love you?
7. How do you let someone know that you love them?
8. What does the Bible say about loving others?
9. When you know someone loves you how does that make you feel?
   

Listen as we read the verse below: Do you love someone this way?

1. 1.2 thy love is better than wine.
2. 1.3 thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the (unmarried girls)virgins love thee.
3. 1.4 we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love
4. 1.9 I have compared thee, O my love
   
5. 1.15 Behold, thou art fair, my love
   
6. 2.2 As the lily among thorns, so is my love...
   
7. 2.4 and his banner over me was love. Whose banner?
   
8. 2.5 for I am sick of love. (sick means affected with disease)
   
9. 2.7 nor awake my love, till he please
   
10. 2.10 Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
    
11. 2.13 Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
    
12. 3.5 ye stir not up, nor awake my love
    
13. 3.10 He made...silver,...gold, ...purple,... paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.
    
14. 4.1 Behold, thou art fair, my love
    
15. 4.7 Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.
    
16. 4.10 How fair is thy love,... how much better is thy love than wine! ...ointments (and) spices!
    
17. 5.2 I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice...my love,...
    
18. 5.8 if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick (in need) of love.
    
19. 6.4 Thou art beautiful, O my love
    
20. 7.6 How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love
    
21. 8.4 stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please.
    
22. 8.6 love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave:
    
23. 8.7 Many waters cannot quench love,...if a man would give all the substance of his house for love,
    

You can’t measure God’s love for us. – How many of you have ever gone to the beach? How many have stood on the beach and looked out as far as you eye could see and saw an end to the large ocean. No one can because the ocean is so large you can look and look and never see the end. Much like God’s love for us we see His love shown to us when He came to earth and died for our sins.

Ecclesiastes – the preacher

Review: Ps 19.7-10, Books of the bible up to Ecclesiastes

To find Jesus in Ecclesiastes read 1.1 – thus the meaning of the book, “preacher”

So the wisest man in the world also calls himself, “preacher.” (1.12)

Let's find out what “the preacher” has to say.

If you think it wise, would you be inclined to listen closer to “your preacher?”

1. What is called the “gift of God?” (3.13) one's labor
2. Should one be more ready to hear or speak? (5.1) hear
3. What is sweet to one who works hard? (6.12) sleep
4. What gifts are evil and disease prone? (6.1, 2) riches, wealth & honor
5. What is better than precious ointment? (7.1) a good name
6. What is better for the heart, sorrow or laughter? (7.3) sorrow Why? It makes one appreciate the good times
7. What “resteth in the bosom of fools? (7.9) anger So, is it foolish to get/be angry? Yes
8. Besides death, what happens to all? (9.11) time and chance. So a good or bad thing could happen to one or another equally. No one is promised good or evil but circumstances, good or bad, happen to “all.”
9. What is better than weapons of war? (9.18) wisdom
10. What or who is likened to a serpent? (10.11) one that babbles all the time – talking without purpose or value
11. Is it good to study all the time? (12.12) No
12. What conclusion did the preacher come to about life? (12.13) to fear God and keep His commandments
13. Will the secret things you've done be judged? (12.14) yes
14. What is your responsibility for living life? (2.2) Listen to wisdom and apply it to your heart

Sticky situation:

(Eccl 5:1-5) for solution

Last month Devin got the scare of his life. In the middle of the night, his mom had been rushed to the hospital, seriously ill. Devin had spent several anxious hours at his neighbor's house waiting for his dad to come home. When his father returned, he told the family that Mom wasn't in any danger, but the doctors didn't know what was wrong with her. They kept Devin's mother in the hospital for several weeks until they were able to determine what was causing her illness.

Those weeks were difficult for Devin and his dad. Every night before Devin went off to a troubled sleep, he prayed and promised that if God would help make his mom better, he would read his Bible every day.

Now his mom is back home. She is still weak but definitely on the mend. The doctors had determined that the illness had been caused by a virus she picked up on the family vacation. She needs to take it easy, but Devin' is glad to have her back home. While his mom is tucking him into bed tonight, she whispers, “Thank you for all your prayers, Devin. They helped get me through this.

Devin smiles in the dark to himself. Yes, he thinks, God is good to bring my mom back to me. But then he remembers his promise to God about readying the Bible, daily. He has to admit that he hasn't had time lately because he has been helping out more around the house. What should he do about the vow he made to God?

1. Forget about it – surely God isn't going to hold him to a silly promise like that
2. Open his Bible and start reading wherever it falls open
3. Decide that his promise didn't mean anything because he had his fingers crossed when he made it?
4. Ask his parent or Sunday school teacher to help him come up with a good plan to read through the Bible because he truly wants to know God better
5. Get a child's picture Bible to read – he didn't specify what king of Bible, did he?

• When you make promises to God, do you take them seriously?
• How do you think God views promises like that? Does He really expect you to hold up your end of the bargain?

Solomon offers some serious words on making foolish promises or vows (which is a stronger word for promise). It is foolish to make a voew you cannot keep or to play games with God by only partially fulfilling what you promised to do. It's better not to make a vow to God and than break it. It's even better to make a vow and keep it!

Who is Jesus in the book of Ecclesiastes?

Proverbs – wisdom

Proverbs – wisdom

wisdom – the right use of knowledge

Can one be smart and wise? Can one be smart but unwise?

Which one are you?

Prov 1.8, 9 “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.”

TRIVIA:

(if the student doesn't know it right off the bat, have them look it up...)

1. Who is identified as the writer of Proverbs? (1.1)

David Saul Solomon Samuel Jesse

2. According to the book of Proverbs, we are to trust the Lord and 'lean not on' what? (3.5)

Heart Our own understanding Parents Friends

3. Why should one not boast of tomorrow? (27.1)

Because it may bring trouble Because it does not belong to you

Because one knows not what it may bring forth Because today is enough of which to boast

4.  For whom the Lord loves he ______. (3.12)

Hates Corrects Leads Leaves

5  What was the sluggard instructed to observe to obtain wisdom? (6.6)

Grasshopper Ant Locust Bee

6.  What is the beginning of wisdom? (9.10)

Education Love The day of the Lord The fear of the Lord

7. What is portrayed as a woman calling out in the street? (1.20)

Hope Wisdom Jubilation Sorrow Charity

8.  Who shall be cut off from the earth? (2.22)

Liars The Israelites The meek The wicked

9. 'The issues of life' come from what? (4.23)

Eyes Ears Heart Soul

10. 'A wise son maketh a _____ father.' (10.1)

Wise Strong Glad Poor

11. What did Solomon say is beginning of knowledge? (1.7)

Fear of the Lord Learning Prayer Humility Sacrifice

Sticky situations

(Prov 1:10)

• Garrett is the most popular kid in Brendan's class. Everyone wants to sit with Garrett at lunch and be his friend. When it's time to decide what to do at recess, Garrett typically leads the way. Whatever Garrett decides, the gang generally goes along with.
  Brendan likes Garrett, too, and wants to be his friend. He joins in whatever games Garrett and his friends play. One afternoon, Garrett suggests that the group egg the teacher's house that night. The teacher is one of the strictest teacher's in school and not very popular. Nobody likes this teacher or at least no one admits it if they do. What should Brendan do?

1. Volunteer to get the eggs?
2. Laugh and pretend to go along with the idea?
3. Explain that it would be wrong and walk away
4. suggest a less messy prank?
5. Say he's allergic to eggs and can't be around them at all?

Doing something we know is wrong can be tempting, particularly if it makes us feel like one of the crowd. But God wants us to make choices, not based on the flashy appeal of friendship but on the long-range consequences of the act. Sometimes that means steering clear of people who want to tempt us to do something we know is wrong. In other words, “walk away...”

(Prov 12.22)

• Randy's friend Paul is struggling in math class. The big test is on Friday. Paul knows that Randy is really good in math, so he asks Randy if he will help him after school. Randy says he will. Later that day, Randy's friend, Terry asks him to come over after school to try out his new video game. It just happens to be the game that Randy really wants to get for himself, and he would love to try it out. As he is about to say yes, he remembers his promise to Paul. What should Randy do?

1. Say nothing to Paul and go to Terry's house?
2. Tell Paul he can't come over because he has to go right home, then go over to Terry's house?
3. Tell Terry, “I'd like to, but I can't because I have something else to do” then help Paul as promised?
4. Pay Terry to help Paul while he gets to play video games?
5. Ask Terry if Paul can come over too and help Paul between games?

How do you feel when someone breaks a promise to you?

Why doesn't Randy make arrangements to study with Paul another day? Do you think it's a good solution, why or why not?

How good are you at following through on what you say you are going to do?

We make promises every day – promises to clean our room, do our homework, help our sister with one thing or another. What's important to God is what we do after we make the promise – do we follow through and do what we said we would? Proverbs clearly teaches that God delights in those who keep their word.

JOB – my Redeemer live

Job lived sometime after Joseph but before Moses, around 1650BC – as far as we can tell

Job lived in Uz, modern day area in the regions bordered by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Jordan and Syria

Demonstration: Give candy – instruct children not to open – tell story – take away candy when it's told that all Job had was taken – give back two at end of story to demonstrate twice as much as before...

Facts about JOB before he lost it all

• Job is a very rich man – he has 10 kids (7 boys, 3 girls), 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 burros (burden/pack animals) and many servants, so much so that “this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.” (1.1-3)

• 1-2; Job is blameless, righteous and honors God (1.1) – so righteous, in fact that the Lord says to the devil in (1.8) “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”
• But his children were not so righteous – in fact they pretty much went against all the righteous ways of their Father (1.4, 5)
• “yeah, yeah,” the devil says, “but you have put a hedge about him and all his possession and this is why he obeys you...put forth thine hand and touch all the he has, and he will curse thee to thy face.” (1.11, 12)
• The Lord says, “okay, all that he hath is in thy power; only ...you can't take his life...” (1.12)
• The “evil/bad” things begin; Job's children were all killed by the sword, burned up with the animals and servants or carried away and killed by tornadoes, his body was ravaged by sores that brought much torment...in short – Job lost all he had in a single day, including his health (1.13-19, 2.4-8)
• His wife is a real comfort she says, “...curse God and die.” (2.9)
• His friends, so-called begin to examine why all the calamity has come to Job – maybe he sinned, surely he sinned to have so many bad/awful things happen at one time.
• His friends, so-called, also just sit and stare at him for days, pondering why he must suffer so.
• Job replies “What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God and shall we not receive evil? The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (1.21, 2.10)

What would you think, if you are saved and had been living right and God began to take away your possessions, your family, your encouragement?

Would you still serve him?

Is this treatment just? Is God just?

Why do bad things happen to good people?

• Job knew he was innocent and that God was just – He remains faithful to God, regardless of his suffering (27.1-4) – thought he does weaken briefly at the onslaught of accusations by his so-called “friends”
• One of his friends does point out that “adversity builds character” and this must be why God has visited so much suffering on Job (C32-37)
• while this makes sense, it offers no consolation to Job
• The Lord rebukes Job when he questions God and says “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth...and the stars sang...?” (38.4-7)

Does God owe anyone, any explantion about why bad things come into their lives?

• He designed a perfect world but sin messed it up.
• Job confesses and sides with God against himself, he says “I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (42.6)

Then, look what the Lord does for this righteous man who has suffered and humbly admitted, God is just in all He brings to our lives:

• “...the Lord turned the captivity of Job...(and) gave Job twice as much as he had before...14,000 sheep (instead of 7,000), 6,000 camels (instead of 3,000) , 1,000 yoke of oxen (instead of 500), 1,000 donkey's (instead of 500), 7 boys/3 girls (even though he lost 10, he got back 10, he fathered 20 children!)” (42.10-13)

Give personal testimony:

• age 6 – children's church, going to altar – being baptized – nothing changed
• growing up – always in church, always in Sunday school, always at prayer meetings, always in revival meetings, singing in choir...but lost
• age 15 – Wed pm, man preached from about the rich man in hell – went to altar asked the Lord to send someone to help me – no one did – got a nose bleed and had take care of that – nothing changed
• age 18 – coming home from choir practice, Thursday pm July 1 1982 – praying in general, then for a family member I knew was lost – praying real big and the Lord said, “Yes, he is lost but so are you!” God's big eternal finger was pointed right at me. I couldn't deny He was truth. So, I took sides with the Lord against myself and admitted I needed Him in my heart.
• The only way to describe the change is that a light went on in my heart and it was as if I was washed with the coolest, gentlest water – I felt clean, new, different
• Went home, told momma, called the pastor, gave testimony that Sunday and have never looked back. Some say they have doubted, I can honestly say I never have. Doesn't mean I've always walked as straight and narrow as I should but it does mean “He's still working on me” and I can testify to that!

The only thing that matters in this life is if you are ready to live for Him.

The only thing that matters is that you are not ready to die if you are not ready to live.

Job thought he was ready to die until it was all taken away.

In the end he understood that if one is not ready to die, one is not ready to live.

If He took everything away from you, parents, sibilings, health would you trust Him

Could you say, like Job “the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the Name of the Lord?

If you knew you might never draw another breath, could you say “I know my Redeemer liveth?

Do you know your Redeemer lives?

• The truth is, He got out of the grave on the first Easter Sunday morning.
• His suffering and torment, was over. He conquered death as our Passover Lamb.