Read Isaiah 47
Highlights:
Prophecy that Babylon will be destroyed for mistreating Israel (Is. 47:1-15; 49:25-26). The heartbroken Heavenly Father speaks to His unruly children (chap. 48). Warning (48:22)! The Servant is officially commissioned as Savior (49:1-7). Whose hand holds you (49:16; 51:16)? Do things look bad? Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil (Ps. 23:4). Trust God (Is. 51:7-8,11,21-23).
At the time Mary and Joseph were approaching the Temple with Baby Jesus, Simeon was there waiting for the consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25-26) as prophesied by Isaiah: Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit (who is teaching you for your profit), which leadeth (guides) thee by the way that thou shouldest go (Is. 48:17). Simeon knew from Isaiah that God would send His Son to bless the Gentiles also: I will also give Thee for a light to the Gentiles, that Thou mayest be My salvation unto the end of the earth. Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to Him whom man despiseth, to Him whom the nation abhorreth (rejected by mankind), to a Servant of rulers (49:6-7).
When Simeon saw Mary and Joseph, there was nothing to indicate that the Baby they held was The Prince of Peace (9:6). These two humble peasants were obediently bringing their Child to the Temple to present Him to the Lord . . . to offer a sacrifice according to . . . the Law of the Lord (Luke 2:22-24).
Simeon was equally unpretentious. He was not the high priest; in fact, he was not a priest at all. He was only a devout, godly Jew who was expectantly looking for the coming of the Promised Messiah. Holding the Baby Jesus whose Name means "Jehovah is Salvation," he announced the fulfillment of the prophecy that had been given to Isaiah about 700 years before our Savior's birth: Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel (2:30-32).
How easy it is to miss some of the greatest moments of our lives unless we, like Simeon, stay in touch with the Spirit of God! Simeon was led by the Spirit as he went to the Temple on that day (2:27). And, as a result, he spoke by the Holy Spirit to fulfill prophecy. As Christians, we should be looking forward to the time when we too will see our Messiah. Jesus Christ . . . Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father. . . . Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him (Rev. 1:5-7).
Thought for Today:
And the multitudes . . . cried . . . Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest (Matt. 21:9).
Christ Revealed:
As the Light to the Gentiles (nations) (Is. 49:6). Jesus said: I am the Light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5; Luke 2:32; Acts 13:47; 26:23).
Word Studies:
47:8 carelessly securely; 47:11 put it off avert or avoid it; 47:15 quarter own region; 48:2 stay; 48:10 refined tested; not with silver not like silver, which requires heat you could not bear; 49:21 removing wandering.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Barbara Bivens • Country: Solomon Islands (455,000) in the southwestern Pacific • Major languages: 120 indigenous languages • Religious freedom • 66% Protestant; 17% Roman Catholic; 4% spirit worship, ancestor worship, and sorcery • Prayer Suggestion: Sing praises to the Lord (Ps. 30:4).
Optional Reading:
Memory Verse for the Week:
2 Timothy 3:1
