God's Prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah
God is a just and orderly being, as evidenced by the lessons of his prophets Jeremiah and Isaiah to the Israelite people. In fact, God sent the prophets to warn people about the consequences of not repenting of their evil ways and to emphasize the necessity of carrying out the Lord's commands. The prophets who foretold the birth of Jesus Christ as a savior and the Israelites' reconciliation with their God also demonstrated God's mercy. (Jeremiah 29:11). Reviewing the lessons of the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah helps us comprehend the nature of God's call and the applicability of their messages to Christians today. The sins of the nations of Judah and Israel and God’s actions against the sins.
The Times of Prophet Isaiah and Jeremiah
During the times of Prophet Isaiah and Jeremiah, the nations of Judah and the Israelites had turned against God, broken their covenant with him and had begun worshipping idols making them candidates for God’s wrath (Jeremiah 11:10). Prophet Isaiah was hence passionate about rescuing people from their iniquities, and he regularly preached on repentance and adopting Godly standards. As a punishment, prophet Isaiah prophesied that God would deny Judah competent leaders, water and food (Isaiah 3: 1-7). Indeed a nation lacking good Godly leaders would lead to its self-destruction since it would lack God’s guidance and purpose. The leaders would rule led by their selfish desires and they would hence not consider the people they rule over (Isaiah 2:7). Prophet Isaiah also said that God would make babies their rulers and children to be their princes. Judah would also lack in talented men and artisans who would offer their skill in the betterment of the nation. Further, the prophet prophesied that the young generation would disrespect their elders and would not serve them in need.
Jeremiah's Call to Repentance
Jeremiah existed at a time when the Israelites still worshipped their idol Gods resulting in the destruction of the people and the altars that were used at that point. The people were also proud and were not thankful for God’s mercy (Jeremiah 44: 1-28). The Israelites were also engaged in adultery, slander, breaking the Sabbath and oppressing the poor people ( Jeremiah 7: 5-8). Jeremiah’s call was to preach against the adultery that was instigated by Anon and Manasseh that would turn God against the Israelites. King Manasseh, for example, encouraged the sacrifice of children to appease their gods (Jeremiah 7: 18). God revealed through Jeremiah that his people would be punished by the northern invaders because they were worshiping Baals (Jeremiah 2:8). God would also withdraw his blessings, and the country would suffer from starvation and famine. The Israelites would also be taken captive in a foreign land.
God's Plans for the Nations of Judah and Israelites
In his teachings, prophet Isaiah prophesied about the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah states that a king would be born of a virgin and would be used by God to save people from their sins. The Israelites failed to realize that God had been on their side all along and had hence protected them from their enemies. The kings of Israel were ordained by God and hence ruled with favor. For instance, when Jerusalem was attacked by Sennacherib and his army, the Assyrian army was destroyed because Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed over the nation (Isa. 38:4-6). Isaiah also prophesied about the suffering of Jesus Christ which was all intended to carry out God’s purpose for man (Isaiah 53:1-3). The prophet noted that through Jesus’ death, people would be saved from their sins and hence through their faith would live eternal lives. Isaiah likens Jesus to a lamb that is taken to the slaughter house for the sake of man’s salvation (Schreiber,2009). Jesus would afterwards be exalted at the right hand of God, which also follows today’s teachings in the contemporary church.
Application to Christians Today
Even with their iniquities, prophet Jeremiah prophesied that God would save the people through a Messiah, a king from the remnants of the Babylonian captivity from the descendants of David (Jeremiah 23:5-7). Jesus would hence serve God and lead the people to god’s kingdom. Jesus would also rebuild Jerusalem and the temple (Jeremiah 29:10-14). The king would reunite the northern and the southern people of Israel, and they would again become one nation (Jeremiah 3: 18). God would also restore the covenant he had with the Israelites and their city again (Jeremiah: 30). Prophet said prophesied that God would bring healing to the people and make the nation strong again.
The Cleansing Power of Jesus Christ
Isaiah was quick to note that Christ cleanses one’s sins which look like scarlet to resemble the whiteness of the snow (Coogan, Brettler, Newsom & Perkins, 2010). Isaiah stated that through Jesus, the sins that would resemble crimson would be as white as wool. Prophet Isaiah would often regard Jesus as a redeemer sent by God, and he even foretold the suffering that he would go through for the sake of humankind (Coogan, Brettler, Newsom & Perkins, 2010). He stated that Jesus would be identified as a wonderful counselor, the prince of peace and the everlasting God.
Relevance to Christians Today
Prophet Isaiah and Jeremiah’s teachings are relevant to the Christian’s lives today since it touches on their daily habits and their service to God. Christians are called upon to follow the teachings of Christ lest they suffer the consequences that the nation of Judah suffered during the end of King Uzziah. The prophet’s teachings reveal that Christian today acknowledges God, but they fail to take care of the oppressed and the destitute in the society which questions their belief in God (Grisanti, 1998). Christians tend to worship worldly things and hence ignore the holy one of Israel as was prophesied by prophet Isaiah. God is, however, reluctant to punish the sinful ones and through his mercy, he gives second chances so that people can turn back from their evil ways (Thompson, 2015).
Christians today can, therefore, relate to the teachings of prophets because it touches on their living habits and the need to accept Christ as their lord and savior. Believers today seek Jesus to redeem them and save them from eternal hell fire something that the prophet continually urged people to do (Walter, 2003). Isaiah stated that God would give Jesus divine powers intended to save humankind in his work the prince of a prince would heal diseases, bring people to salvation, provide for them and restore the dead to life (Thompson, 2015).Even today, Christians still call unto Jesus in times of despair, and they are confident that he would hearken unto their call and meet their everyday needs (Walter, 2003). Jesus is also regarded as a peacemaker of Christians’ today, as was prophesied by prophet Isaiah.
Conclusion
The teachings of the prophets reveal that God is indeed merciful and although Christians turn away from him, his compassion always saves them from his wrath. Although the Israelites regularly broke the covenant they had with God, he still sent prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah to urge them to turn back to their rightful ways and reconcile with God (Jeremiah 11:10). God reveals that he has good plans for humankind, which is to give them a future and hope and not destroy them. Christians are hence urged to have a heart of seeking God so that he would reveal himself to them and return fully to them.
References
Grisanti, M. A. (1998). Israel’s Mission to the Nations in Isaiah 40–55: An Update. The Master’s Seminary Journal, 9(1), 39-62.
In Coogan, M. D., In Brettler, M. Z., In Newsom, C. A., & In Perkins, P. (2010). The new Oxford annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version : with the Apocrypha : an ecumenical study Bible. Oxford [England: Oxford University Press.
Schreiber, M. (2009). The Real ‘Suffering Servant’: Decoding a Controversial Passage in the Bible. Jewish Bible Quarterly, 37(1), 35-44.
Thompson, B. (2015). Preaching Isaiah's Message Today. The Asbury Journal, 70(2), 8.
Walter Jr, C. (2003). Preaching and teaching from the Old Testament: A guide for the church. Baker Books.
