WAITING THE HOPE OF ISRAEL

It Is Good to Wait Lamentations 3:25-36 The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. J.I. Packer: “‘Wait on the Lord’ is a constant refrain in the Psalms, and it is a necessary word, for God often keeps us waiting. He is not in such a hurry as we are, and it is not his way to give more light on the future than we need for action in the present, or to guide us more than one step at a time”

The Problem Revisited Genesis 1-2: God makes a good creation, and charges humanity with its care. Genesis 3: Humanity sins and brings sin’s consequences into the world. Genesis 4-11: Humanity continues to sin, and sin’s consequences build to a breaking point. Can God still bring about His purpose? Will God still bring about His purpose?

Restoring the Promise Genesis 17:1-8 “may multiply you greatly” “I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you” Compare: Genesis 1:28 … “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Adam & Abraham Abraham and his family have been chosen as the Creator’s means of dealing with the sin of Adam and the evil in the world. However, Abraham is also part of the problem. The command, “be fruitful,” has become a promise, “I will make you fruitful.” The fulfillment begins – but does not end – in Abraham’s lifetime. Humanity has to wait with Abraham.

Israel, My Servant Isaiah 41:8-14 Israel, the offspring of Abraham, is the Servant by which God continues to address the sin of Adam and the world. However, Israel is still part of the problem: “you worm Jacob, you men of Israel!” Though Israel would be God’s tool, God remains the Redeemer. The fulfillment continues – but does not end – in Israel’s history. Humanity has to wait with Israel.

The Hope of Israel Isaiah 49:1-7 v. 1, Israel’s purpose is for all the nations. v. 2-3, Israel is the Lord’s Servant. v. 4, Israel has not fulfilled its purpose. v. 5-6, God will raise his Servant nonetheless. v. 7, The nations will honor the Servant because of the Lord God. What or who are we waiting for now?

Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”