Sunday School Lesson
December 19
Lesson 3 (KJV)
JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
DEVOTIONAL READING: Isaiah 9:1–7
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 9:1–7
ISAIAH 9:2–7
2. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
3. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
4. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
5. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
KEY TEXT
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.—Isaiah 9:7
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Describe the historical background to Isaiah’s prophetic ministry.
2. Explain the importance of Isaiah 9 in the New Testament.
3. Write a reminder of how anticipating Jesus’ coming should contribute to his or her joy daily.
A. A Dark State
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Ahaz Ay-haz.
Hezekiah Hez-ih-kye-uh.
Manasseh Muh-nass-uh.
shalom (Hebrew) shah-lome.
Introduction
A. Utter Darkness
For a year I taught at a Christian high school in Oklahoma where there were rocky hills with caves. One Sunday afternoon one of my fellow teachers took me and some students to go spelunking. We entered the four-foot-tall opening. Within a few yards we reached a rock outcropping with a key-shaped opening, requiring us to scoot along on our bellies. Only a narrow slit in the rock allowed the right leg to reach the ground to power forward, while the left leg trailed behind. After a few feet the cave opened up some, and we walked hunched over for what seemed quite a distance. We eventually reached a larger chamber in which we could all stand. Then my friend had everyone turn off their flashlights. We were far enough into the cave that there was absolutely no light coming in from the outside. That was the darkest physical darkness I have ever been in! Had I been lost in that cave with no light, I am sure panic would soon set in.
In the beginning God created physical light (Genesis 1:3–5). And then, at just the right time, Jesus arrived in the world as our spiritual light (John 1:1–5). Isaiah prophesied His coming centuries in advance, offering hope to all who would believe.
B. Lesson Context
Isaiah lived and prophesied in the eighth century BC, with access to the royal court in Judah (see 2 Kings 19:1–20:19; Isaiah 37–39). Some students suggest that the book of Isaiah includes part of the official court records during his service to various kings (see 2 Chronicles 26:22; 32:32). His ministry spanned the reigns of four kings (see Isaiah 1:1; this indicates a date range of approximately 740–680 BC). Isaiah was perhaps martyred in the early years of a fifth king, the wicked Manasseh (compare Hebrews 11:37).
Isaiah 9:2–7, today’s text, must be understood in the larger context of Isaiah 7–12. This section is often called The Book of Immanuel because of its focus on the promised blessing of God’s presence; “God with us” is the meaning of the word Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14; 8:8–10; Matthew 1:23). The immediate need for that divine presence was a war that saw Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel in an alliance against Judah, the southern kingdom of divided Israel (Isaiah 7:1).
In reaction, the prophet Isaiah brought a message of hope to Judah’s ungodly King Ahaz. The young and inexperienced king (2 Kings 16:2) was frightened, along with all of Judah, by the political winds (Isaiah 7:2). The prophet encouraged Ahaz to trust the Lord in this matter. Isaiah even offered Ahaz a sign from the Lord (7:11).
For some reason, Ahaz refused to ask for a sign (Isaiah 7:12). Perhaps he already had in mind an alliance with the Assyrians (2 Kings 16:7). But the Lord gave “the house of David” (represented by Ahaz) a sign anyway: a child to be known as Immanuel (Isaiah 7:13–14). Before this child could reach an age of accountability, the two threats in the north would be destroyed (7:7–9, 15). Since Ahaz had refused to ask for a sign, the sign that was nevertheless provided therefore remained a “distant” prophecy for a remnant of God’s people, not to be fulfilled until Immanuel truly would come in ultimate victory.
The importance of the prophet Isaiah is seen in the fact that he is mentioned by name over 20 times in the New Testament—more than all other prophets combined.
I. The Great Reversal
(ISAIAH 9:2–5)
A. Light to Shine (v. 2)
2. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
The prophetic word was so certain that Isaiah spoke of the prophecy as having already been fulfilled. The people had continued to walk (that is, live) as if in the darkest part of the night (compare Isaiah 5:30; 8:22). These were the Lord’s own people, whose ways the Lord had instructed Isaiah not to adopt (8:11). They apparently had no desire to walk in the light (compare John 3:19–20). They preferred the land of the shadow of death, a deep darkness of mind and spirit in a land bereft of God’s presence (compare Psalm 23:4).
Yet it is on people who seem to prefer darkness that a great light comes. They have seen (personal experience) this light and upon them hath the light shined (objective fact). Light is a figure of speech for God himself or for His divine presence (see Isaiah 60:1–3; 2 Corinthians 4:6; 1 John 1:5; Revelation 21:23; 22:5).
Matthew quoted Isaiah 9:2 to refer to Jesus (Matthew 4:16). Jesus’ ministry was like a great light bursting on an unworthy people. Yet in spite of Jesus’ great miracles and authoritative teachings, most chose not to walk in the light. As a result, Jesus condemned them (see Matthew 11:21–24). In other words, they should have known better.
What Do You Think?
What personal experiences of spiritual darkness would be most valuable to pass along to others as warnings?
Digging Deeper
How and when will you do so?
B. Joy to Erupt (v. 3)
3a. Thou hast multiplied the nation.
The nation of Israel would be multiplied many times over in terms of both population and boundaries (see Isaiah 26:15; 54:1–3). Following Jesus’ ministry, this expansion was caused by the great influx of Gentiles into the kingdom of God, not of David, in fulfillment of the first promise of God to Abraham (Genesis 12:3).
And it did not happen overnight. The fulfillment of this verse was neither in national Judah nor in the northern kingdom of divided Israel. Judah was weak compared to the world powers and was never a powerful nation after Assyria consolidated control over the region. Even after the return from Babylonian exile in the sixth century BC, times were very difficult. The multiplying of the nation must refer to a spiritual reality.
3b. And not increased the joy.
The rapid shift from the positive “thou hast multiplied the nation” of verse 3a to the negative and not increased the joy here is startling. This has led to different interpretations. One interpretation proposes that the prophet was foreseeing different times in history. First, the people dwell in darkness; then the light dawns (Isaiah 9:2) and the nation is multiplied (9:3a). But that is followed by a time of difficulty and corruption (lack of joy).
A different interpretation proposes that although the King James Version is precisely accurate in its translation here, there is an uncertainty in what the Hebrew word behind the translation really is. The word for not in Hebrew sounds exactly like the word for to it (a homonym). Thus it would be easy for a copyist of Hebrew to write not when another person actually is saying to it (or vice versa) during verbal dictation. If to it was the original intent, then the idea is something like, “To it [the nation] you have increased the joy!” This uncertainty between not and to it (or to him) occurs over a dozen times in the Old Testament Hebrew text. Context usually makes clear which is intended, but the case before us is a difficult one.
3c. They joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
To the situation just noted, Isaiah compared the future joy from the light to two of the greatest occasions for joy in the ancient world: harvest time (Exodus 23:16; Deuteronomy 16:13–15) and the victorious end of war, indicated by collecting the spoil thereof (Numbers 31:25–47; 1 Samuel 30:16; etc.). Both events are considered gifts from God (see Deuteronomy 28:2–8). The outcomes of harvest and war were matters of life and death. No wonder Isaiah used these as comparisons for the forthcoming joy when the light would arrive!
What Do You Think?
How will you ensure that what most causes joy for God is also what most causes joy for you?
Digging Deeper
What Scripture text most challenges you to do so? Why?
GATHERED AT THE TABLE
On college game days, my team was ready. We had analyzed the previous Saturday’s game, gone over scouting reports, and practiced daily. We knew our game plan, and we were mentally and physically ready to execute it.
Saturday mornings were spent together in the equipment locker room. We saw ourselves as a great army preparing for battle as we strapped on our gear, donned our colors, and applied war paint to our faces. On game days the earth shook with the energy of our hard work.
The victorious outcome outweighed the fact that afterward we could barely walk for the bruises and cuts that tattooed our bodies. Even so, we sat around a banquet table, cheering and laughing and loving one another. We rejoiced in the “harvest” as we emotionally shared the “spoils.”
God’s promise is of a joy infinitely greater. The joy Israel would experience is like a victorious team gathered around a banquet table. What hard work are you doing now in anticipation of the joy God will lay out before His people? For a hint along these lines, see 1 Corinthians 3:8–15.
—W. L.
C. Historical Analogy (vv. 4–5)
4. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
The analogy in view is freedom from foreign domination. The day of Midian refers to Gideon’s defeat of the Midianites, over 400 years in the past at this point (Judges 6–8). Gideon’s actions triggered knowledge that his victory could only have been an act of God (7:2–14). No one expected victory in Gideon’s day, and no one would expect it in Jesus’ day. Skeptics said things like “Shall Christ come out of Galilee?” (John 7:41) and “Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet” (7:52). The people who made this statement were wrong: Jonah was from Galilee (2 Kings 14:25).
Some students see echoes of the exodus from Egypt in the use of such words as yoke (Leviticus 26:13), burden (Exodus 1:11), shoulder (Psalm 81:6), and oppressor (“taskmasters” in Exodus 5:6, 10, 14). The exodus events were of divine origin, as will be the birth of a special child (Isaiah 9:6, below).
The imagery is of a disenfranchised, subjugated people. This would be the status of the Jews under Roman rule in the time of Jesus. Regarding instruments of burden and the nature of oppression, see also Isaiah 10:27; 14:25; 49:26; 60:14. But Jesus came to grant deliverance from bondage to a different, more oppressive master: sin (Galatians 5:1; etc.).
What Do You Think?
What modern metaphor could you use to compare and contrast the yoke of Galatians 5:1 with the yoke of Matthew 11:29–30?
Digging Deeper
How might your choice of metaphor change, based on various contexts? Give examples.
5a. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood.
Confused noise refers to the din and chaos of battle. Garments rolled in blood represents the dead and wounded. Imagine thousands of soldiers engaged in hand-to-hand combat with weapons such as spears, swords, and cudgels. The suffering and gore would be immense.
5b. But this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
The end of warfare is another reason for great rejoicing. Once the people are liberated (Isaiah 9:4, above), a spreading peace will allow the burning of the blood-stained garments of the previous statement. There will be no more need for these. This outcome matches what the prophet foresees in Isaiah 2:4 (compare Psalm 46:9; Zechariah 9:10).
II. The Promised Child
(ISAIAH 9:6–7)
A. His Names (v. 6)
6a. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder.
The ultimate reason for joy is the birth of an extraordinary child. He is given to us by God. This is not said of other births, although this child was to have been a sign to Ahaz—a sign he refused (see Lesson Context)!
Some identify the child as Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz. But this does not match the chronology of Hezekiah’s birth. And, more importantly, no mere human king is in view, but rather an end-times figure, the Messiah. Furthermore, neither Hezekiah nor anyone else from Isaiah’s time accomplished what is in this passage.
Isaiah 7:14 requires us to conclude that this child is to be the coming Immanuel (“God with us”). The role of this son is to administer the government. The greatest promise of God is not merely the end of a short-term crisis. Rather, God promises to send a King who will surpass what His people have seen in their rulers. As with Psalm 89, the language here about the birth of a son reminds us of the promises to the patriarchs and to David of sons through whom God would bring promised blessings (example: 2 Samuel 7:11–16). The Son will bear the burden of responsibility for the rule and dominion over the Lord’s people (see Matthew 28:18). When His shoulder bears the rule of government, it frees the people from the violence they had endured (Isaiah 9:4, above).
6b. And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor.
Names are significant throughout Isaiah’s ministry and in his confrontation with kings, especially Ahaz (Isaiah 7:3; 8:1–3; etc.). The set of names we see starting here reminds us of “throne names” used for newly crowned kings. These names give the nature and character of this child and His perfect rule. Egyptian coronation liturgies exhibited such names to encourage qualities desired in the newly crowned monarch (compare and contrast 2 Kings 24:17).
Four paired descriptions mark Him as extraordinary. First is Wonderful, Counsellor. Some have separated these into two names, but Isaiah most likely intended us to understand that the Counsellor is Wonderful. We have weakened the meaning of wonderful in the English language. Today this word means something like “really, really good.” When one experiences the wonderful in this sense, one knows that this is a miraculous work of God Almighty (example: Isaiah 29:14).
To combine this with the function of counselor means that Isaiah foresaw someone who knows all the questions and has all the answers. This can be only God himself (compare Isaiah 25:1). Solomon, David’s son, also was given great wisdom that could be explained only supernaturally (see 1 Kings 3). This child perhaps is presented as the “new Solomon,” who gives supernatural counsel to His subjects (see Isaiah 11:2). Even so, the child is to be greater than Solomon (Luke 11:31). The child’s wise, supernatural counsel will be the exact opposite of that of the supposedly wise counselors of Isaiah 19:11.
6c. The mighty God.
The next prophetic designation amplifies the previous. The descriptive word mighty is drawn from the world of war heroes (compare Genesis 10:8). We might liken this to our term invincible, the one who cannot be defeated. The coming child will not be bested by any army, human or otherwise, in the reign of His universal government (see Isaiah 42:13). Mighty God is used also in Isaiah 10:21 to refer to the Lord. Here the name ascribes deity to the child (see John 1:1). Revelation 1:8 refers to Jesus as “the Almighty” and may be drawing on this name.
6d. The everlasting Father.
This exact title is found only here in the Old Testament. Indeed, the Old Testament rarely uses the term Father to refer to God (examples: Psalm 68:5; 89:26; Malachi 2:10). It remains for Jesus to teach humans that God is our Father in a universal, loving, and holy way. This title emphasizes the Father’s eternal nature and/or His control over eternity and time itself. The concept of eternity was difficult to grasp in Isaiah’s day and remains so for us. The eternality of God, however, is a characteristic that sets Him apart in a decisive way (see Isaiah 57:15). This too seems to ascribe divinity to the child: born into time, He transcends time. The child will bring about conditions in the new government that will fulfill the role of the divine fatherhood of God (see Psalm 103:13; Isaiah 63:16).
6e. The Prince of Peace.
War characterizes earthly kingdoms. The only son of David we know of who did not go to war was Solomon, yet Solomon established his reign with bloodshed (1 Kings 2:25, 46). Solomon’s name means “peace,” but the promised child will be the ultimate Prince of Peace. This is not prince in the sense of a king-in-waiting. Rather, it is prince in the sense of ruler of a people, a virtual synonym with “king” or “monarch.” He brings peace between God and humanity by way of reconciliation and redemption (see John 14:27; Romans 5:1–11).
What Do You Think?
Which description in this verse will most motivate your service to Christ this week? Why?
Digging Deeper
Which description most motivates you to further study of its significance?
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
My parents spent a lot of time reading baby-naming books, trying to find my name. The book they chose gave characteristics of names instead of definitions. When you hear this name, who do you see, and what are they like? Each name had character and a legacy.
They settled on Wyatt, after Wyatt Earp, one of the most famous gunslinging lawmen of the Old West. And he was a cowboy through and through. The name evokes a tough, adventurous man who sat a horse well, rode next to herds of thundering buffalo, and slept with a saddle for a pillow beneath a quilt of starlight. I’ve carried in my name the hope to grow into a man who earns it. I want people to hear my name and glimpse something true about me.
The names God gave His Messiah are like this. He is what His names suggest. How will you celebrate the man behind the names?
—W. L.
B. His Government (v. 7)
7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
The promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 became, at Sinai, the purpose of Israel’s existence (Exodus 19:5–6). The broader redemptive work through David is found in a promise that his dynasty will never end (compare 2 Samuel 7:16). But the coming child would be in a different category from any earthly monarch. His reign is characterized in five ways that no normal human ruler can ever measure up to.
First, His reign is to be endlessly increasing, as opposed to the rise and fall of empires throughout history. Second, it is to be endlessly peaceful, never at war or preparing for war. It advances because of its peace, not in spite of it. Third, it is to be tied to the most beloved ruler of Israel, King David. Fourth, it is to be established on true justice, not on brute strength and aggression. Fifth, its existence and increase are guaranteed by the zeal of the Lord. This is to be a primary matter for the all-powerful God of Israel. Such zeal cannot be thwarted by anyone or anything.
Jesus’ dominion will be characterized by peace, not war. His agenda will be reconciliation and shalom. His kingdom is established not just as an end to war, but as positive harmony and goodwill—the kind of peace that Israel had not known. His government and peace expand forever because people from all nations will be at peace with God (Zechariah 14:9, 16–17; Romans 11:25–32; Ephesians 2:11–17). The angel Gabriel quoted from this passage when he announced to Mary that she would bear a son, Jesus (Luke 1:32–33).
What Do You Think?
What is the single most important action you can take this week to bring your priorities and zeal in line with God’s?
Digging Deeper
How might Satan distract you from this task?
Conclusion
A. A Dark State
There’s hide-and-seek, and then there’s Hide-and-Seek: Dark Edition. Imagine a warm house on a cold winter night, all the lights off. Two parents go searching for their whispering and shushing children. Their hiding places would be laughable in daylight, but in the dark they are effectively invisible behind a pillow or wrapped in a curtain. Perhaps the mother can sense her child’s presence, but it’s not until he jumps out or giggles that she can place him. Darkness certainly adds drama to hide-and-seek.
The people living before Jesus lived in a state of darkness. Spiritually, they walked around with hands outstretched, hoping not to run into something dangerous. Fear and anxiety lurked in that state of unpredictability and loss in a deadly game of hiding from God, trying to keep sins in darkness.
We no longer live in the darkness, hands outstretched, hoping to avoid danger. We live in the light of Jesus’ sacrifice, which has illuminated our paths! What then will you do? Will you continue to live as though you have not seen the light? Will you leave little children in the dark, never trying to find them? The game only ends in victory when the light comes on and everyone is safe in God’s home.
B. Prayer
Father, we thank You for Your care for the world. May we be worthy ambassadors of the kingdom of the Messiah. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Jesus the King is like no other!
KID’S CORNER
Matthew 7:1-6 & 15-23
(Matthew 7:1) “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.
Jesus did not mean that we should not discern right from wrong or never conclude that a person has done something good or bad, legal or illegal. Rather, Christians need to avoid making harsh, hasty condemning accusations against others. We may not know the hearts of those we judge. They may have made an honest mistake with good intentions; they may be open to honest, truthful correction and happily receive suggestions from others. We may not know the mitigating factors that influenced their actions; such as, self-defense or actions to save a starving child. We must not personally judge someone in the sense of condemning them to punishment or to hell; if tempted to do so, we can pray for their salvation. Judges and juries are responsible for making decisions about someone’s actions being legal or illegal (according to a government’s objective, written laws or statutes) and what possible punishments or sanctions are legal according to the law that was broken. We should never judge and condemn anyone on the basis of our personal opinions or those of our party or some other group; rather, the Bible, the revealed will of God, is the only infallible, objective standard by which we as Christians can prayerfully and lovingly call individuals, groups, churches, and nations to account and call them to repent. As Christians, we can stand before religious and political leaders and tell them when their advocacy of something is contrary to the revealed law of God in the Bible. Jesus Christ is Lord over all, so based on the Bible we can speak out when a nation’s leaders or a church’s leaders are doing wrong or pursuing policies contrary to the Law of God, but there may be consequences for us even as Jesus and Paul suffered the consequences for declaring the will of God.
(Matthew 7:2) “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
Jesus did not mean that God will judge and condemn people based solely on the personal standards they have used when judging others while they themselves have violated the same standards (at least from the heart). People sometimes condemn others for doing things God wants done. Jesus, Peter, Paul and other disciples were condemned by religious leaders for doing what God wanted said and done. People do tend to condemn others for the very wrong things that they themselves are doing or are tempted and prone to do. From this verse, we learn that others will tend to judge and condemn us based on how we have judged and condemned others. If we are harsh, hasty, and unsympathetic in making judgments of others, others will judge and condemn us because we are harsh, hasty, and unsympathetic; furthermore, whenever we break a law, they will tend to judge us harshly, hastily, and unsympathetically—just as we have judged others.
(Matthew 7:3) “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
The “speck” may be smaller than a piece of chaff, which can get in someone’s eye while threshing wheat. Christians are not to always be looking for what is lacking or wrong in the lives of others and then condemning them or trying to correct them. Based on their own perceptions of right and wrong or what is “proper” or “improper,” some people are judgmental, condemning, or unsympathetic toward others. A good person may be 99% right when doing something, but the “wrong” 1% part may open the door for someone else to point out to them the 1% where they were wrong instead of thanking God for the 99% that they got right. This problem becomes even worse when a person is always gossiping about the specks in the eyes of others. Some people always seem to be looking for and focusing on what is lacking or wrong in the lives of other people. They want everyone to be perfect, just as they are “perfect.” Though loving, supportive correction might be helpful to someone who needs or wants to be at 100%, no human can be 100% perfect 100% of the time. Many people are prone to focus on what is lacking or wrong in the lives of others while never doing anything about examining their own lives and correcting what is wrong within themselves. It may very well be that those who focus on the 1% wrong in others are 99% wrong within themselves.
(Matthew 7:4) “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?
No doubt some may think they are being helpful when they notice the sins of others, point them out, and try to help the person overcome their sins. However, it may very well be that we have plenty of sins in our own lives that we are refusing to deal with or do not even notice. Perhaps we need to spend more time reading the Bible and praying for the Lord Jesus to show us where we are falling short and need to change, and then praying for His help as we seek to change. Some would certainly have more time to pray for the divine help and courage to change if they spent less time trying to change the lives of those around them.
(Matthew 7:5) “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
A hypocrite condemns others for doing the wrong that they themselves are doing (if not outwardly, then within their hearts). Unhappily, perhaps many of us have heard of someone who crusaded against a specific evil who was later arrested and convicted of a crime involving that same evil. There is something to say for the old notion that when we point a finger at someone else for doing something wrong that we have three fingers pointing back at ourselves. Perhaps some hypocrites they condemn others because within themselves they know how very wrong their behavior is and they want to change, but they do not seek the help of the Lord Jesus to free them from slavery to that sin; instead, they point out the sin in others that they so easily recognize in someone else. On the other hand, those being condemned by someone else may readily see that the condemning person is knowingly or unknowingly committing the same sin, then use that as an excuse for not making some needed changes. If we are prone to condemn others for something, at that very point we may need to spend some time in prayerful self-examination to see if we are guilty of practicing the same sin too and need Jesus forgiveness and help to change.
(Matthew 7:6) “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Without condemning, correcting, or criticizing someone, Jesus indicated that Christians do need to examine and discern the thoughts and actions of others as best as possible to know whether or not sharing the gospel faith (what is holy) with them will result in their rejection of Jesus Christ and persecution or not. In Matthew 10:16, Jesus warned, “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” When considering when, where, and with whom we should share the gospel of Jesus Christ, we need to pray for the Holy Spirit to show us when someone may be ready to receive the good news of Jesus Christ instead of violently rejecting Jesus and persecuting us (or endangering other Christians by our testimony). Christians will be persecuted, but Jesus did not command Christians to invite persecution upon themselves or others, especially when there are still many people who need to hear the gospel and who would rejoice when they learn about Jesus from our testimony.
(Matthew 7:15) “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
To avoid throwing their pearls of Christian faith and wisdom to those they have discerned are dogs and swine, Christians must examine and differentiate those who hate Christianity and disparage the Bible from those who appear to be open to hearing the good news of Jesus Christ and who might accept their testimony. Similarly, Christians must pray and study the Bible to examine and differentiate those who appear to love Jesus and the Bible, but who are false prophets who would destroy their faith in Jesus and the Bible if given the opportunity, from those who truly love the truth and want to teach them the truth of Jesus and the Bible. Preachers and teachers who secretly hate (do not love) Jesus and the Bible are just as dangerous (if not more so) to believers than those who openly hate Jesus and the Bible. False prophets can slowly and quietly lead believers away from God and the truth; whereas, atheists, unbelievers, and persecutors can almost force believers to draw closer to Jesus as their only hope of salvation. In either case, regular, prayerful Bible study with the help of the Holy Spirit and trustworthy teachers remain essential for Christians to avoid walking into traps or being misled by false teachers.
(Matthew 7:16) “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
Sometimes believers can distinguish false preachers and teachers from those who truly seek to teach the truth of the Bible and Jesus by looking at their fruits, though some false prophets are very subtle and persuasive. False prophets and teachers can draw large crowds and make people feel good; so, these phenomena should not be considered reliable guides for evaluation or fruit testing. Christians must use the Bible, rightly interpreted (for many false teachers and prophets misuse and misinterpret the Bible), as the standard by which to test whether someone is preaching or teaching the truth. Historically, the Church has upheld certain key doctrines or teachings as essential to believe and remain Christian in thought, word, and deed; those doctrines based on the clear teachings of the Bible can be used as a measure for testing. Another test can be seeking to discern what motivates a teacher or preacher. Sometimes we can see that a preacher or teacher is motivated by greed, selfishness, and self-seeking; rather than by supreme love for God, Jesus, and the Bible as well as love for others, and these sins will have a detrimental impact on their teaching. Finally, to discern true from false teachers, though this can be more subjective and a sometimes fallible guide, we can ask ourselves some of these questions, “Does this teacher or preacher increase my faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and in the Bible as the infallible Word of God written or does this person sow seeds of doubt in the trustworthiness of Jesus as Lord and Savior and the Bible as the trustworthy Word of God written? Is this teacher or preacher trying to convince me that some other book or teaching is the word of God or a new revelation from God or Jesus? Does this teacher contradict the Bible or the clear teachings of Jesus? Does this teacher emphasize what the Bible does not emphasize?” Spiritual thorns and thistles can be doubts or temptations for us to sin in thought, word, or deed that are sown by false prophets and teachers.
(Matthew 7:17) “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree will over time bear good fruit in season. A good tree will grow spiritually and increasingly bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22-22 — “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Among other things, a good tree will produce Christians or help at least some Christians become stronger in their faith in Jesus Christ, believers who increasingly trust the Bible, who show greater love for God, who want and seek the will of God to do the will of God, who seek to love and serve others with Jesus being their example, and who increasingly bear the fruit of the Spirit themselves as Jesus delivers them from slavery to sin. A bad tree will produce works of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19-21). However, some bad trees can appear outwardly good and seem to serve as examples of good behavior, but they do not produce works that flow from love for and faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior (many of the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day can serve as examples of a bad tree).
(Matthew 7:18) “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
A good tree that loves and honors God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, and that seeks to promote living according to the Bible as the Holy Spirit interprets and leads will help other good trees do the same. In this world, even the best Christians will make mistakes and sin sometimes, but when they do, they immediately repent and return to Jesus. A bad tree cannot do any of the above and has no desire to do any of the above.
(Matthew 7:19) “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Bad trees represent people who are enslaved to doing the works of the flesh, the world, and the devil instead of the works of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:13-26). Since bad trees are committed to producing bad fruit, all they are useful for is burning. This verse serves as a warning to repent and turn to Jesus for salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit to do good works of faith that are acceptable to God.
(Matthew 7:20) “So then, you will know them by their fruits.
Having seen from the Bible the difference between good trees and bad trees, we know that bad trees need to come to Jesus Christ in faith for salvation from slavery to sin and to receive His gift of eternal life. Bad trees can become good trees only by the grace of God and by receiving the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Good trees can prayerfully seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance on if, when, and how to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others.
(Matthew 7:21) “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
In the Bible, people sometimes used “Lord” as a term to honor someone or to show respect for someone in a greeting. In the Bible, “Lord” can also be used as a respectful substitute for the name of God in the Old Testament, which was used as an official title for Jesus in the New Testament because Jesus is the Son of God. Those wh0 honor Jesus in the first sense; perhaps as a great prophet or wonderful moral teacher, but not as the Bible truly reveals Jesus, will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Likewise, those who honor Jesus with “theological correctness,” but do not honor Jesus by their behavior, who do not do the will of God the Father or obey the commands of Jesus, will not enter the kingdom of God. In the Beatitudes, Jesus described some of the characteristics of those who would live forever in the kingdom of God.
(Matthew 7:22) “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
In His sermon, Jesus revealed that it is possible for a heretic, a false prophet, or a false teacher to prophesy or preach in His name (such people Jesus warns us to avoid). In the New Testament, people other than Jesus and His disciples could cast out demons. In Matthew 12:26-27, Jesus told the Pharisees and the crowd, “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.” Exorcists in many different religions can cast out (or claim to cast out) demons. Therefore, we should not follow a leader (or a religion) just because it appears they (or the religion) has the power to cast out demons or work miracles. Some false preachers and teachers will use the name of Jesus as they cast out demons, perhaps thinking they are doing good; however, they are not doing the will of God by loving and serving Jesus as their Lord and Savior or by following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew 7:23) “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’”
Even today, a lot of people “name drop” to impress others. Someone might meet a movie star at a movie preview and later claim to know them, while the movie star would probably say they do not know the person. Another way to know someone is for the two people to actually meet and develop a close personal relationship, where either one could be asked and reply, “Oh yes, I know so-and-so, and they are a personal friend of mine.” Jesus expects His true followers to become personal friends of His. In John 15:13-15, Jesus described knowing Him and having friendship with Him in these terms – “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.” Evildoers use the name of Jesus and pretend to be His friend if they can achieve some personal selfish advantage by doing so. Jesus will send people such as this away from Him and say He never knew them.
How to Judge Others
Sunday, December 19, 2021
Matthew 7:1-6 & 15-23
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get” (Matthew 7:1-2).
Jesus’ teaching does not mean that Christians should not discern right from wrong or that they should not teach others the law of love that Jesus revealed. Rather, when Christians see wrong being done, they should immediately ask the Holy Spirit to show them how best to respond. Later in His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commanded, “Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and maul you” (Matthew 7:6). To heed this warning, Christians must pray and think to discern or judge whether a person’s behavior indicates that they are like a dog or a hog. Christians do not seek to condemn others; instead, based on their behavior, Christians pray to discern whether trying to help someone by teaching them the truth about Jesus would likely lead to their accepting the truth or their rejecting what is holy in horrible ways. If we judge or condemn someone based on our personal standards; then, we will be judged or condemned based on the standards we have set. The inconsistency of some between the way they want others to live and the way they themselves live would be laughable, if they did not have the power to distress many people by requiring them to follow their standards. On the great Day of Judgment, if someone claimed that they did not deserve condemnation, God would only need to show them how they had condemned others for practicing the very things that they themselves practiced.
Thinking Further
How to Judge Others
Sunday, December 19, 2021
Matthew 7:1-6 & 15-23
Name ________________________________
1. What is the difference between “the measure you give” in Matthew 7:2 and the law of love as expressed in the Ten Commandments and Jesus’ teaching?
2. What did Jesus mean when talking about “the speck” and “the log” in someone’s eye?
3. If you are not supposed to judge, how will you know when or if you can give something holy to someone without being mauled?
4. Do we have “false prophets” today? If so, what standard would you use to judge whether someone was a false prophet or not?
5. How can you judge whether a person is a good person or a bad person?
Discussion and Thinking Further
1. What is the difference between “the measure you give” in Matthew 7:2 and the law of love as expressed in the Ten Commandments and Jesus’ teaching?
The “measure you give” is the spirit or attitude you manifest and the criteria you use when you judge someone. Rather than judging and condemning others according to our standards and then receiving the judgment of others according to the way we have judged them, we can love others and show them mercy and forgiveness, just as God in Jesus Christ has forgiven all who will believe in Him. If we need to help someone who is living contrary to the law of God, we can pray that our words and actions will reveal the loving concern of God and us for them (not harsh judgmental condemnation) and help them make the changes God expects them to make according to the Bible’s teachings.
2. What did Jesus mean when talking about “the speck” and “the log” in someone’s eye?
Believers need to examine themselves and turn from their sins and obey Jesus rather than disregard doing what Jesus expects of them by focusing on the sins of others and trying to correct others. Believers should not be hypocrites.
3. If you are not supposed to judge, how will you know when or if you can give something holy to someone without being mauled? Discernment is not harsh critical condemnation or unsympathetic judgment of someone. Discernment involves praying to know the right time and place, if possible, to share the gospel with someone. With some, the Lord will not lead us to share the gospel with them, and by seeing the type of person they are we can understand why we are not to share what is holy with them. They would only do whatever possible to attack and discredit the holy Word of God and the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins among other holy truths.
4. Do we have “false prophets” today? If so, what standard would you use to judge whether someone was a false prophet or not?
Yes. What the Bible clearly teaches compared to what they teach, and whether their motives are obviously selfish and self-centered or not.
5. How can you judge whether a person is a good person or a bad person?
We can look at the way they live and see the results of their actions. A bad person cannot produce good fruit, though for a time it may appear to be good. A good person will produce good fruit by the grace of God through faithful obedience to Jesus Christ. Believers will increasingly manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Only Jesus Christ can make a bad person good or a sinner into a saint.
Word Search
How to Judge Others
Sunday, December 19, 2021
Matthew 7:1-6 & 15-23
Name _________________________________
S U S E J I S S X N X F L A D
R S E V L O W U T V Q O T K C
F J U I H J B Z O E G R B I A
Q X A G Y L K I L N H N F T X
S Z R M P D C X W Y E P H N J
M L W L O K R Q L G Q V O M S
B Y P T C M W O K C H L A R Q
I J G E R D H D B G R S X R P
Q E F R I U S L O H T E Q Y P
U K N U T F W N R G G C P E S
Z T P S E H I J A D S I A K Z
Y V F A P F N Q U W H R E B R
Z B H E W R E J G M L Q M N T
A F Y M Y V A F U S E S L A F
Z J U D G M E N T S P E C K E
Judge
Judgment
Measure
Speck
Neighbor
Log
Hypocrite
Holy
Dogs
Pearls
Swine
False
Prophets
Ravenous
Wolves
True and False Test
How to Judge Others
Sunday, December 19, 2021
Matthew 7:1-6 & 15-23
Name __________________________________
Circle the true or false answers. Correct the false statements by restating them.
1. Hurry to be the first to judge others so they can’t judge you. True or False
2. Take the log out of your own eye before you try to take a speck out of the eye of someone else. True or False
3. Some who condemn others are hypocrites, because they do what they condemn others for doing. True or False
4. Do not give what is holy to those you know will attack you and your faith in Jesus Christ. True or False
5. False prophets will appear to be true prophets, but inside they are full of deceitfulness. True or False
6. There simply is no way for a true Christian to tell the difference between a false prophet and a true prophet. True or False
7. Teaching falsehoods about Jesus and the Bible really will not hurt anyone. True or False
8. The best grapes and figs are gathered from thorns and thistles. True or False
9. You and tell the difference between good people and bad people by what they practice and the results of their actions. True or False
10. Only those who do the will of Jesus’ Father in heaven will enter the kingdom of heaven. True or False
True and False Test Answers
- False
- True
- True
- True
- True
- False
- False
- False
- True
- True
Prayer
Father, we thank You for Your care for the world. May we be worthy ambassadors of the kingdom of the Messiah. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.