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Family Devotions:
M. God’s Name, God’s House......................................................................Deuteronomy 12:1-5
T. Desiring God’s House...............................................................................Psalm 27:1-4
W. A Better Place..........................................................................................Psalm 84:1-10
T. The House of Understanding....................................................................Psalm 73:1-17
F. The House of Prayer.................................................................................Matthew 21:12-14
S. Do Not Forsake.........................................................................................Hebrews 10:23-27
S. Jesus in the House of Worship..................................................................Luke 4:16-21
Devotional Reading: Psalm 122:1-9
Memory Selection: “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." (Psalm 122:1)
Lesson Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5, 10-11
Introduction
If you compare Isaiah 2:2-4 to Micah 4:1-3, you will observe that both Prophets were
describing the same events. It is especially important that we observe that two Prophets prophesied
about the Lord’s house being established. In the Old Testament we read: “At the mouth of two
witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one
witness he shall not be put to death” (Deuteronomy 17:6). In the New Testament Jesus said,
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him
alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with
thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established”
(Matthew 18:15-16). Remember that Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or
the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil” (Matthew 5:17). Thus, He observed Old
Testament teachings and passed them on to the New Testament saints.
Since Isaiah and Micah were two prophetic witnesses which told of the establishing of the
Lords’s house, we shall endeavor to understand the significance of their prophetic words.
The Lord’s House Exalted
1. Why is God’s house described in such lofty terms? Read Hebrews 12:18-24 and discuss.
It is important for us to notice that Isaiah spoke of events so far removed in the future that
he referred to them “in the last days.” While there are different opinions about almost everything
in the Bible, it seems that here Isaiah had reference to the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. It would
indeed be exalted by the presence and power of the Son of God. It is said to be situated “in the top
of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills.” While the Temple was the center of worship
for the Jews, the Lord’s house of which Isaiah spoke was enjoyed by Gentiles from various nations.
Gentiles came to trust in Jesus in the church of our Redeemer. Matthew 12:18-21 refers to Isaiah
42:1-4 and concludes with these words: “And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. (Matthew 12:21)
Initially, Jews were the body of the church but in God’s time the Gospel was sent to the
Gentiles and they gradually flowed into the church. They were objects of God’s amazing grace and
even today, there are Gentiles around the world who love and follow Christ. The Gospel was first
sent to the Jews (Matthew 10:5-6) but Acts 13:46 says, “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and
said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put
it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles” (Acts
13:46). Jesus said, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and
they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd” (John 10:16). We are still
flowing into the house of God and the assembly of the saints.
Coming and Going
2. Is there anything we can do to increase attendance in God’s house? What?
Having led us to think of the house of God as exalted and that “nations” (Gentiles) flowed
into it, Isaiah then tells us they shall be evangelistic. Not only did they flow upward into God’s
house, but they would “go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the
house of the God of Jacob” (Isaiah 2:3). God is in fact the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; but
only the last of the list is mentioned here. It is important to notice that they went up and they went
out encouraging others to also go up to the Lord’s house. David once said, “I was glad when they
said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalms 122:1). Apparently, someone had
encouraged him to attend and we ought to encourage others too.
Jesus taught a parable about a man who prepared a great supper and invited others to attend.
They were busy about other interests and so did not go. He then sent out his servant into the streets
to invite others who would attend. He said, “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the
highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23). Our
gracious Lord Jesus has prepared a gospel banquet and invited us to come and feast at His table.
Today, many are also preoccupied with their own interest and neglect to come, but we are to go out
and compel people to come and fill God’s house.
We should be more diligent as we near the “Lord’s Day.” Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And
let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more,
as ye see the day approaching.” This is where many of God’s dear children commit the sin of
omission. Sometimes we sin by “commission” doing those things God said we should not do and
so we commit sins. At other times we fail to do as He command and thus we omit what we ought
to do and thereby sin. When we fail to “compel” others to come and fail to “exhort” others to attend,
we sin. James said, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin”
(James 4:17).
Learning and Living God’s Word
3. What does it mean when people say we are to “talk the talk and walk the walk?”
The last half of Isaiah 2:3 says, “...and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his
paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Through
the wisdom God gave Solomon, he wrote: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the
end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). Obviously, when left to his own devices, man
is on a death march. We need a higher path so God gave His Holy Word that we might have a better
way to live. Without doubt God’s ways are superior to man’s. Isaiah realized this fact for God
inspired him to write: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith
the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and
my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9). These higher “thoughts” and “ways” are contained
in the Holy Scriptures.
Thank God, He inspired the Bible to be written(II Timothy 3:16-17. The Holy Spirit moved
Holy men to write God word and give us His laws. Peter said, “For the prophecy came not in old
time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter
1:21). God has given His Word but He also calls men to preach and teach it to His redeemed
children. When the Apostle Paul admonished the younger preacher Timothy, he said, “Preach the
word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). We must remember that at the time Paul wrote Timothy, the vast
majority of the written Word was Old Testament Scriptures. The “Law and Prophets” of which
Jesus spoke in Matthew 5:17 was the bulk of Scriptures they used in preaching. On the Day of
Pentecost, Peter quoted from the Joel 2:28-32 and Psalm 16:8-11. Other New Testament writers
often quoted Old Testament passages. Indeed, God did teach His ways and send His Law forth.
That which was originally associated with the Temple worship at Jerusalem has come to our day and
age. Understanding the will of the Lord, we endeavor to walk in His paths. Paul said, “For
whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and
comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). What a blessed hope is ours as we
search the Holy Scriptures and find Jesus proclaimed in prophecy and fulfillment (John 5:39). May
we continue to “Preach to word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine” (II Timothy 4:2) and may God’s ways and laws go forth until Jesus
comes again.
As the Word of God is proclaimed, may we take it to heart and make it the foundation upon
which we build a holy life. Peter quoted from Leviticus when he said, “Because it is written, Be ye
holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). God is teaching us as His people, that we are to try to imitate
Him and rather than follow this sinful and depraved world, we are to follow the holy example Jesus
set before us as He lived here on earth (John 13: 15). It is not enough to know the letter of the Law,
we are to live obedient to God’s word. James said, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers
only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). If we think we do not need to live by the teachings
of God’s Word, we have deceived no one but ourselves. On the other hand, if we learn God’s word
and live it, we are enriched thereby. Remember that Jesus said, “If ye know these things, happy are
ye if ye do them” (John 13:17).
Application
God’s Word is always true and what He says He will do, He always does in His time. Three
facts become evident as we realize that the Lord’s house has been established in the earth.
1. We are to reverence God’s name and His house. If God truly meets with us, His house is indeed
holy ground. He has promised to meet with those who gather in His name. Jesus said, “For where
two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).
It is our heavenly privilege to meet with our heavenly Father when we come to His house of worship
and prayer. Too many do not take this privilege seriously and perhaps none of us understand the
sacredness of the house of God.
2. We should look for opportunities to attend church services rather that finding excused not to
attend. When Jesus walked upon this earth the seventh day, Saturday, was the day of worship. God
said, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor
thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that
is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them
is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it”
(Exodus 20:8-11). After Jesus rose from the grave, the first day of the week, Sunday, became the
Lord’s Day (I Corinthians 16:2 and Revelation 1:10). Let us faithfully worship in His house.
3. We should invite others to come to church and worship our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He
is worthy of our praise and our hearts should want many to give His adoration. If we invite more,
and pray for God to bless our words to fall on prepared hearts; then, hopefully other will come. Let
us go out and admonish others as Isaiah taught us. May His Holy Spirit make our labors fruitful for
His glory.
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