The Reluctant God
Jim has been teaching a series of lessons from the Book
of Isaiah during the past several months.
This book is a wonderful piece of literature written by the man known as the
"Prince of the Prophets." It is filled with exquisite poetry and song, as
well as every type of imagery, and technique of language--from biting satire to outright
humor. Handel's "Messiah," taken directly from the Book of Isaiah, only
begins to touch the beauty of this book as translation from the original Hebrew to English
loses so much of the original structure, rhyme and play on words.
The book is also a wonderful demonstration of the grace of God who, though
forced by the sinfulness of Judah finally to exact punishment after centuries of pleading,
is yet reluctant to destroy His people. The focus of the book is not on judgment,
but on God's reluctance.
Some of the classroom materials are reproduced here. Updates will
continue to be posted weekly through the end of February, when the class will be
completed.
