The Zeal Of The Lord Almighty…

I. GOD AND ABRAHAM.

And it is because of His love for us that God told Abram (Genesis12:1) “Leave your country, your people & your father’s household & go to the land I will show you.”

A. As we read the story of Abraham’s life, the abruptness of this command amazes us. God tells him, “Get up – Go – Leave.” And He offers no lengthy directions or explanations. He just tells Abram to go.

And the very next paragraph begins with these words, “So Abram left, as the Lord had told him...” (Genesis 12:4)

You see, when someone truly commits to God as Lord, & then hears what God wants, there will be no necessity to cajole or entice. Like Abram, the response will be immediate – “So Abram left, as the Lord had told him...”

B. And as Abram was doing what God had told him to do, God was also keeping the promises He had made to Abram. Remember, God told Abram, “I will make you into a great nation & I will bless you…” (Genesis 12:2)

II. THE NATION OF ISRAEL

A. Abram obeyed, & God kept His promises! It took a few generations, of course, & some men named Joseph & Moses & Joshua before it was all done. But finally Abraham’s descendants were a nation - just as God had promised!

But remember, God had also told Abram, “…& all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3)

Now that the nation of Israel had been established, would God’s plan finally be fulfilled? Would Israel be an example to all the nations surrounding it of what could be accomplished by a nation completely dedicated to following God?

And when God looked down upon this nation which He had called to be a light to the rest of the world, would he see that light shining brightly & drawing all peoples to Him?

B. Well, to answer that let’s move on 12 hundred years to the time of King Uzziah, as found in Isaiah 9. It was a time of peace & great prosperity in the land. Modern historians would honor Uzziah as a great political & military leader.

Yet, as God looked upon His chosen people, did He find the nations gathering around Israel to receive His blessings? I’m afraid not. Isaiah tells us that instead of finding His blessings flowing out from His people to the hurting world around them, He found gloom, distress, oppression, darkness & death.

III. JESUS.

A. But God wasn’t finished yet. The best was yet to come. He had promised Abraham that “…all peoples on earth will be blessed through you…” (Genesis 12:3) And God Himself would fulfill that promise. A Child would be born – God’s Son.

And Isaiah 9:6-7a tells us “He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.”

Isaiah finishes this prophecy with these words: “The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

The Living Bible translates the last half of vs. 7 this way, “He will bring true justice & peace to all the nations of the world. This is going to happen because the Lord of heaven’s armies has dedicated himself to do it!” (Isaiah 9:7)