This week the boys of Nobody Special look ahead to the new year to see where we are going and where we want to be.  All while trying our best to not say “New Year New Me.”  That phrase is completely overused. Also, we look at what we did for the Christmas holiday and what great stories we have.  Then we realized we live relatively boring lives.  Be sure you ask us questions at thegospeloutpost.com
The saga with the Egyptians, for all intents and purposes, was over for the Israelites. The army that had chased them had perished into the mighty waves of the Red Sea that God had parted for the Israelites to cross safely and rescinded when the Egyptians pursued the people under God’s care. They were well on their way to the Promised Land that God had set apart for His people. The journey, though, would not necessarily be easy. Along the way, the people would need to lean into the faith that had got them to this moment to see them through to the next.
Isaiah spoke often of the coming Messiah for the deliverance and salvation of God’s people. Â As the angels spoke to John, they revealed the truth of the words from Isaiah. Â “‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. ‘ Isaiah 7:14, NIVÂ As with many of the names given throughout the biblical text, names carry a significance and meaning as to the nature of a person. Â Immanuel translates from the Hebrew to “God is with us.” The nature of Jesus’ relationship with mankind is summed up in with this name. Â Â Â
As the Israelites looked upon the Egyptian army bearing down on them with their backs to the Red Sea, their enslavement or death looked imminent. The situation for the Israelites appeared to be fatal. It had only been one day since they were led by the hand out God out of Egypt. Yet, having been rescued through the sovereign grace of God, the people immediately began to doubt that God had even sent Moses.
It is fascinating how something so small can have such a tremendous effect. The tongue and the words we speak are an incredible guide for how we put on the full display of the Gospel in our lives. The way we address people, things, and discuss our situations can guide and steer our whole outlook and worldview. Even worse, it can reveal the treasonous nature inside of ourselves. The same mouth that produces praise for God also produces the same foul hatred and despair for others and the world around us. Clearly, the tongue, with its great potential to speak life also carries with it an undeniable temptation to tear down.
Jesus is the Messiah that the prophet Isaiah spoke of long before His arrival and fulfills the role as the Prince of Peace. Â Within Jesus is this dual identity of both being a full reigning sovereign and an approachable man. Â While King’s rule over their land, one of their main tasks is to protect the citizens and maintain peace throughout the land. Jesus, being a reigning sovereign, is no stranger to this task. Â Peace guided God to take the form of man in order to restore the right relationship between them. Â When man allowed sin and chaos to enter into perfection, Christ came to restore the peace between the people. Â The King had come and fought hard for the peace that is without end. Â
The boys of Nobody Special give their fan theories on Star Wars the Last Jedi. And things get a little wild. And gross. Also, we look at the Christmas traditions and movies we all know and love. That is, unless you have to watch them over and over. We can all admit that Christmas Claymations were weird but they were beloved childhood memories.
As we pick up the story in chapter 11, the people of Egypt have endured nine different plagues sent by God. For some of these plagues, Pharaoh’s sorcerers were able to somewhat approximate their effects. Yet, much like the staff turning into a snake, their works never produced the same strength and power as the plagues brought down by the one, true God. Yet, for all of these plagues, the Israelites had been spared. The plagues had wreaked havoc over Egypt, punishing their source of water, their food, and their livelihood. The Israelites, however, prospered and were protected during this time. Pharaoh noticed.
Our relationship with Chirst is transformative in that it seeps into every creavase of our being. While the bible does contain many commandments for the Christian to follow, this is not the point. The point of the Gospel is that we are saved and transformed by the power of God and guided towards a new way of living. If we believe that Jesus Christ came and died for our sins then we understand that He is offering us a new and transformed life.  Our faith goes beyond mere knowledge and straight to expressing that same belief. Â
Isaiah strives to ensure the reign of God is not only established by the Might of God but also depicts the length of His reign. Â There is a temporal and eternal aspect of God in describing Him as both everlasting and Father. Â With these two words alone, there is no question as to what Isaiah is saying. Â Jesus reigns has been inaugurated from the beginning of time and will continue into eternity. Â He is the progenitor of all life and by Him all things have come into being. Â He is the order and the guide for all creation and He rules His people with the love and care that would spring forth from a father. Â He is our Everlasting Father.
