Sharper Iron — Advent with the Prophets: The LORD Bares His Arm to Reign as King

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Rev. John Bussman, pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cullman, AL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 52:7-10.

Isaiah writes ahead of time to proclaim the Gospel to Judean exiles living in Babylon, awaiting the news of their salvation. Having seen the destruction of their home and the temple of the LORD, they had been brought to repentance over their idolatry. Yet as they lived in exile, they would have been tempted toward the lie that the LORD was not King. Isaiah pictures a messenger with beautiful feet because he carries truly good news: “Your God reigns!” The watchmen hear this messenger and join in his song of good news as they see God Himself return as Savior. Even the waste places sing together for joy at the LORD’s redemption. He bares His holy arm to save. Although to human eyes it looks like weakness, the LORD’s incarnation in human flesh and suffering death on the cross are His strength for the salvation of sinners. He does this in the sight of all people so that sinners would see and believe in Jesus as their Savior.

“Advent with the Prophets” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Old Testament readings appointed for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance focuses our attention on Christ’s coming. As we spend time hearing the words of the prophets, the saints who waited patiently in the years before Christ’s coming in the flesh at Christmas, we too are prepared to receive Christ now in His Word and Sacrament, even as we wait for Him to come again in glory.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Isaiah 52:7-10

7 How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
who publishes salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
8 The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice;
together they sing for joy;
for eye to eye they see
the return of the Lord to Zion.
9 Break forth together into singing,
you waste places of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted his people;
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The Lord has bared his holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.