The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

PROPHECIES FULFILLED

God used Isaiah to speak his word, but God also told Isaiah that many people would not repent as they would be hardened in their unbelief. Moses faced a similar situation when he went before Pharaoh to demand the release of the Israelites. Before Moses even spoke to Pharaoh, God told him that he would harden Pharaoh’s heart (Ex 7:3). In that instance, God used Pharaoh to show his sovereign power by freeing his people despite their oppressor’s intentions. In both instances, the people on the receiving end had the opportunity to hear God’s warnings and turn, but neither Pharaoh nor the Israelites chose to believe what they heard. As they chose to ignore God’s prophets, their hearts only grew harder and more opposed to God.

God chose to use their hardened hearts for his glory. When Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, God freed his people through many signs and acts of his greatness. When the Israelites refused to listen to Isaiah, they went into exile. Later, God sent his Son to the earth to fulfill many of Isaiah’s prophecies and bring fruition to Isaiah’s words. Even in justifying Isaiah, God brought mercy and a second chance for the people to hear what he had to say. However, just as before, their hearts remained hardened (Mt 13:14 – 15; Mk 4:12; Lk 8:10; Jn 12:37 – 41).

Jesus came and fulfilled many of the prophecies of Isaiah, and these verses are an example of how even the people around Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecies (Ac 28:25 – 27). God knew that there would be people who heard Jesus’ good news, yet failed to repent and adhere to what he said. God used those hardened hearts to orchestrate Jesus’ crucifixion, and through his death on the cross he paid for the sins of the world.

Jesus, I know that some hearts will be hardened so that your purposes may be realized, but I ask you to soften the hearts of those I love and call them to you, so that they may be saved from sin. Amen.