54E TRANSCRIPT How loose bonds not what you think God makes huge way out
www.crazygoodgod.org
Nancy Teague
nancy@crazygoodgod.org
Feb 15, 2023
Hi there. Welcome to crazy Good God podcast. I'm Nancy Teague and thanks for joining me.
00:15 We're continuing our wondrous journey into Isaiah 52, springing from a dream I had in 2000 when the Lord spoke to me – “Isaiah 52, the Lord says, “Remove the obstacles.”” We started exploring Isaiah 52 and obstacles in episode 52 and 53.
Today, more obstacles to see. Really. This sounds depressing, but actually we'll see good is in store.
00:44 Here's the gist of the end of verse two through verse five –
Bonds around your neck. Bonds in the Hebrew is band, chain, fetters, implies a halter, restraint.
In captivity because sold yourselves for nothing.
Went down, descended into Egypt - into bondage, taskmasters to dwell - the Hebrew also means sojourn. In Arabic to turn aside or tarry there.
Oppressed without cause. Oppressed means, accused slandered, extorted without cause.
God's name is blasphemed continually every day. The blasphemed in Hebrew – spurned, treated with contempt.
01:32 Here's God's answer to all this negativity.
In bonds, restraints? Loose yourself from the bonds on your neck. Most translations say loose. Other translations – break, remove, free yourself, put off, take off, release from. Mind you, these translations line up with a religious mindset because they sure sound like serious effort is needed. For goodness sake.
01:59 But no translation uses the actual Hebrew meaning of this word, which is OPEN! Examples of the same Hebrew word open - He opens my ear, the heavens opened up, the grape blossoms opened, you shall know that I am the Lord when I have opened your graves, God opened the rock and water gushed out. Open sure sounds positive!
02:29 If you open something, it's like exposing or revealing what's inside, or even letting something free. To open implies you have power authority to do just that. You open and you see it for what it really is. You'd be amazed that many are lies that keep you bound.
Remember, God respects your sovereignty. He doesn't control you or tell you what you must do. Others might try to control, manipulate. But God says open that band on your neck.
03:04 How about sell yourselves for nothing? Hebrew is in vain, without cause, uselessly, without payment, to serve for naught. How easy it is to come under a system’s requirements, expectations and needs.
03:23 The opposite of this is found in Isaiah 55. “Hey, you there? Everyone who thirst come to the waters and you who have no money, come buy and eat. Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend your money for what is not bread? And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me and eat what is good and delight yourself in abundance.”
You really do have a choice. God offers more and it's free. Sometimes we just need to hear there is more in the Lord and be stirred to move out and move on.
04:09 Go down, descend into Egypt, tarry there, be oppressed, extorted. It's kind of like – ‘Well, this is what I grew up with - my parents grandparents thought it was good. Must be OK. Now we might begin to see the legalism and lack of overflowing life yet it's hard to get free.
Just remember OPEN. You have authority, sovereignty to open the door and look outside of Egypt. He has a lot for you to see and experience and it's free.
04:44 Now check out what the Lord says about all this. “Now what have I here that My people are taken away for nothing. You shall be redeemed without money. So, my people shall know My name. Therefore, in that day it is I who speak. Behold, I.” God is on the move for us and He doesn't want us stuck.
05:10 Note ‘redeemed’ in Hebrew - it means kinsman. Biblically, about a kinsman Redeemer, a relative who helps a weaker relative in need or danger - delivers rescues, brings back to the family. Like Jesus, our elder brother brought us out of danger, redeemed us, and restored our sonship. No money was paid, only his life for ours.
05:35 And my people shall know my name, know in the Hebrew is yada - intimately know, know by experience, thoroughly knowing. And the name in the Hebrew has to do with revealed character.
Now Jesus raised “In that day” to a whole ‘nother level. He said, “In that day, you all will know that I am in My Father and you all in Me and I in you all.” What a profound statement! And we each will have ‘that day’.
06:19 Also remember when Jesus ascended, He led captivity captive. Sure, looks to me like Jesus removed the obstacles! Open up to see His finished, wondrous, redeeming work. It's awesome!
If you feel captive, tired of being stuck in what does not satisfy, want His abundance, then ask Him for “that day” that you will know yada Him and know He in you and you in Him.
Until next Wednesday, Bliss to you and never forget God is absolutely crazy about you.
References: Isaiah 52:2f-5, OPEN Is 50:5 Eze 1:1 SS 7:12 Ps 105:14, Isaiah 55:1,2 Isaiah 52:5,6 Eph 1:4,5 Rom 8:15,16 Jn 14:20