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<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">“<b>TWO
ARE BETTER THAN ONE” MINISTRIES</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>Jim
& Marie Watt</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>Tel:
<a href="tel:253-517-9195" target="_blank">253-517-9195</a> - Email:
<a href="mailto:jmbetter@gmail.com" target="_blank">jmbetter@gmail.com</a></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>Web:
<a href="http://www.2rbetter.org/" target="_blank">www.2rbetter.org</a></b></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">December 5, 2012</p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">
<br></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-weight:normal" align="CENTER">
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</p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>JUL
16 - ISAIAH 36-39 - HISTORICAL EXPLANATION</b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>1.
36:7 (36:1-10, ESV) HEZEKIAH: INVADED AND INSULTED BY ASSYRIA. <font size="3">But
if you say to me, “We trust in the LORD our God,” is it not he
whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah
and to Jerusalem, ’You shall worship before this altar’”?
</font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Jehovah Father, Your
servant </span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">did</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
remove the high places and altars of heathen gods and spirits, and
left only Your altar in Jerusalem! There Rabshakey and all like him
shall fall! </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Hallowed
be your :name!</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">2.
36:21 (36:11-22) HEZEKIAH: INSULTS INTENSIFIED.</span></span> <font size="3">“</font><font size="3">But
they were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s
command was, ‘Do not answer him.’” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
You set Hezekiah over Your people Israel as their shepherd. As Israel
obeyed him, they were obeying You! We too honor those You have set
over us to rule us. </span><b><i>Your :kingdom come.</i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>3.
37:3 (37:1-20) HEZEKIAH: SEEKS GOD IN PRAYER. <font size="3">They
said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, ‘This day is a day of distress,
of rebuke, and of disgrace; children have come to the point of birth,
and there is no strength to bring them forth.’” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">It
is good to seek You Father, through Your servants the prophets. For
whether directly or indirectly, </span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">You</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
are the giver of every good and perfect gift! </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Your
:will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">4.
37:31-32 (37:21-38) HEZEKIAH: GOD’S ANSWER THROUGH ISAIAH. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“And
the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root
downward and bear fruit upward. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">32
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">For
out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of
survivors. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">How
good it is to trust in You, O Father! When we seek You, You answer
us, and give us comforting words. </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Our
:daily :bread Give us this day!</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">5.
38:2-3 (38:1-3) HEZEKIAH’S SICKNESS AND PRAYER. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">Then
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">3
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">and
said, ‘Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you in
faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in
your sight.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
it is right to seek Your face in time of trouble. It is right to weep
before You. </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">And
forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">6.
38:7-8 (38:4-22) HEZEKIAH: GOD’S ANSWER THROUGH ISAIAH. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“This
shall be the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do this
thing that he has promised: </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">8
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">Behold,
I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz
turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten
steps by which it had declined. </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Who
is a god like our Elohim? Jehovah Father, there is </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">none</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
like unto You, a God doing wonders! </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">And
bring us not into temptation!</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">7.
39:6 (39) HEZEKIAH’S FOLLY. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Behold,
the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which
your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to
Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the LORD.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">If
we sin in pride, You Father, in love chastise us as sons. Your are
our ruler! </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">But
deliver us from the evil </span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">one!</span></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><u><b>NOTE</b></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>:
37:35 (37:21-38) </b></span><b><span style="text-decoration:none">HEZEKIAH:
RECEIVES UNDERSTANDING FOR COMING DELIVERANCE. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“For
I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake
of my servant David.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">We
bless You Jehovah Father, for You are a </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Covenant</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
God Who remembers Your promises to our fathers. </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Faithfulness</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
and </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Covenant Love</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
becomes Your Name forever!</span></span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>Our
Psalm for the day: 16:6-7 (16) YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL. <font size="3">“The
lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a
beautiful inheritance. </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">7 </font><font size="3">I
bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart
instructs me.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Jehovah
Father, we will bless You at all times; Your praise shall </span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">continually</span></u><span style="font-weight:normal">
be in our mouths. You are bring</span><span style="font-weight:normal">ing</span><span style="font-weight:normal">
us into Glory! Your Spirit speaks to us in dreams of the night.
</span><b><i>Hallowed be your :name.</i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt">Title:
“Michtam of David.” This is usually understood to mean the Golden
Psalm. Ainsworth calls it “David’s jewel, or notable song,” The
Psalm of the Precious Secret. We are not left to human
interpreters for the key to this golden mystery, for, speaking by the
Holy Spirit, Peter tells us, “David speaks concerning Him” (Acts
2:25). The Apostle Paul, led by the same infallible inspiration,
quotes from this Psalm and testifies that David wrote of the man
through whom is preached unto us the forgiveness of sins (Acts
13:35-38). It has been the usual plan of commentators to apply the
Psalm both to David, to the saints, and to the Lord Jesus, but we
shall venture to believe that in it “Christ is all”; since in the
ninth and tenth verses, like the apostles on the mount, we can see
“no man but Jesus only.”</font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt">16:1
<i><b>“Preserve me,” </b></i>keep, or save me, or as Horseley
thinks, “guard me,” even as body-guards surround their monarch,
or as shepherds protect their flocks. One of the great names of God
is “the Preserver of men” (Job 7:20), and this gracious office
the Father exercised toward our Mediator and Representative. It has
been promised to the Lord Jesus in express words, that He should be
preserved (Isaiah 49:7-8).</font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt">16:2
<i><b>O my soul, you have said unto the Lord, You are my Lord</b></i>.
In His inmost heart, the Lord Jesus bowed Himself to do service to
His heavenly Father, and before the throne of Jehovah His soul vowed
allegiance to the Lord for our sakes. <i><b>My goodness extends
not to You</b></i>. Although the life-work and death agony of the
Son did reflect unparalleled luster upon every attribute of God, yet
the Most Blessed and Infinitely Happy God stood in no need of the
obedience and death of His Son; it was for our sakes that the work of
redemption was undertaken and not because of any lack or want on the
part of the Most High. How modestly does the Savior here estimate His
own goodness</font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
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<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt">16:4
Sin and the Savior have no communion. He came to destroy, not to
patronize or be allied with the works of the devil. Hence He refused
the testimony of unclean spirits as to His Divinity, for in nothing
would He have fellowship with darkness. We should be careful above
measure not to connect ourselves in the remotest degree with
falsehood in religion. <i><b>Their drink offerings of blood will
I not offer. </b></i>The old proverb says, “It is not safe to eat
at the devil’s mess, though the spoon be ever so long.” The
mere mentioning of ill names, it were well to avoid -<i> </i><i><b>nor
take up their names into my lips. </b></i><i> </i>If we allow poison
upon the lip, it may ere long penetrate to the inwards, and it is
well to keep out of the mouth that which we would shut out from the
heart. If the church would enjoy union with Christ, she must break
all bonds of impiety and keep herself pure from all the pollutions of
carnal will-worship, which now pollute the service of God.</font></font></p>
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<br>
</p>
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<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt">16:6
<i><b>The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yes, I have a
goodly heritage.</b></i> Jesus found the way of obedience to lead
into “pleasant places.” Notwithstanding all the sorrows which
marred his countenance, He exclaimed, “Lo, I come; in the volume of
the book it is written of Me, I delight to do Your will, O my God:
yes, Your law is within My heart.” It may seems strange, but while
no other man was ever so thoroughly acquainted with grief, it is our
belief that no other man ever experienced so much joy and delight in
service, for no other served so faithfully and with such great
results in view as His recompense of reward. (Taken from “The
Treasury of David” by C. H. Spurgeon, abridged by David Otis
Fuller)</font></font></p>
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