Breaking Free- Part 1 (warning-long post)

The other day someone asked me how I was dealing with my post-partum depression. I wasn't and am not quite ready to answer that question because I am still dealing with it. I can say that it is much better, that I no longer feel like I am the deepest darkest hole, but I still can't say that "it's gone", or "I've dealt with it" because I feel like there is residual sadness that is hanging around trying to overtake me at times.

This depression demon that is chasing me made me realize that I have a longing for a bible study that will help me study the Word of God. I have been going to a mom's group, but that group focused more on fellowship. I love this group for this fellowship, but was looking to add something deeper. I discovered a local bible study taught by someone I heard speak in college. I bought the workbook and have been going to the study after I put down the baby at night and the husband is there to watch him. I get there late, but it is incredibly good and I usually walk in right when the teacher begins her prayer. (This week I got there in time for worship and it was wonderful).

The study is about freedom and centers on the themes that are found in Isaiah. I am still formulating my thoughts and doing the homework to see how all this is going to lead to breaking down strongholds so I have decided to summarize each week's homework to help me clarify and learn.

Once a week I will review the last week's lesson and hopefully by the end God will have taught me how to finish breaking free of this depression that hangs over me. Feel free to pass over these posts as I am doing it more for my thought process than anything else. Since I am a week behind we'll start with the first week's lesson:

The first lesson goes through the four kings that reigned over Judah during Isaiah's ministry. These kings were Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.

2 Chron. 26 - King Uzziah was the first king that reigned during Isaiah's lifetime who walked with God. He became king when he was seventeen years old. When he became strong his heart became proud and he was unfaithful to the Lord his God by entering the temple to burn incense on the altar. When he was arguing with the priests beside the altar he became leprous and was a leper until his death. In the year of Uzziah's death Isaiah received his call from the Lord (Isaiah 6:1)

2 Chron. 27 / Isaiah 6:1 - King Jotham the son of Uzziah became king and did right in the sight of the Lord like his father, however he did not enter the temple of the Lord (I love this; if you were Uzziah's son would you have entered the temple?) Unfortunately, the people continued to act corruptly in part to the King's failure to remove the high places where the people worshiped pagan gods. (2 Kings 15:32-35)

2 Chron. 28 - King Ahaz reigned after his father and did not do right in the sight of the Lord. He made molten images, burned his sons in the fire, burned incense in the valleys, and sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. Azah did not cry out to God even when God told him to ask for a sign. Even though Azaz would not ask for a sign, God gave him a sign in Isaiah 7: 1-13. God then gives him a sign in vs 14-25 that includes the prophesy of the Immanuel.

2 Chron. 29-32 - Hezekiah was the fourth king. He was a king that did right in the sight of the Lord. He not only walked with the Lord, but he tore down the high places. Hezekiah was the king that when he was fatally ill and destined to die called upon God to save him and God gave him fifteen more years. During these fifteen years pride hit Hezekiah hard and he showed off all of his treasure to the King of Babylon. I find it interesting that Hezekiah did not give glory to his God who had blessed him with not only abundant treasure, but added years to his life (Isaiah 39) The Lord then tells Hezekiah that in return all that Hezekiah has stored up will be carried to Babylon in his son's time. Hezekiah (in my opinion, selfishly) responds that at least it won't be in his time.

The last day of the workbook study ties it all together. Isaiah chapters 1-35 tell about the rebellion of God's people and the threat of the neighboring Assyrians against both the Northern (Israel) and Southern Kingdoms (Judah). Chapters 36-39 tell how Hezekiah responded rightly to God and defeated the Assyrians, but also doomed the Southern Kingdom to captivity at the hands of Babylon. In Chapter 40-66 the comfort and freedom theme emerges. Here are the 3 points of the last day of study: 1. God hears the cries of the oppressed 2. God fulfills Isaiah 61:1-4 in Christ alone, and 3. Christ's ministry is a ministry of the heart. I could describe this more, but the post is really long.

This week helped me to understand the bigger picture of Isaiah. I had always tried to read Isaiah and figure out why this book was so important with all of its prophesies, but it was overwhelming and burdensome every time I would start on my own. It makes much more sense now that I know that the first part is (and this is simplified) about rebellion and captivity while the second is the comfort and freedom that ultimately is through Christ alone. Wow, that makes Isaiah seem so simple.

More to come...this is a ten week series.