Homiletics can serve as a very helpful technique in understanding a biblical passage without losing its context, and how that passage is relevant to our lives. When homiletics is done over consecutive chapters, one may see themes and logical progressions that may not be appreciated when studying a smaller passage.

This is an example of how one can conduct a study exegetically without the risk of eisegesis. While this article will present the resulting aim and application from the homiletics of each chapter, you can see the steps involved with homiletics which can be printed for your own personal study and lesson.

Today’s study will be in Isaiah 41 through 48. Isaiah, son of Amoz, was a prophet in Judah around 700 B.C. He wrote more than any other prophet, and was trying to bring the people of Judah back into a covenantal relationship with God. Mindful of the Mosaic Covenant and its obligations, he confronts his generation of their sins. Aware of the Abrahamic Covenant, he attempts to comfort future generations, who were going to be in exile, that God would restore them to their land and fulfill His promises of blessings.

One sin that Hebrews continually had problems with was idolatry. In the Old Testament, an idol was a physical image or representation that was considered divine and worthy of worship. The Bible records many examples of this (Gen 31:19-35; Ex 32:1-10; 2 Ki 18:4).

Based on the Ten Commandments (Ex 20-4-5), biblical religion is an "imageless" worship.

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul broadens the definition of idolatry when he equates "immorality" (fornication), "impurity" (perversion), "passion" (uncontrollable lust), "evil desire" (illicit cravings) and "greed" (covetousness) with idolatry (Col 3:5). Paul saw idolatry when human beings sought to satisfy the evil desires of their human nature instead of putting on the new self who was being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him (Col 3:10).

In this context, the prophet Isaiah denounces idolatry.

Charles Hammond's personal note: I was born and raised in Kirkland, WA, where my family attended a liberal, protestant church on a semi-regular basis. This church taught a social gospel filled with references about loving others, but never talked about sin or salvation. We were taught that if you lived an honest life trying to help others, you would go to Heaven. I was 19 and a Sophomore at Oregon State University when two young men asked if they could join me at my table in the campus cafeteria. They quickly brought the conversation around to God and asked me if I had a personal relationship with God. Although I believed there was a God, I knew I didn't have a personal relationship. They proceeded to tell me that as a sinner (I knew I had sinned!) my relationship with God was broken. They explained how Jesus Christ had shed his blood and died on the cross so that all who ask Him might be forgiven and receive eternal life. I knew immediately that I wanted this forgiveness and I wanted to know for sure that I had eternal life. I prayed with these men right in the middle of the cafeteria and asked Jesus Christ to come into my life, to forgive my sins, and to give me the gift of eternal life. Jesus became my Savior and Lord at that very moment! My life will never again be the same.

I encourage all who read this to ask themselves if they truly know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. You can receive Him just as I received Him by a simple prayer. If you have never done this, please take a moment and pray. Invite Jesus to enter your life, forgive your sins and give you the gift of eternal life. It will be the greatest decision you have ever made.

Charles Hammond was born and raised in Kirkland, WA. He attended Oregon State University and received a BS degree in Business Administration. He has worked in the Seattle area since 1971. Since 1987, he has been a financial advisor and a partner in Cornerstone Advisors, Inc. in Bellevue. He served as a Teaching Leader in Bible Study Fellowship for 10 years, and has been an Elder at Antioch Bible Church in Kirkland, WA since 1988. He also sings in the United Voices of Antioch choir and leads a men's Bible Study group in his home.