Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
(Is 53:12 NIV)
Discover a celebration of Christian creativity on Word-Filled-Wednesdays at The Internet Cafe. Also, you'll enjoy getting to know the bloggers who participate in Wordful Wednesday, A Beautiful Mess' Wordless Wednesday, School in the Kitchen's Wordless Wednesday, 5MFM's Wordless Wednesday, Live & Love... Out Loud's Wordless Wednesday.Reflection: Isaiah & Bible Study Fellowship
Warm jackets, jumping into big piles of leaves, shiney brown chestnuts, and new school supplies all come to mind when I think of autumn. Funny how so many new activities begin, just as the current year is "dying." The Jewish civil calendar starts in September, and the faithful just celebrated Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah). That makes much more sense!
This week, I'm also thinking about my women's Bible study with BSF International. We'll be studying Isaiah this year, and I'm really excited to go deep into the book some scholars have called the "Romans of the Old Testament." On Thurday morning, we'll be having our very first session.
Listen to this amazing overview:
"The Book of Isaiah, one of the most important and best-loved books in the Bible, is sometimes called the Gospel of Isaiah because of the good news that characterizes its message. Indeed, no other Old Testament book contains as many references to the Messiah as does the Book of Isaiah. Its sixty-six chapters contain crucial passages that allude to Christ's incarnation, earthly ministry and atoning death and glorious world-wide rule. ...
Isaiah also has been called the Romans of the Old Testament because like the Book of Romans, it sets forth God's case against sinners, unveils the wretchedness of the human heart, and reveals the way of salvation for Israel and the world. Under the hammer blows of Isaiah's message, God calls sinners to repentance and graciously promises forgiveness. It is no accident that in Romans Paul quoted Isaiah seventeen times more than any other New Testament author. And, like Romans, Isaiah is a profoundly theological book that deals with a number of vital doctrines."—Herbert Wolf
Related: In the Spotlight: A. Wetherell Johnson (BSF Founder)
Photos: BeccaG & Dark Matter (Flickr)
Coming Soon—How The Shack Seduced Evangelicals
Have you ever participated in BSF classes?Your thoughts?
18 Comments:
Love the color and detail in those leaves.....Autumn Blessings as we step into Spring and walk towards the hot weather....a long walk for us until Autumn. Make sure you plant your bulbs now so that your Spring can be as joyous as mine has been this year.
I got a number of mine on line and also got them when the prices were reduced later in the season.. Now is the time of joyous reaping.
I love the leaves also... the colours, the shapes, everything.
I had never heard Isaiah called the Old Romans, that is so interesting! I love the book of Isaiah and will look at it in a new light, having discovered what you quoted. I enjoyed your WFW! Bless you and yours...
Oh, how I loved BSF when we were in Alabama. I tried to continue when I moved to the UK but the nearest class was 90 minutes by train at o'dark-thirty (actually 3 trains) and I was pregnant. It didn't work out. Now the nearest class is London and that is too far to travel each week as well.
Enjoy your study of Isaiah!
Went to my FIRST BSF of the year yesterday...Mine are on Tuesdays...and it was GREAT...and I was reminded of all the reasons I LOVE IT. I could do a commercial. HA!
I love fall leaves! Those are amazing shots! :)
WW: Why I Like Kids
What INCREDIBLE images! Those leaves and the detail is amazing!
Thanks for joining us today!
peace!
lori
Fantastic photos...fall is my favorite season. I've never attended a BSF study, sounds very interesting. Blessings to you today!
Great photos! By the way, does the title Chrysalis Cafe have anything to do with the Emmaus and Chrysalis Christian retreats? Just curious.
Thanks for stopping by and linking up. Have a great day.
Kristi, Live and Love...Out Loud
@TweetingMama
Isaiah feeds my soul (just like the colors of those gorgeous leaves). There are just passages that are music to me. Love it!
I participated once in a CBS -- Community Bible Study -- a women's version. Is that the same thing? Although I enjoyed it and gleaned from it, I really prefer Beth Moore-type studies. I think the ones I've participated in have been more intimate in nature.
The leaves are just beautiful!!! What a creative God we serve!
Never been in BSF, my sister-in-law was a leader in it for years!
Sounds like an awesome study! I love Isaiah...it is one of the most marked up books in my Bible.
Can't wait to hear your take on "The Shack"
Love those leaf shots. Can't wait til we have more to capture here. Happy WW!
love the leaves and the color detail!! I just love autumn....our days are finally getting a little chillier here in NYS!
I've never heard of BSF classes so googled it! No, we don't seem to have those in our area, or if we do, I don't know of them.
ENJOY the study of the book of Isaiah...that is one of my very fave OT books!! The small group of women I am going to be leading/teaching begins one week from tomorrow...I would love your prayers that our first nite will go smoothly! Blessings to you.....
For those of you who left email addresses in your comments, a personal email is on the way...
Ozjane: I just love the fact that we experience opposite seasons. My husband and I chat about your garden blooming even while we watch our decidious leaves turning.
Now I have to be honest and mention that we have A LOT of evergreen coniferous here in the PNW, and it's sometimes too much green for the eyes! I love the fall for that reason.
Thanks for reminding me to plant bulbs for spring!
Bobbi: Yes, do a commercial on your blog. Can't wait until my class tomorrow!
Stacy: Nice to meet you!
I'm so glad you stopped by Heart Choices today. Yes, I'm a BSF'er. I completed all seven years of the studies and then began again. I had to leave for the last few years but came back this year for Isaiah.
We had our first class on Monday night and I know I'm going to love it. The notes are so good.
As you read in my last post, I had the privilege of visiting BSF headquarters in San Antonio. It is beautiful and the grounds are huge. Everything is done so well. The people are so friendly and inviting. I even got to go to church nearby with my friend and sat next to and had communion with Jane, one of the few paid staff.
We must share our thoughts again as we continue in the study this year.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Very awesome.
Oh My Word BSF is doing Isaiah!!!! I just may need to start doing it again!!! I love BSF but haven't done it since Bekah was a baby! Oh I may have to change my mind about The Beloved Disciple and try to get into a study!!!
Oh and I love Fall! I love the beauty in death that we see! I love the colors, smells, and feel of Fall!
Your leaves are gorgeous! It's kind of funny - My new Year is never Jan 1 - it's always when God puts a message on my heart about it being "the year of . . .refreshing" or "finding joy in the moment" etc. Autumn is my very favorite season down to my toes! Combined with Isaiah - I always avoided Isaiah in my youth as a stodgy old book - but it has become one of the most powerful books in my heart since my mid-30s. I guess I grew up enough and was hungry enough to be ready for his message:)
And The Shack? I can't wait to hear what you have to say. I wanted to read it so my aunt and I could talk about the Holy Spirit but I couldn't get past the first chapter:)
Blue Cotton Memory: I'm with you... I celebrate the New Year with the new eras in my life... like being an empty nester for example. Yes, autumn is wonderful!
Good for you for being so familiar with Isaiah. I can't wait to get into my study. The poetry (oracles) is outstanding.
Blessings, e-Mom ღ
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