Quote of the Moment: Messiah, Part IIa

I think one of the reasons I love Messiah even more this year is because I'm doing a Bible study on Isaiah. In the first 30 or so chapters, the vast majority of the book is about Isaiah's (and thus, God's) constant struggle with the rebellious children of Israel. They never listen to God, they turn their back on Him, and it's a time of great darkness with Isaiah wandering around, being a voice of warning in a spiritual wilderness. Throughout the dark moments when Israel is constantly sinning and doing the wrong thing, there are other moments of hope - God is sending them (and us) a Saviour (Is. 9:6). No matter what they've done or how much they rebel, God will wait for Israel to return to Him, and when they do, He will be gracious to them (Is. 30:18). It is nice knowing that no matter how many times I sin and do the wrong thing (which is often, let's face it), God is graciously waiting for me to return to Him in the same way (not that this is or should be a free license to go do whatever I want, either, but there is forgiveness and grace with God).

HANDEL'S MESSIAH

Part II: The Passion

1. The sacrifice, the scourging and agony on the cross
2. His death, His passing through hell, and His resurrection
3. His ascension
4. God discloses His identity in heaven

(22) Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus)
John 1:29 "Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world."

(23) He Was Despised (Alto Air)
Isaiah 53:3 "He was despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief..."
Isaiah 50:6 "[He] gave [His] back to the smiters, and [His] cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. [He] hid not [His] face from shame and spitting.

(24) Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs (Chorus)
Isaiah 53:4-5 "Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows...He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him."

(25) And With His Stripes We Are Healed (Chorus)
Isaiah 53:5b "...and with His stripes we are healed."

(26) All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray (Chorus)
Isaiah 53:6 "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

(27) All They That See Him Laugh Him to Scorn (Tenor or Soprano Recitative)
Psalm 22:7 "All they that see [Him] laugh [Him] to scorn: they shoot out their lips, they shake their heads, saying..."

(28) He Trusted in God (Chorus)
Psalm 22:8 (Matthew 27:43) "He trusted [in God], that He would deliver Him: let Him deliver Him, if He delight in Him."

(29) Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart (Tenor Recitative)
Psalm 69:20 "[Thy] rebuke hath broken [His] heart; [He is] full of heaviness. [He] looked for some to have pity [on Him], but there was none; neither found [He] any comfort to [Him]."

(30) Behold, and See If There Be Any Sorrow (Tenor Air)
Lamentations 1:12 "Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto [His] sorrow..."

(31) He Was Cut Off Out of the Land of the Living (Soprano Recitative)
Isaiah 53:8b "He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of [Thy] people was He stricken."

(32) But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul in Hell (Soprano Air)
Psalm 16:10 (Acts 2:27) "[But] Thou [didst] not leave [His] soul in hell; neither [didst] Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption."

(33) Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates (Chorus)
Psalm 24:7-10 "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory."

(34) Unto Which of the Angels Said He at Any Time (Tenor or Soprano Recitative)
Hebrews 1:5 (Psalm 2:7) "For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee?"

(35) Let All the Angels of God Worship Him (Chorus)
Hebrews 1:6b "Let all the angels of God worship Him."

(36) Thou Art Gone Up on High (Bass or Alto Air)
Psalm 68:18 (Ephesians 4:8) "Thou art gone up on high. Thou has led captivity captive, and received gifts for men; yea, even for Thine enemies, that the Lord God might dwell among them."