Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

Image Source

Once again I do not know many believers that can not quote this scripture. Yet ask them it’s origins, where Paul is getting the reference for this bold statement and most will hem and haw trying to come up with an answer. 

First some context Paul in this section of chapter 2 (v,6-11) is speaking about Christ’s willingness to humble Himself for the sake of His elect. This sacrifice, His Lordship,  will eventually be acknowledged by everyone whether they desire to do so or not.

Now for the background we need to look at the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 45. The Israelites have been captive in Babylon for some time and God uses Cyrus to invade and set them free. Yet they are not really free because of their sin against their Holy God. Then God declares to them in verses 20-23 (AMP):

Assemble yourselves and come;
Come together, you survivors of the nations!
They are ignorant,
Who carry around their wooden idols [in religious processions or into battle]
And keep on praying to a god that cannot save them.

²¹ “Declare and present your defense of idols;
Indeed, let them consult together.
Who announced this [rise of Cyrus and his conquests] long before it happened?
Who declared it long ago?
Was it not I, the Lord?
And there is no other God besides Me,
A [consistently and uncompromisingly] just and righteous God and a Savior;
There is none except Me.

²²“Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth;
For I am God, and there is no other.

²³ “I have sworn [an oath] by Myself,
The word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness
And shall not return,
That to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear [allegiance].

God says come together and show me your reasons for disobedience (not following the Law like we have any real excuse v.20). Come bring with you the idols (you have carried (how much baggage do we have today that keep us from total surrender v.21) you had knowledge of me and denied it (v.21) If you turn away from these idols to me the one true God you will be saved (that message is still the same today some 2800 years later v.22) For the day is coming when every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear that I am Lord.