Week 135, Day 4: Order on order
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 28:1-29
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
The condition in Judah had become very dire. The corruption had gotten to the point that even the priests and prophets were drunkards (vs. 7). They were consumed by their drunkenness. And yet they still wouldn’t admit their condition. Instead they viewed the commands of God with contempt. The statement “order on order, line on line” reflects how they viewed God’s instructions as constant and unrelenting. I picture this as someone saying they don’t want to hear instruction any longer because all they here is someone trying to tell them what to do. God had been trying to instruct them about how to have rest and repose but they refused to listen. This seems to be the case with many who are so far into sin. They are steeped in their actions and drowning in the misery that results, and yet they still don’t want to hear from anyone how they can escape. Instead they stiffen their neck and become indignant towards the message. Sometimes it takes a complete breaking of someone’s will before they will heed instruction. And so Jerusalem will be punished, stumble backward, be broken, snared and taken captive (vs. 13).
But there is a glimmer of hope for God will lay a costly cornerstone in Zion, vs 16. Again Isaiah gives a message projecting out to the time when God will bring back a chosen people to Himself through the Messiah.
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Week 135, Day 3: No Compassion
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 27:1-13
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
The tricky part of this passage is trying to figure out exactly when “in that day” is referring to. God speaks of pulverizing the altar stones into chalk. He would also make the idols to be torn down. Such a purging was accomplished through the destruction brought by Assyria on Israel and the subsequent banishment to captivity. The remnant that returned did not seek out the idols as they had done before. In verse 12 God speaks of threshing throughout Egypt and the Euphrates in which He would gather up all of the sons of Israel. After this gathering they would come to the holy mountain at Jerusalem and worship the Lord. Such language leads me to think more of an ultimate fulfillment of God gathering His people from all nations through Jesus. This gathering would not be from only physical descendants of Jews but would include all those who became part of His people. This passage represents well the difficulties that come with fully understanding all of the intricacies involved in some prophecies.
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Week 135, Day 2: Smooth Paths
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 26:1-21
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
The judgment of God on the wicked will inspire those who are righteous. When God brings low the mighty who oppress and act wickedly it will give hope to those who are faithful and true to His commands. Verse 7 speaks of the way of the righteous as smooth and how God makes the path of the righteous level. I do not take this in any way to be indicating that the life of a righteous person is easy going or without problems. This statement is followed by Isaiah speaking of waiting eagerly for God’s judgment upon the wicked. Seeing the wicked at times prosper and thrive in their evil is sometimes disheartening. But a righteous person is set and determined to keep their course and follow God. I couple their path being smooth and level with God’s care and providence as well as with the concept that by following God’s commands we will be able to avoid and overcome the dangers this life brings. Jesus said in Matt 11:29-30 that His yoke is easy and light. With our view set on eternity the weight of this life becomes lightened and God’s promises sustain us through any trials. The writter of Proverbs also said in 16:3 that if we commit our ways to the Lord our plans will be established. Most people are tossed around in this life by uncertainty and anxiety. A Christian can trust in God to guide them and provide instruction through His written word. There is a sense in the text of Isaiah that God will remove the wicked from the path of the righteous, but such will happen in His time. We should pray that God help establish our ways and also to “keep us from evil”. He is our everlasting Rock, vs 4.
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Week 135, Day 1: Faithful words
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 25:1-12
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Isaiah speaks of plans formed by God long ago with “perfect faithfulness”. God knew what needed to happen to accomplish good to His people. This is one of those critical points for us to get as God’s children. No matter how dark the times may seem, God is in control and He has the wellfare of His people in mind. We do not need to fear. God works plans so that the srong poeple glorify Him and the cities of ruthless nations will revere Him. I find these references so impressive to think about. Although we do not have revelation today that tells us when and how God is causing something to happen we can be reassured that God still looks down on the affairs of man and has a hand in the workings going on in nations. All of these thoughts should cause us to rejoice in the salvation that God has provided for us and to have constant joy at the thought of the faithfulness and care of Jehovah God.
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Week 134, Day 5: All are punished
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 24:1-23
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
The earth is polluted by its inhabitants (vs. 5). Whenever you look at how corrupt man is and what all he has gotten into it is impressive to think of the level of corruption. Isaiah foretold of a time when men would be punished for this corruption. I believe this was fulfilled sometime near when Tyre and the other nations spoken against were punished because he also mentions in verse 6 that few men would be left after this destruction. Thus I do not believe it to be speaking of the final judgment nor the final destruction of this earth. But it does bring you to start thinking about such a day. A day when all rejoicing and celebrating will end because man will be judged for his sin. May we ever strive to be ready for that day so that we are not caught unprepared and ready to meet the Father.
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Week 134, Day 4: Tyre’s downfall
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 23:1-18
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Tyre is another example of a place where God punished them because there was a standard, even for the Gentiles. Tyre was a port city that was famous for its trading. Its people had colonized much of the mediteranean region, especially in northern Africa. The bounty of goods that came from these colonies made Tyre rich and very important to the area as a hub for trading. But these riches also made them proud. God punished them for their pride and made them a desolation. It is so easy for man to be overcome by his money. Once you have some then you begin to trust in it and rely on it. it takes an exceptional people to remain true and faithful to God even during the times of wealthiness.
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Week 134, Day 3: Judah is defenseless
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 22:1-25
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Judah was going to have their defenses removed. The breaches in the walls of Jerusalem were going to be many. The attitude would become let us eat and drink for tomorrow we may die. And God describes their condition as such that they have hewn a tomb for themselves. Jerusalem had become their grave. Because of their wickedness God would bring them down. Even though they had chariots and warriors it would not matter. Any nation that is full of wickedness has a bleak outlook for God will bring them low.
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Week 134, Day 2: The Medes are coming!
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 21:1-17
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
We have a reference here to Media laying seige (vs. 2). While Assyria is having dominance and power, God is projecting out into the future what will be. And this again is not just who will replace Assyria but who will replace the replacement for Assyria. Babylon was controlled by the Chaldeans when they defeated Assyria. Then the Medes and the Persians took control of the Babylonian empire. With the volitility of the world and seeing how wrong people get predictions about what is going to happen next, it is so impressive to see how certain and true God’s predictions are. This should give us firm reliance on His words.
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Week 134, Day 1: Barefoot & Naked
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 20:1-6
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Chapter 20 gives a glimpse into a side of prophecy that has always baffled me at times. Isaiah was told to go barefoot and naked for three years as a part of the message being delivered to Egypt and Cush and those who relied upon them for their deliverance. Can you imagine being called upon to do something like that and for three years? We would think that someone had lost their mind if they did something like that and yet God commanded for Isaiah to do so. That is so impressive to me.
Another aspect to consider regarding this is how God was not concerned about the social acceptance of His messenger. God commanded this to convey the message that needed to be given, not to ensure that everyone liked and accepted Isaiah. I think too many religious people today are worried about what men or our society think about them. We should be more concerned about the message that we’ve been given to deliver.
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Week 133, Day 5: All Will Submit
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 19:1-24
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
The next nation slated for judgment and God’s correction is Egypt. This chapter however shows a different picture than we saw with some of the other nations. Instead of everyone being wiped out and the nation no longer existing, God speaks of them as the Egyptians being brought to the point where they will even worship, sacrifice and return to the Lord (vs. 21-22). He also talks about “in that day” Egypt would be “My people” (vs 24-25). I think that God has prophecied through Isaiah about the immediate judgement that would come upon Egypt to punish them for idolatry and also the future inclusion of Egypt among the gentiles who would become part of His people. I think the concept of Egypt among the Gentiles who would come to be God’s people through the Messiah is also reflected in the comment inn verse 23 of a highway that will run from Egypt to Assyria so that they may worship together. Through Christ the Gentile nations were brought together under one king and now worship the Lord together.
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