Isaiah 44-55

Today's chapters give us one of the most vivid depictions of the stupidity of idolatry.  It is comical thinking about people bowing down to blocks of wood in hopes of salvation when the Creator of the universe is watching them. Unlike the lifeless, powerless idols, God shows his power by his ability to control history and predict the future.  In today's reading he tells the name of the king (Cyrus) who will defeat the Babylonians and send the Israelites home to rebuild the temple decades before any of those things will happen.  How humbling it is that a God of such power has such care for his own people.  Read it here.

Isaiah 41-42

In these verses we are introduced to the "suffering servant."  There will be several references in the coming days, climaxing with Isaiah 53- the most stunning portrayal of Jesus in the Old Testament.  In the early passages it is often the nation of Israel that is portrayed as the servant: they were supposed to be a light to the Gentiles but instead they are deaf and blind.  This is helping us to see how Jesus will, by himself, accomplish God's purposes for Israel by being a light to the nations.  Read it here.

Isaiah 40-41

This is Alex Tuckness.  I will be guest blogging for Jeff while he is in Zambia for the next week or two.  I feel like I hit the jackpot in terms of where I am getting to jump in because Isaiah 40-66 is one of my favorite sections of the Old Testament.  There is a major shift in tone.  Much of 1-39 was about God judgment on sin, his coming wrath.  Wrath against the nations, and punishment for God's own people as well.  Now the scene shifts and Isaiah is writing to the generation yet to come who will be living in exile and is writing them words of comfort.  Chapters 40-41 tell us something deep about where our comfort comes from: the greatness of God who is more powerful than idols, more powerful than the nations.  That is our comfort, that is our strength.  Read it here.

Isaiah 38-39

Hezekiah is a faithful king.  But he is human and therefore susceptible to weakness and ignorance.  You will see both displayed in today's reading.

Thank You, Jesus, for being a King who never falters or disappoints!

Read it here.

Isaiah 36-37

Sennacherib invades Judah!

The humble, dependent prayer of King Hezekiah (of Judah) is remarkable.  And what God does is even more so!

Read it here.

Isaiah 34-35

There are two paths laid out, side-by-side, in these two chapters.  The first is a dark and scary scene of certain judgment.  The second is a scene of redemption, gladness, and joy.

Read them both and rejoice if you are on the path of salvation!

Read it here.

Isaiah 32-33

The result of righteousness will be peace;
the effect of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.
That's what we need to hear when judgment rains down around us!

I love (33:22) because it reminds me that God alone has the "balance of power" that our civil government tried to re-create...

• For the Lord is our Judge, [Judicial branch]
• the Lord is our Lawgiver, [Legislative branch]
• the Lord is our King [Executive branch]

Read it here.

Isaiah 30-31

Do not prophecy the truth to us!  
Tell us flattering things.
Prophecy illusions.
(Isaiah 30:10)

Over 2,700 years ago these words were written.  People haven't changed very much in that time.  We'd rather believe the lie because the truth of God doesn't suit us.

But God offers hope and mercy.  He offers a day when, "your teacher will not hide Himself any longer. Your eyes will see your Teacher, and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command, 'This is the way.  Walk in it'."

That's where I want to live!

Read it here.

Isaiah 28-29

"...their worship consists of man-made rules learned by rote"

Even those who "follow" God seemed to be doing it distantly and robotically.  Is that what God desires form His people?

Yet He tells us what He wants... "The humble will have joy after joy in the Lord, and the poor people will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel"

That's what I want!

Read it here.

Isaiah 26-27

You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace,
for it is trusting in You.  (26:3)

That's what God wants.  Trust from His people.  And that's what gives us perfect peace.  We were made to walk in trust with our God.

And He's graciously willing to do whatever it takes to get us there.

Read it here.

Isaiah 24-25

The earth is polluted by its inhabitants,
for they have transgressed teachings,
overstepped decrees,
and broken the everlasting covenant.
Therefore a curse has consumed the earth,
and it inhabitants have become guilty...
(Isaiah 24:5)

Guilty.

But God triumphantly steps in with salvation for those who humbly wait on Him (25:9).

This is the eternal gospel!

Read it here.

Isaiah 22-23

On that day the Lord of Hosts called for weeping, 
for wailing, 
for shaven heads, 
and for the wearing of sackcloth.
But look: joy and gladness,
butchering of cattle,
slaughtering of sheep,
eating of meat,
and drinking of wine--
"Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"
(Isaiah 22:12-13)

There really are people who hear about God and even sense that a day of reckoning is coming.  Their response?  Live it up!  Party!

It seems nonsensical and shockingly short-sighted.  And it is.

Need evidence that this kind of thing is happening?  Go to the bars this Saturday night.  It will give you compassion for the ancient Judeans.

Read it here.

Isaiah 19-21

C.S. Lewis nailed it ... "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to a rouse a deaf world" (from The Problem of Pain).

As you read today, notice that God's punishment (and infliction of pain) is purposeful and redemptive.  The glory that follows the pain is extraordinary.  He is GOOD!

Read it here.

Isaiah 17-18

A lot of judgment going out from the Lord.  To a people deserving of it.  But I love the promise of what will happen in the nation of Cush (the modern day region of Sub-Saharan African countries such as Ethiopia)...

At that time a gift will be brought to Yahweh of Hosts from a people tall and smooth-skinned, a people feared far and near, a powerful nation with a strange language, whose land is divided by rivers--to Mount Zion, the place of the name of Yahweh of Hosts.

Won't that be awesome?!?

Read it here.

Isaiah 15-16

Remember reading about Ruth the Moabitess?  Unlike Ruth, her people are proud, haughty, and arrogant.  Here we see their downfall.

But again, there is hope...

When the oppressor has gone,
destruction has ended,
and marauders have vanished from the land.
Then in the tent of David
a throne will be established by faithful love.
A judge who seeks what is right
and is quick to execute justice
will sit on the throne forever.
(16:4-5)

Read it here.

Isaiah 13-14

Wail!  For the Day of the Lord is near;
It will come like destruction from the Almighty.

We can't forget this truth.  It makes His salvation and rescue all the more glorious!  And it makes our job as ambassadors for Christ all the more imperative.

The Lord of Hosts Himself has planned it;

therefore, who can stand in its way?

It is His hand that is outstretched,

so who can turn it back?

We serve a Mighty God!

Read it here.

Isaiah 11-12

This is a great section!  Wow...makes me want to see what God has in store for us.  The song of chapter 12 is amazing.  What does this song sound like in heaven?  Can't wait to find out!

Read it here.

Isaiah 9-10

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness.

And what is that great light?  "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us..."

And don't miss the powerful words against the arrogant halfway through ch. 10.  WAY too close to home!

Read it here.

Isaiah 7-8

The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.

Tucked into this awesome book are the prophecies that point us WAY beyond the days of Isaiah.  They point us to Jesus.  Keep looking for Him as you read!

Read it here.

Isaiah 5-6

One of the most poignant moments in the book occurs in today's reading - Isaiah stands before God Himself!

But we first must read chapter 5.  "What more could I have done for My vineyard than I did?" God asks.  Be sure and ask the Holy Spirit to make His Word like a mirror as you read.  Will God speak to you in these chapters?

Read it here.