Scripture

Isaiah 23:9

The Lord Almighty planned it,
to bring down her pride in all her splendor
and to humble all who are renowned on the earth.

Observation – What does it say?

Tyre was a great a port city on the Phoenician coast famous for the people’s advanced technologies and skills in shipbuilding, sailing, and trading. In this prophecy against Tyre, God is warning them through Isaiah that their pride in their great city will soon come to an end.

Understanding – What does it mean?

That word pride in the original Hebrew text is the word pronounced ga’own. It is translated

Scripture

Isaiah 22:12

The Lord, the Lord Almighty,
called you on that day
to weep and to wail,
to tear out your hair and put on sackcloth.

Observation – What does it say?

The people of Judah and Jerusalem’s sins and poor decisions had led them to time where many people had died. Not because of war (verse 2) but because of famine and disease. But, the war was about to come as the surrounding valleys would soon be surrounded by the chariots of their enemies.

In all of this, God had called to his people to mourning. The things described in verse 12 were all things in Israelite culture that one would do when they were grieving over their sin and turning to God. But while God was calling for repentance, the people were calling for a party! Complacent about their struggle, they said to each other, “Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die.”

Understanding – What does it mean?

Before I came to Christ I made some bad decisions and had to go to court. When I went to my lawyer’s office for the first time, I sat down in in his fancy office in front of

Scripture

Isaiah 21:3

At this my body is racked with pain,
pangs seize me, like those of a woman in labor;
I am staggered by what I hear,
I am bewildered by what I see.

Observation – What does it say?

This pain Isaiah is describing was caused by the terrible vision God gave him of the destruction of Babylon. The vision is harsh and violent, but very real. The prophet describes this vision and the others like it as “burdens,” for it is hard to bear such bad news. This news is so bad and shocking, that it literally causes Isaiah physical pain. Yet, the fact that this prophecy is recorded in scripture is evidence that Isaiah was still faithful to accept and declare this prophecy.

Understanding – What does it mean?

When hearing horrible news, whether it is that a loved one was diagnosed with a serious illness, that your company is planning layoffs, or that God is going to punish the ungodly, the tendency of many is to

Scripture

Isaiah 20:5

Those who trusted in Cush and boasted in Egypt will be dismayed and put to shame.

Observation – What does it say?

As was common among many of the prophets, God asks Isaiah to embody the message he was to declare. He was to go about naked and barefoot for three years! And, we know he didn’t stay locked up in his house, but all the people saw him because it was to be a reference point for the people of what was going to happen to the lands of Egypt and Cush.

Egypt and Cush were both powerful countries, whom the smaller surrounding nations looked to for protection and security. But, the time would come when Egypt and Cush would be defeated by a greater power, Assyria. And Assyria would lead away the captives, like Isaiah, naked and barefoot.

Understanding – What does it mean?

We all want to have a sense of

Scripture

Isaiah 19:25

The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.”

Observation – What does it say?

Yet again, Isaiah utters another prophecy of coming destruction and God’s wrath against a nation. In Egypt’s case, we see the nation was filled with idols, prideful leaders and people who were consulting idols, spirits of the dead, mediums and spiritists… basically seeking anything or anyone but God.

God planned to bring judgment against their sin and strike them (vs 22), but with a goal in mind (vs 25)!

Understanding – What does it mean?

Imagine visiting an operating room at the hospital for a week. During the course of that week you are forced to watch

Scripture

Isaiah 18:4

This is what the Lord says to me:
“I will remain quiet and will look on from my dwelling place,
like shimmering heat in the sunshine,
like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.”

Observation – What does it say?

All over the earth people have enemies, people who threaten to harm them, groups of people who instill fear. In the midst of it all, God declares that he is watching quietly from where he dwells. The following verse says that before the harvest begins, at just the right time, God will act.

Understanding – What does it mean?

At times God watches “behind the scenes” quietly. He is in control, calm and at peace. Because, when the time is right, he knows where and how to act. Although nations rise and fall, God is constant. He is always good, always faithful, always working everything for the good of those who love him.

Often I find myself desiring God to act in certain situations. In my foolishness, I can think I know better than God and I know what God needs to do or should have done. But the truth is that he, in his infinite wisdom and love, knows exactly what to do. He is never indifferent. He is never turning his back on those who are hurting. Rather, he is completely aware, looking on at everything happening, and is working everything for the good of those who love him.

Life Application

Trust that God knows what he is doing.

God, even when I see tragedy in the world, rather than doubting you I choose to trust that you see things I don’t see, that your ways are higher than mine, that your wisdom is greater than mine, and that your love is infinitely deeper than mine. Amen.

Scripture

Isaiah 16:4b-5

The oppressor will come to an end,
and destruction will cease;
the aggressor will vanish from the land.
⁵ In love a throne will be established;
in faithfulness a man will sit on it—
one from the house of David—
one who in judging seeks justice
and speeds the cause of righteousness.

Observation – What does it say?

Moab’s refugees will cry out to God for help. And God speaks through Isaiah about a time that the oppressor of Moab will come to an end along with destruction. And, in it’s place a new throne will be established when a man, speaking of Jesus, will sit on the throne who will rule in faithfulness and who will be quick to decide and do what is right.

God’s answer to Moab’s plea for help is none other than the Messiah. One day Jesus will take the throne and rule with absolute justice.

Understanding – What does it mean?

Regardless of the period in history we live, whether 3 thousand years ago or today, there have always been wicked rulers in the earth. Whether it was evil kings then or terrorists today, wicked people in places of power and influence have been

Scripture

Isaiah 15:5

My heart cries out over Moab…

Observation – What does it say?

In the middle of this message about the destruction and mourning that will take place in Moab, the prophet Isaiah interjects a personal statement. As he is going from horrible detail to horrible detail about Moab’s devastation he interjects, as though he can’t hold in the emotion any longer,

Scripture

Isaiah 14:23

“…I will sweep her with the broom of destruction,”
declares the Lord Almighty.

Observation – What does it say?

Babylon was the greatest and most powerful kingdom at the time. This nation oppressed all the others and no one could withstand them. They were filled with pride at their greatness and forced harsh labor on God’s people.