Isaiah 20
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
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Isaiah 19
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
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Isaiah 18
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.
Isaiah 16
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
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Isaiah 15
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,
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Isaiah 14
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.
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Isaiah 13
Scripture
Isaiah 13:6
Wail, for the day of the Lord is near;
it will come like destruction from the Almighty.
Observation – What does it say?
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Isaiah 12
Scripture
Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.”
Observation – What does it say?
Following the prophecy of Jesus’ coming and the age of peace to come, Isaiah prophesies a declaration that God’s people will make in that day. This declaration reveals much about what the condition of their hearts will be and the nature of their relationship with God in the time to come. In this declaration, the people of God reveal some amazing things about their past, God’s faithfulness, and who God is to them.
Understanding – What does it mean?
Rather than just stating that the Lord is my strength and my defense, what struck me in this verse is the additional clarification, the Lord himself.
The Lord has such great concern and love for his people that he himself strengthens and defends them.
God doesn’t just send messengers, commanding angels to do the protecting and ordering other human beings to care for and strengthen each other so he can concern himself with something he deems more important. He commands the angels and other human beings, not to replace him as the strengthener and defender of men but rather to partner with him in what he is already doing. It is the Lord himself who is already intimately involved in the affairs of his people. It’s the Lord himself who strengthens and defends his people. The Lord doesn’t just grant us salvation, he himself is our salvation and he himself came and endured the cross. It is impossible to reason that God is distant or isn’t concerned with us or doesn’t love us when you consider the ways he has been, and currently is, intimately involved in our lives.
Life Application
Worship God for his personal and intimate involvement in my life!
God, who am I that the creator of the galaxies would concern himself with me and my needs? Your love for your people is beyond comprehension. With all the things you could give yourself to, you choose to give yourself to a people who least deserve it. Thank you for being the one to strengthen me, the one to defend me, the one to save me, the one to guide me and the one to provide for my every need. I’m so grateful! Help me to show it by the way I live, in my love for you and for others. Amen.
Isaiah 11
Scripture
Isaiah 11:9
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
Observation – What does it say?
Continuing from the previous chapter, Isaiah prophesies about the coming of the Messiah, from his first coming to his second. He speaks about a time when there will be complete peace between all things, men and God, men and each other, men and the creatures of the earth. And he gives reason for this unprecedented level of peace in verse 9, saying no harm or destruction will take place for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
Understanding – What does it mean?
Knowledge of God is the key to peace.
We become what we behold. The more we understand and experience the God of love, the more we will be changed into his same image. In that day, the earth will be as full of the knowledge of God as the oceans are filled with water. Imagining the vastness of the ocean and the immeasurable amount of water necessary to fill it is mind boggling. And even crazier is imagining the knowledge of God being just as vast and immeasurable. What we know of God, although we may think at times is a lot, is so minuscule! There is so much more knowledge of God we have yet to get acquainted with!
But, by looking at the life of Jesus and the gospel, we catch an amazing glimpse of the God we serve. As Pastor Gary shared yesterday, it benefits us tremendously to meditate on all the ways God has blessed us. And, not only how he has blessed us, but what that reveals about his character. As we come to better understand this God of love, we will find ourselves more at peace internally as well as with each other.
Life Application
Ask God to fill us with the knowledge of himself.
Meditate on what God has done, and what that reveals about his character.
God, in a world filled with violence, discord, jealousy, and division, we recognize our desperation to catch a glimpse of who you are. We look forward to the day when the earth is filled with the knowledge of God and we will live in perfect peace. But as we wait for that day, please reveal more of yourself to us. And, may we your church meditate on your word, on the gospel, on the life of Jesus, and come to a greater knowledge of you. Fill our minds with thoughts of you, and our hearts with your peace. Amen.
Isaiah 10
Scripture
Isaiah 10:12b-13a
“I will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes. 13 For he says:
“‘By the strength of my hand I have done this,
and by my wisdom, because I have understanding.
Observation – What does it say?
God utters a prophetic word of destruction against the king of Assyria. And the reason for the coming destruction and punishment is the king’s pride. The king had accomplished much and had grown in power, but rather than giving glory to God he took all the credit for himself.
Understanding – What does it mean?
God refuses to share his glory and desires that all men give credit where credit is due.
I’m not sure if anyone else has seen them, but I’ve come across some lumberjack competitions on ESPN where guys will compete in various timed events, cutting logs with chain saws, others with hand saws, and others with axes. When they crown the winner, they don’t put the chain saw or hand saw or ax on the podium. They don’t present the tools awards or trophies. Rather, all the credit and awards go the man who used them.
Verse 15 likens the king to an ax. Although the ax accomplished much, it was only due to the power and wisdom of the one swinging it. The king, like the ax, was merely a tool in God’s hand and powerless to accomplish anything without him. And no human being is different. Each is only able to accomplish what God, by his grace, allows.
Life Application
Give God all the glory! He deserves it!
When I have shared my testimony with some people, they try to give me the credit and say something like, “Wow, you must have just finally decided that you wanted to change,” or “That’s great you worked so hard and improved your life,” or “Good for you, you were determined and broke free of your addictions.” But the truth is that any desire to change, any strength to work hard and any determination to be different all came from God to begin with. God deserves all the glory for anything good that’s come from my life.
God, thank you for what you’ve done in my life. I humble myself before you and don’t want to entertain the thought for one second that I have accomplished anything good on my own. I don’t want to fall into the same trap as the king of Assyria. I praise you and recognize that you have been the source of anything good in my life. Thank you! Amen.