March 31 - Hezekiah - Isaiah 38:1-39:8
Before Sennacherib actually ended up outside Jerusalem's walls, Hezekiah fell ill and nearly died. Because he was relatively famous throughout the region (2 Chron. 32:23), when he regained his health, the king of Babylon sent envoys to him. Hezekiah showed them everything! He was very proud of his wealth. This happened before the invasion by Sennacherib.
Isaiah was certain that they came to see everything so that they could report back to their king on Hezekiah's wealth. Hezekiah was very close to making a deal with them to offer more protection against Assyria. His pride forced him to show off, but he retained his sense and did not bind a relationship with them. (Isaiah 39:1-8)
When Hezekiah was sick, the Lord told him to be prepared to die. But, he begged for more time and the Lord responded. Not only did he offer him 15 more years, but he promised Hezekiah that the Assyrians would not take Jerusalem (Isaiah 38:1-6)
With this, Hezekiah penned a Psalm (Isaiah 38:9-20). He learned to understand the preciousness of life (Isaiah 38:10-12), he learned how important prayer was (Isaiah 38:13-14) and he gained a greater understanding of his position in life ... he would walk humbly and learn to praise the Lord (Isaiah 38:15-20).
Hezekiah was given more time ... and he brought glory to the Lord with those additional years. His years on earth allowed Judah a time of peace. That peace would end when Babylon came in and took the Jews into exile. Hezekiah's temple was looted ... everything was taken. But, for now ... peace.
Tomorrow, we will leave Isaiah for a time and move to the New Testament. But, I will come back this summer and move through the rest of this book. In it we will then meet the suffering servant (Jesus). Warren Wiersbe calls the second portion of the book of Isaiah its 'new testament' portion. The grace of God is emphasized and there are many references to the Messiah ... Jesus Christ. Isaiah looks far into the future and sees the time of Babylonian captivity and the release of the Jews back into their homeland. We will finish this book and fall in love with Isaiah all over again!
March 30 - Sennacherib Threatens/Deliverance Foretold
Monday, March 30, 2009
Labels:
Isaiah 1-39
March 30 - Sennacherib Threatens / Deliverance Foretold - Isaiah 36:1-37:38
Isaiah 36-39 is a bit of an interlude in Isaiah's prophecy. This is the story of King Hezekiah and is found nearly in its entirety in 2 Kings 18-20.
King Hezekiah was a godly man, but he was still a man. He was afraid, he was frail, he was easily swayed by his human side. However, when Isaiah stood by him and reminded him that their God was the Lord Almighty, Hezekiah listened.
Sennacherib believed that the God of Israel was the same as the gods of the other countries that he had absorbed in his mad dash across the region.
He sent his commanders to the walls of Jerusalem. He knew that Hezekiah had met with the Egyptians to form an alliance and that the alliance would not hold against his immense army (Isaiah 36:6-10).
Did you notice his words in Isaiah 36:10? The commander had the audacity to claim that the Lord had sent Assyria to destroy Jerusalem. Famous last words? I do believe they will be!
The commander continued to try to fill the people of Jerusalem with fear, speaking words against Hezekiah. He tried to incite them, but they remained silent. (Isaiah 36:11-22)
Hezekiah was in complete panic. The Assyrian army had finally advanced to the gates of Jerusalem. He didn't know what else to do. He sent for Isaiah. We see that Hezekiah feels that it is soon to be over and there will simply be a surviving remnant ... not much more (Isaiah 37:1-4).
Isaiah hears from Hezekiah's priests and associates and encourages them to tell Hezekiah to not be afraid ... the Lord will take care of it. (Isaiah 37:5-7) But, Sennacherib, sends a message to Hezekiah asking him to remember the kings of all of the other kingdoms that had fallen to him - did their gods help them in any way? (Isaiah 37:8-13)
And here is where we find out what kind of man Hezekiah is. When he got that letter from Sennacherib, he went to the temple and spread it out before the Lord and he prayed. He prayed! Rather than counting on other gods or other human leaders, he fell on his knees before the Lord Almighty and he prayed. (Isaiah 37:14-20)
And because he prayed and acknowledged the power of the Lord, the Assyrians were now going to have to face the power of the Almighty God. No more would He allow them to insult Him. (Isaiah 37:21-27) I don't know about you, but the threat that is found in Isaiah 37:28-29 would absolutely terrify me.
It is one thing to know as a Christian that the Lord knows all of my ways, but as a King that has insulted and blasphemed the Lord, I would be running for my life. And after 185,000 men were killed in the Assyrian camp, he returned to Nineveh, where he stayed until his sons murdered him in the temple of his god. (Isaiah 37:36-38)
Hezekiah was promised years of hope and a remnant that would be strong in Jerusalem. He was promised that the Assyrians would not enter the city but that the Lord would defend it.
Why? Because he prayed. That's all it took. The Lord wanted nothing more than to care for His people, but they couldn't simply humble themselves before Him. Human pride destroyed so many ... humility saved the remnant.
Isaiah 36-39 is a bit of an interlude in Isaiah's prophecy. This is the story of King Hezekiah and is found nearly in its entirety in 2 Kings 18-20.
King Hezekiah was a godly man, but he was still a man. He was afraid, he was frail, he was easily swayed by his human side. However, when Isaiah stood by him and reminded him that their God was the Lord Almighty, Hezekiah listened.
Sennacherib believed that the God of Israel was the same as the gods of the other countries that he had absorbed in his mad dash across the region.
He sent his commanders to the walls of Jerusalem. He knew that Hezekiah had met with the Egyptians to form an alliance and that the alliance would not hold against his immense army (Isaiah 36:6-10).
Did you notice his words in Isaiah 36:10? The commander had the audacity to claim that the Lord had sent Assyria to destroy Jerusalem. Famous last words? I do believe they will be!
The commander continued to try to fill the people of Jerusalem with fear, speaking words against Hezekiah. He tried to incite them, but they remained silent. (Isaiah 36:11-22)
Hezekiah was in complete panic. The Assyrian army had finally advanced to the gates of Jerusalem. He didn't know what else to do. He sent for Isaiah. We see that Hezekiah feels that it is soon to be over and there will simply be a surviving remnant ... not much more (Isaiah 37:1-4).
Isaiah hears from Hezekiah's priests and associates and encourages them to tell Hezekiah to not be afraid ... the Lord will take care of it. (Isaiah 37:5-7) But, Sennacherib, sends a message to Hezekiah asking him to remember the kings of all of the other kingdoms that had fallen to him - did their gods help them in any way? (Isaiah 37:8-13)
And here is where we find out what kind of man Hezekiah is. When he got that letter from Sennacherib, he went to the temple and spread it out before the Lord and he prayed. He prayed! Rather than counting on other gods or other human leaders, he fell on his knees before the Lord Almighty and he prayed. (Isaiah 37:14-20)
And because he prayed and acknowledged the power of the Lord, the Assyrians were now going to have to face the power of the Almighty God. No more would He allow them to insult Him. (Isaiah 37:21-27) I don't know about you, but the threat that is found in Isaiah 37:28-29 would absolutely terrify me.
It is one thing to know as a Christian that the Lord knows all of my ways, but as a King that has insulted and blasphemed the Lord, I would be running for my life. And after 185,000 men were killed in the Assyrian camp, he returned to Nineveh, where he stayed until his sons murdered him in the temple of his god. (Isaiah 37:36-38)
Hezekiah was promised years of hope and a remnant that would be strong in Jerusalem. He was promised that the Assyrians would not enter the city but that the Lord would defend it.
Why? Because he prayed. That's all it took. The Lord wanted nothing more than to care for His people, but they couldn't simply humble themselves before Him. Human pride destroyed so many ... humility saved the remnant.
March 29 - Joy of the Redeemed
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Labels:
Isaiah 1-39
March 29 - Joy of the Redeemed - Isaiah 35:1-10
This chapter is filled with joy. I want to start with the last verses first today.
"The Way of Holiness." The redeemed and ransomed of the Lord will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them. (Isaiah 35:10)
We all know the Yellow Brick Road and I'm certain that we can bring up the picture in our minds of Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion arm in arm as they walk down the beautiful road together.
Now, think a little bit longer, but imagine this beautiful Way of Holiness leading to the City of God! You are dancing on this road with your friends and others who have come out of the worst parts of their lives. They have been redeemed from blackness and darkness. The joy and relief of being clean brings exuberance! There are no more fears ... Isaiah says that lions and ferocious beasts can't get on to this road, the unclean won't be on it, wicked fools will not be on the Way of Holiness. Sorrow and sighing will flee away ... You are on this road! (Isaiah 35:8-10)
The deserts and wilderness will bloom forth. The greatest glories of the land of Lebanon, Carmel and Sharon will be more than ever seen before. The Lord is coming! (Isaiah 35:1-2)
Isaiah reminds the people in Jerusalem to have faith and he reminds us to do the same. Care for those that have grown feeble, steady the weakened, encourage the frightened. These people that have remained in Jerusalem while the Assyrians destroyed Judah outside their walls were exhausted and weary from waiting. But, it was nearly over! (Isaiah 35:3-4)
When the Lord comes, everything will change! Blind and deaf, lame and dumb will be made whole. Streams will flow in the desert bringing life to once dead land ... and once dead hearts.
In our overabundance, we think that we have it all. We accept material things and the meeting of human desires as ways to fill our hearts and bring us hope. We don't even know what it means to desire relief from darkness and freedom from the ties that bind us here on earth. We can't imagine the extravagance of grace that God has prepared for us.
God calls us to throw off our fears and worries - release humanity's ties. We are called to be filled with Him and to walk with Him, absorbing all the goodness and light that He can pour into us. We are redeemed! The ransom has been paid.
Prepare the Way of the Lord! Prepare to walk the Way of Holiness! Make straight the highway for our Lord.
This chapter is filled with joy. I want to start with the last verses first today.
"The Way of Holiness." The redeemed and ransomed of the Lord will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them. (Isaiah 35:10)
We all know the Yellow Brick Road and I'm certain that we can bring up the picture in our minds of Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion arm in arm as they walk down the beautiful road together.
Now, think a little bit longer, but imagine this beautiful Way of Holiness leading to the City of God! You are dancing on this road with your friends and others who have come out of the worst parts of their lives. They have been redeemed from blackness and darkness. The joy and relief of being clean brings exuberance! There are no more fears ... Isaiah says that lions and ferocious beasts can't get on to this road, the unclean won't be on it, wicked fools will not be on the Way of Holiness. Sorrow and sighing will flee away ... You are on this road! (Isaiah 35:8-10)
The deserts and wilderness will bloom forth. The greatest glories of the land of Lebanon, Carmel and Sharon will be more than ever seen before. The Lord is coming! (Isaiah 35:1-2)
Isaiah reminds the people in Jerusalem to have faith and he reminds us to do the same. Care for those that have grown feeble, steady the weakened, encourage the frightened. These people that have remained in Jerusalem while the Assyrians destroyed Judah outside their walls were exhausted and weary from waiting. But, it was nearly over! (Isaiah 35:3-4)
When the Lord comes, everything will change! Blind and deaf, lame and dumb will be made whole. Streams will flow in the desert bringing life to once dead land ... and once dead hearts.
In our overabundance, we think that we have it all. We accept material things and the meeting of human desires as ways to fill our hearts and bring us hope. We don't even know what it means to desire relief from darkness and freedom from the ties that bind us here on earth. We can't imagine the extravagance of grace that God has prepared for us.
God calls us to throw off our fears and worries - release humanity's ties. We are called to be filled with Him and to walk with Him, absorbing all the goodness and light that He can pour into us. We are redeemed! The ransom has been paid.
Prepare the Way of the Lord! Prepare to walk the Way of Holiness! Make straight the highway for our Lord.
Judgment
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Labels:
Isaiah 1-39
March 28 - Judgment - Isaiah 34:1-17
I can not imagine being Isaiah. He was being told over and over by the Lord what terrible things were going to befall the children of Israel and they simply weren't listening. Now, if God's own children refused to listen to Him, I suspect it was difficult for anyone else to hear God speaking of their destruction.
When the Day of the Lord comes, it isn't going to be good ... for anyone. The Lord sees the death of the wicked as a sacrifice ... lambs, goats, oxen, calves, bulls ... as the blood of the sacrifices drenches the altar of the Lord in the Temple, so the sacrifice will drench the land. (Isaiah 34:1-7)
The picture that we see in Isaiah 8-10 is reminiscent of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18-19). Jesus tells us in Luke 17:28 that just before the end of the world, society will be much like the days of Lot.
Isaiah 34:11-15 describe the wilderness that will follow the Lord's vengeance being taken out on Edom - signifying the Gentile nations that refuse to come before Him. The birds of prey will be given everything they need and no man can take it from them (Isaiah 34:16-17)
This is a rough chapter. Isaiah foresees so much of the destruction that John also sees in the Revelation. The world is going to be a desolate place, stars in the heaven will be gone, the moon and the sun will be nearly destroyed. Every moment on the earth will be painful for those who remain. Can you imagine having the hand of God lifted from this earth so that it spins into oblivion?
The Day of the Lord is coming ... the warnings have been in place for millennia ... but no one listens.
I can not imagine being Isaiah. He was being told over and over by the Lord what terrible things were going to befall the children of Israel and they simply weren't listening. Now, if God's own children refused to listen to Him, I suspect it was difficult for anyone else to hear God speaking of their destruction.
When the Day of the Lord comes, it isn't going to be good ... for anyone. The Lord sees the death of the wicked as a sacrifice ... lambs, goats, oxen, calves, bulls ... as the blood of the sacrifices drenches the altar of the Lord in the Temple, so the sacrifice will drench the land. (Isaiah 34:1-7)
The picture that we see in Isaiah 8-10 is reminiscent of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18-19). Jesus tells us in Luke 17:28 that just before the end of the world, society will be much like the days of Lot.
Isaiah 34:11-15 describe the wilderness that will follow the Lord's vengeance being taken out on Edom - signifying the Gentile nations that refuse to come before Him. The birds of prey will be given everything they need and no man can take it from them (Isaiah 34:16-17)
This is a rough chapter. Isaiah foresees so much of the destruction that John also sees in the Revelation. The world is going to be a desolate place, stars in the heaven will be gone, the moon and the sun will be nearly destroyed. Every moment on the earth will be painful for those who remain. Can you imagine having the hand of God lifted from this earth so that it spins into oblivion?
The Day of the Lord is coming ... the warnings have been in place for millennia ... but no one listens.
March 27 - Final Woe
Friday, March 27, 2009
Labels:
Isaiah 1-39
March 27 - Final Woe - Isaiah 33:1-24
This chapter begins with words spoken against Sennacherib, the king of the Assyrians. Hezekiah had tried to buy him off (2 Kings 18:13-15), but he invaded Judah anyway. (I think Isaiah had been prophecying this, but no one seemed to listen!)
The people of Jerusalem now see the destruction that lies outside their walls. It has finally occurred to them that they are in trouble! The Lord promised, though that Sennacherib would be defeated. The Assyrians had torn through countries like locusts, but the Lord promised that He would redeem Judah. (Isaiah 33:2-4)
Hezekiah had paid Sennacherib off using the temple treasury. What was the Lord's response? Forgiveness and a reminder that the fear of the Lord is the key to the treasure - which is salvation and wisdom and knowledge. (Isaiah 33:5-6)
The men in Jerusalem were upset because of what was happening outside the city walls, envoys returned frustrated from failed treaties, no one was safe on the highways ... everything was coming apart around them. But, the Lord was nearly finished with Assyria. All of their plans would be nothing more than chaff, straw ... easily consumed. (Isaiah 33:7-12)
Then came the day when the Lord destroyed the Assyrian army - 185,000 soldiers in one day! Consuming fire? You bet! But that event scared the people inside Jerusalem as much as it did the Assyrians ... they had forgotten the power of the Lord. (Isaiah 33:13-14)
What kind of person can live with the consuming fire ... who will the Lord accept? The description of that person is found here. (Isaiah 33:15) He will dwell on the heights and find refuge and his needs will be met. He will see the Lord and the new Jerusalem while the memories of those that he knew in the past ... the thieves and the arrogant ... will be nothing more than passing thoughts. (Isaiah 33:16-19)
Isaiah ends this passage with another look into the future when the Messiah reigns and we live in that New Jerusalem with us ... the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us. (Isaiah 33:20-24)
This chapter begins with words spoken against Sennacherib, the king of the Assyrians. Hezekiah had tried to buy him off (2 Kings 18:13-15), but he invaded Judah anyway. (I think Isaiah had been prophecying this, but no one seemed to listen!)
The people of Jerusalem now see the destruction that lies outside their walls. It has finally occurred to them that they are in trouble! The Lord promised, though that Sennacherib would be defeated. The Assyrians had torn through countries like locusts, but the Lord promised that He would redeem Judah. (Isaiah 33:2-4)
Hezekiah had paid Sennacherib off using the temple treasury. What was the Lord's response? Forgiveness and a reminder that the fear of the Lord is the key to the treasure - which is salvation and wisdom and knowledge. (Isaiah 33:5-6)
The men in Jerusalem were upset because of what was happening outside the city walls, envoys returned frustrated from failed treaties, no one was safe on the highways ... everything was coming apart around them. But, the Lord was nearly finished with Assyria. All of their plans would be nothing more than chaff, straw ... easily consumed. (Isaiah 33:7-12)
Then came the day when the Lord destroyed the Assyrian army - 185,000 soldiers in one day! Consuming fire? You bet! But that event scared the people inside Jerusalem as much as it did the Assyrians ... they had forgotten the power of the Lord. (Isaiah 33:13-14)
What kind of person can live with the consuming fire ... who will the Lord accept? The description of that person is found here. (Isaiah 33:15) He will dwell on the heights and find refuge and his needs will be met. He will see the Lord and the new Jerusalem while the memories of those that he knew in the past ... the thieves and the arrogant ... will be nothing more than passing thoughts. (Isaiah 33:16-19)
Isaiah ends this passage with another look into the future when the Messiah reigns and we live in that New Jerusalem with us ... the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us. (Isaiah 33:20-24)
March 26 - Righteousness & Peace
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Labels:
Isaiah 1-39
March 26 - Righteousness & Peace - Isaiah 32:1-20
Do you ever get tired of watching people who cheat, lie, and make terrible decisions have terrific lives? Isaiah tells us that the day will come when scoundrels will no longer be highly respected.
Righteousness and peace will one day prevail. It's not here yet and there will be a lot of strife before it gets here. But, the king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. The day will come! (Isaiah 32:1-8)
The women in this passage may very well be the same that Isaiah spoke of in Isaiah 3:16-19. They have been complacent and felt secure hiding in Jerusalem. But, the seige that Sennacherib and the Assyrians are bringing against the city will drain all of the resources. While they worry about the fields outside the city, they will end up selling off all of their beautiful clothing and accessorie. They will be taken down to nothing. (Isaiah 32:9-14)
Isaiah's prophecy shows that the world is going to continue to spin into chaos until God decides to set things aright. The day of the Lord will come!
The Spirit will be poured upon us from on high ...
Other prophets spoke these same words! Joel said, "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke." (Joel 2:28-29)
From Zechariah 12:10, "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirita of grace and supplication. They will look onb me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son."
And finally, from Ezekiel 36:26-27, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."
When the Spirit of the Lord pours out over the earth, everything will be transformed! Righteousness and peace will prevail.
"The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." (Isaiah 32:17-18)
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in Goda; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)
A peaceful dwelling place, prepared for us by the Lamb of God.
Do you ever get tired of watching people who cheat, lie, and make terrible decisions have terrific lives? Isaiah tells us that the day will come when scoundrels will no longer be highly respected.
Righteousness and peace will one day prevail. It's not here yet and there will be a lot of strife before it gets here. But, the king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. The day will come! (Isaiah 32:1-8)
The women in this passage may very well be the same that Isaiah spoke of in Isaiah 3:16-19. They have been complacent and felt secure hiding in Jerusalem. But, the seige that Sennacherib and the Assyrians are bringing against the city will drain all of the resources. While they worry about the fields outside the city, they will end up selling off all of their beautiful clothing and accessorie. They will be taken down to nothing. (Isaiah 32:9-14)
Isaiah's prophecy shows that the world is going to continue to spin into chaos until God decides to set things aright. The day of the Lord will come!
The Spirit will be poured upon us from on high ...
Other prophets spoke these same words! Joel said, "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke." (Joel 2:28-29)
From Zechariah 12:10, "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirita of grace and supplication. They will look onb me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son."
And finally, from Ezekiel 36:26-27, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."
When the Spirit of the Lord pours out over the earth, everything will be transformed! Righteousness and peace will prevail.
"The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest." (Isaiah 32:17-18)
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in Goda; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)
A peaceful dwelling place, prepared for us by the Lamb of God.
April Blogging
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
There is less than a week left in the Isaiah study. We're going to stop at Isaiah 39 this month. Isaiah 40-66 is practically a different book, so this is a good place to break. I'm really weary. This study has taxed my brain more than any other so far. I've learned a lot, but I'll be thankful to leave the prophecies of Isaiah for awhile.
April's study will be on the book of Mark. The timing won't be perfect because Easter will come in the middle of the month rather than at the end of the month when I'll be writing about it, but c'est la vie! We'll just have to face the crucifixion and resurrection twice this next month.
I can't wait to bring May's study to you. It's going to be great! But, I'm not going to tell you about it right now, you'll just have to wait.
The next few days would be a great time for your friends to sign up for the email reminders. Just have them email me at nammynools (@) cox (.) net [remove the parentheses and spaces] and I will get them on the reminder email list right away. If this blog would be an encouragement for someone you know, please tell them about it!
April's study will be on the book of Mark. The timing won't be perfect because Easter will come in the middle of the month rather than at the end of the month when I'll be writing about it, but c'est la vie! We'll just have to face the crucifixion and resurrection twice this next month.
I can't wait to bring May's study to you. It's going to be great! But, I'm not going to tell you about it right now, you'll just have to wait.
The next few days would be a great time for your friends to sign up for the email reminders. Just have them email me at nammynools (@) cox (.) net [remove the parentheses and spaces] and I will get them on the reminder email list right away. If this blog would be an encouragement for someone you know, please tell them about it!
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