When blessed people Forget

 Read Isaiah 17.

The northern kingdom of Israel had turned to the Arameans, their neighbor, in an alliance to war against the invading Assyrians.  Damascus was the capital city of Aram, a region in central Syria.  But just as the prophecy against Israel predicted their destruction and scattering, so it was to be with Arameans.

Three times the phrase "in that day" appears in this chapter.  This is most often a trigger wording pointing to the future time of God's wrath and His ushering in unprecedented time of blessing and peace.  But the descriptions here are events that would have taken place in Isaiah's day. 

God's dealings with people, as His character is, have not changed.  These are good warnings and reminders to all of us.

1. Humility in that day. (vv.4-6)
Israel will be brought low.  The first description is one of weight loss.  The war will bring a food shortage and starvation.  The second pictures Israel as crops after the harvest with little left.   No longer will they enjoy abundance.  What they had was from the hand of God, but they gave Him no honor or credit.  When one does not humble themselves before the LORD, God will eventually intervene.

2. Repentance in that day. (vv.7-8)
Someone said that when things go well, people play.  And, when things go bad, people pray.  When Israel would experience the terror of the Assyrians, they would turn to God.  In the crisis they would realize their man-made religion offered no help.  They would indeed return to their "Maker".  When a person gets a fresh glimpse of the Holy One, feelings of personal sin jump to the surface.  He alone could forgive them, deliver them, and give them hope for the future.

3. Judgment in that day. (vv.9-11)
Once the ruthless Assyrians were through, the entire region would be devastated, destroyed, and deserted.  Why?  Israel had become a godless nation.  They forgot the God of their fathers who promised the land to them and delivered them from slavery in Egypt.  They chose not to remember the miracles of God's protection of them and His countless provisions to them.

For us, let today be a day of remembering the goodness of the LORD and humbly living for Him.

 

God's word stands Forever

 Read Isaiah 16.

Moab had been attacked by Assyria in the previous chapter.  The people scattered and ran for their lives.  However, the reference to Sela in verse 1 seems to indicate they ran further south.  Judah would have been a safe haven for them.

1. Why did this happen to Moab?  (vv.6-7, 12)
As in each case of judgment, its root focus is spiritual and on the surface is arrogance.  Moab worshiped Baal and rejected the true and living God.  When the pressure was on, instead running to the safety of Judah, they ran in the opposite direction geographically and spiritually.  There was only silence in their vain attempts to pray to their man-made Baal (v.12).  The Moabites prided themselves in not needing God.  They had their own beliefs.  Selfishly and smugly they went their own way, deeper into sin.  They actually boasted about it.  The LORD dealt decisively with their insolence.

2. Where is justice against the oppressor? (vv.4-5)
In previous chapters, Isaiah prophesied the destruction of Assyria.  Notice how quickly in this context Isaiah mentions ultimate justice by the ultimate Judge.  One day, Messiah Himself will sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem.  His judgment will be characterized by love, faithfulness, and righteousness.

But that is not all.  God gave Isaiah an exact prophecy in verse 14 that what happened to Moab and their nation is only the first part.  "In three years" more destruction will come.  Isaiah served a very long time as a prophet.  If anyone wanted to, or could, discredit the veracity and reliability of God's word and using Isaiah to deliver His messages, this could have done it.  Three years later, God's word and Isaiah's ministry continued to be totally reliable.

"Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens." (Psalm 119:89)

A lesson learned the hard Way

 Read Isaiah 15.

Moab was the son of Lot (Genesis 19), the result of incest with one of his daughters.  The Moabites settled on the southeast side of the Dead Sea.  Spiritually, they worshiped Baal, not the God of Abraham. 

During the Exodus, the Moabites refused passage to the traveling Jews.  The LORD prevented Moses from attacking them.  Ruth was a Moabite.  She married into a family from Bethlehem.  When her husband died, she moved to Israel and embraced the true and living God.  She then became the great-grandmother of King David.  Saul and David warred against the Moabites and defeated them.

At the time of Isaiah's writing some of Moab's key cities had already been destroyed.  Those not killed fled in humiliation looking for a place of safety.  Even Isaiah was impacted emotionally (v.5) by what had happened.

The rest of this story continues into chapter 16.

There is an old saying, "The wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine."

Because the LORD chooses not to immediately strike a person dead over their sin, some believe they got away with it.  Or, worse, they come to believe there is no God who is holding them accountable.  Moab learned this lesson the hard way.

The beauty of God's grace is that He has taken the initiative to deliver us.  "For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23-24)

 

 

What prophecy reveals about God's Character

 Read Isaiah 14.

This is a power packed series of prophecies for five different target audiences.

To Israel (vv.1-2)
The northern kingdom would be invaded and taken by the Assyrians.  However, all is not lost.  There is a future and a hope.  The LORD said that He will again "choose" them, place them on the land of promise, and other nations will "attach" themselves with the Jews.

To Babylon (vv.3-23)
This was written as a song that the Jews will tauntingly sing at the destruction of Babylon.  Even the greatest of leaders are human and eventually die.  But the king referred to here will get God's special attention due to his arrogance and attempt to deify himself. 

To Assyrian (vv.24-27)
God has a purpose in using them for a time to carry out His judgment.  But they too will come to an end.

To Philistia (vv.28-31)
The coastal kingdoms of the Philistines had been a thorn in the side of God's people ever since Joshua led the people into the land.  God's judgment will break them.

To Judah (v.32)
The message for Philistia is not so much for the Philistines as it is for the southern kingdom of Judah.  The LORD will watch over Jerusalem and protect them.

In the midst of all these prophesied judgments, there are three lessons to learn regarding the character of God. 
1. He is the God of compassion. (v.1)
Though Israel sinned and indeed had become godless in their culture, "the LORD will have compassion on Jacob."  He is a God of mercy and His motive in judgment is to deal with sin.  It is out of His grace that He extends forgiveness, cleansing, and "again" decides to use people.

2. He is the God in control. (v.24)
The earth belongs to Him.  He is the Owner of all things.  As sovereign LORD, He has detailed purposes and plans for each life.  What He declares will be done.  "As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand."  He is ever faithful.  We may rely on His word absolutely.  When He offers to deliver us from the penalty of sin and home in heaven, we can stake our eternity on it!

3. He is the God of comfort. (v.32)
While kingdoms and empires will be falling, Judah need not fear.  The Jews did not conquer the land and found the city of Jerusalem.  God did.  These people belong to Him.  Will they experience affliction?  Yes.  But the LORD already planned to be their refuge and to comfort them in their affliction.  And, He is the same for us this very day.

 

He is God of the present and the Future

 Read Isaiah 13.

From Genesis to the Prophets to Revelation, the Bible condemns the city of Babylon as a center of hatred against God.  It is referred to as the source of astrology and other satanically inspired alternatives designed to distract people from trusting in God's word.  Here, the Holy Spirit revealed to Isaiah the destruction of the Babylonian Empire.

Perhaps, the most significant element of Isaiah's message is that Babylon would not become a world empire for another 200 years.  But such is the nature of prophecy, that is, telling the future in advance.  No one but the sovereign LORD Himself could know and control this plan.  The events described here were fulfilled in Daniel 5 with the famous handwriting on the wall.  Babylon's end came with the sandwiched attack by the Medes and Persians. 

But there is more.  A similar description of a revived Babylon is found in Revelation 16-18.  This will be the ultimate fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

Notice in the chapter that though empires fall and another is raised up, it is God who planned it all and takes full credit for using them to do His work.
v.3-"I myself have commanded...to execute my anger..."
v.4-"The LORD of hosts is mustering a host for battle."
v.5-"...the LORD and the weapons of his indignation,..."
v.11-"I will punish...I will put an end..."
v.12-"I will make people more rare..."
v.13-"I will make the heavens tremble..."
v.17-"I am stirring up the Medes against them..."

The LORD had called Judah to repent and experience forgiveness of their sins in chapter one.  It came with this warning, “If you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten with the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (1:19)  While the God of the universe has such plans and power of justice for Jew and Gentile alike, He knows and cares for every individual life.  “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” (1:18) Our response begins with a willingness to “come” to Him. 

 

The words of a new Song

 Read Isaiah 12.

What a difference!  "In that day" God will literally change Israel's tune.

As the messages in the previous chapters have described, there is coming a day when all the earthly covenant promises of God will be fulfilled.  The Jews will gather on their land as one; not two kingdoms.  Jesus, the Messiah, will rule the world as He sits on the throne of David in Jerusalem. 

It will be a time to celebrate and rejoice.  It will be a time of comfort from the LORD Himself.

This is a song in two stanzas.  The wording of much of this chapter is right from the book of Psalms.  After all that had been predicted against the people in Isaiah's day, what would take place against the Jews over nearly 3,000 years since, and what will happen to them in the coming times, God has never changed His plans for the future of His chosen people.  Indeed, He is the God of their ultimate deliverance.  That is a day in the future for the Jews.  But for now, we grab on to the unchanging character of our LORD and rejoice today in our personal relationship with Him!

Verse 2 is worthy of memorizing.

1. He is my strength.
No matter how hard the circumstances are that we face, His grace is available to us.  As the old saying goes, "If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it."  Paul quoted Jesus as saying, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

2. He is my song.
The world's music maybe catchy.  But when a person comes to personal faith in Christ, He gives us something far better.  "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD." (Psalm 40:3)

3. He is my salvation.
Every day, we experience the deliverance of God.  Sometimes, we notice.  He protects us from temptations, dangers, and losses that we did not even see.  He safely brings us through another day.  Even more, He has provided eternal deliverance from sin and its penalty.  He loved us so much that Jesus died in order that we could experience His wonderful salvation.  "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…" (John 3:36a)

 

A look at world Peace

 Read Isaiah 11.

One of the most important rules of interpreting the Scriptures is context.  It is the habit of many to only quote phrases from the Bible they like and not read the rest.  This chapter is one of those portions.

"A little child shall lead them" is a phrase, part of a sentence, in a chapter full of detail.  The prophetic descriptions foretell of a unique time on earth that has never happened.  Some have tried to explain these verses away as having taken place in Isaiah's time.  Others endeavor to discredit an earthly fulfillment of this prophecy, choosing to spiritualize the words as taking place in heaven.  But even a cursory reading reveals those two attempts are without merit. 

Here is why.

1. The King. (v.1)
Who is he?  He will rise up as a branch from the family tree of Jesse, the royal lineage of King David.  That is why Matthew 1 is so important.  It is a legal statement that Jesus has a right to that throne.

2. The King's rule. (vv.2-3)
He will rule in the full power of the Holy Spirit.  He will be the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6) to the nations on earth.  He will do what pleases the Father (John 8:29). 

3. The effects of the King's rule. (vv.4-9)
When Jesus comes again, He will be the King of Kings, judging and ruling this world by the Word of God (Revelation 19).  As the Prince of Peace, the Messiah will usher in a time of absolute peace.  Sin brought death, disobedience, and division.  Jesus will bring unity, right behavior, and life.  So-called natural fears and threats will be gone.  "...the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD."

In Isaiah's time, reconciliation of Israel and Judah seemed unthinkable.  But "in that day" (v.10), Messiah will regather and unify His people.  Note that God’s plan is not only for the Jews, but all the families of the earth will be blessed (Genesis 12).