Isaiah 1:21-5:30
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Powerful readings in Isaiah today... The southern Kingdom of Judah is getting a stern warning from the prophet today! A scary warning to the people of Judah for their disobedience comes at the end of our readings today in chapter 5 verses 26 through 30: "He will send a signal to the nations far away. He will whistle to those at the ends of the earth, and they will come racing toward Jerusalem. They will not get tired or stumble. They will run without stopping for rest or sleep. Not a belt will be loose, not a sandal thong broken. Their arrows will be sharp and their bows ready for battle. Sparks will fly from their horses' hooves as the wheels of their chariots spin like the wind. Roaring like lions, they will pounce on their prey. They will seize my people and carry them off into captivity, and no one will be there to rescue them. The enemy nations will growl over their victims like the roaring of the sea. A cloud of darkness and sorrow will hover over Israel. The clouds will blot out the light." A random side note here, and definitely an indication of how much I'm swimming in our culture... (as we all do to some extent - like fish surrounded by water - though, I think the Lord of the Rings has many redeeming values to it) As I read these verses above, I thought of the orc armies from the Lord of the Rings running amuck over Middle Earth...
This map below gives a good overview of the growth of the Assyrian empire between 824 B.C. and 640 B.C. and how it engulfs Judah during this time period. The prophet Isaiah was preaching his stern warnings right in the middle of this time period!
Isaiah chapter 5 verse 20 was directed at Judah in the 8th century B.C., but I wonder if this verse can have application to our world today? "Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter." Can you think of any examples in our modern world where evil is portrayed as good and good is portrayed as evil? I can think of far too many examples unfortunately. This twisting of good and evil, light and dark, bitter and sweet did not make God happy back in eighth century B.C. Think God is happy about this twisting of good and evil today?
Worship God: Isaiah chapter 2 today reminds me of the MercyMe song "How Great is Your Love:"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Giwd-i4QNk
Do you know how great God's love is for you? Click here to find out!
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.
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