what I remember:
the land of Cush is described as a river dividing it, people that are tall and smooth-skinned and feared by many, who speak a foreign language and who have vehicles with whirring wings.b God looks on these happenings quietly. He prunes the grapes after they have budded, ruining the harvest, and birds and wild animals will eat on the harvest. After this, the tall smooth-skinned people who everyone fears will pay homage to God, and bring sacrifices to Him on Zion.
about God: He's observing this all going on, without intervening. Talk about "masterful inactivity". I feel like that's what He's sort of doing in modern events right now too. Letting time take it's toll, knowing that it will eventually result in people turning back to Him.
at first, I didn't realize that the foreigner described in this chapter was in reference to Cush. It seemed to me like it could almost be America.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Isaiah 17
what I remember:
This is what happens to those who take advantage of Israel. Damascus is the example. They are totally taken down, they are brought so low that Aram, in it's desolation, looks prosperous. Where there were forests, now there's twigs. The olive tree is still alive, and has 2 or 3 olives.
Even Israel is desolate -- they were once fat, now they're wasted away. You put extra effort into planting good vines and they are whithered and dead.
But, the good thing is that now, in your desperation, you remember who is God. You finally gave up on the idols and such.
about God:
called "God, your Savior" and "the Rock, your fortress", the "LORD almighty" and "the LORD the God of Israel". I like that He's still willing to be called the God of Israel, even though they've abandoned Him.
about me:
I'm not too different from Damascus here. It often takes desperation for me to give up hoping in things other than God (money, usually). How silly.
This is what happens to those who take advantage of Israel. Damascus is the example. They are totally taken down, they are brought so low that Aram, in it's desolation, looks prosperous. Where there were forests, now there's twigs. The olive tree is still alive, and has 2 or 3 olives.
Even Israel is desolate -- they were once fat, now they're wasted away. You put extra effort into planting good vines and they are whithered and dead.
But, the good thing is that now, in your desperation, you remember who is God. You finally gave up on the idols and such.
about God:
called "God, your Savior" and "the Rock, your fortress", the "LORD almighty" and "the LORD the God of Israel". I like that He's still willing to be called the God of Israel, even though they've abandoned Him.
about me:
I'm not too different from Damascus here. It often takes desperation for me to give up hoping in things other than God (money, usually). How silly.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Isaiah 16
what I remember:
The destruction of Moab, part 2.
According to my footnotes, the first two verses -- about paying lambs, and about the women taking refuge - are advising Moab to do thus to Israel -- to give Israel lambs, and to take refuge from their attacker in Israel. Eventually the attack will stop. And rule of love will be established (from Israel?).
But Moab is totally ruined, no longer proud, no longer strong. Instead they're a few stragglers weeping. There is no joy or gladness.
God gives a timetable for this prophecy -- it'll happen within three years.
The destruction of Moab, part 2.
According to my footnotes, the first two verses -- about paying lambs, and about the women taking refuge - are advising Moab to do thus to Israel -- to give Israel lambs, and to take refuge from their attacker in Israel. Eventually the attack will stop. And rule of love will be established (from Israel?).
But Moab is totally ruined, no longer proud, no longer strong. Instead they're a few stragglers weeping. There is no joy or gladness.
God gives a timetable for this prophecy -- it'll happen within three years.
Moab's splendor and all her many people will be despised, and her survivors will be very few and feeblenotes: verses 9-11 I weep... I drench you with tears... My heart laments... God is grieved over the destruction of Moab - even though they are His enemies. I wonder how many times God is referred to as weeping in the Bible. It's interesting that human tragedy breaks God's heart too
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