Isaiah 19

what I remember:
This is a very strange prophecy. God is going to strike Egypt -- take down everything they trust in -- their gods, their grain, their families and relationships. He's going to ruin them all. And He's going to do that so that Egypt will turn to Him. After everything else has failed them, God will be there for them. They will turn to God, making sacrifices to Him and keeping vows to Him. And He will welcome them home. In the end, he calls Egypt his people, Assyria His handiwork, and Israel His inheritance.

About God:
I've been hearing so much lately that sometimes God hurts you to help you. I really don't like that concept -- that God would deliberately hurt me to put me in a position of growth. But I'm starting to think it's true. This passage certainly seems to support the idea that he hurt Egypt in order to bring her back to himself and eventually bless her.

notes: "In that day" is used a lot in this chapter.

v. 16 In that day the Egyptians will be like women. They will shudder with fear at the uplifted hand that the LORD Almighty raises against them.

After God takes them down, they turn to the God.

v. 18 In that day five cities in Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the LORD Almighty. One of them will be called the City of Destruction.

Even the "City of Destruction" turns to God.

v. 19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border.

v. 21 So the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the LORD.

v. 23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together.

They will worship together. Cool!

v. 24 In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth.

God allows Egypt and Assyria to join Israel in being a blessing to the Earth. Wow.

What a generous God we have! He lovingly tears away the things that we worship in His place, until we turn to Him even as a last resort. Then he restores us to Himself, allows us to worship Him, and to be a blessing to others!

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.

Moab's splendor and all her many people will be despised, and her survivors will be very few and feeble

notes: 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

Isaiah 15

what I remember:

This whole chapter is a prophecy against Moab. They will be brought to such desolation and ruin that everyone will be weeping. As they flee (it seems), they'll be weeping. There is a famine, and no food in the land, everything is ruined and the river is red with blood.

At this rate, I'm going to be reading Isaiah all year long.

Isaiah 13

what I remember:
To the Lord's enemies, the Day of the Lord is a terrible threat. Here, Babylon is warned about what is waiting for them on the Day of the Lord -- utter destruction. There will be pain like childbirth, no pity for the women or the children - everything will be plundered, and everyone will flee. Enemies will a abound, and Babylon will be conquered never to be settled again. It'll be wilderness.

Verse 6 seems to sum up the chapter.

Wail, for the day of the LORD is at hand! it will come as destruction from the Almighty.

references to the "Day of the Lord" in this chapter:
v. 6 "Wail, for the day of the LORD is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty."
v. 9 "Behold, the day of the LORD comes, Cruel with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He will destroy its sinners from it."
v. 13 "Therefore I will shake the heavens, And the earth will move out of her place, In the wrath of the LORD of hosts and in the day of His fierce anger."

I wonder if the prophecies in this chapter are the ones that were fulfilled when Babylon was conquered (was it by William the Conqueror?) never to be rebuilt, or if these are referring to future times yet. Both seem possible. b. 10 talks of the stars and sun and moon not giving light -- which seems similar to the prediction in Revelation, but much of the rest of the chapter seems specific to Babylon - it won't be rebuilt, for example.

In any case, it seems a pretty terrible thing to be on the side that isn't the LORD's side on this Day of the Lord. It kind of changes the meaning of "The Day of the Lord" for me -- I had always thought of it as a terrific, victorious, happy day. Now I see that for the enemies side, it's a terrible ruin.

Isaiah 12

I LOVE THIS CHAPTER!

I think it's a candidate for memorization.

what I remember:
Finally, God's anger is satisfied, and Israel turns to him in Thanksgiving, The trust in Him, knowing that He saved them , and they make His greatness and faithfulness and wonderful deeds known among the nations, leading them to praise Him too.

about God:
His anger doesn't last forever (v.1)
He is salvation (v. 2)
He is my strength and song (v. 2)
His name is exalted (v. 4)
He has done excellent things (v. 5)
He is the Holy One of Israel (v. 6)

Only six verses. Another great reason that this chapter is a good one to memorize.

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.

I will trust and not be afraid. This is difficult for me because my eyes see my circumstances more easily than they see my God. But reality is that God is my salvation (not money), and He is the one who preserves me.

Knowing this gives me joy and strength, fills me with song, and calls me to

Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His name is exalted.

. This is exactly what I want to do. It's why I tweet the things that God gives us for free -- so that I can thank God, and exalt His name among others. It takes away my fear of financial ruin, because it reminds me that God is my Jehovah Jireh.

Isaiah 11

what I remember:
What a relief after the last two chapters! Here comes a "Rod of Jesse" to save the day! God is with Him, the Spirit is on Him. He is righteous, delights in the Lord, and judges the poor in righteousness. Under His reign, all creatures come together in peace -- lions and lambs play together, babies play by cobra nests and are still safe. God gathers to Himself His remnant from all nations (even Assyria is named). The remnant of all nations comes together, all the earth overflows with the knowledge of God (like the sea), and they complete annihilate opposing nations (I think Assyria is named again).

about God:
The "Rod from the stem of Jesse": The spirit of the Lord rests upon Him. The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the Fear of the Lord". His delight is in the fear of the LORD. He does not judge by sight or hearing but with righteousness. He decided with equity. His mouth is a rod that strikes the earth and kills off the wicked. This leaves the righteous, living in peace. Even peace among the animals happens when Jesus reigns.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.

Christ is first referred to as the Rod of Jesse, and in verse 10, the Root of Jesse.

Gentiles will seek Him, His resting place shall be glorious.

God assembles the outcasts of Israel and uses them to conquer the adversaries of Judah.

about me:
I really like the description of the Spirit of the LORD: wisdom, understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of the LORD. That's the Spirit that's in me too. Wow, I'm thankful for that!

I love the image of all the different prey and predatory animals playing peacefully together. Is that what the "new earth" will be like? Will there not be predators? Is that the way God designed it? Will animals be herbivores? I'm curious...

notes:
"knowledge" and "the fear of the LORD" appear together (they do elsewhere too, I know). And the "fear of the LORD is repeated as something that delights God.

Isaiah 10

what I remember (from reading yesterday)
There's a "woe to those" section -- which concludes with the same refrain from chapter 9: Even with all this, God's wrath isn't satisfied.

Then a section on how God is using Assyria to punish others -- Assyria thinks they're totally destroying, and they think they're so powerful and mighty. But it's really God using them to punish other people. He's not pleased with their pride, and soon enough will cause them to come to ruin.

Which is a reason for Israel to take heart -- the punishment will be over soon, God will push back the enemies, and will preserve Himself a remnant of faithful folk. Israel shouldn't be afraid. It's all in God's hand.

Isaiah 9

what I remember:
Not everything will be totally destroyed. God will send a light into the darkness ("those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death", He will cause the nation to rejoice in Him again, and He will send a savior ("For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders....."). The savior has a rule of peace, in the order of David

But God is against the arrogant other nations, and he will strike their leaders for leading the people astray. Things will get so bad that they're burning each other for fuel (or heat?), and eating their own limbs off.

about God:
He multiplies the nation and increases it's joy (v 3). he breaks the yoke of the oppressor (v. 4).
The government will be on His shoulders (. 6), His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This government (the one on His shoulders) is one of peace and is without end. It's on the throne of David. It's brought about by the zeal of the LORD (v. 7)

God sends word against Jacob - He sets up enemies against the proud nation, but His anger outlasts the ruin, and His hand is still stretched out against them. (v. 12)

Why? For their pride?

It's God who cuts off the leadership of the nation, and God ceases to have joy in them and mercy on their fatherless and widows (v. 17), because everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly.

notes:
"For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still". Occurs three times in this chapter (12, 17 and 21). Each time, the stuff is worse. First, it's attacks of enemies, second it's the failure of leaders and God removing His joy and mercy, and third its burnt down, devoured and people are thrown in the fire and eating their own arms. This is ugly stuff.

about me:
God's indictments are for the following sins. "who say in pride and arrogance of heart" (v. 10), "the prophet who teaches lies", v 15, "for everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly.", v. 17. These are serious sins in God's eyes. Pride, arrogance, teaching lies, hypocrisy, speaking foolishly, doing evil. I do most of these.

Isaiah 8

what I remember:
Isaiah is supposed to take a large scroll and write on it. I don't really remember what.

Then he has a son, and God tells him that before the son can talk, Assyria will come to ruin. He (the king of Assyria) will overflow his banks like a river (does that mean he'll invade Judah? I don't know). Then God declares them ruined, shattered, tells them that they can gird themselves and seek counsel, but it'll do them no good.

God then advises not to get caught up in conspiracy theories or in strange fears and such, but o fear God, and He will protect them. They shouldn't seek out advice from fortune-tellers, because they too will come to ruin.

about God:
He will be as a sanctuary. (v. 14)
let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread (v. 13)

Isaiah 7

what I remember:
In the days of Ahaz, who was Uzziah's grandson, two kings got together to attach Judah, and the people shook like leaves in the wind. But God sent a message to them via Isaiah saying that "It will not stand" (I'm not sure what "it" is, is it Judah, or the attack? peeking back, it's the attack that doesn't stand. God's telling Ahaz not to worry).

Then God tells Ahaz to ask for a sign, and he refuses, so God gives him one to look for - that the virgin will be with child. The child is called Immanuel and eats curds and honey.

The land is desolate, God shaves it with a razor, and where productive fruit used to grow, thorns grow now. It's not fit for farming, just for cattle and sheep.

a verse:

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel".

Isaiah 6

what I remember:
In the year that king Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the Lord, seated on a throne. He was wearing a robe and the robe's train filled the temple. There were cherubim and seraphim above the throne singing "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts".

Isaiah's response to seeing God was "Woe is me". For he was a man of unclean lips and lived among a people of unclean lips.

The angel (I think) touched his lips with burning coal, and then declared him "clean". Then someone was asking "who shall we send, who will go for us", and Isaiah replied "Here I am, send me". He's given the message "Keep seeing but not understanding, keep hearing but not listening", God will make their hearts dull and generally unresponsive until God destroys them.

But not all will be destroyed. A tenth will remain, like a stump.

notes:
It's easier to narrate a chapter that's familiar!

about God: Meeting God is intimidating. He is Holy. The whole earth is full of His glory" He is also called "Lord of Hosts" and the LORD. He will reserve some people from destruction.

about Me: an honest response to seeing God is "woe is me" -- to recognise my sinfulness. An honest response to understanding the forgiveness of God is to volunteer service. Isaiah does this, if I truly understood my God, I would understand my sin, and be honestly grateful and eager to serve.

a verse (Isaiah 6:5)

Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;
The whole earth is full of His glory!

Isaiah 5

What I remember:
God tended His vineyard carefully -- He removed all the rocks from the soil, He planted the best vines, He treated them well.

But they produced inferior (wild) grapes. He is tired of it now, He will let the walls break down, and burn the field. No more protection for them.

People who build lots of houses, and are generally rich and prideful (I think that is what it is talking about it...) are doomed -- God will take them down and exalt Himself not them.

Also doomed are people who call bad good and call good bad, and people who are known for handling alcohol well. He condemns you if you get up just to drink.

After Israel is completely ruined by the fire that burns down the vineyard, God will invite foreigners to come and conquer them.

about God:
He cares for His people, His expectations that they would follow Him are reasonable.
He is called "Lord of Hosts", and will be exalted in judgement.

verse:

...But they do not regard the work of the LORD, Nor consider the operation of His hands.

Isaiah 4

What I remember:
In the days when God is destroying the beautiful, prideful and vain Israel, women will also be desperate (remember, everyone was already desperate for a leader and asking any old schmuck to lead them). The women, similarly are begging men to marry them, without the obligation of providing for them or anything, just to take away their disgrace. (I wonder if the disgrace is the social disgrace of being single, or just a lonliness?) But God's going to rescue the righteous "survivors", call them holy, clean them up and making them glorious again. He will give them a shelter to provide shade from the heat during the day and from the storms and rain.

about God:
washes away the filth of the daughters of Zion, purges the bloodshed, and makes Israel glorious again. He provides shelter for them to protect them from the elements.

notes:
There's a few - the ones left in Jerusalem and called holy, everyone who is recoded for life. These are the ones that God restores and makes glorious. I think this is a reference to having eternal life - that is, there's some saved people, and those are the ones that God is protecting and restoring.

Isaiah 2

What I remember:
Someday God's going to exalt Himself, like a mountain, with His house on a mountain. People will go there to worship Him, and He'll teach them how to follow Him, and they will.

And He's going to crush the other things that people worship -- stuff made with their own hands, and the prideful people worshiping themselves... The idols will be made an embarrasement, and they'll run and hide, so that all people will know that He's God, and no one else.


Favorite verse:

“3 Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”

About God:
How many gods can we say will teach us their ways? It seems to me that most other religions are spent trying to figure out what "god" wants, and how to please that god, so that the god will make things better for us. The prophets slashing themselves to get Baal's attention on Mount Carmel comes to mind. Our God isn't like that. He teaches us, and teaches us some more, and is patient with us as we learn to walk in His paths.

This chapter depicts God as both terror-invoking and the One who patiently teaches us to walk in His ways.

About me:
God's not amused by my pride. It's a form of idolotry. I don't think I'd ever really thought of my pride problem as idolotry before. And the embarassement of trusting in money more than I trust in God. That money is going to run and hide in holes in the mountains with bats and moles. I'll be embarrassed for thinking that more money would fix my problems. God is the one who provides for me. Not me (that's pride), and not money. Both are idolotry.

Isaiah 1

The structure of this chapter is one of those diamonds (what are they called?)

1-11 you're ruined because you keep wandering away from Me
12-17 I'm sick of your phony sacrifices, give me some real good works - like defending the fatherless and widows
18-20 I'll forgive you and take you back
21-24 This is an evil city -- no one defends the fatherless and widows
25-31 It'll be ruined.

So, what's the point? The middle of the diamond. Verses 18-20.

“ Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD,

“ Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword”;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

What do I learn about God?
God's doesn't appreciate my wandering away, and my ingratitude for all He's done. He just wants to forgive and cleanse me (note, that doesn't involve me doing anything). As long as I refuse and rebel, He'll work circumstances to break us to the point where I recognize that I need him.

What do I learn about me?
I look like a 2 year old when I act like Israel in this chapter. "I can do it myself", and God lets me try, until we're finally frustrated enough to give up and let Him. Then he takes me and washes away all of my sin. That's what he wants.

Other notes:
Caring for people who can't care for themselves (fatherless and widows) are mentioned twice as things that the few righteous folks do. That's what God cares about, not how faithfully I attend church, but how I pass on the love and mercy He's shown me.