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
Saturday, January 30, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Monday, January 18, 2010
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.
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
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.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
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.
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.
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.
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