Writings and Rants
In Isaiah Chapters 40 and 41 we have been exploring Who God Is. Here's what we know so far. God is Great! He delivered Israel; He is in control of world leaders; He is greater than idols. He provides. He protects. Let everything that has breathe praise the Lord.
Now, in Chapter 42, we learn more about God and His mysterious Trinity, specifically His Servant Jesus.
The Lord is our God; the Lord is One.
...continue reading "Isaiah 42"The Lord calls out to the Coastlands (Islands/the nations) to listen to His case against them in silence and then to speak their case, if they have one. (Spoiler alert...they don't.)
...continue reading "Isaiah 41"We now enter a new section of Isaiah. Most commentators distinguish two "halves" of the book. The dire prophetic judgements of the "Old Testament" half, with the tragic end of Israel and much of Judah by the Assyrians, and the more hopefully, Messianic, "New Testament" half in which Isaiah has amazingly accurate prophesies regarding Babylon. This second second begin with chapter 40.
...continue reading "Isaiah 40"As I have noted previously, I am reading through the Old Testament chronologically, using a list I found through the Blue Letter Bible. Between Isaiah 39 and 40, the chronological order includes Psalm 76. It probably should go, specifically, after Isaiah 37 and the victory over Assyria, but here is where it fell. It is a Psalm of victory and celebration over Assyria.
...continue reading "Psalm 76"Well, the good news is we're in the last chapter of the first half of Isaiah. After today, it's called the "New Testament" half of Isaiah. The bad news is, in this last chapter of the Hezekiah historical interlude, we come to that time when even the best kings of Israel make poor decisions.
...continue reading "Isaiah 39"This is the second of three events we see in the "historical interlude" in the middle of the book of Isaiah, all related to King Hezekiah. These are cross-referenced in II Kings 20 and II Chronicles 32.
...continue reading "Isaiah 38"This is a continuation of the "historical interlude" from the reign of Hezekiah, as found in II Kings and cross-referenced in II Chronicles.
...continue reading "Isaiah 37"The next few chapters, chapters 36-39, are referred to as an historical interlude. It's very specific to the reign of Judah's King Hezekiah.
...continue reading "Isaiah 36"This is the final chapter in the "woes and blessings" chapters (ch 24-35). This chapter is a direct contrast to the previous chapter 34. From Armageddon to the contrasting Kingdom of God and the blessings enjoyed for those who chose Him and are in His family.
...continue reading "Isaiah 35"I'm asking God for a specific miracle in my life; and this season is robbing me of normal sleep and peace. A few years ago I read a book by Lou Giglio who challenged the reader to meditate on the Lord's Prayer for 30 days every time a need comes to mind or you heart is unsettled. Looks like it's time to take up the challenge once again.
...continue reading "Psalm 23"