A Ryrie footnote describes this chapter as a song of triumph over Babylon--as crushed by Persia 150 years later and, ultimately, at the end of rebellion against God in Revelations (Rev. 17:5).
...continue reading "Isaiah 47"Tag: Persia
Isaiah 46
The Lord's predictions concerning Cyrus and Israel's deliverance from Babylon continues.
...continue reading "Isaiah 46"Isaiah 45
At the end of Isaiah 44, the Lord is predicting the deliverance of Israel from Babylon by the decree of Cyrus, 150 years in advance. This prediction regarding Cyrus continues in this chapter.
...continue reading "Isaiah 45"Isaiah 41
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"Isaiah 22 (Jerusalem)
I think humans have a default toward tribal thinking. We view "us" as superior and more cherished than "them". I don't think most people will agree that they, personally, are prone to it; but it shows up in a hundred different way in life. I spotted that thinking in myself when I saw that the next oracle wasn't a terrible foreign enemy, but our Jerusalem. This should remind us that when we act like the enemies of God, we shouldn't be surprised to find ourselves on a list that includes those we're acting like.
It seems like this chapter is related to the events immediately before, during, and/or after the reign of Hezekiah.
...continue reading "Isaiah 22 (Jerusalem)"