| Spending time in the Scriptures Isaiah | by A. Kimber | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Isaiah is the second longest book in the Bible, shorter only than the book of Psalms; it also contains the longest word and name in the Bible: (Mahershalalhashbaz for those of you who need the answer to that Bible Class quiz question). This is possibly one of the most quoted Old Testament books by Believers, certainly around the Lord's table as it contains some wonderful Messianic chapters and verses e.g. chapter 53. As we start with this book we see the fact that Isaiah served through the reigns of several kings, as we read through we’ll see that he proclaimed judgement against some and decreed the extent and end of the reign of others. The book begins by showing us the sin of Israel, they are compared to Sodom and Gomorrah in their sins; we are told how that they bring their sacrifices but yet they do it out of ritual and formality, with no real love for the Lord in their hearts. All that they had which was good is corrupted and diluted and become worthless in itself. This is one of the important lessons we can learn from this book. It’s possible to be doing the right things but out of a feeling of duty rather than love, as we serve the Lord are we doing it because it’s something we want to do or do we fell that we have to do it? It’s interesting as we read this book the amount of prophecy it contains regarding the life and works of the Lord Jesus. We read that after king Uzziah died, Isaiah was sent to his grandson Ahaz to bring a message of comfort as two nations were conspiring against him. When Ahaz was asked what sign he wanted to be sure of the Lord’s word he said that he did not want a sign; however he was told that a sign would be given and that a virgin would conceive and bear a son who would be called Immanuel. I’m intrigued that the sign that this king was promised would happen so many years later, but how true that the Lord always keeps his promises. Isaiah brings many, many thoughts before us. One that often recurs and has particular emphasis in chapter 31 is the reliance of men on earthly might. We read of those who come up against the Lord and his people in all their strength and power but against the Lord any earthly force and army is unable to overcome. We read another account in chapter 36 where an army comes against Jerusalem, and hailing the city in their own language telling them how that they will be overcome and made to eat their own effluent, not nice I know but the Scriptures aren’t sanitised… anyhow king Hezekiah had decreed that no-one was to respond and he in turn sent messengers to Isaiah. The outcome? The invading king Sennacherib heard rumours of a plot taking place behind his back to overthrow him yet he was defiant before Jerusalem so the angel of the Lord destroyed 185,000 people and his sons killed Sennacherib. One of the remarkable events in the scriptures where the Lord demonstrated His control of Creation in a world-wide event is when Hezekiah was about to die. On his death bed Hezekiah prayed to God for mercy as he had had a perfect heart and walked before the Lord in truth. His prayer that he would be granted a longer life was answered by Isaiah coming with a message from the Lord. In his message Isaiah told Hezekiah that he would live another 15 years, the incredible thing was that the proof was the sun going back 10 degrees. Just considering this scientifically we have to realise that the earth spun the opposite way… we are all taught that the earth’s gravity is caused by it spinning yet the earth must have stopped twice (although very briefly) as it started to spin in the opposite direction. Also 10 degrees is the equivalent of 40 minutes travel, so the earth must have been spinning the wrong way for approximately that long. How wonderful that the Lord could cause this to happen without destroying the fabic of this wonderful creation. The start of chapter 46 makes some interesting comparisons; it pictures statues of false gods as being burdens which have to be transported by animals as they are captured and taken by an opposing army. In contrast it brings before us the Lord who keeps us to our old age, who bears us up and carries us, to whom nothing can compare. There are so many other wonderful and familiar passages which I could bring to your attention but you already know of so many of them. Hopefully this just encourages you to look a little deeper at some of the other stories and passages it contains. There are so many prophetic portions that at some points it can be tricky to understand but it’s well worth taking the time to study a book like this in more detail.
How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. Isaiah 1:21
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! Isaiah 14:12
O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Isaiah 25:1
Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding? Isaiah 29:16
Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD! Isaiah 31:1
O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble. Isaiah 33:2
Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Isaiah 44:6
Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: Isaiah 59:1
As always we welcome comments and suggestions, would you have selected different verses? Let me know what you think, it’s always good to get some feedback. You can e-mail me at a.kimber@assemblyyouth.net
All quotes are from the King James version of the Bible unless otherwise specified. | ||||||
Lord's return
Dare to be a Daniel