Archives for August 2012

TODAY’S READING: ISAIAH 40-45

 

OVERVIEW: Judah’s future captivity in Babylon and promise of deliverance (40:1-11); God’s omnipotence (40:12-26); God’s sustaining power (40:27-31); God’s sovereignty in history (41:1-7); God’s protection of Israel (41:8-20); God’s challenge to the idols (41:21-29); the Servant of the LORD (42:1-25); assurance of Israel’s restoration (43:1-44:5); the witness of the restored nation (44:6-23); the fulfillment of restoration (44:24-45:25). 

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

In the microcosm of the Bible that we call the Book of Isaiah, having covered the first 39 chapters, representative of the Old Testament, we begin today the section representative of the New Testament.  Interestingly, as we come to chapter 40, Isaiah begins, as does Matthew in the New Testament, with “The voice of him (John the Baptist – Matt. 3:1-3) that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (40:3).  Just as a little sidelight, this is one of my favorite little “ditties” to show Jehovah’s False Witnesses outside the doors of my house (II John 7-10) just before I lovingly tell them they are of an antichrist spirit (II John 7).  Note that when Isaiah makes this prophecy, John the Baptist, he says, will be preparing the way of “Jehovah.”  Every time you see the word “LORD” in our King James Bible written in all capital letters, as in verse 40:3, it is signifying that this is the Hebrew word for “Jehovah.”!  When the prophecy is fulfilled in Matt. 3:1-3, Jehovah is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ!!!  The same incredible truth also took place earlier in the Book of Isaiah, chapter 6.  In Isaiah 6:5, Isaiah saw “Jehovah” (the “LORD” of hosts — KJV) in all of His glory.  When the Holy Spirit writes of this (II Pet.1:21) in John 12:37-41, He says that Isaiah was seeing CHRIST’S (!!!) glory and spoke of CHRIST!!! And all of God’s people said, AMEN!!!

 

Hey, this is way too much fun to stop now!  Let me show you a few more little Jehovah’s False Witness “ditties.”  In chapter 42:8, God clearly says that “GLORY” belongs to “JEHOVAH” (‘the LORD” – KJV) ALONE:  “I am the LORD: that is my name (“Jehovah”!): and my glory will I not give to another.”  John1:14says, “And the Word (Christ – John 1:1) was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”  Very simply, in light of Isaiah 42:8, if Jesus Christ isn’t “Jehovah,” where did He get His glory?  Hopefully, you’re seeing how monumental these verses are!  In John 17:5, as Jesus prayed to “Jehovah,” His Father, He prayed, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” Again, in light of Isaiah 42:8, why would Jesus ask for something “Jehovah” doesn’t give? 

 

In chapter 43 and verse 10, God makes reference to His “witnesses.” These are what we like to call the “True Jehovah’s Witnesses”!  And in verse 11, God says very clearly, that there is only one “Jehovah” (“the LORD” – KJV), and “Jehovah” is the ONLY SAVIOUR: “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.”  Check out Titus 2:13: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOUR Jesus Christ.”  Notice that Jesus Christ is referred to as the “SAVIOUR” (Isa. 43:11), and that He is “THE GREAT GOD”!  Not “a” God.  “THE” GOD!!!

 

In chapter 44 and verse 6, it lets us know that “Jehovah” (“the LORD” – KJV) is the ONLY eternal God, and that the attribute of being “the first and the last” is only true of “Jehovah God.”  In light of the clear teaching of this verse, check out Revelation 1:10-11:  “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice (the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ in the context!), as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, THE FIRST AND THE LAST” !!!

 

And just one more.  In chapter 44 and verse 24 says that “Jehovah” (“the LORD” – KJV) made “all things” by HIMSELF (“myself”).  In light of that, check out John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:16: “ALL THINGS(!!!) were made by him (the “Word,” the Lord Jesus Christ!); and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3).  “For by him (the “Son” – Col. 1:13, again, the Lord Jesus Christ!) were ALL THINGS (just as in Isa. 44:24) created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: ALL THINGS (there it is again!) were created by him, and for him” (Col. 1:16). How ‘bout them apples for God proving that Jesus Christ, His Son, is “JEHOVAH”!

 

To help you keep the flow going in Isaiah in the chapters of today’s reading, follow the sequence listed in today’s more extensive “OVERVIEW.”

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

40:10 – “the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him.”

42:4 –   “till he have set judgment in the earth”

42:13 – “The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As JEHOVAH in the verses in today’s reading listed above – Isa. 40:3; 42:8; 43:10-11; 44:6; 44:24 As SHEPHERD – Isa. 40:11 (John 10:11) As CREATOR – Isa. 40:28 (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16) As REDEEMER – Isa. 41:14 (Gal. 3:13; I Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 5:9) As HE TO WHOM EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW AND EVERY TONGUE SWEAR (CONFESS) – Isa. 45:23 (Phil. 2:10).

 

 

TODAY’S READING: ISAIAH 32-39

 

OVERVIEW:

Israel’s deliverance through Messiah’s reign; woe against Assyria; destruction of the Gentile nations; blessings in the Millennial Kingdom; the invasion of the Babylonians under Sennacherib; Hezekiah’s consultation with Isaiah; Hezekiah’s dependence and trust in the Lord; Hezekiah’s illness and recovery; Hezekiah’s foolish reception of the Babylonian messengers; Israel’s captivity into Babylon foretold.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we pick up in chapter 32 today, Isaiah points us to that time in the Millennium when, “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.”  This is the same time to which John was referring in the Book of Revelation when he wrote, “[Thou] hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:10); “…But they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Rev. 20:6).  Isaiah said that that time would be when “the spirit [would] be poured upon us from on high.”  It is a prophecy concerning the “last days” which actually kicked in and were partially fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 (see Acts 2:16-17 specifically), but were put on hold after the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7.  They will pick up again during the Tribulation Period after the “parenthesis” of the “Church Age.”  (also see Isa. 44:3; Ezek. 36:25-27; Joel 2:28-32).

 

In chapter 33 we pick up the sixth and final “woe.” This woe is pronounced onAssyria.  Isaiah prophesies that the Assyrians, under Sennacherib would bringJudahinto subjection, forcing them to pay annual tribute (taxes), while demanding their total surrender.  The Lord promises deliverance from the Assyrians, and uses the occasion, as we have consistently seen Him do, to point to the fact that there will come a time (in theMillennialKingdom) when the nations of the world will never be a threat toIsraelagain.  The righteous will then live in peace with their Messiah: “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king: he will save us” (33:22).

 

In chapters 34 and 35, just as we saw in chapters 24-27, the Lord goes from talking about the judgment of Assyria (chapter 33), to the universal judgment of the Gentile nations which will be fulfilled at Armageddon (Rev.19:11-21).  Notice how God points to the universality of this judgment in 34:1 through the words ”nations,” “people,” “earth,” and “world.”  At the Second Coming of Christ when the Lord Jesus Christ establishes His Millennial reign on the earth, Isaiah points to the physical (35:3-6) and spiritual (35:7-10) changes that will then take place on the earth.  Verse 8 says, “And an highway shall be there.”  You’ve gotta love it, it’s called, “The way of holiness,” and only “the redeemed (those who have been bought by the blood of the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ) shall walk there” (35:9)!

 

Chapter 36, all the way to 38:8 parallels what we saw in II Kings 18:17-20:11.  The highlight for me is when threatened by the Assyrians, King Hezekiah looks to Isaiah, God’s man (37:1-2), and to God Himself for help (37:14-15).  The proud Assyrians warned Hezekiah not to trust the Lord to deliver them, and notice what Hezekiah did with the letter: “And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD” (37:14-15).  How is the Devil seeking to intimidate you today?  Follow Hezekiah’s example!  The New Testament equivalent is Philippians 4:6-7: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Because of Hezekiah’s dependence and trust in the Lord, the Lord promised to protectJerusalemand deliver His believing remnant.  That night the Lord destroyed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, and Sennacherib (the loudmouth, boastful “intimidator”) went back home with his tail between his legs!

 

When Hezekiah got sick (38:1), he prayed that the Lord would spare his life.  The Lord answered his prayer, granting him 15 more years.  When the Babylonians heard that he had recovered from his sickness (39:1), they sent messengers and a present to him.  Hezekiah foolishly received them, and showed them all of the immensity and glory of the treasures in Solomon’sTemple.  As a result, Isaiah prophesied that they would return and carry away all of the treasures they had seen, along with all of God’s people into Babylonian captivity.

 

One thing to note about chapters 38 and 39 in today’s reading:  they actually precede chapters 36 and 37 from a chronological standpoint, but they are placed where they are because they anticipate the Babylonian captivity, which is the subject matter in chapters 40-66.  Also be reminded that chapter 39 ends the section of Isaiah representing the 39 Books of the Old Testament.  

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

34:8 – “the day of the Lord’s vengeance”

34:8 – “the year of recompense for the controversy of Zion” 35:4 – “God will come with vengeance” 35:4 – “God [will come] with a recompense” 37:3 – “a day of trouble” 38:1 – “in those days” (more specifically, Tribulation Period)

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the ONE WHO WIELDS “THE SWORD OF THE LORD” IN JUDGMENT – Isa. 34:6 (Rev. 19:15).

TODAY’S READING: ISAIAH 26-31

 

OVERVIEW:

Worship in the Millennial Kingdom; praise for the preservation of Israel; woe against the drunkards of Ephraim; woe against Jerusalem; woe against the schemers; woe against those who trust in Egypt; woe against those who trust in Egypt’s military defense.   

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Chapters 26 and 27 describe the worship that will be taking place in theMillennialKingdom.  Chapter 26 begins with the words, “In that day shall this song be sung in thelandofJudah,” and then it goes on to give us the actual words of the song!  The song is a song of praise to the Lord for His glorious protection.  The godly will enter into the “strong city” ofJerusalem, but the strength of the city is not because of her physical walls, it is the salvation imparted to its occupants by the Lord Himself (26:1-2)!  Because of their trust in the Lord and their meditation on the Lord, the Lord blesses them with perfect peace (26:3).  Don’t miss that verse 3 is a biblical prescription for that kind of peace now, as well as then!

 

The song in chapter 26 continues with praise for the Lord’s judgment against His enemies in verses 5-11.  In verses 12-15, it is praise for God’s permanent victory over His enemies; and verses 16-21 are praise to the Lord for his deliverance from suffering.  Isaiah is describingIsrael’s suffering in the Tribulation, and is giving to them the glorious promise of resurrection (26:19)!

 

The song continues in chapter 27, praising God for the slaying of Leviathan.Israel’s enemies are pictured here by this slithering creature that is described as a serpent and a dragon.  As we discussed in our coverage of Job 41, Leviathan is none other than that seven-headed red dragon (Ps. 74:13-14; Rev. 12:3) that is “that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan” (Rev. 12:9). Israel’s enemies in the Tribulation Period are the nations, but God identifies for us the actual power that is working behind the scenes and through these nations.  It is none other than Satan.  Rev. 13:4 tells us that Satan has wanted to devourIsraelsince the day she was born!  Chapter 27 goes on to praise the Lord for His judgment against the Gentile nations that have afflictedIsrael.  The chapter ends withIsrael“worshipping the Lord in the holy mount atJerusalem” (27:12-13).  It’s exactly what the Father has always longed for His Son to receive.

 

In the remaining chapters in today’s reading (28-31), Isaiah pronounces five of six “woes” upon those who scoff at God’s Word (We will pick up the sixth “woe” in the next day’s reading).  For the most part, God is indictingIsraelandJudahfor trusting in their wealth and the help they could receive from their alliances with foreign nations, rather than trusting Him.

 

The first woe is directed against Ephraim, the large tribe that was representative of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  It anticipates the Assyrian invasion and subsequent fall of the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C., but also looks ahead to the day of the Lord (“in that day” – verse 5) when the remnant of Israel would repent and receive a “crown of glory” and a “diadem of beauty,” the very Lord Jesus Christ when He returns to the earth to establish His Millennial reign.

 

In chapter 29, the second woe is given against “Ariel, the city where David dwelt!” (29:1 – i.e.Jerusalem).  It prophesies the invasion of the Assyrian army under Sennacherib, and describes in an historic sense and a prophetic sense, how the nations that hunger and thirst forIsrael’s destruction will be destroyed themselves.

 

The third woe appears in verses 15-24 of chapter 29, and is directed against those who seek to scheme against the Lord, thinking He doesn’t see them.

 

Chapter 30 opens with the fourth woe, directed againstJudahfor their rebellion against the Lord — specifically the rebellion they expressed by trusting inEgyptrather than the Lord Himself.  The chapter continues on to describe how that their alliance withEgyptwould fail, and howJudahwould be chastened of the Lord.  In verse 18, God begins to point, once again, to that time when the chastening would be over, and He would destroy the nations of the world that set themselves againstIsrael, and bring them into the blessings of the Messiah when He rules in His Kingdom.

 

The fifth woe, in chapter 31, continues the condemnation againstJudahfor looking toEgyptfor help militarily against the Assyrians.  The chapter ends with God’s declaration thatAssyriawould ultimately be defeated, not by man, but by Him (!), and that they would be defeated, not by man’s sword, but God’s!  You’re holding that Sword in your hands at this very moment!  Allow it to defeat and destroy all of the worldliness that is afflicting your life today!

 

SPECIFIC REFERENCES TO “THE DAY OF THE LORD”:

26:1 –  “in that day”

27:1 –  “in that day”

27:2 –  “in that day”

27:12 –  “in that day”

27:13 –  “in that day”

28:5 –  “in that day”

29:18 –  “in that day”

30:23 –  “it is a day of trouble”

30:25 –  “in that day”

30:25 –  “in the day of the great slaughter”

30:26 –  “in the day”

31:7 –  “in that day”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the PRECIOUS (CHIEF) CORNER STONE, A SURE FOUNDATION – Isa. 28:16 (Eph.2:20-21; Matt. 1:42; Acts4:10-12; Rom.9:33; I Pet. 2:6-8)