Isaiah 21

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 21.

Babylon. Edom. Arabia. More woe!

“Look, here comes a man in a chariot with a team of horses. And he gives back the answer: ‘Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!’” (v9, NIV).

I’m reminded of the very first of the Ten Commandments:

“Do not worship any god except me. Do not make idols that look like anything in the sky or on earth or in the ocean under the earth.” (Exodus 20:3‭-‬4 ,CEV).

Babylon has fallen. Its images of its gods lie shattered on the ground. There is a lesson for us. If we worship other gods — and I believe the definition for both “worship” and “gods” is quite broad — we too will fall. Our joy is that we can worship the One, True, Living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is our only source of life and life to the full. Isaiah will ask the reader later in Chapter 44: 10: “Why make an idol or an image that can’t do a thing?”

Instead, let us fix our eyes  on Jesus (Hebrews 12) and follow hard after God and let His powerful right arm support us (Psalms 63:8).

We make idols all the time, don’t we? They may not look like gods, but they are all around us. These are things that take our attention away from the eternal. When we do fall, when we prioritize idols over God — like a person or a job or a newly acquired thing — I’m thankful for the grace of Jesus. He offers new life time and time again as we recognize our folly.

“…and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:24, NIV).

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 20

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 20.

Well, you just have to read this one yourselves…

I’m reading a number of commentaries to try to understand.

Three years Isaiah walked around town naked. Most of the Puritan era commentators say “well, he wasn’t really naked…” I think he was. It was complete exposure, complete humility. And it was a sign that this is what happens to a people who trust in mere man — as they were doing.

“They will be confused and frustrated, because they depended on Ethiopia and bragged about Egypt.” (v5, MSG). Where is our dependence? On man or on God? Who do we brag about? God or man?

What kind of things are we to wear? Paul spells it out in Colossians 3:

“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” (Colossians 3:12-14, MSG).

And in Ephesians 4, as a sign of our maturity in Christ, we are to: “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24, NIV).

Look at the words of Jesus:

“And I, when I am lifted up  from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32‭, NIV).

Jesus had to die, naked and completely humiliated and thoroughly exposed, so that we might have eternal life through His resurrected body, clothed in the righteousness and the fullness and the beauty of God. Those new clothes are ours, as we humble ourselves and put our trust in God alone.

Only in our humility, will He raise us up as He raised up Jesus.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 19

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 19.

Woe is Egypt! This is so interesting! Another neighboring country who faces God’s wrath.  The Message says: “God has scrambled their brains.” (v15).

But then… “When they cry out in prayer because of oppressors, He’ll send them help, a Savior, who will keep them safe and care for them.” (v 20).

I believe that’s a promise for us as well. When our brains are mush, when there is great fog, when we’re lost, we can cry out to our Abba Father, and He will send us help. He will send us grace and wisdom and joy and peace, through the Holy Spirit. And we will receive His blessing.

“Egypt will come back to God, and God will listen to their prayers and heal them.” (v22, MSG).

God will listen to your prayers and heal you too! And He will bless you!

“On that Day, Israel will take its place alongside Egypt and Assyria, sharing the blessing from the center. God-of-the-Angel-Armies, who blessed Israel, will generously bless them all: “Blessed be Egypt, my people! . . . Blessed be Assyria, work of my hands! . . . Blessed be Israel, my heritage!”” (v24‭-‬25, MSG).

Blessed be you, dear child of God! Even when you feel like you are in a fog, you can trust God to make your way clear again.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 18

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 18.

Woe to Ethiopia. This is getting interesting, isn’t it? If you’re following along you’ll note that Isaiah is drawing this circle of countries of woe around Israel. It was Damascus to the north yesterday. Moab to the east earlier. In this chapter it is Ethiopia to the south.

As a part of God’s judgement, “The nation will be food for mountain buzzards during the summer and for wild animals during the winter.” (v6, CEV).

But then…

“Those Ethiopians are tall and their skin is smooth. They are feared all over the world, because they are strong and brutal. But at that time they will come from their land divided by rivers, and they will bring gifts to the Lord All-Powerful, who is worshiped on Mount Zion.” (v7, CEV).

The Ethiopians will bring gifts to the LORD! This may be a prophesy of one of the Magi who brings a gift to newborn Messiah in Matthew 2.  Isaiah is also saying that everyone will worship God on Mt. Zion. Those from Ethiopia and Moab and Assyria. And people from the USA and Japan and Sweden and Russia and Nigeria and… You see, ultimately, every knee will bow before God, the LORD, Yahweh, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Messiah (Isaiah 45, Romans 14 and Philippians 2)! Yes, every nation! Every people group!

“I invite the whole world to turn to me and be saved.  I alone am God! No others are real. I have made a solemn promise, one that won’t be broken: Everyone will bow down and worship me.” Isaiah 45:22-23 (CEV).

Join me in worshiping God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit today.

 

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 17

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah. Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 17.

More doom. This time for Damascus, to the north.

There is some hope, however:

“At that time the people will turn and trust their creator, the Holy God of Jacob.” (v7, CEV)

Here’s what The Message says:

“Yes, the Day is coming when people will notice The One Who Made Them, take a long hard look at The Holy of Israel. They’ll lose interest in all the stuff they’ve made—altars and monuments and rituals, their homemade, handmade religion—however impressive it is.” (v7-8, MSG).

Oh, may that day be today! Can we lose interest in all the stuff we’ve made? All the altars? All the rituals of our handmade religions? All the programs of today’s church? All the lights, smoke, volume and smooth talk of many of today’s weekend worship services? Yes, this is what is used to encourage people to attend church in America. This is how churches compete with secular entertainment. I get that. I’m not against those things.

But, I believe our prayer each weekend as we step into a worship venue can be this: “God, may I see and hear You and only You today.” As we open our hands with humility and seek “The One Who Made Us” in our rituals, we will find “The Holy of Israel.” Let our hearts be impressed with the message from the Spirit rather than our senses impressed with the atmosphere of the room.

In John’s gospel, Jesus encourages us with these words: “God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24, NIV).

May we continue to trust God, long before there’s a hint of “doom” in our lives. And may we trust our Creator even during times of hardship and struggle. For He is our God. And we are His people. He is our mighty Rock where we find protection. (v10, CEV).

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 16

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 16.

More sad news for Moab opens the chapter.

But what follows is another prophecy about Jesus:

“Then a Kingdom of Love will be set up and someone from David’s throne will rule with fairness. He will do what is right and quickly bring justice.” (v5, CEV).

Here’s another version:

“When this is all over,” Judah answers,
    “the tyrant toppled,
The killing at an end,
    all signs of these cruelties long gone,
A new government of love will be established
    in the venerable David tradition.
A Ruler you can depend upon
    will head this government,
A Ruler passionate for justice,
    a Ruler quick to set things right.” (v4-5, MSG)

I’m thankful that Jesus has established a Kingdom of Love for any who choose to be a part of it. Jesus is passionate for justice. He is quick to set things right. He is a ruler you can depend upon. While Jesus doesn’t actually sit on a physical throne in Jerusalem today, His divine Spirit rules those who choose to submit to Him and His love and His plan for their lives.

What does a Kingdom of Love look like? Look at what John writes in the New Testament:

“Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life. We are now God’s children, and we know him. God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known him. God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. Real love isn’t our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven. Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other.” (1 John 4:7-11, CEV).

Read this again: “Real love isn’t our love for God, but His love for us.” (v10, CEV).

Even on our best days, we can’t love like God does. But I believe we can try and show compassion, justice and fairness to one another the way Isaiah describes.

 

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 15

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 15

“Moab is left in ruins.” (v1, CEV). Even its people who flee the land will be attacked.

Moab was what is now mostly the country of Jordan. It is just on the other side of the Dead Sea where many tourists float in South Israel.  It, like so much of the lands from 1000 BC, are in ruins. As will likely our lands be in 3000 years, right?

But what stands the test of time? God’s word.  Jesus says in Matthew 24:35 that even the heavens and earth will pass away but not His words.

We can be assured that His love and His promises for us will never fail. We are why He came. We can always trust the truth of His words! They will never be like the ruins of Moab, Israel or even the future ruins of any town in the USA.

And indeed, Jesus is the Word. “In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God. From the very beginning the Word was with God.” (John 1:1-2, CEV). He is the One who came from Bethlehem, the house of bread. He is the one who said, “I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35). He is our sustenance. He is our life. He lives forever!

The soldier of God, Joshua, proclaims: “Not one word failed from all the good words God spoke to the house of Israel. Everything came out right.” (Joshua 21:45, MSG). Everything will come out for you and me as well!

I’m thankful that His words of life are truth. His words will never fail. He keeps His promises. His words stand the test of time. His word is eternal.

 

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 14

Posted on by richlyspeaking
The wall around of The City of David in Jerusalem.

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 14.

Remember the doom and gloom for Babylon in Isaiah 13? Today’s chapter starts on an encouraging word: “But not so with Jacob. God will have compassion on Jacob. Once again he’ll choose Israel. He’ll establish them in their own country.” (v1, MSG).

In fact, the prophet encourages the people of Israel and the trees of the field to rejoice: “And now it’s over, the whole earth quietly at rest. Burst into song! Make the rafters ring! Ponderosa pine trees are happy, giant Lebanon cedars are relieved.” (v7, MSG).

Yes, there is mocking and deriding the kings of Babylon, Assyria and the Philistines.

Then, for God’s chosen people, His children: “What does one say to outsiders who ask questions? Tell them,“God has established Zion. Those in need and in trouble find refuge in her.”” (v32, MSG).

Hallelujah! Turn to Zion all you who are troubled and heavy-hearted. You can find shelter in the strong tower of Mt. Zion. You can find a safe place in the strong tower of God alone.

“The Lord is a mighty tower where his people can run for safety.” (Proverbs 18:10, CEV)

 

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

 

Isaiah 13

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 13.

Lots of judgment, war, doom and gloom. The earth will shake. The stars will stop shining.  Verse 22: “Babylon is doomed. It won’t be long now.” (MSG)

This all sounds horrible, doesn’t it? “I will punish this evil world
and its people because of their sins. I will crush the horrible pride of those who are cruel.” (v11, CEV).

The New Testament writers confirm God will bring His wrath on the nations, especially those nations who have not been kind to Israel.  Matthew, Mark and Luke all note these things will indeed occur.  And then…

“Right after those days of suffering, “The sun will become dark, and the moon will no longer shine. The stars will fall, and the powers in the sky will be shaken.”  Then a sign will appear in the sky. And there will be the Son of Man. All nations on earth will weep when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. At the sound of a loud trumpet, he will send his angels to bring his chosen ones together from all over the earth.” (Matthew 24:29‭-‬31, CEV).

And Luke says: “Then the Son of Man will be seen, coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When all of this starts happening, stand up straight and be brave. You will soon be set free.” (Luke 21:27‭-‬28, CEV).

My heart grieves that if this doesn’t occur in my lifetime some generation down line from me will experience this torment and doom. Someone within my family’s bloodlines, and within yours, will face the peril of the earth. The good news is: “You will soon be set free!” We will all be set free!

This is the hope we all have! Even when we see the words of the prophets seemingly coming to pass on the nightly news, we will all be set free! That’s news that Isaiah 12 says that we are to shout to the nations! “Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” (Isaiah 12:6, NIV).

Isaiah later proclaims that God will bring about new things:

“I am creating new heavens
    and a new earth;
everything of the past
    will be forgotten.
 Celebrate and be glad forever!
I am creating a Jerusalem,
    full of happy people.
I will celebrate with Jerusalem
    and all of its people;
there will be no more crying
    or sorrow in that city.” (Isaiah 65:17-19, CEV).

“We will all be set free!”

 

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 12

Posted on by richlyspeaking
The Sea of Galilee from the Mount of Beatitudes.

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 12 speaks for itself!

And you will say in that day, “I thank you, God . You were angry but your anger wasn’t forever. You withdrew your anger and moved in and comforted me. “Yes, indeed—God is my salvation. I trust, I won’t be afraid. God —yes God !—is my strength and song, best of all, my salvation!” Joyfully you’ll pull up buckets of water from the wells of salvation. And as you do it, you’ll say, “Give thanks to God. Call out his name. Ask him anything! Shout to the nations, tell them what he’s done, spread the news of his great reputation! “Sing praise-songs to God. He’s done it all! Let the whole earth know what he’s done! Raise the roof! Sing your hearts out, O Zion! The Greatest lives among you: The Holy of Israel.”

Isaiah 12:1‭-‬6 MSG