Isaiah 31

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It is disappointing when a child begins to consider his parent an enemy who can be safely ignored, rather than an ally in helping him to do his best. With human families, some of the fault for such a breach belongs to fathers rather than to children. They may exasperate their young ones with their own foolishness and hypocrisy, making it easy for the next generation to choose a pathway of rebellion. In the case of God's love for Israel, we can make no such accusation against Him. He was a perfect Father to His people. Whenever there was any problem between God and His nation, the fault was entirely with the children.

In the days of Isaiah, Israel faced imminent destruction at the hands of the Assyrian Empire. The Lord their God had warned them repeatedly about their disobedience. He was sovereign over Israel and Assyria. How would Israel respond to the discipline of the Almighty? Too often they turned to Egypt for help, rather than consulting the Lord in the day of their trouble. Protection from the ancient nation of Egypt was a false hope for God's people.

Why was God insistent that His people rely on Him rather than on the strength of neighboring nations for their survival? He was teaching them an important truth that they needed to understand: The biggest and best power in the universe was none other than the Lord Himself. He expected His people to pay attention to Him, allowing His Word to direct them throughout their brief lives under the sun.

God told Israel through Isaiah what they surely should have already known: They did not need to be intimidated by the power of any adversary. He would come down to fight on “Mount Zion.” His arm was well equipped to protect and rescue them. Jesus knew this well. Even from the cross He had legions of angels at His command. Yet He trusted in God to save Him and us.

How many men and angels does Christ direct from heaven today? When we scoff at Him or ignore Him, we show signs of a childish revolt against the Lord. We have bold access to our Father in heaven through Jesus. We can call upon His Name in every trial.

Let us cast away all the idols of our hearts and minds. We need to abandon sinful patterns of thought and behavior that will only bring us loss and difficulty. Today is a good day for everyone to remember the Lord in His power and to embrace Him in His love. Why should we revolt against the One who is so committed to our spiritual growth and our eternal well-being?

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Father God, we look to You today in the midst of our troubles. We see now that the praise and aid of men will never be the ultimate answer for us. We cast away the idols of our hearts, and we remember You. Thank You for the great gift of Your Son, for His cross, and for His resurrection. Thank You for Your abiding love, and even for the trials that point us homeward again to You.

Isaiah 30

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It is a disturbing fact of human history that when individuals or nations find themselves in mortal danger they often turn to helpers that will not do them any good. The criminal who has been caught may seek help from a better thief rather than truly listen to someone who can lead in a direction of honest labor. The student who has not been diligent in his studies may turn to the one who is willing to aid him in cheating, rather than to the tutor who can help make the class more understandable. In Isaiah 30, the Israel that God once rescued from Egypt, now facing the threat of the Assyrians, turns back again to Egypt as a potential savior.

Why would Israel turn to Egypt for help? The answer was obvious. Egypt had horses, chariots, and soldiers, the visible things in which people put their trust. They rejected the all-powerful invisible God and determined to have faith in other solutions to their problems. God calls His people “stubborn children.” They had a plan but it was not God’s plan, and it would surely fail. Egypt would not be able to help them against the Assyrians.

The people of Israel were like children who would not hear the counsel of their father. Because of their foolish rejection of the best helper, the Lord told His prophet to write these words down as a witness for their later consideration: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength.”

Despite the sad testimony of their rebellion, the Lord was resolutely determined to be gracious to Israel, and He waited for them like the father in Luke 15 who was looking for his prodigal son to return home. There would be a chosen people for God in “Zion.” He would send them supernatural help and direction when He heard the sound of their cry. He was the one who had given them the bread of adversity, but even that was for a gracious purpose. It was absolutely necessary that they be humbled, and that they would cry out to Him and find help. He would grant to them a heavenly teacher. “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way. Walk in it.'”

God was very capable of providing speedy deliverance. His success rate was far above all earthly powers. He could bind up the brokenness of His people. He would use whatever methods He wished to speak to His flock. We too must be willing to rest in the Savior who has worked perfectly for our salvation. Let us return to Him again in quietness and trust. Let us hear His good Word to us in the Scriptures. We will surely see the blessing of the Lord in the land of the living.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Lord God, when we face problems that are far beyond us, we should turn to You with persistence and faith. Why do we run out of energy almost before we have asked You for help? Why do we turn to the world and long for the word of false prophets? Father, our sin is deep. We need You. Teach us to run to You day by day. We are sorry for our continued rebellion against You. We know that You will hear us when we cry out to You. We trust that You will answer us and will lead us in the way of help. We turn away from idolatry and calmly rest in Your embrace. We look for Your glorious light. You will bind up our wounds. Grant us a song in the night that we might be true to You throughout the pilgrimage of this life. Help us to put one foot in front of another that we might continue on the pathway that leads to You.

Isaiah 29

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God intended to bring judgment not only upon far-off Gentile nations. He would also make an honest assessment of the very center of His blessed presence on earth, the city of Jerusalem, called here by the name “Ariel.” In the place where His chosen king, David, once reigned, God would be like an enemy king encamping against His own people. They had become haughty, and He would bring them low.

Though God’s chosen flock would be disciplined by the Lord, their foes who were arrayed against the city of God would eventually be humbled lower still. Those adversaries would be like a bad dream that vanishes when we awake. But the Lord's family would be together with Him forever.

Beyond the removal of mortal enemies, the Lord would also bring solid blessings to Zion’s children. All the good gifts that the Almighty would bestow upon His beloved nation would be won not through their own obedience, but through the perfect righteousness of Jesus. In fact, even the prophets of Israel would very often prove to be a disgrace before God, and the worship of His assembly would be a man-pleasing abomination covered over with much hypocrisy. Despite all their shortcomings, the Almighty would shower His people with bountiful eternal blessings.

The age to come would be a time of massive divine healing. Even the land would yield a glorious harvest. The deaf would hear and the blind would see. Those who were often oppressed by powerful people would have joy in that great day, and the poor would celebrate God as their great deliverer.

What about those who had been high and mighty? They might very well become nothing. And those that were once nothing? God could make them shine like stars in the sky. This would be the day when God’s Israel finally experienced lasting victory. God Himself would grant the heavenly kingdom of resurrection to His beloved children. Then all of the redeemed would glorify the Lord God. Even some who had gone astray in spirit during their days under the sun would receive understanding and would be made receptive to true spiritual instruction.

God's covenant people should have their hearts set on the Lord's glorious kingdom. Our present earth is a world of fleeting pleasures. We are looking for a new city where the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised incorruptible. We want to live forever in a realm where sin is gone. We are looking for the temple where Jesus Christ is the pure and holy cornerstone. One day we will live in a glorious realm where we will see the Lord.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Lord God Almighty, we should not be surprised when distress comes upon Your church. You will not be content with our destructive disobedience. You will visit us with discipline. Many of Your true servants will yet be caught up in difficulties that come upon Your people. Nonetheless You are able to preserve our souls for the coming day of resurrection. Even when Your righteous judgment comes upon Your church, we continue to look for a day of tremendous joy. This will be a day when the blind will see and the deaf will hear. We have been granted a wonderful taste of that coming day in the visitation of Your Son. We look for the fullness of His mercy when He returns for us.

Isaiah 28

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The Old Testament nation of Israel was split into two lands after the reign of Solomon. The northern kingdom was still called Israel, but was sometimes referred to by the name of one of her leading tribes, the tribe of Ephraim. This northern area was conquered by Assyria in 722 BC. Her fall was the occasion for the oracle contained in Isaiah 28.

Wine is a mocker. The proud man thinks that he is valued when he drinks. He forgets the danger that is all around him, and his senses are dulled—senses that would be important for his continued safety. Israel is said to be a drunkard in these verses, but she is also called a fading flower. She is well past her prime, and there is a strong adversary who will soon overcome her defenses. This adversary, Assyria, is coming as an agent of the Lord.

The destruction of the northern kingdom will all happen very quickly when her final days come. She will suddenly be gone. Yet even this part of ancient Israel will have a remnant who are kept by God. This holy portion will turn to the Lord Almighty and they will find Him to be beautiful and glorious. Nonetheless, the drunken priests and prophets will have no help from the God that they say they represent. They will still claim to bring a word from God or a prophetic vision, but their lives will be covered with filth. Who will believe that they actually represent a holy Lord?

Will anyone pay attention to the prophet or priest who will not follow the God he claims to represent? He would give training to the young, but who will listen to such a man? Since God will not bless His people forever through men who only make a pretense of holiness, He will speak to them through those men from far-off nations, men who speak with a foreign tongue. God Himself will teach foreigners of a new way of rest and security, and they will come back and speak to His people, the Israelites, but many will refuse to hear. They will be offended when they hear a true message from foreign lips. Instead of growing little by little in the way of righteousness as should be the way for those who are the children of God, little by little they will fall backward and will eventually be utterly broken.

This prophecy is an exact description of the struggles of the first century church. True spiritual security had been revealed in Christ, yet He was rejected by so many from His own people group, the Jews. When Gentiles were brought into the household of faith—and some would even be elders and pastors—this would be an intolerable offense for many Jews. They would themselves become hardened against both the message of the Old Testament and the good news of the kingdom of heaven.

Isaiah speaks of Israel (the northern land) not learning the message of God, but lest the southern land of Judah and her capital, Jerusalem, think that the way would be smooth for her, or that she would be an example of faithfulness as opposed to her wayward sister, the prophet reveals that the people of Jerusalem would be scoffers. Her leaders would be a grave disappointment. They would take false confidence in their spiritist pacts that they imagined would protect them from death, but they would be sadly mistaken. They would place their confidence in lies and falsehood, rather than listening to the Word of truth. Because of this they would stumble over the One who would be God’s cornerstone in His kingdom, the Lord Jesus Christ.

This cornerstone would one day come. Though rejected by men, He would be precious in God’s eyes. Jesus became the key rock of stability in the foundation of God’s holy spiritual temple at the inauguration of the New Testament era. He had a life of unfailing righteousness, and His death and resurrection brought life to all who put their trust in Him.

Jesus was not impressed with the lies of men, no matter how good they sounded to those who considered their words very spiritual and praiseworthy. Rather than discovering a secure way to protect themselves from death, many Jews were simply overcome by the kingdom of darkness. They rejected the Messiah and faced the Lord’s decree of destruction against His ancient nation.

The only way for anyone, whether Jew or Gentile, to escape this judgment is to hear the Word of the Lord, give attention to His speech, and surrender to Him. The Lord is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom. There is no better resolve for any of us than to consider His Word with care and to follow Him with serious attention.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Glorious God, You will purify Your church in the days that are coming. How large is Your mercy, O Lord? What will You do with those who have been oppressed by the devil and who have fallen into enslaving sin? We know that we are guilty sinners. None of us could stand before You in our own goodness. Our only hope is in the righteousness of Christ. We pray for Your mercy upon our sons and daughters who have been caught in foolish lies and worldliness. Surely You know the sincerity of the faith that You gave to them in the days of their youth. Annul their covenant with death that they make when they seem to forget Your ways. They have not utterly forsaken Your Name. You must have held them through the raging storm of deception and immorality. They have faced the destruction of this creation, will they face a second destruction in the age to come? Our hope is for something better than this. You will not discipline Your people forever. Though the body be dead because of sin, the Spirit will be alive because of righteousness. We thank You for the abundance of Your grace. Our God and the God of our children, have mercy on us, for we are weak.

Isaiah 27

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In the third chapter of the Bible a talking serpent suddenly begins to converse with a woman. The world has never been the same since that day. At the center of Genesis 3, God announced that a man descended from Eve would one day crush the head of the serpent. Who could have expected that it would be thousands of years before the true Messiah would come?

In Isaiah 27 the announcement of the punishment of the old serpent is given once again, many years after the events of Genesis 3, but still long before the birth of Jesus Christ. The Lord had a great sword that He would use against Satan. He would slay that dragon and protect the pleasant vineyard of His own planting. Israel would be more than the Jews in that day of the Lord’s deliverance. Jacob would take root, like a tree planted by the waterside, and Israel would fill the whole world with fruit.

What a wonderful vision! 700 years after Isaiah, the Messiah at the center of God's plan was born in Bethlehem. He faced the unbelief of neighbors, the betrayal of a friend, and even death by crucifixion. The church, led now by our resurrected Lord and empowered by the Spirit of God, has experienced much suffering over the course of these many centuries. Like Old Testament Israel, we face the discipline of God. But when Christ returns the chief of fallen angels, the serpent of old, will be crushed, and the enemies of the church will have to stand before the Almighty.

Isaiah tells us that the people of God will one day burn their idols. All men tend toward idolatry. Some resolve to change. Few will destroy their precious objects. There is a spiritual battle today as the church is called to be true to Jesus and the Scriptures in a time of temptation. The serpent has been dealt a death blow through the cross of Christ. Yet that dragon tells his lies and lures many into his snare of temptation. Millions prefer what their eyes can see. They listen to the suggestions of Satan, and reject the Word of God. But some will make a fundamental change of allegiance. They will turn away from the pit of destruction in favor of the kingdom of light.

Our guilt was atoned for when our Savior died for our sins. Yet the true followers of Christ still have a cross to bear. One day all of our suffering will be gone. The victory of God will come in its fullness. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He has the future firmly in His hands.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Lord God, You rule over all men and angels. You will judge our oppressors, and You will keep us as Your people forever. We will be Your pleasant vineyard. Your church is filling the whole world with the message of Your Son. We believe, and thus we rejoice, even in the day of great persecution and affliction. We know that the troubles that we face now are temporary, but the rejoicing of Your worshiping people from throughout the earth will be eternal.

Isaiah 26

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When Isaiah was used by the Lord to bring a Word to Israel so long ago, he wrote of a future time of great safety and blessing. “In that day,” according to the Word of the prophet, a “song will be sung in the land of Judah,” a song about the ultimate city of God.

That great place of glory would one day be a refuge for the righteous. Who would direct the faithful homeward through the troubled times that they faced? Isaiah's instruction was clear: “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”

God Himself would put an end to the enemies of His people. Though He would also discipline His own children, His correction would be measured—designed not to destroy them but to keep them from the pathway of destruction. The earnest Israelite might face moments of despair, yet he would turn to the God of Jacob. “My soul yearns for You in the night.”

Those who rejected the true God would never “learn righteousness,” but the Lord would lead His chosen flock to the peace that He had ordained for them. They would turn away from lesser allegiances, and would testify before God, “Your Name alone we bring to remembrance.”

The pathway to everlasting life would not be quick or easy. “Like a pregnant woman,” Israel would suffer through labor pains and seem to have nothing to show for all her troubles. But God's good purpose of a resurrection kingdom would most certainly be accomplished in due course. “Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise.” Yes, the citizens of the new kingdom of life would “sing for joy!”

Until that day would dawn so many centuries in the future, the faithful were called to face many difficult years. They would turn to their God in humble devotion according to His instruction. “Come my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed.”

In the days of Isaiah it would be the Assyrians who would be the immediate cause of so much weeping in Israel and Judah. Yet the faithful would repeat the good word to one another: “The Lord is coming.” One day God would punish the Assyrians, and the people of the Lord's electing love would rise again to live forever in a kingdom of blessing.

Isaiah wrote of a hope that is still the longing of the church. We too may face the discipline of the Almighty during our brief lives. Like the faithful from prior centuries, we may need to go to some relatively private place to pray and sing in order to be strengthened in God. But one day the Lord will come, and the fullest measure of victory that Jesus has for His beloved family will be plainly seen throughout the whole earth.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

God of Heaven and Earth, we trust in You. You are an everlasting Rock for Your people in Jesus Christ. We wait for You. We look for You now and forever. Those who seek You will surely find You, though You may seem to be hidden for a moment. You have granted to us a hope of resurrection, and not only to us, but to all who have come to You through Your Son. The great birth that is coming for Your kingdom in the age of resurrection will be wonderful forever.

Isaiah 25

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There are so many reasons for us to praise God! He has truly done wonderful things. Occasionally men attain great achievements without any detailed planning. This is never the case with God. He has had specific intentions for the highest good from eternity past, and He will most certainly accomplish all of His holy will.

The Lord's decrees touch upon the deliverance of His people who are facing great troubles from powerful nations. He can take a strong city and make it a heap of ruins that will never be rebuilt. Ruthless foes threatened Israel in every age, but God was never intimidated by any of them.

It is always thrilling to see the violent intentions of brutal people thwarted when they come against the weak to destroy them. We rejoice at the reversal that puts the smaller wrestler in a commanding position while the big bully is unexpectedly pinned. While there are some adversaries that are simply overwhelming for us, our God can easily stop the onslaught of the mightiest foe. What could be more demoralizing to the desperately weak guardians of the homeland than the victory song of an approaching enemy? But the Lord can remove every violent threat in a moment.

It is easy for anyone to become patriotic when his nation is threatened. We instinctively root for the home team when all our neighbors are doing so as well. But is there something bigger in this chapter than standing up for familiar faces or seeking the well-being of those with whom we are most closely related? Is there more here than a local or temporary win? Is there a victory of far greater eternal significance?

The grandest celebration that could ever be conceived will truly come to pass one day through the work of the Lord and through the fulfillment of His mighty plan. That victory will do more than merely push away a frightening foe for a brief season. Our Messiah has already achieved the death of death through His own willing service as a substitute for sinners. This victory was world-changing and life-giving. The veil of misery and confusion over the nations has been lifted. Mortality has been defeated. All our tears will soon be wiped away.

The hope contained in such pronouncements may seem too good to be real. When we remember God and His plan, what once seemed impossible becomes our blessed assurance. The work of Jesus Christ from His conception to His current reign in heaven is simply unstoppable. We wait upon the return of the Lord with hope, knowing that He will save us. His plan is so full and definite that we should never dismiss it in unbelief. He will bring about a worldwide resurrection from the dead and an eternity of heavenly glory.

There are powerful enemies who would love to be able to overturn the decree of God for His people. These adversaries will never succeed. The cross was a decisive blow against all evil. There is simply no way that the devil and his allies will win the victory in any future ultimate contest. We can live in the certainty that the enemies of the Almighty will be most soundly defeated in the hour of the Lord’s choosing.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Father God, we praise Your Name. You have done wonderful things. You hear the prayers of the needy, and You provide a place of rescue in Your Son. Beyond the Day of Judgment there is a wonderful eternity of peace. Death will be swallowed up forever. You are God. We have waited for You. You are faithful to Your Word. Though You lay us low, we will find our greatest joy as those who are blessed by Your grace.

Isaiah 24

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The God of Israel is not a God only for the land of Palestine. This is clear from the opening chapter of the Bible. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Throughout the Psalms we extol the one who is in charge of the starry host in the heavens, and who has established the earth on the vast waters of the seas. He created mankind in His image. He is able to give hope to the weak and the weary. He will not be stopped by any strong oppressor. Kings must answer to Him, and His salvation can reach the most humble sinner.

This is the one true God. His day of judgment will be a moment of reckoning for the whole earth. He is the one who populates the wilderness, and at the time of His choosing, He will bring desolation throughout the earth. This judgment will not be reserved only for one class or category of people. Every kind of person will feel the Lord’s righteous wrath—the leader and the follower, the big man and the low servant. God is no respecter of persons according to the things that impress people. By the Lord’s Word, the most exalted people of the earth will languish, and the territory of all nations will face devastation.

Why would God ever do this? Isaiah gave Israel the answer in plain words: Men had transgressed the laws of God. This was a very important concept. We might have guessed that only the people who had been given God’s Law in written form would be judged by God’s commandments. Yet all the lands of the earth know about His existence and His majesty. All needed to seek Him and find Him. Everyone had been given a conscience which was more or less informed concerning the ways of God. That conscience sometimes accused them and sometimes defended them. But all were guilty before the Lord, and everyone was without excuse, for they had broken relationship with the Almighty Father. They had transgressed “the everlasting covenant.”

One day, the time for partying would be over. Anyone with any sense would have to put away the wine and the tambourines, send the merry-hearted home, and stop the singers and dancers. The judgment of God would come.

This fullness of God’s retribution was what once came down upon Christ on the cross. What Isaiah spoke of in this chapter as the final event of judgment which would cut off all mindless celebration was experienced by the One Man of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. He passed through those waters of destruction and defeated sin and death for us. Because of His cross, even Old Testament prophets like Isaiah could speak of something good happening for someone in the day of the Lord’s wrath. Some would be singing for joy because of the majesty of the Lord. This redeemed remnant would shout from the west, and the east too would give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel. From the ends of the earth the true people of God would sing and hear songs of praise, songs of glory to “the Righteous One,” our God and King.

Nonetheless the devastation upon those who did not own Christ as Lord, and who did not obey the gospel, would be so furious that the very pit of destruction would seem to swallow up all the inhabitants of the earth. There would be terror on all sides, and the earth would be split apart and violently shaken. Its transgression would lie heavy upon it, and it would fall, never to rise again. The judgment of God would be known in the heavens and on the earth. Powerful authorities and rulers in high places would be called to account before the judgment seat of Christ. At long last wicked oppressors, both of men and of angels, would be shut away for eternity on that Day of the Lord.

The Lord of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem—that is among His holy redeemed church—and the glory of the great and mighty God will be visible. Saved by the blood of the Lamb, and serving Him without sin forever, the people of Christ will experience their greatest reward on the very day when the judgment of God will overwhelm the boasts of the proud.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Our Father, Judgment Day will finally come upon all the earth. You have spoken. You have promised Your perfect justice for centuries. You have given numerous powerful signs of great destruction. Though many people ignore You, this should not be our story. May we give glory to Your Name everywhere. Though terror may come against us on every side, You are still God over all of creation. Your judgment does not come upon the world without reason. You reign from heaven, and You will judge men and angels with perfect justice. Your Son is our everlasting refuge. We call upon Your name through Him.

Isaiah 23

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International trade is a way of life for all of the prosperous nations of the world. Disaster in one land will have serious consequences for the economic life of other countries. The history of ancient Tyre is a good example of this principle.

Tyre was a place known for its ships and merchants. Many nations counted on trade with this small but very powerful business partner. If Tyre were to fall, other lands would miss the economic benefit of their engagement with this port city. Isaiah lists Tarshish, Cyprus, and Egypt as among those who will be distressed with the loss of their trading partner. Egypt would be in “anguish.” Tarshish would “wail.”

There are few specifics in this prophecy that would help us to pinpoint the historic events referred to in this chapter. What we do see clearly is the ultimate source of the trouble that Tyre will face. “The Lord of hosts has purposed it.” We also see the reason for God's judgment. It was because of the “pompous pride” of this land of commercial prosperity.

Like a “forgotten prostitute,” the nation of Tyre would go around the cities of the world, singing songs of better days. She hoped her memory would not be completely erased from the minds of the lands that once were her customers. At the end of some defined period, her business would be restored to the benefit of the people of the Lord. God's purpose for even this proud city would certainly be accomplished.

When we have large bank accounts we imagine that we are gods and the masters of our own lives. We proudly boast about our plans to go here and there and to make more and more money. But we do not even know when our lives will be required of us. In a few short years it is the destiny of almost every man to be forgotten by others.

It is the deceptiveness of riches that causes a man to think that this will never happen to him. By contrast, the story of our Savior is so very different. He was born in a state of profound humiliation and He died on a cross after soldiers had cast lots for the garment He was wearing. Yet at the name of Jesus ever knee shall one day bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

We don't think very much about Tyre and Sidon today. Their time has come and gone. But the poor man who came to give His life for sinners is still the Lord of His church, and He will be highly exalted forever and ever. Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away, but there is something about the person of Jesus Christ and the story of the events of His life and death that convinces us that He is always worthy of the most serious consideration.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

God of Grace, in every season of life we should turn away from evil and turn toward You. The world does not understand what to do in the time of trouble. Will we who acknowledge Your glorious Name be just as foolish as the world when we face overwhelming difficulties? Teach us to turn away from everything unclean. We do not want to be enslaved in spiritual immorality. We long to be Your pure bride forever.