I never thought I would say this, but I'm going to miss Isaiah. I've read the Bible a couple of times, but I don't remember having a feeling of affection for Isaiah before. I do, I feel affection for what he will tell me next. Just when I am weary of his endless exhortations to the children of Israel to obey the commandments of God, he throws in an amazing bit of information about God and who He is and what He can do for us in our lives if we just say "Yes!" Or his exact descriptions of Jesus Christ and what He will mean for us mere humans and I am astonished. I appreciate that!
Isaiah prophesied that Jerusalem would be rebuilt after a time when the Israelites would be captives in a distant land. Isaiah knew his purpose in life. He listed some of the ways he served the people and God.
The Lord told the Israelites that He would always defend them. They would no longer be thought of as deserted and childless, but happily married. God would protect them and He promised them that never again would those who subdued them eat the grain they had sown or drink the wine from the grapes they planted.
Isaiah recalled the history of the people and the Lord. Over hundreds of years the people lived and God reached out for them. Sometimes they listened and sometimes they didn't. But through it all the Lord remained steadfast and didn't forget or forsake His chosen ones. Isaiah asked God to "Be a spark that starts a fire causing water to boil." He noted that God will "help all who gladly obey and do what you want, but sin makes you angry." That "Only by your help can we ever be saved." Isaiah knew that no matter how hard they tried they weren't good enough for God. God taught His children the right way and then let them do things their way and fail. He allowed them to experience the consequences.
The Lord never really left the children of Israel as they thought. He was there all the time, only they never called to Him. They never asked for Him. He would reach out to them and they would reject Him by worshiping idols and disobeying the laws and tell others that they were dedicated to God. The sins of the past were forgotten and the future would be wonderful. His people would live in the homes they built and live a long and healthy life. Their children would be blessed and their prayers would be answered before they finished praying. God would make sure their lives were blessed.
Tomorrow finish Isaiah (ch 66) and read Jeremiah 1-2:25
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