Woe to the wicked who say we'll believe it when we see it. The Lord's anger burned against them and Isaiah tried to warn them. Around the year 740BC King Uzziah died and Isaiah saw God in a vision. He thought he was a dead man, but an angel touched his mouth with a burning coal and told him his sins were atoned for. Then Isaiah heard God ask them "Whom shall I send?" Isaiah spoke up and said, "Here am I. Send me!" God told Isaiah to tell the people keep doing what they're doing and they would be sorry. Isaiah asked God how long he was to tell the people this? God told him to keep at it until there was nothing left.
Later while Ahaz was king of Judah, Ephraim teamed up with Israel and came to fight against Judah. This betrayal was tough for the people of Judah. God told Isaiah to meet Ahaz and give him a message to stay calm and He would take care of everything. "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." (Ch 7:9) The Lord told Ahaz to ask for a sign, but Ahaz told Him he wouldn't test Him. Then Isaiah told him it was bad enough to try the patience of men, but would he try the patience of God too? Isaiah then told Ahaz that the Lord Himself would give him a sign; a virgin would bear a son and they would call Him Immanuel, which means God with us. By then their enemies would be dust. The Lord would bring the king of Assyria and life as they knew it would be gone.
God told Isaiah to write "quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil" on a scroll. God called Uriah the priest and Zechariah as witnesses. Then Isaiah went to the prophetess (his wife) and she conceived and had a son and named him "Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz" which means quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil. Before he could say Mommy or Daddy the Assyrians would overtake Israel and Syria.
In due time God would glorify the land of Zebulun and Naphtali; Galilee beyond the Jordan River. The people walking in darkness would see a great light. "A child has been born for us, We have been given a son who will be our ruler. His names will be Wonderful Advisor and Mighty God, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace. His power will never end; peace will last forever. He will rule David's kingdom and make it grow strong. He will always rule with honesty and justice, The Lord All-Powerful will make certain that all of this is done." (Isaiah 9:6-7 CEV) The Lord warned the people of Israel, but they were too proud to care. The Lord sent the Arameans and the Philistines to attack them and they swallowed up Israel. Since He was still angry with them, He kept punishing them.
Tomorrow read Isaiah 9:13-13:16
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