- Within its 66 chapters, the first 37 chapters are primarily about judgments for sin, while the last 27 chapters are about forgiveness, comfort, and hope (through the coming of Jesus).
- It is the only book in the bible that contains the words "I love you" (Isa 43:4)... for all the peeps out there whose love language is "words of affirmation", yep God SAYS He loves us :)
- The nations against whom the judgments were being pronounced:
Assyria
Babylon
Philistia
Moab
Cush
Egypt
Edom
Arabia
and as we know, Israel (both the northern and southern kingdoms)
The nations listed (besides Israel) were about to be punished (and in some cases, destroyed) because of their wickedness. (For example, in Jonah 1:2 God indicated that He was about to destroy Nineveh, an Assyrian city, because "[their] wickedness has come up before [Him].") However, before their punishment was dispensed, God used these nations to humble His people by allowing them to defeat the Israelites in battle. Yet, the nations didn't know that God was PERMITTING them to overpower His people, they thought they were that powerful... they were arrogant.
- In a similar way, Jesus PERMITTED mere humans to humiliate, torture, and kill Him. Jesus stated in Matt 26:53-54, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and He will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"... and also in John 19:11, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." As Jesus was dying on the cross, the pharisees and teachers of the law probably looked on with satisfaction... they were arrogant.
- In a similar way, Satan who attacks us with unceasing blows of wickedness, anger, and relentless aggression WILL be destroyed and thrown into the "lake of burning sulfur" (Rev 20:10). Indeed, one day "...at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD..." Philp 2:10-11.
2 comments:
Wow Tera that's a long post. Gotta be the record so far. Thanks for all the info on Isaiah. Interesting connection with Jesus. The people were quite twisted during this time. I'm really enjoying Isaiah this time around. It's hard to see what's going on but I think I'm getting more this time. There's something about the Isaiah stuff that really sticks out or pops. Maybe I related to it or agree with it and understand what's going on. Great post!
TC, thanks for the tasty precursory chunks of soul food for the book of Isaiah. Knowing that God allows certain things and wills other things is pretty humbling.
Already, Satan and the demons must petition for permission to act. We are not even heavenly beings yet we regard ourselves so highly at times. As you noted, arrogance is not merely a dingy thought but also outward expressions of wickedness. We exercise our allowances and believe in entitlement of power and wealth or even our health.
When we possess much, we often forego love and become selfish. But if only we knew all we have is an allowance by God, perhaps we would retain that humble heart of the poor, like that of the widow.
Perhaps in our wealth and might, God wishes for us to bow our knees before he demands us to. Perhaps we were allowed to have money, power and strength to give more, serve more, share more, forgive more, lift up more and just simply to love.
Lately, I was returned to a humbler place. I now see better the worth and need to love in its truest and purest form. Not with hesitation or resevation, nor unaccompanied words.
Hannah Montana checking now...
Post a Comment