Posts

Isaiah 19, Part Two: In That Day

Image
Isaiah 19, Part Two: In That Day Isaiah 19:16-25 What's gone before... In the previous 15 verses of this chapter Isaiah declared an oracle ("massa", a heavy burden or a song of doom) concerning Egypt. The LORD would stir up conflict with the nation, confounding their leadership, bringing devestation to Egypt's political, economic and geographic foundations. Now, in Part Two... Isaiah repeats the phrase "In that day" six times in this passage, declaring six specific events or conditions that would befall the Egyptians when the LORD brings war to their nation. In that day the Egyptians will be like women... In that day there will be five cities... In that day there will be an altar... In that day the Egyptians will know... In that day there will be a highway... In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria... IN THAT DAY: yom "yome" (to be hot; a day, as the warm hours of daylight, whether sunrise to sunset, or fr

Isaiah 19, Part One: Maker of War

Image
Isaiah 19, Part One: Maker of War Isaiah 19:1-15 Previously, in Chapter 18... God inspired Isaiah to urge ambassadors from Cush (Ethiopia) to go to Babylonia, a nation "tall and smooth", a people feared "near and far", a nation "mighty and conquering." They were to tell of God's mighty work in delivering Jerusalem from the Assyrian army. Now, in Chapter 19, verses 1 through 15... Isaiah issues a harsh word of doom for Egypt. Isaiah 19:1-4 (ESV) An oracle concerning Egypt. Behold, the LORD is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them. And I will stir up Egyptians against Egyptians, and they will fight, each against another and each against his neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom; and the spirit of the Egyptians within them will be emptied out, and I will confound their counsel; and they will inquire of the idols a

Isaiah 18, Part Three: The Signal

Image
Isaiah 18, Part Three: The Signal Isaiah had greeted ambassadors sent by a land of "whirring wings, beyond the rivers of Cush", probably referring to Ethiopia, south of Egypt. The alliance between Judah, Egypt and Ethiopia was condemned by God. Isaiah foretold that nothing would result except shame and disgrace for Judah. Now, Isaiah tells the ambassadors to look toward the east, to "a people feared near and far, a nation mighty and conquering..." A People Feared Near and Far Isaiah 18:2 (ESV) Go, you swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth, to a people feared near and far, a nation mighty and conquering, whose land the rivers divide. Who were the people "tall and smooth, a people feared near and far"? This passage begins and ends with reference to a nation "tall and smooth...a people feared near and far": Isaiah 18:2 (ESV) Go, you swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth, to a people feared near and far, a nation m

Isaiah 18, Part Two: Four Kings

Image
Isaiah 18, Part Two: Four Kings At this point Isaiah's book may seem confusing. Judah and Israel, as well as Egypt, Cush, Canaan, Syria and Assyria all experienced changing alliances, defeats and victories, conquests and exile. Isaiah was prophet during the reign of many kings, and he was given visions spanning many decades, each with different circumstances and players. It may be helpful to look at the pivotal events that occurred during the time of Isaiah. Isaiah and the Four Kings Isaiah lived during the years of 740 to 681 BC. He saw the rise and fall of at least six different kings of Judah, beginning with Azariah, and ending with Manasseh. The Book of Isaiah specifically deals with the days of four of these kings of Judah: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. Uzziah And Jotham: Maintaining the Status Quo Uzziah, whose name was a contraction of "Azariah", was the son of Amaziah. During his reign over the southern kingdom of Judah, and later that of his son

Isaiah 18, Part One: Paper Boats and Whirring Wings

Image
Isaiah 18, Part One: Paper Boats and Whirring Wings What's gone before... In chapter 17 Isaiah described the end of Damascus, capitol city of Syria, Israel's ally and hope of glory in their fight against Judah. God would bring Damascus down because of their idolatry and pride. In this passage the God's sovereign control over all nations was seen. God can raise entire kingdoms up, and he can bring them utterly low. We could identify ourselves in this passage, people who easily forget the God of our salvation, the Creator and Sustainer of our life. We stand condemned by our sin in the same way as Damascus and Israel, and our only hope lies in the kindness of God. Now, in chapter 18... Isaiah greets ambassadors sent by a land "of whirring wings, beyond the rivers of Cush". He urges them to go to a nation "tall and smooth, to a people feared near and far". All the world is called to watch as God destroys the impending threat, clearing the might