Isaiah 23

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 23.

More woe. That certainly appears to be a constant theme, right? This time the circle expands to the north of Israel, to what is Lebanon today. Tyre of Ancient Days is near today’s Beirut. It is most associated with precious metals and the source of King Solomon’s wealth. The location of Tarshish has been lost to antiquity. Some suggest Italy or as far away as southern Spain. Or even right near Tyre.

This is again a reminder that man’s wealth is but a mere speck in time. It comes and goes as the waves of the oceans upon which the sailor journeys.

One day, the city of Tyre’s wealth will be restored. But look at this:

“At the end of those seventy years, the Lord will let Tyre get back into business. The city will be like a woman who sells her body to everyone of every nation on earth, but none of what is earned will be kept in the city. That money will belong to the Lord, and it will be used to buy more than enough food and good clothes for those who worship the Lord.” (v17-18, CEV).

This outlines an amazing principle. No matter the source of the wealth, it all belongs to God and God will use it for His purposes. He can use even the evil of the world to bless those who worship Him.

I’m reminded of the story of Joseph in Genesis. His was a life of major trials. His own family sold him into slavery. He was unjustly imprisoned for years. And yet, God used all of that for God’s glory and Joseph’s joy. As the story concludes Joseph is reunited with his brothers and declares that he holds no ill-will towards them:

“Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people.” (Genesis 50:19-20, MSG).

As you trust Him, God will use your trials — even things that might be considered evil directed against you — for His good, for His glory, and your joy. Our call is to be faithful to Him no matter the circumstances or situation.

Paul says it this way: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV).

 

If you’re new to this journey through Isaiah, you can start here.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 22

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 22.

Verse 11 brings us wisdom and caution: “You looked and looked and looked, but you never looked to him who gave you this city, never once consulted the One who has long had plans for this city.” (v11, MSG).

I’m reminded of Proverbs 16:9: “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.”

We must always, always consult, pray, ask and seek God’s counsel as we make decisions. And trust Him as He leads. How do we know it’s Him leading versus us following our own ways? That’s a great question! I wrestle with it daily, especially in seasons of uncertainty. His ways will always line up with Scripture. And, we are to seek the counsel of those who know us, who may be able to see another angle, and who might be able to affirm or offer other thoughts — also through the lens of Scripture.

Another favorite Proverb: “With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, CEV).

So, whenever you have a big decision to make, or even daily as you seek to walk where God leads, consult Him. Follow His ways. Discover His best for your life!

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 21

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 21.

Babylon. Edom. Arabia. More woe!

“Look, here comes a man in a chariot with a team of horses. And he gives back the answer: ‘Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!’” (v9, NIV).

I’m reminded of the very first of the Ten Commandments:

“Do not worship any god except me. Do not make idols that look like anything in the sky or on earth or in the ocean under the earth.” (Exodus 20:3‭-‬4 ,CEV).

Babylon has fallen. Its images of its gods lie shattered on the ground. There is a lesson for us. If we worship other gods — and I believe the definition for both “worship” and “gods” is quite broad — we too will fall. Our joy is that we can worship the One, True, Living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is our only source of life and life to the full. Isaiah will ask the reader later in Chapter 44: 10: “Why make an idol or an image that can’t do a thing?”

Instead, let us fix our eyes  on Jesus (Hebrews 12) and follow hard after God and let His powerful right arm support us (Psalms 63:8).

We make idols all the time, don’t we? They may not look like gods, but they are all around us. These are things that take our attention away from the eternal. When we do fall, when we prioritize idols over God — like a person or a job or a newly acquired thing — I’m thankful for the grace of Jesus. He offers new life time and time again as we recognize our folly.

“…and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:24, NIV).

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 20

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 20.

Well, you just have to read this one yourselves…

I’m reading a number of commentaries to try to understand.

Three years Isaiah walked around town naked. Most of the Puritan era commentators say “well, he wasn’t really naked…” I think he was. It was complete exposure, complete humility. And it was a sign that this is what happens to a people who trust in mere man — as they were doing.

“They will be confused and frustrated, because they depended on Ethiopia and bragged about Egypt.” (v5, MSG). Where is our dependence? On man or on God? Who do we brag about? God or man?

What kind of things are we to wear? Paul spells it out in Colossians 3:

“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” (Colossians 3:12-14, MSG).

And in Ephesians 4, as a sign of our maturity in Christ, we are to: “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24, NIV).

Look at the words of Jesus:

“And I, when I am lifted up  from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32‭, NIV).

Jesus had to die, naked and completely humiliated and thoroughly exposed, so that we might have eternal life through His resurrected body, clothed in the righteousness and the fullness and the beauty of God. Those new clothes are ours, as we humble ourselves and put our trust in God alone.

Only in our humility, will He raise us up as He raised up Jesus.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 19

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 19.

Woe is Egypt! This is so interesting! Another neighboring country who faces God’s wrath.  The Message says: “God has scrambled their brains.” (v15).

But then… “When they cry out in prayer because of oppressors, He’ll send them help, a Savior, who will keep them safe and care for them.” (v 20).

I believe that’s a promise for us as well. When our brains are mush, when there is great fog, when we’re lost, we can cry out to our Abba Father, and He will send us help. He will send us grace and wisdom and joy and peace, through the Holy Spirit. And we will receive His blessing.

“Egypt will come back to God, and God will listen to their prayers and heal them.” (v22, MSG).

God will listen to your prayers and heal you too! And He will bless you!

“On that Day, Israel will take its place alongside Egypt and Assyria, sharing the blessing from the center. God-of-the-Angel-Armies, who blessed Israel, will generously bless them all: “Blessed be Egypt, my people! . . . Blessed be Assyria, work of my hands! . . . Blessed be Israel, my heritage!”” (v24‭-‬25, MSG).

Blessed be you, dear child of God! Even when you feel like you are in a fog, you can trust God to make your way clear again.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 18

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 18.

Woe to Ethiopia. This is getting interesting, isn’t it? If you’re following along you’ll note that Isaiah is drawing this circle of countries of woe around Israel. It was Damascus to the north yesterday. Moab to the east earlier. In this chapter it is Ethiopia to the south.

As a part of God’s judgement, “The nation will be food for mountain buzzards during the summer and for wild animals during the winter.” (v6, CEV).

But then…

“Those Ethiopians are tall and their skin is smooth. They are feared all over the world, because they are strong and brutal. But at that time they will come from their land divided by rivers, and they will bring gifts to the Lord All-Powerful, who is worshiped on Mount Zion.” (v7, CEV).

The Ethiopians will bring gifts to the LORD! This may be a prophesy of one of the Magi who brings a gift to newborn Messiah in Matthew 2.  Isaiah is also saying that everyone will worship God on Mt. Zion. Those from Ethiopia and Moab and Assyria. And people from the USA and Japan and Sweden and Russia and Nigeria and… You see, ultimately, every knee will bow before God, the LORD, Yahweh, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Messiah (Isaiah 45, Romans 14 and Philippians 2)! Yes, every nation! Every people group!

“I invite the whole world to turn to me and be saved.  I alone am God! No others are real. I have made a solemn promise, one that won’t be broken: Everyone will bow down and worship me.” Isaiah 45:22-23 (CEV).

Join me in worshiping God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit today.

 

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 17

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah. Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 17.

More doom. This time for Damascus, to the north.

There is some hope, however:

“At that time the people will turn and trust their creator, the Holy God of Jacob.” (v7, CEV)

Here’s what The Message says:

“Yes, the Day is coming when people will notice The One Who Made Them, take a long hard look at The Holy of Israel. They’ll lose interest in all the stuff they’ve made—altars and monuments and rituals, their homemade, handmade religion—however impressive it is.” (v7-8, MSG).

Oh, may that day be today! Can we lose interest in all the stuff we’ve made? All the altars? All the rituals of our handmade religions? All the programs of today’s church? All the lights, smoke, volume and smooth talk of many of today’s weekend worship services? Yes, this is what is used to encourage people to attend church in America. This is how churches compete with secular entertainment. I get that. I’m not against those things.

But, I believe our prayer each weekend as we step into a worship venue can be this: “God, may I see and hear You and only You today.” As we open our hands with humility and seek “The One Who Made Us” in our rituals, we will find “The Holy of Israel.” Let our hearts be impressed with the message from the Spirit rather than our senses impressed with the atmosphere of the room.

In John’s gospel, Jesus encourages us with these words: “God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24, NIV).

May we continue to trust God, long before there’s a hint of “doom” in our lives. And may we trust our Creator even during times of hardship and struggle. For He is our God. And we are His people. He is our mighty Rock where we find protection. (v10, CEV).

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.