The passages we read today take us through the whole spectrum of Isaiah’s prophecies. From doom to hope, to glory and back again.
God’s victorious people
Isaiah 26:12-19
Judgement and restoration
Isaiah 26:20-1, 27:1-13
The coming siege
Isaiah 22:1-14
God will punish his enemies
Isaiah 34:1-17
The coming victory
Isaiah 35:1-10
Hezekiah’s divine healing
2 Kings 20:1-11
Hezekiah’s pride
2 Chronicles 32:24-26
Isaiah contains some wonderful passages of hope, and we read one of them today. The vineyard, which back in chapter 5 was unfruitful and disappointing to God, here in chapter 27 has become all that God intended it to be: “ In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit.” (27:6) Here is God’s purpose for his people - to be a blessing to all the world - spelled out.
Coming back to the present, chapter 22 describes the reality that Judah feared: enemies gathering to lay siege to Jerusalem, as it had happened to Samaria.
Moving on again, chapter 34 describes God’s wrath against the other nations, and chapter 35 the restoration of Israel. This is the whole story that Isaiah tells - judgement, defeat, God still in charge taking vengeance on Israel’s enemies, restoration. Overall the message is that God is above all, controlling all, orchestrating events for his purpose.
Now we dip back into history and catch up with Hezekiah. Up to this point he’s been a good, reforming king, nut now he falters. Isaiah is called to see him in his illness, and brings the message that God has heard his prayer and he will recover. But Chronicles tells us that this experience didn’t humble him, he gave in to pride, and this will lead to his downfall.
God’s victorious people
Isaiah 26:12-19
Judgement and restoration
Isaiah 26:20-1, 27:1-13
The coming siege
Isaiah 22:1-14
God will punish his enemies
Isaiah 34:1-17
The coming victory
Isaiah 35:1-10
Hezekiah’s divine healing
2 Kings 20:1-11
Hezekiah’s pride
2 Chronicles 32:24-26
Isaiah contains some wonderful passages of hope, and we read one of them today. The vineyard, which back in chapter 5 was unfruitful and disappointing to God, here in chapter 27 has become all that God intended it to be: “ In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit.” (27:6) Here is God’s purpose for his people - to be a blessing to all the world - spelled out.
Coming back to the present, chapter 22 describes the reality that Judah feared: enemies gathering to lay siege to Jerusalem, as it had happened to Samaria.
Moving on again, chapter 34 describes God’s wrath against the other nations, and chapter 35 the restoration of Israel. This is the whole story that Isaiah tells - judgement, defeat, God still in charge taking vengeance on Israel’s enemies, restoration. Overall the message is that God is above all, controlling all, orchestrating events for his purpose.
Now we dip back into history and catch up with Hezekiah. Up to this point he’s been a good, reforming king, nut now he falters. Isaiah is called to see him in his illness, and brings the message that God has heard his prayer and he will recover. But Chronicles tells us that this experience didn’t humble him, he gave in to pride, and this will lead to his downfall.
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