Reading for March 22nd

 Read Isaiah 19.16--25. In verses 16-25: In spite of these failures, Judah's relations with Egypt were prolonged and often close. The prophet looks beyond the turmoil of Mesopotamian rule to the time when a community would dwell there who spoke the language of Canaan (v. 18) and swore allegiance to the Lord of host. Even Assyria would one day become with Egypt and Israel a blessing in the midst of the earth (v. 24). The series of remarkable short prophecies builds on the aftermath of the disasters that befell Jerusalem at the hands of Assyrians and Babylonians. Many citizens fled to Egypt, and, from the sixth century BCE onwards, substantial settlements of exiled Judeans took refuge there. In this bold look across the spiritual boundaries of the ancient world, a genuine religious universalism begins to appear (vv. 21-24). The knowledge of God revealed to Israel would be shared among other peoples, replacing the failed learning of the Egyptian sages (v. 11). Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 21st

 Read Isaiah 19.1-15. In 19.1-25: Threats concerning Egypt. In verses 1-15: Throughout the period when Assyria and Babylon were assaulting Israel and Judah, Egypt repeatedly promised protection, yet consistently failed to carry through. "For Egypt's help is worthless and empty" (Isa 30.7). The people famed throughout antiquity for learning and literary skill could offer no defense against a ruthless invader (vv. 11-15). Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 20th

 Read Isaiah 18.1- 7. In 18.1-7: Prophecy concerning Ethiopia. In verses 1-6: This oracle probably refers to the situation described in 2 Kings 17.4: Judah sent ambassadors to Ethiopia (Cush) to negotiate an alliance against Assyria in 724 BCE. Isaiah warns that the Lord does not support such an alliance, it will fail. In verse 7: This anticipation of the hope in 45.14 shows how an observant editor has unified the message of the book. Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 19th

 Read Isaiah 17.12-14. The defeat of a host of nations when they threaten God's people conforms to the warnings in 8.9-10 and 14.24-27. Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 18th

 Read Isaiah 17.1-11. In 17.1-11: Prophecies concerning Israel and Damascus. In verses 1-6: The background is that of the alliance of Syria (Damascus) and Ephraim (Israel) against Judah, which is also present in chs. 7-8. The message is that expressed in the name of Isaiah's son Shear-jashub ("a remnant returns," Isa 7.3). Instead of the defeated remnant of an army, this time the image is that of gleanings after a harvest. In verses 7-9: The original threat gives only a general reason for the coming disaster (vv. 10-11); this added warning against trust in the power of idols intensifies the threat (see 2.8). In verses 10-11: Reference to the hyperbolic growth of plants reflects a form of fertility with religious (and probably also sexual significance). Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 17th

 Read Isaiah 16.1-13. In verses 1-11: The appeal to Jerusalem to offer refuge to fugitives from this disaster is a sign of hope that Moab would renew allegiance to a Davidic king. This prophecy may allude to to the reign of Josiah, a link with the promise of 32.1-8. Verses 6-11 rebuke the pride of Moab. In verses 12-13: Subsequent to the disaster of 586 BCE, the relations between Judah and Moab worsened. Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 16th

 Read Isaiah 14.28-15.9. In 15.1-16.13: Prophecies concerning the downfall of Moab In 15.1-9: Moab was one of the smaller kingdoms neighboring Judah in the south and to the east of the River Jordan. It covered much of the territory now occupied by Jordan. Moab, though once part of David's kingdom (2 Sam 8.20), had broken away and suffered Assyrian and Babylonian exploitation. In the course of one or another campaign, this fearful killing took place. Comments or Questions..