Reading for April 16th

 Read Isaiah 33.13-24. In verses 13-16: The reference to those who are far away and those who are near reflects the divided condition of Israel in the wake of the removal of people into exile. The former nation was in danger of becoming two peoples with some still in the territory of Judah and others scattered among many nations. Isaiah emphasizes the unified purpose of God for both groups and the central significance of Jerusalem as the spiritual capital of all. In verses 17-24: Babylonian control over Judah and the catastrophes that had befallen Jerusalem had cast doubt on the future of the Davidic kingship. The message of 11.1-5 reveals how eagerly the people awaited a descendant of Judah's royal dynasty, and this hope is further repeated here. Instead of the hated representatives of foreign domination--zealous only for plunder and gain (v. 18)--there would be a king upholding justice and building prosperity (v. 17). Jerusalem would once again become a quiet habitation and an immovable tent (v. 20). The broad rivers and streams, strangely out of place in a city with no major waterways, establish a contrast to the many waterways of Babylon, with their oppressive associations. Comments or Questions..

Reading for April 15th

 Read Isaiah 33.1-12. In 31.1-24: A miscellany of prophetic themes. This chapter, and the following two, are difficult to place in context, but they probably reflect the period after the fall of Babylon when the fulfillment of the glowing promises of chs. 40-55 was still awaited. In verses 1-6: The destroyer is not identified, but the general context points to Babylon. Deliverance from oppression is still eagerly awaited, but requires patience and trust in God's purpose (v. 6). In verses 7-12: The lamentation of vv. 7-9, revealing the devastated condition of the land, is followed by warnings in vv. 10-16 that the wrongdoing of leaders in Jerusalem now hinders the fulfillment of God's promises. Comments or Questions..

Reading for April 14th

 Read Isaiah 32.1-20. In 32.1-20: A king will reign in righteousness. In verses 1-8: The deliverance of the city in 701 BCE was a dangerous precedent: It implied that God's protection could always be relied upon unconditionally. The warning to Hezekiah in ch. 39 on the occasion of the visit of Babylonian emissaries was aimed at countering such false expectations. The Davidic kingship could not survive unless it was founded on just government and compassionate administration. This oracle may be a portrait of the great reforming king Josiah, during whose long reign (639-609BCE). Assyrian rule over Judah ended and the royal administration was reformed (see 2 Kings 22.1-23.25). During this period a substantial part of Isaiah's prophecies was probably complied. In verses 9-14: The brief respite of hope and renewal during Josiah's reign ended suddenly and disastrously. Babylonian rule swiftly replaced Assyrian oppression. Israel would suffer devastation once again, as Isaiah  had declared (see 6.11-12) and the rampant growth of thorns and briers (see 5.6) would return. In verses 15-20: The outpouring of God's spirit (v. 15) and the transformation of the ruined land into farmland once again anticipated the hope of the later chapters, especially 60-62. The forest (v.19) indicates oppressing foreign powers (Assyria and Babylon; see 10.18-19), which will disappear completely. Comments or Questions..

Reading for April 13th

 Read Isaiah 31.1-9. In 31.1-9: The Lordship of the God of Mount Zion. Isaiah continues to warn against complicity with Egypt in rebellion against Assyria. The Lord fighting upon Mount Zion and upon its hill (v. 4) was perhaps originally a threat that God would fight against, not with, Jerusalem (compare 29.4). Once again, a rebuke (vv. 1-3) shifts suddenly to assurance (vv. 4-9), raising the question at what point this new spiritual direction arose. Was Isaiah compelled to change his warning into one of promise, or has the situation that occurred with King Hezekiah's surrender to the Assyrian forces (2 Kings 18.13-16) necessitated a revised perspective? The warning and promise introduce (v. 6) the rebuke that Israel, a rebellious people, must first reject idolatry before God's deliverance can come. Threat and assurance are two aspects of one consistent, loving purpose of God, to protect and preserve the people. The reference to a sword, not of mortals (v. 8) alludes to the angelic slaughter described in 37.36. Comments or Questions..

Reading for April 12th

 Read Isiah 30.27-33. In 30.27-33: A song in the night. The concluding comments, a later development of the original message, elaborate on the theme of God's judgment, which will bring an end to the present unsatisfactory world order and establish in its place the righteous order of God. The Assyrian (v. 31) has become symbolic for every oppressor of God's people. Comments or Questions..

Reading for April 11th

 Read Isaiah 30.18-26. This poetic reminder of future hope counters and criticism that the message of rest and quietness (v. 15) was too submissive and politically inactive to end foreign oppression. Human acceptance of the divine plan for the nations may require patience and fortitude in enduring the present order. A later scribe has described more fully (vv. 19-26) what this longed-for future would bring. Only when God's judgment puts an end to human violence and oppression-when the towers (v. 25)-will such peace and prosperity come. Comments or Questions..

Reading for April 10th

 Read Isaiah 30.6-17. In verses 6-7: Egypt was famous for palaces and monuments, and as the gateway to Africa for the caravans that brought wealth and luxuries (see 1 Kings 10). The prophet contrasts such exoctic wealth with the worthlessness of the promises of Egyptian help. Rahab (v. 7) was a dragon monster of ancient story comparable to the Leviathan creature (27.1). Since Egyptian religion was well know for its many deities portrayed in mixed animal/human form, the ironic title "rahab who sits still" (v. 7) may allude to the sphinx-like images of Egypt. In verses 8-11: The command to inscribe it in a book is a remarkably rare recognition that prophecy was written down and read long after the time when it had originally been given. The writing is to become a witness forever to the truth that Israel was a rebellious people (v. 9). The readers would be no more willing to heed the message than the original hearers (see 29.11-12). In verses 12-14: Its breaking is like that of a potter's vessel (v. 14) emphasizes the suddenness and completeness of the disaster that was to come. Hezekiah's attempt to build security through an alliance with Egypt would prove disastrously misjudged. In verses 15-17: The poetry of returning, rest, quietness, and trust attests that God alone is the defense of Jerusalem. Comments or Questions..