Reading for June 1st

 Read Isaiah 66.1-24. In 66.1-24: Final warnings and consolations for Jerusalem. In verses 1-5: The final chapter of the book of Isaiah sets out a fresh several basic themes that have appeared and reappeared throughout the book. Of primary importance is the demand for truth and sincerity in worship. The public performance of ritual and piety shows loyalty to God, but such outward actions must be matched by an inner spirit (see 1.12-17; 29.13). Verse 1 is not a rejection of the Temple, but rather defines its true purpose. In verses 6-11: In spite of the many conflicts and setbacks that have marred Jerusalem's history, the promises of God for the blessing of Israel as people remained valid. In verses 12-16: The message of reassurance and hope for the future of Jerusalem did not mean, however, that the wrongdoing would pass without judgment. In verse 17: Reference to the forbidden foods recalls the warning of 65.4. In verses 18-21: The return of all those who had been exiled from Judah and Israel would mark the fulfillment of God's promise for the people. In verses 22-23: The prophecies of Isaiah set a goal for all nations. All humankind (all flesh) were bound together in one world and would, therefore, ultimately share a single destiny. In verse 24: Divine judgment cannot be evaded. God's call is an imperious command, and the disobedient cannot participate in the final glory of God's kingdom. Comments or Questions.. 

Reading for May 31st

 Read Isaiah 65.17-25. In verses 17-25: God is still in control of human history. The prophet was aware of the promises earlier in Isaiah; v. 25 recalls the promise in 11.6-9. Comments or Questions..

Reading for May 30th

 Read Isaiah 65.1-16. In 65.1-25: The promise of a new heaven and a new earth. In verses 1-7: Chapters 63-66 carry forward the essential message of Isaiah's prophecies into a new age that came with the return from exile. Idolatry marked relapse into indifference to God. The strange and crude rites described in vv. 3-4 were designed to conjure up and manipulate magical power. The belief that human beings could perform symbolic rituals and eat strange food (magic potions) to make themselves holy (v. 5), and thereby gain power to harm or heal others, represented a very ancient (v. 7) and superstitious tradition. In verses 8-16: How could God punish the wrongdoers without destroying the whole community of Judah? The prophetic answer is that, for the present, both groups must coexist, but that God has reserved a future judgment to bless those who are faithful, but to punish those who are guilty (vv. 8-13). Then the very different fates allotted to  the two groups will become plain (vv. 13-16). Comments or Questions..

Reading for May 29th

 Read Isaiah 64.1-12. In 64.1-12: The silence of God. In verses 1-7: The present situation appeared as a contradiction to God's power (v.4). The reason for this lay with the sins of the present generation, which now came in penitent lamentation to confess the rebelliousness to God (vv. 6-7). In verses 8-12: Even in its failures, Israel remained God's people and confess its wrong doing and return to God. The renewed conflict and destruction (v. 11) had arisen in the wake of the rebuilding of the Temple. Comments or Questions..

Reading for May 28th

 Read Isaiah 63.1-19. In 63.1-19: The day of vengeance. In verses 1-6: In vivid and frightening imagery, human frustration and longing for the end of violence calls forth this powerful picture of God acting alone to pass judgement on the warring nations. Where no human ruler could impose justice and peace (v. 5), God had to act directly and decisively (vv. 5-6). In verses 7-14: In the past, God's presence had accompanied the people and given them victory over their enemies (v. 9). In the present, the rebelliousness of the people grieved the spirit of God, aroused the divine anger, and led to failure and defeat (v. 10). The people of Israel had learned this lesson in the past when failure humbled them (see Josh 7.1-26), and now they had to relearn it (vv. 11-14). In verses 15-19: Even after temporary success had brought about partial change in Judah's fortunes (v. 18), new threats and new oppressions had robbed the people of the justice and prosperity they sought (v. 19). Comments or Questions..

Reading for May 27th

 Read Isaiah 62.1-12. In 62.1-12: A city not forsaken. In verses 1-5: As the situation in Jerusalem failed to change after the downfall of Babylon, the prophet reassured the people of God's intense love for the city. These are presented here in terms of the intense love for the city (vv. 4-5). In verses 6-9: The wealth and food that foreigners took were prime examples of the frustrations and disappointments of the past. The people must pray that such injustice never again occurs (vv. 8-9). In verses 10-12: A note of urgency colors the prophet's insistence that God's promise will not fail. Comments or Questions..

Reading for May 26th

 Read Isaiah 61.1-11. In 61.1-11: The year of the Lord's favor. In verses 1-4: All that God had promised regarding the rebuilding and restoration of Jerusalem would shortly be fulfilled. In verses 5-9: Expectation of God's direct action to overthrow the present world order becomes a marked feature of the hope expressed throughout chs. 56-66. Where chs. 40-55 had recognized the hand of God at work in the rise of Cyrus, king of Persia, to direct the destiny of Judah, now Israel awaits a more direct divine intervention. In verses 8-11: Assurance that this transformation will take place derives from the very nature of God. Love of justice and hatred of all forms of wrongdoing are aspects of God's rule. Comments or Questions.