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..

Reading for March 15th

 Read Isaiah 14.22-27. Assyria will suffer divine punishment (see 10.5-34), and although out of chronological sequence, this warning to all nations who threaten God's people (vv. 26-27; see 8.9-10; 17.12-14). In the literary and historical structure of Isa 13-27, the historical rise and fall of great imperial powers was a preparation for God's rule. Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 14th

Read Isaiah 13.1-21.  In 14.1-23: A mocking lament for the death of the king of Babylon.  In verses 1-2: The Babylonian threat occupies most of chs. 40-55, so this great world power takes on a symbolic role as the supreme example of oppression. This editorial note provides a summary of the message of hope (chs. 56-66; see also 11.12-16). In verses 3-11: A brillant, mocking lament for the death of the king of Babylon ironically contrasts the king's power in life and powerlessness in death and celebrates the passing of Babylon as a world power. No ruler is named, and, apart from the introductory heading in v. 4, direct identification with Babylon is lacking. The original subject maybe some earlier ruler's death, possible the Assyrian Shalmaneser V (whose death in 705 occurred during Isaiah's ministry and had a major repercussions for Judah's political stance). But this passage celebrates the down fall of tyranny rather than the death of a specific individual. Sheol (vv. 11, 15) is the mysterious underworld to which spirits descended after death. The spirits of other dead persons rise up in amazement that a figure once so proud and supreme could be brought so low (vv. 16-20). In verses 12-15: The Day Star, son of dawn is the morning star (Venus). In verses 16-21; In extensive royal households other sons were usually a threat to a crown prince (see 37.38). Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 13th

 Read Isaiah 13.1-22. In 13.1-22: The overthrow of Babylon. In verses 1-22: It is a surprise that Babylon, rather than Assyria, is the great oppressing power to be punished for its excesses and cruelties. The reason lies in the importance of Baylon for the structure of the book. Chs. 40-55 reflect the period of Babylon imperial control over the nations dealt with in chs. 13-23. Reference to the attacking Medes (v. 17) points to this fierce prophecy as a forewarning of the defeat of Babylon in 538 BCE, later anticipated  so eagerly in chs. 46-47. Judah's bitter sufferings at the hand of Babylon explain the vengeful spirit in vv. 14-16 and the longing that such a great kingdom should become a perpetual ruin (vv. 20-11). Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 12th

 Read Isaiah 12.1-6. In 12.1-6: A psalm of thanksgiving. Isaiah has been constructed to form a series of "books within books." A psalm of thanksgiving for the salvation of God which will surely come to Jerusalem concludes the section that began in 5.1. These shorter collections display a broad editorial structure where hope and promise follow threats and warnings. Even the punitive fires of judgment are placed within this larger context of the saving purpose of God. Comments or Questions..