Reading for May 14th

 Read Isaiah 51.9-23. In verses 9-16: Cut Rahab in pieces refers to the ancient pictorial account of creation in which the earth was formed by cutting in pieces a great dragon monster, here called Rahab (see Leviathan in 27.1). Dried up the sea (v. 10) combines themes from creation, when dry land appeared amid the ocean (see Gen 1.9-10), and the drying up of the sea in the miraculous crossing, when the ancestors of the nation fled from Egypt (see Ex 14.21-22). In verses 17-23 Jerusalem is directly addressed and it's ruined state vividly described (v. 23). Comments or Questions..

Reading for May 13th

 Read Isaiah 51.1-8. In 51.1-23: Stand up, O Jerusalem. In verses 1-8: A fresh argument strengthen the appeal, Abraham was but one when God call him (v. 2). Yet from this one man a whole nation came into being. How much more certainly is God capable or restoring the scattered remnants of Israel. God's salvation is even more certain and secure than is the sky above. Comments or Questions..

Reading for May 12th

 Read Isaiah 50.1-11. In 50.1-11: Israel servant and rebel. In verses 1-3: The opening questions highlights the need for choice between a positive believing response and an unbelieving rejection.These differing responses show the contrast between the submissive and obedient servant and the mocking and insolent rebels. In verses 4-9: The third of the four Servant Songs shows that the servant undergoes humiliation and rejection in the course of fulfilling his mission. The autobiographical form shows how wholeheartedly the  prophet identifies himself with the mission of servant-Israel. In verses 10-11: The prophet contrasts those who seek light (salvation) in order to walk by it, and those who use torches (firebrands) to kindle destruction (see 10.17 for a similar use of the picture of light becoming fire). Comments or Questions..

Reading for May 11th

 Read Isaiah 49.14-26. In verses 14-21: The apparent impossibility of the promised restoration of the ruined city is now possible due to the compassion and love that God has for it (vv. 14-16).  In verses 22-26: What might sometimes rarely be possible in human terms--that a human tyrant may set free his captives (v. 25)--is possible with God. Comments or Questions..

Reading for May 10th

 Read Isaiah 49.1-13. In 49.1-26: The servant's mission to the world. In verses 1-6: The second of the four Servant Songs. Israel's servant mission will reach beyond the survivors of the former Israel, and will bring light (salivation) to the nations (v. 6). Servant-Israel (v. 3) also has a mission to Israel, suggesting that Israel may have been added later. More probably, one part of the nation has a mission to the other part. In verses 8-13: The task of restoring the tribes of Jacob (v. 6) consists or establishing the land, apportioning the desolate heritages, and releasing the prisoners. Exiles will be able to return. Syene (perhaps southerner Egypt) is an example of the distant locations to which the people had fled. Comments or Questions..

Reading for May 9th

 Read Isaiah 48.9-22. In verses 9-16: Because the Lord is forgiving and gracious, even imperfect Israel may, with God's help, fulfill a great purpose (vv. 9-11). What would be impossible for a people left to their own resources was possible with God (vv.12-16). In verses 17-22: The concluding command: Go out from Babylon, flee from Chalea. Fleeing from Babylon would be like the flight from Egypt by which Israel had first achieved its freedom (v. 21). So it was appropriate to recall the providential care which had made that beginning possible. Once again God would if necessary, bring water from the rock to sustain the returning exiles (see Ex 17.1-7). A final word or warning (v. 22) is a necessary addition to the message concerning Israel's rebellious nature that echoes through the chapter (vv. 1, 4, 5, 18). From the very beginning Israel had received great promises but had failed to respond (v. 18). That could happen again and those who, in pursuit of peace, shunned the risks and dangers of the journey home would find they enjoyed a worthless tranquillity. Comments or Questions...

Reading for May 8th

 Read Isaiah 48.1-8. In 48.1-22: Reassurance for God's people. In verses 1-8: A significant change of mood occurs with less attention to the rise of Cyrus, although his imminent defeat of Babylon is still taken for granted (v. 14). Instead the prophet addresses Israel, preparing its survivors to make a positive response to the new message of hope. The high mission of Israel contrasts with the persistent unbelief and self-pity of Israel's response. This ambiguity is clear in the rebuke that is added to the privileged title of Israel: who invoke the God of Israel, but not in truth or right (v. 1). Offering fine prayers to God was not in itself proof that they were sincerely meant. The evidence that God is guiding Israel is found in the fulfillment of prophecies (v. 3). Yet if the people had been reluctant to believe and act upon prophecies that had been fulfilled, how would they believe new ones? The failures and rebelliousness of the past are the reason for making sure that such mistakes were not repeated in the present (v. 8). Comments or Questions..