Reading for April 13th

Read Isaiah 2.5-22 In verses 5-11: Jerusalem, seeking commerical prosperity and success, neglected it spiritual foundations. On that day(v.11) points to an indefinite time of God's judgement and comes to refer to the great judgment and renewal for Judah and all nations (see Isa 25.9). In verses 12-22: The prophet depicts God's punishment of human pride through the image of bringing down natural features such as tall trees and high mountains (vv. 12-15). Arrogance is the root of idolatry (vv. 19-20), the belief that human beings can control the divine realm. The Day of the Lord (v. 11) now points to God's judgment against human violence and disregard of the divine laws. The ships of Tarhish (v. 16) were the famed trading ships of the maritime nations of the Mediterranean. In Gen 10.4 Tarshish is a great-grandson of Noah. but the several biblical references to it as a place point to its fame as a source of trade, especially trade is precious metals. It is often located in southwestern Spain, but more probably more than one site where mining and metal-refining took place bore such a name. Comments or Questions..