Skip to main content

April 22 & Daily notes & readings

DAY 112

Today, we're reading a part of Isaiah that centers on oracles against some of the foreign nations.  You'll notice how they are spoken against because of their pride and arrogance.  As we've already seen before, they are used as weapons of God, but will endure judgement, too.

DAILY READINGS

Isaiah 13-17 & Psalm 112

DAILY NOTES

Isaiah 13

  • I've read "oracle" translated as burden and or harsh prophecy.  That puts these words into great perspective
  • Babylon will face the the day of the Lord's judgement as well.  It will mean destruction for the nation.
Isaiah 14
  • Judah will be restored.  Not only will they live in peace, but they will have dominion over those who ruled them.
  • God gives them a "taunt," also translated as a proverb or parable, to use against Babylon.  A spiritual nana-nana-boo-boo?
Isaiah 15
  • There is an oracle spoken against Moab.
  • Notice the  sense of compassion in Verse 5.  Does this mean the prophet/God does not look forward to doing this?  The prophet actually has great regret? 
    • You can see that in Chapter 16.  The "outcasts of Moab" are to be given refuge among Judah.
Isaiah 17
  • An oracle against Damascus
Psalm 112
  • A life that is lived faithfully is a blessed life.  We can give/should give thanks to God for that life.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

In reading the Old Testament, especially those sections that deal with judgement, I've heard many people question God.  Why would God be like that?  Why would God be so harsh?  

Those are fair questions.  There are other questions to be asked, though.  What about us?  What does it say about us that God has to judge us?  What does is say about us that God tells us what will happen if we continue the way we have but we don't pay attention?  There's a lot more to say about us than there is about God in these passages.  

As we continue to read, ask yourself those kinds of questions.  Don't be afraid to let the Holy Spirit give you some answers.

Stay blessed...john
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

January 27 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 27 We'll be reading about atonement today.  T oday's video helps make sense of that biblical theme. DAILY READINGS Exodus 30-31 & Psalm 27 DAILY NOTES Exodus 30:6 Everything has its place.   Exodus 30:10 Once a year would be Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Exodus 12-15 The Lord's offering is required of everyone equally (of the appropriate age).  Strangely enough, there is a designation of rich and poor.  Everyone has just come from Egypt.  How has that distinction arisen?   Exodus 31:13 It's interesting to compare how the idea of sabbath here relates to previous mentions of it.   Exodus 31:18 Moses had written the words down.  Now, with merely his finger, God has provided the tablets for all to remember the covenant that has been made.   Psalm 27 Have you ever prayed and prayed and prayed for something?  The psalmist seems to know the feeling.  His final adm...
Post a Comment
Read more

June 18 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 169 DAILY READINGS Jeremiah 4-6 & Psalm 14 DAILY NOTES Jeremiah 4 Perhaps the people swore "As the Lord lives," but they did not do so in truth, justice or uprightness.  That's a sobering reminder that our words about God must match the way we live. Jeremiah (God) wants the people to move from an empty adherence to a covenant behavior (circumcision) to an attitude of praise before God.  In other words, empty religion is not appealing to God. God will ask the people to "wash" their heart "clean of wickedness" (Verse 14). Jeremiah feels as if God has deceived the people (Verse 10).  Maybe God didn't predict the peace Jeremiah was thinking of.  False prophets? Jeremiah 5 The same theme.  There were people who said, "As the Lord lives," because that was the religious thing to say.  But God says there is not one person who acts justly or seeks truth.  The people used the right words, but lived the wrong way.  #Pr...
Post a Comment
Read more

February 16 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 47 Before the movie Shrek, the best known talking donkey was Balaam's donkey.  That's what we're reading about today.   Of course, that's only part of the story between Balak and Balaam.   DAILY READINGS Numbers 22-24 & Psalm 47 DAILY NOTES Numbers 22:2 Apparently, Israel is making a name for itself.  The Moabites are terrified and distressed/irritated by the news of what the Israelites are doing. Numbers 22:5-6 Balaam is, apparentely, a diviner with a good reputation.  Balak is "overcome with fear" and his response is to go to Balaam.  Balak knows that "whomever you bless is blessed, and whomever you curse is cursed." Numbers 22:8 This is the recurring theme for Balaam.  He will only say what  God tells him to say.  That is, there's no money back guarantee.  Even if it doesn't align with what Balak wants, Balaam will only give the words that God gives him. There is no indication why Balaam w...
Post a Comment
Read more