Skip to main content

April 23 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 113

There's a lot of politics involved in today's readings.  Consequently, it can be hard to understand everything that's happening or make all the connections to the nations that are mentioned.  Just remember that we're hearing a prophetic voice in the midst of those circumstances.

Image result for Isaiah preached naked

DAILY READINGS

Isaiah 18-22 & Psalm 113



DAILY NOTES

Isaiah 18



  • Ethiopia is going to bless Israel with gifts.
Isaiah 19
  • God has judgement for Egypt.  
  • Later, Egypt, Assyria and Israel will be a 3-fold blessing.
Isaiah 20
  • Don't worry!  You'll never have to worry about this happening at our church.
Isaiah 21
  • God denounces 3 foreign nations.
Isaiah 22
  • Instead of mourning their sins as God told them to do, the people of Israel celebrated victory.  So, God gives them a warning of destruction.
Psalm 113
  • A psalm about God's willingness to help those who are in need.


OTHER OBSERVATIONS

We're all mature adults.  So, let's not freak out too much about the naked prophet.



Ok.  I'll admit; it's a little funny.  And some commentators suggest that he wasn't completely naked; he only wore extremely torn and wore out garments.  You decide.



What would drive him to that?  Of course, God told him to.  We also understand that Isaiah strongly opposed a potential multi-national revolt against Assyria.  This was Isaiah's best (most dramatic?) way to indicate what he thought would be the result of such an action.



Sure, it's extreme.  But is there anything you feel passionately about that you would do/say something as dramatic in order to communicate the kind of danger Isaiah saw?



If so, then you probably understand where Isaiah is coming from.  If not, then you probably need to get more passionate about things that matter.



Stay blessed...john

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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

April 3 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 93 After today we'll have finished another book of the Bible.  King David's place in the story of God is winding down. DAILY READINGS 2 Samuel 22-24 & Psalm 93 DAILY NOTES 2 Samuel 22 This is a psalm of praise and thanksgiving.  Psalm 18 is a variation of this psalm. 2 Samuel 23 David's reign (and life) are drawing to a close.  These are some of his last words and speak of men that have served under him.   2 Samuel 24 David wants a census of the people.  Since he later sees it as a sin, we can gather that he had prideful purposes for doing so.   The king repents, but also suffers the judgement of the sin.  Technically, 70,000 of the people he just counted suffered. Afterwards, David builds an altar to God. Psalm 93 God's rule over earth is celebrated.  This is what's called an enthronement psalm.  OTHER OBSERVATIONS There's an interesting observation to consider about 2 Samuel 24:1...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 6 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 96 We've come a long way from wondering in the desert.  Now, after many battles and years of disarray, God's people are living in peace and the Lord has a house built. DAILY READINGS 1 Kings 8-10 & Psalm 96 DAILY NOTES 1 Kings 8 Solomon brings the ark of God to the temple. The temple is dedicated.  Solomon offers a prayer for the occasion. Solomon blesses the people. 1 Kings 9 The highlight of this chapter is that God appears to Solomon again (in a dream?).  The line of David will continue through Solomon, assuming he follows the way of God.  The people must also follow. 1 Kings 10 The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to see for herself his wisdom.  She is amazed (breathless).  The two crowns exchange gifts. Some of Solomon's furniture is described as a way to emphasize the grandeur of his reign and the temple.  Notice how "the whole earth" wanted to see Solomon (10:24). OTHER OBSERVATIONS Solomon's prayer at...
Post a Comment
Read more