ISAIAH: GOD CONTROLS THE NATIONS GOD CONTROLS THE FUTURE ISAIAH CHAPTER S 21 TO 30 _NORMAN HILLYER_ CHAPTER 28 The next section of the Book of Isaiah is from Chapter 28 to Chapter 33. These Chapter s deal mainly with the relations between Judah and the *Assyrians. And these Chapter s also exp... [ Continue Reading ]
A century before Isaiah’s time, Omri king of Israel bought a beautiful hill. Omri had selected this hill for the construction of his splendid new capital. He called the city Samaria. ‘Samaria’ sounds like Shemer, which was the name of the previous owner of the hill (see 1 Kings 16:23-24). • Much *w... [ Continue Reading ]
The ‘enemy’ refers to the *Assyrians.... [ Continue Reading ]
People wait eagerly for the first ripe fruit of summer. They seize the fruit and swallow it immediately. The picture in words shows the speed of the enemy’s attack and success. HOPE FOR THE FUTURE V5 At that time the *Lord (commander of heaven’s armies) will himself be like a most beautiful crown... [ Continue Reading ]
These two verses refer to some time in the future. Their purpose is to give hope to God’s true people during difficult periods. Although he is out of their sight, the *Lord himself is in command. GOD’S JUDGEMENT AGAINST THE LEADERS OF SAMARIA (ISRAEL) V7 Even priests and *prophets are drunks. They... [ Continue Reading ]
At a time of great danger, the nation needed wise leaders. But the leaders’ love of wine has made them completely foolish.... [ Continue Reading ]
Even the plain words that Isaiah used to warn the leaders sounded like nonsense to them. They complain that his words are just strange sounds.... [ Continue Reading ]
The leaders have not been responsible. They have disappointed their nation. And the result will be that they hear even more strange sounds. An enemy that speaks a strange language will carry off many people from Samaria into a foreign country. ISAIAH NOW TURNS TO THE LEADERS OF JUDAH V14 Therefor... [ Continue Reading ]
The fate of Samaria (Israel) should have warned the leaders of Judah not to make the same mistake. False security is no security. TRUE SECURITY V16 Now listen to what the *Lord God says. ‘See, I am laying a cornerstone in *Zion as a foundation (base). This cornerstone is a special stone that I hav... [ Continue Reading ]
A cornerstone is a very important stone that firmly unites two walls of a building. The cornerstone stands at the corner of the building, especially the corner of the foundation (base). • The *New Testament develops this meaning in two ways: (1) ‘cornerstone’ refers to the *Messiah, that is, Chris... [ Continue Reading ]
An architect has used a *plumb-line and a *measure to make sure that his cornerstone is accurate. He must be able to trust the cornerstone when he erects his building. Similarly, God has taken great care about his special cornerstone. He will use it to build up the life of each believer. • Believer... [ Continue Reading ]
The force of the *Assyrian attack will be immense. It will be as if the vast waters of the Euphrates (an *Assyrian river) suddenly flooded the whole country called Judah.... [ Continue Reading ]
The *Assyrian attack will happen as a complete surprise.... [ Continue Reading ]
God uses some popular phrases from Isaiah’s time. The agreement that Judah has made with Egypt (verse 15) is hopeless. It cannot protect the nation.... [ Continue Reading ]
For the event at the mountain called Perazim, see 2 Samuel 5:17-21. For the event at the valley called Gibeon, see Joshua 10:1-11.... [ Continue Reading ]
The ‘whole country’ means not only Israel (Samaria) to the north (verses 1-13). It also includes Judah (verses 14-22). WISDOM COMES FROM GOD V23 Listen carefully to what I am saying. Give attention to my every word. V24 No farmer continues to plough the same field again and again to make it ready... [ Continue Reading ]
The first parable is about the way that the farmer prepares the soil to receive seed. Once he has ploughed the field, he does not need to repeat the action. • To plough the field may seem to be a painful way to act towards the soil. But the action achieves its purpose. It prepares the soil for the... [ Continue Reading ]
The second parable is about the way that the farmer harvests. God has taught him what to do with each of the various crops. • In a similar way, God teaches his people the best way to carry out their work for him. There are many different kinds of work for God. But God knows about each task.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is God who teaches the farmer how to obtain each crop. So, how much more capable is God to achieve his own purposes in the lives of his people! ASSYRIAN ~ A person from the country called Assyria or anything that has a relationship with the country called Assyria. LORD ~ God’s name in the Bible.... [ Continue Reading ]