Day of the Lord, Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Today's reading is the book of Zephaniah during the reign of Josiah.  It is sad to see that even though King Josiah is fully devoted to God, the hearts of his country are not.  They are charged with immorality, injustice, and idolatry.  Zephaniah indicts Judah's officials, prophets and priests with treachery and violence.  Only the Lord is righteous.  Zephaniah calls for punishment of Judah, the oppressors of God's people, and finally, all the wicked.  Throughout all the prescription of punishment, God offers redemption for the faithful remnant.

Manasseh to Josiah, Monday, July 23, 2012

Today's reading is from II Kings 21-23 and II Chronicles 33-34.  It tells of the death of Manasseh and the succession of his evil son Amon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amon_of_Judah) who was assassinate fairly quickly by his own officials.  He was then succeeded by King Josiah, who began his reign at the young age of 8.  Josiah began reforming the spiritual base of his country at the age of 16.  He ruled for a total of 31 years.  He turned fully to the Lord and was committed to Him for his entire reign.  What a breath of fresh air!

Oh Ninevah, Sunday, July 22, 2012

Today's reading is the book of Hahum.  Nahum is a prophet about 150 years after Jonah, who reluctantly delivered a warning to Ninevah,  The warning was heeded, at least for awhile.  Now Ninevah has returned to its sinful ways and has forgotten God's mercy.  They will now feel the power of His wrath.  Nahum predicts that the world will celebrate the downfall of Ninevah "for who has not felt your endless cruelty."

New Heavens and a New Earth, Saturday, July 21, 2012

Today's reading is Isaiah 65-66; II Kings 19:37; and II Chronicles 32-33.  Today we read of the time of Manasseh's spiritual reforms alongside the prophesies of Isaiah.

"Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.
Where is the house you will build for me?  Where will my resting place be?
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?"  Isaiah 66: 1, 2a

 

 

Arise, Shine, Friday, July 20, 2012

Today's read is Isaiah 60-64.  Like the eunuch, I need a Phillip to explain this to me.  The prophesies of Messiah's coming are clear, because they exactly match events we have recorded in the New Testament.  I become somewhat confused with the repetitive cycle of restoration and punishment.  I am not sure if it is on a time line that repeats itself, or if the offenses and punishments are repeated to emphasize their magnitude.

Restoration, Thursday, July 19, 2012

Today's reading is from Isaiah 57, 58, and 59. 

"This is what the Lord says:
'Maintain justice and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.'"  Isaiah 56:1

God's Steadfast Love, Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Today's reading is from Isaiah 54, 55, and 56.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:9

My Salvation, Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Today's reading is from Isaiah 51, 52, 53, and 54:1-3.

"Hear me, you who know what is right,
you people who have my laws in your hearts:
Do not fear the reproach of men
or be terrified by their insults.
For the moth will eat them up like a garment;
the worm will devour them like wool.
But my righteousness will last forever,
my salvation through all generations."  Isaiah 51:8

My Jesus, Monday, July 16, 2012

Today's reading is from Isaiah 48, 49, and 50.

"If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea."  Isaiah 48:18

"This is what the Lord says--the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel--to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers:  "Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."  Isaiah 49:7

 

 

The Lord Alone, Sunday, July 15, 2012

Today's reading is from Isaiah 45, 46, 47, and 48. 

"Turn to me and be saved,
     all you ends of the earth;
     for I am God, and there is no other.
By myself I have sworn,
     my mouth has uttered in all integrity
     a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow;
     by me every me, 'In the Lord alone
     are righteousness and strength.'"  Isaiah 45:22-24

What the Lord Can Do, Saturday, July 14, 2012

Today's reading is  from Isaiah 43-45.

"This is what the Lord says--
     Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty"
I am the first and I am the last;
     apart from me there is no God."     Isaiah 44:6

Nothing to Fear, Friday, July 13, 2012

Today's reading is from Isaiah 41 and 42.  Isaiah continues to tell of redemption and fulfullment of needs:

"But you will rejoice in the Lord and glory in the Holy One of Israel."  Isaiah 41: 16

Restoration and the Messiah, Thursday, July 12, 2012

Today's reading if Isaiah 40-41:10.  This is part of the commentary for today's reading:

"In all of Scripture, Isaiah's prophecies concerning Israel's restoration and the coming of the Messiah may be the most marvelous, wonderful, comforting, inspiring, optimistic, and encouraging words ever read by a believer. . . ."

Decline, Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Today's reading in II Kings 20 and 21 tells of the reign of Manasseh, the evil son of Hezekiah.  He began his reign at the age of 12 and ruled for 55 years.  He reigned by bloodshed and violence.  He lead the people into idol worship and engaged in every evil practice heretofore done by Israel's kings.  It makes you wonder what kind of fathers the kings were.  Hezekiah was given a gift by God of 15 extra years.  During these "bonus" years Manasseh was born.  Wouldn't Hezekiah have poured into this son the very devotion to God that he had displayed during his reign?  We don't know what kind of a parent he was, but clearly the fruit of that relationship was rotten to the core.

Hezekiah's Pride, Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Today's reading is from II Kings 18, 19, and 20; II Chronicles 32-34; and Isaiah 38.  Hezekiah did many things to honor his God and yet, he had a proud heart.  When disciplined, he humbled himself.  I know I am guilty of pride -- often.  God's discipline is a blessing to be sought after.

Judgment Against Egypt, Monday, July 9, 2012

Today's reading is Isaiah 18, 19, 20, 30, and 31.  This is the part of Isaiah where he is ordered to be stripped naked.  Speculation is made in my commentary that this may have been only his outer garments, though this was still humiliating to Isaiah.  The examples and graphic lessons set by the prophets were unforgettable and hard to miss, but Israel constantly said that they did not want to be told any bad news.  They relied on earthly power and allies and strayed from the path of relying on God.

The Fall of Israel, Sunday, July 8, 2012

Today's reading is from II Kings 17 and 18.  Many prophets have been sent with warnings which have been ignored by Israel.  The people have worshiped idols and engaged in every imaginable evil practice, including sacrificing their children in fire to their idols.  Are we this evil?  It bears examination.  Isaiah said that they followed their worthless idols and so became worthless.  God sent Assyria to take Israel captive.

Reawakening, Saturday, July 7, 2012

Today's reading is from Isaiah 29, 27, 32, AND 33.

"Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding,
     those who complain will accept instruction."  Isaiah 29:24

"Your eyes will see the king in his beauty. . . ."  Isaiah 33:17 

Hardness of Heart, Friday, July 6, 2012

Today's reading is from Isaiah 28, 22, 29, and 33. 

"All the tables are covered with vomit
     and there is not a spot with out filth."  Isaiah 28:8

The language is vivid and clearly frightening.

The "Last Days", Thursday, July 5, 2012

Today's reading is from chapters 24, 25, 26, 32, and 35 of Isaiah.  Isaiah tells what will happen to the just and to the unjust.  Praise our salvation!

"O Lord, you are my God;
     I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
     you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago."  Isaiah 25:1

And the unjust:

Reforms of Hezekiah, Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Today's reading is in II Chronicles 29-31.  On Hezekiah's order, the Levites consecrated themselves and then set to work to cleanse the Temple.  Hezekiah and the people were said to follow the word of the Lord.

"In everything that he undertook in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly.  And so he prospered."      II Chronicles 31:21

Isaiah's Prophecies, Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Today's reading is from Isaiah 13, 14, and 21.  Isaiah pronounces more judgment against the Philistines and Babylon.  Babylon's fall is compared to Satan's fall.

Hezekiah Trusted in the Lord, Monday, July 2, 2012

Today's reading is selected verses in chapters 21, 23, and 34 of Isaiah; II Kings 16 and 18; and II Chronicles 28, 29.  Ahaz is corrupt in all his worship.  He sacrifices to the gods of Aram.  When he dies, his son Hezekiah begins his 29-year reign at the age of 25.  He begins by breaking the bronze snake.

The Brazen Serpent by Gustave Doré (1832-1883). Scan courtesy of The Doré Bible.

Judgment Against Assyria, Moab, and Damascus, Sunday July 1, 2012

Today's reading is Isaiah 34; and parts of 14-17.  God will use these nations as a soldier uses a sword.  These nations will deliver God's wrath upon Israel.  Then, God's wrath will turn back on them.

Our Savior's Lineage from David, Saturday, June 30, 2012

Today's reading is Isaiah 10-12; II Kings 16: 5, 6; and II Chronicles 28:5-15.  In Isaiah 11:1-9 word is given of Jesus' lineage.

"I will praise you, O Lord.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. 
Surely, God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation."  

Isaiah 12:1-2

Isaiah Prophesies About a Savior, Friday, June 29, 2012

Today's reading is in Isaiah 7, 8, and 9.  Isaiah prophesies destruction for Israel, but there is also good news.  He tell of the coming of the Savior who will be of virgin birth, and a descendent of David.  He tells that the Savior will establish a kingdom of those who love God.  All of these prophesies were made true by the birth of Jesus.

Evil Kings, Thursday, June 28, 2012

Today's reading is in II Kings 15-17; II Chronicles 5:23; and II Chronciles 27 and 28.  In Israel Pekah is assassinated by Hoshea, son of Elah, who then became king.  In Judah Jotham, a righteous king does and is replaced by his son Ahaz who makes cast idols and worships the Baals.

What God Really Wants, Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Today's reading is Micah 6 and 7.

"He has showed you, o man, what is good.   

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy  

and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8