Today I offer a prayer for diligence. Diligence is a core characteristic required to cultivate a deep and meaningful relationship with God, and also to disciple our neighbors. This careful, persistent, consistent, intentional effort toward a goal is essential. Without diligence (which is often paired with perseverance) it would be easy to have an “it’s…
Author: Conqueror in Training
Isaiah 27
This chapter continues “the day of the Lord” (the day of judgement) theme we’ve been following. It prophesies about the coming redemption of Israel the people (not just the geographic region) and their spiritual descendants (not just their blood relatives). ” ‘A pleasant vineyard, sing of it! I, the Lord, am its keeper; every moment…
Isaiah 26
This chapter is a song full of imagery explaining some of God’s character. I suggest reading the entire thing. The first and last parts are a hymn of praise: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God…
Isaiah 25
This chapter breaks from Isaiah’s usual prophetic style and reads like a psalm of praise, celebrating God’s plan to destroy death and save His people. “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things… the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples…
Isaiah 24
This chapter describes the Great Tribulation and God’s judgement upon the earth and its inhabitants. “Desolation is left in the city; the gates are battered into ruins… as when an olive tree is beaten, as at the gleaning when the grape harvest is done. They lift up their voices, they sing for joy; over the…
Isaiah 23
This chapter is a prophesy against Tyre / Sidon / Tarshish, a vibrant and wealthy merchant city to the North of Judah. “The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth. In that day Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years……
Isaiah 22
This chapter is a prophesy against Jerusalem, God’s chosen people. It may seem odd that they have a similar fate to their pagan neighbors, however, it’s because they look and act (sin) just like them. “…and you counted the houses of Jerusalem, and you broke down the houses to fortify the wall. You made a…
Isaiah 21
This chapter describes the fall of (commercial) Babylon, and includes prophesies against other nations as well. “Then he who saw cried out: ‘Upon a watchtower I stand, O Lord, continually by day, and at my post I am stationed whole nights. And behold, here come riders, horsemen in pairs!’… ‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all…
Isaiah 20
This short chapter describes a sign against Cush (Ethiopia) and Egypt – God commands Isaiah to walk around naked for three years. This symbolizes the future shame of those great nations and those who follow them. “Then the Lord said… ‘Then they shall be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and of Egypt…
Isaiah 19
This chapter is a prophesy both against, and for Egypt. Their destruction is foretold, though we also learn about five cities which will repent and follow the Lord of hosts. “In that day there will be five cities in the land of Egypt that speak the language of Canaan and swear allegiance to the Lord…