Isaiah 37 “God Answers Through Isaiah”

“I will defend this city to save it for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.” (v.35)

Back in chapter 36 Sennacherib, king of Assyria, had come up against the fortified cities of Judah and seized them (v.1). He then defied and mocked the God of the Jews by saying to Eliakim, who was over king Hezekiah’s household, “Who is He (God) to deliver Jerusalem from my hand” (v.20).

Now in chapter 37 Hezekiah gets a message from the Assyrians who have surrounded Jerusalem saying, surrender. After reading the message he went up to the temple and spread it out before the Lord and prayed, “O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, Lord, are God” (v.20).

The answer to Hezekiah’s prayer through Isaiah was instant and assuring. Jehovah would intervene, and the King of Assyria would return to his own land, and the city would be spared (vv. 33-35). The Divine intervention on behalf of Jerusalem came mysteriously, but with complete victory, as the angel of Jehovah killed 135,000 Assyrians in one night (v.36). This led Sennacherib to return to Assyria where he died shortly there after at the hands of his own sons (v.38).

Who is He that can deliver from the hand of evil? The LORD God Almighty!

The Truth: “Thus says your Lord, the LORD, your God and Defender: “I have taken the terrible cup of trembling out of your hands. You will never drink it again.” (Isaiah 51:22)

Isaiah 36 “Sennacherib Invades Judah”

“Now in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and seized them.”

Here in chapter 36 the king of Assyria, Sennacherib, comes to capture Jerusalem and its king, Hezekiah. From a physical standpoint, it looks hopeless for the Israelites. Therefore, the Assyrian king decides to send emissaries to Hezekiah to call for his surrender.

During this process, they mocked the king by asking some questions which are intended to embarrass him; “On what are you basing this confidence of yours?” (v.4), and “On whom are you depending?” (v.5). Words the emissary would later regret. Additionally, Sennacherib tried to bribe the nation of Israel into simply bending their knee in submission by promising great prosperity in return for such submission (v.8). And finally they mocked the prophet Isaiah’s belief in God (vv.14-16), wanting to convince the Israelites they had no chance for success.

These tactics are very familiar and common tools used by Satan against believers daily. Hezekiah handled these crafty attacks correctly, giving us a great lesson on how we should respond to similar attacks in our own lives. First, we keep silent (v.20). Never enter into an argument with a skeptic, especially one who is baiting you. Second, go directly to God in prayer, seek His guidance, call upon His wisdom, and allow His Spirit to guide your actions through His Word or a Word from a godly advisor.

We would all be wise to follow Hezekiah’s example of going to God first and refusing to get caught up in any of Satan’s old tricks. It will save us a lot of wasted energy, and replace emotion with wisdom.

 The Truth: “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)

Isaiah 35 “The Highway Of Holiness”

“A highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the “Highway of Holiness.” And the ransomed of the Lord (the redeemed) will walk there, and will come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” (vv.8-10)

Just as the Jews yearned to worship in Jerusalem, so we, too, should joyfully anticipate worshiping God in the New Jerusalem. The apostle John described it this way:

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God… 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’… The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp… Nothing impure will ever enter it … but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:1-11)

Christ will return in triumph and splendor. The desert will blossom. The weak will become strong. Fear will turn to faith. The covenant relationship that was broken will be restored. Justice that had appeared thwarted will be done in full. And the power of God will be miraculously evident as the blind will see and the lame will walk.

In that day, the redeemed will walk on the “Way of Holiness” (35:8). Those who travel on it must be holy, wise, and pure, but it is God who will make them so, not they themselves. These pilgrims will be “ransomed” people, rescued by God and living wholly for Him (35:10). The exiled will return, the mourners will sing, the grief-stricken will rejoice, and the temporary will give way before the eternal.

The Truth: “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

Isaiah 34 “God’s Wrath Against All Nations”

“Draw near, O nations, to hear; and listen, O peoples! Let the earth and all it contains hear, and the world and all that springs from it. For the Lord’s indignation is against all the nations, and His wrath against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to slaughter.” (vv.1-2)

Isaiah is drawing to a close the section of his book that emphasizes judgment. Here in chapter 34 he declares and warns, “The Lord is angry with all nations; His wrath is upon all their armies. He will totally destroy them, He will give them over to slaughter.” Not a message I’d want to hear.

In the midst of this description (vv.3-5), he paints a picture of what is happening in the heavens simultaneously with this judgment. All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved and the sky rolled up like a scroll. This sounds curiously similar to a re-creation of this world that is declared to come according to Revelation 21.

Whether this is a description of that day or not, Isaiah is clear in verse 8 regarding the eventuality of God’s judgment and its purpose, “For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause.” Vengeance. Retribution. He will fight for His people. It is what their enemies deserve and what we all have earned, if we are found to be outside of God’s grace.

But, they (Israel) were chosen. And we (gentile believers) were also chosen. Therefore, we have a defender who fights for us as well. God Almighty! Hallelujah!

The Truth: “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:11-16)

Isaiah 33 “His Coming Reign”

“For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is He who will save us.” (v.22)

Here in chapter 33 we see Isaiah stating that the LORD is our judge, lawgiver, king. These three roles have been demonstrated several times in Israel’s history. And, interestingly enough, have themselves been woven into the very fabric of the United States Constitution: judicial, legislative, and executive branches.

While they have been an effective model for government, they are simply that - a model. No government of man is perfect. The only true source of government is the One who fulfills all three aspects to perfection, the Lord Himself! He is OUR judge, OUR lawgiver, OUR king. And one day we will see the Messiah rightfully reign using all three roles perfectly, the very person who promises to save. Hallelujah!

The Truth:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Isaiah 32 “The Peace of God’s Reign”

“Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice.” (v.1) “Then the work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.” (v.17)

Today many seek peace apart from righteousness. They refuse to adjust some wrong in their lives, which calls aloud against them. They refuse to permit the light of God’s Spirit to restore their past, because they are conscious that to do so will expose themselves to the inevitable need of confession and restitution; and as they will not submit to the laying of the foundations of peace, they miss the peace.

Peace is impossible so long as righteousness is disregarded; quietness and confidence can never be produced by unrighteous motives and methods. And because man’s heart is born into sin, righteousness will never be the principle of human life, unless and until that life is submitted to the King Who reigns in righteousness; and there is no king who perfectly reigns in righteousness other than the Man Whom God hath appointed to judge the world in righteousness, Jesus Christ.

Therefore, while in today’s reading we find an encouraging Word to those both then and now who remained faithful to the LORD, we also see the warning, the trouble ahead, for those who choose to live without the "Prince of Peace."

If you would like to unburden yourself of the heavy weight of guilt and shame and exchange it for His peace and quietness to your soul and in your life, please see the prayer to the right of this page. God Bless.

The Truth: “For the kingdom of God is not food nor drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)

Isaiah 31 “The folly of Not Trusting God”

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.” (v.1)

The first three verses of chapter 31 deal with the folly of Judah for not trusting in God. They represent a description of all the places they turned to for deliverance. And by leaving God out of the picture, they would suffer the same fate as those whom they turned to.

The heart of the matter here is that we usually seek our own way. We work out of our own (limited) strength. We try everything we can think of first. We rely on our own insight. We’ll do anything and everything except what is needful…admitting that we are weak, limited, totally dependent upon someone outside of ourselves, the LORD. He is the ONLY source of strength that can meet our needs, and the One whom we should turn to first.

Therefore, learn from the folly of Judah and seek the LORD for your deliverance. Trust in Him and turn your burdens over to the One who never slumbers nor sleeps. May you always look up first before you start looking around for help.

The Truth: “My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2)

Isaiah 30 “The Key to Strength”

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”(v.15)

Clearly God is calling us to trust Him, to be still, quiet, and rest in Him. Nevertheless, man always charges ahead on his own, moving forward in his own efforts, even to the point of relying on others before seeking God. Isaiah warned against such actions; “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord” (Isaiah 31:1).

God promises to give us His strength (Isaiah 58:11), to help us and uphold us with His righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). He is mighty to save (Isaiah 63:1), and will be our strength every morning (Isaiah 33:2). So much frustration, along with "could of's or should of's can be avoided if we would but rest in Him and His Word. Just remaining still for a time seeking to hear conformation on a decision within our hearts, instead of moving ahead in our own strength. This would truly strengthen our resolve through trusting in His guidance and lead to greater peace in our lives.  

The Truth: “The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. "Be silent before me, you islands! Let the nations renew their strength! Let them come forward and speak; let us meet together at the place of judgment.”  (Isaiah 40:28-41:1)

Isaiah 29 “Woe To Jerusalem (Ariel)”

“Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! Add year to year; let feasts come around. Yet I will distress Ariel; there shall be heaviness and sorrow, and it shall be to Me as Ariel.” (vv.1-2)

Ariel, which means “Lion of God,” is another name for Jerusalem. It can also mean, “God’s altar hearth,” suggesting the place where a burnt offering was consumed by fire. The woe foretold here in chapter 29 by Isaiah the prophet warns that Jerusalem, the City of David, was going to be besieged by a foreign nation. It would be the place where God would consume them by fire, where His people would be disciplined for their continued sin.

At the time Isaiah wrote this, the Jew’s faith had deteriorated to a level of almost purely ritualistic. God was saying, year after year, you bring all these sacrifices, but you lack of true repentance. You go through the rituals but you do not seek Me. You sing your songs to Me, but your hearts are far from Me. And to make matters worse, they thought God did not know their hearts, nor see their thoughts (vv.14-16).

Many people today are the same way. They play church, they are there, they smile, they say and do all the right things, but their heart is far from Gods. Scripture tells us that, "God does not see as man sees, He looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). That means He knows us inwardly, our very thoughts. Nothing is hidden from Him (Luke 8:17). Better to come clean and repent, than to think God does not see and will not punish.

The Truth: “For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes each one He accepts as His child” (Hebrews 12:6).

Isaiah 28 “The Crown of Pride”

“Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one, like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, like a flood of mighty waters overflowing, who will bring them down to the earth with His hand. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, will be trampled underfoot, And the glorious beauty is a fading flower.” (vv.1-4)

The crown of pride mentioned here in our text is a Hebrew expression denoting a proud or haughty crown. Some believe the prophet mentions this crown of flowers (which use to be worn by the drunkards in their parties), to convey a strong idea of the universal depravity and folly of the nation.

Ancient Samaria was truly one of great beauty. But, having many excellent vineyards within its borders, the people were prone to drinking, and were frequently guilty of over indulging (drunkenness), specifically the leadership; leaders, priests, and prophets (vv.7-8). With the imminent invasion by Assyria pending and Isaiah’s warning clearly delivered, God’s people should have been praying, not partying. They should have been listening to the words of His prophet, instead of the impaired judgment of their leaders.

Today, when it comes to clear, and unimpaired thinking, this country is truly way off base. Redefining terms, blurring lines, creating loopholes, declaring evil to be good and good to be evil. The “Crown” has become the end that justifies all means of getting it. So sad, and yet scriptural, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:12-13).

What love grew cold? The love for God and His Word. And just as this was the downfall of Ephraim, so it will be with any nation that turns its back on God. But, he who perseveres to the end, will be saved.

The Truth: “For as it was in the days of Noah so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” (Luke 17:26-30)

Isaiah 27 “The Restoration of Israel”

“Those who come He shall cause to take root in Jacob; Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.” (v.6)

The prophet Isaiah was describing what Israel will be like in the last days, at the second return of the Messiah. Today, we have seen the Lord put a desire into the hearts of Jews around the world to return to the Promised Land. Even though the land of Israel was completely run down, Jews returned, wanting to buy back the land. These new owners planted trees by the millions, drained the swamps, totally reclaiming the land. And now Israel, as this verse declared, is the second largest exporter of fruits in the world and the third largest exporter of flowers.

This promise of physical blossoming and budding has a spiritual meaning as well. Someday soon, this restored Israel will suddenly see that the Messiah has returned for a second time to rule and reign from the Mount of Olives. And He will fill the earth with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, righteousness, and peace. The millennial reign of the Messiah will be a time of God’s goodness filling the whole earth.

 The Truth: “In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious; and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing for those of Israel who have escaped.” (Isaiah 4:2)

Isaiah 26 “Perfect Peace”

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.” (v.3)

Back in Isaiah 9, we saw the first mention on the subject of peace, “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this” (vv.6-7). Note that peace and a Person are integrally linked. You can’t have the first without the second.

Our text, is an often quoted verse. Simply put, if we have a steadfast mind and trust in God, He will keep us in perfect peace. Furthermore, in one of the clearest statements in Isaiah, God establishes peace: “Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us” (v.12). Real peace, perfect peace, has no other source. God establishes it on our behalf. Praise the LORD!

The Truth: “For to us a child is born…. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor… Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end." (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Isaiah 25 “Praise to God”

“O LORD, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” (v.1)

Isaiah 24 and Isaiah 25 form a contrasting pair of chapters. Isaiah 24 is about destruction, as the earth will be ruined and devastated by the Great Tribulation. After the church is taken up (raptured), God’s wrath will come down and for seven years, and this world will experience His judgment for rejecting His Son. But not all will be destroyed, as there will be a remnant of believers that survive.

Isaiah 25 on the other hand is about re-creation. The heaviness, darkness, and destruction of the Tribulation will be swallowed up by the joy of the LORD (vv.8-12). And despite the devastation and judgment, Isaiah recognized that God would deliver a remnant and be utterly faithful to His promises (Isaiah 25:1, 9). The prophet also records the triumphant song of praise which will break forth from the many glad spirits, when the hope of the Church will be realized, and her long patience rewarded: “It shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God: we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation” (v.9)

Therefore, keep your eyes on the things that matter and your minds on the things above, for His return is coming. Then all will be made new and we will rule and reign with Him in righteousness from Mt.Zion.  "Praise to the LORD."

The Truth:  “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” (2 Peter 3:10)

Isaiah 24 “Impending Judgment on the Earth”

“Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty and makes it waste, distorts its surface and scatters abroad its inhabitants” (v.1).

After reading this chapter most people might be quick to ask, “What caused God to get so mad?” Why is He doing this?” Well, actually, this destruction is self induced. It is a result of man’s depravity. “The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed God’s laws, violated His statutes and broken the everlasting covenant” (Is 27:5). “Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt…” (Isaiah 27:6).

However, good news is found in verse 23, “For the LORD Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders gloriously.” Meaning once again a faithful remnant will emerge. Then He will rule and reign over all the earth from Mt. Zion in Jerusalem.

The Truth: “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:22-24)