TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Isaiah 6:1-7:25
2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Psalm 54:1-7
Proverbs 23:1-3
Isaiah 6:1 — The year is 740 BC. The political establishment was in upheaval because Uzziah had been king for 52 years. This was the only king Isaiah had ever known. Uzziah was such a great king (2 Kings 15:3) that he thought he’d make a good priest as well (2 Chronicles 26:18). For that he was cursed with leprosy (2 Chronicles 16:19). They’ve even uncovered a burial stone that claims to be where he was reburied:
What else happened in 740 BC?
In 740 BC, Tiglath-Pileser III took Arpad after a siege of three years, and razed Hamath. Uzziah had been an ally of the king of Hamath, and thus was compelled by Tiglath-Pileser to do him homage and pay yearly tribute.
Also, Isaiah was taken from the earthly realms into the heavenly realms! The earthly king was dead, but the King of Kings was still on the throne!
Isaiah 6:2 — People have tried to portray this scene – but this is an incredible look into heaven!
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Isaiah 6:3 — We see similar creatures in Revelation 4:8. Day and night they declare, “Holy! Holy! Holy!”
Isaiah 6:5 — Isaiah realized he was an unworthy sinner when he saw the KING! But God sent a seraphim to purge his sin (Isaiah 6:7).
Isaiah 6:8 — God is still calling today: “Who will go for us?” Isaiah said, “Here am I, send me!” Listen to this reminder from Patch the Pirate:
Isaiah 6:9-10 — How’s that for a message to share on deputation? Called by God to preach a message that the people will be unable to understand or perceive, a message that they have rejected God, so God will close the door of healing, and a message that Judah will be wasted desolate (Isaiah 6:11).
Isaiah 7:1 — We’ve just jumped ahead from the death of Uzziah to the reign of his evil grandson Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:2-4). We’re at the same time when Rezin and Pekah are teaming up against Ahaz. God had a message for Ahaz about Judah’s deliverance (Isaiah 7:7), as well as a message of judgment on Israel (Isaiah 7:8).
Isaiah 7:12 — Ahaz is trying to be pious (“I will not tempt the LORD”), but God recorded for us that Ahaz was actually trusting in Assyria (2 Chronicles 28:16); he was even sacrificing to the gods of Syria, his enemy (2 Chronicles 28:23)! Ahaz vandalized the House of the LORD (2 Chronicles 28:24), yet God still reached out to him.
Isaiah 7:14 — KnowingScripture.com debunks the argument that the word “virgin” should mean “young woman.” They also address the question, “Why was God giving a messianic prophecy to Ahaz when he’ll be dead for 600 years before Jesus is born?”
First, the Lord offers a sign to Ahaz that he would defend Jerusalem, but Ahaz rebelliously refused it. In reply, the prophet addresses not Ahaz personally but the house of David: “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign …” (Isaiah 7:13-14). In Hebrew, the “you’s” in this passage are plural. So the proper recipients of the sign are a broader category than Ahaz personally. The promise is made to the entire royal house as such.
Tomorrow we will read more about the child in Isaiah 9:6-7.
2 Corinthians 11:23-27 — Paul is wondering why the Corinthians are willing to follow people who will fleece them, devour them, belittle them, even smite them on the face (2 Corinthians 11:20). Paul gives a great advertisement for missionary service in these verses, sharing what he has endured for the cause of Christ:
- 195 beatings from the Jews
- 3 times beaten with rods
- stoned once
- 3 times shipwrecked
- wearied, painful
- hungering, thirsting
- cold, naked
Paul didn’t have his best life now, but he had in mind a future with the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ!
Psalm 54:7 — Paul can declare with the psalmist, “He hath delivered me out of all trouble!”
Proverbs 23:2 — Gluttons beware – don’t eat with royalty!
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