Read Isaiah 1
Highlights:
Isaiah's burden — the nation's sin; Isaiah's exhortation for repentance; coming of Christ's Kingdom; Jerusalem's glorious future.
The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider (Is. 1:3).
During Isaiah's ministry, the ten-tribed nation of Israel was defeated by Assyria. The nation had provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger (1:4) by their disloyalty to God in turning to false gods. Isaiah's burden was to call the remaining small nation of Judah back to the Lord: Make you clean . . . cease to do evil. . . . let us walk in the light of the Lord (1:16; 2:5).
Even though God had chosen them to be His people, delivered them from Egyptian slavery, taken them through the wilderness journeys, and given them the promised land, they did not remain faithful to Him. God had fulfilled every promise He had made to them. They still chose to turn their backs on Him. The Lord had previously instructed them: Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image . . . to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God (Lev. 26:1). Consequently the prophet Isaiah looked far beyond their sins and God's imminent judgment to a glorious future when God's people would be established in peace.
We should give thanks to God that He does not look at us as we are, but He looks to what we can become. God can look into the depths of our hearts to see the potential we have stored inside. He knows the person we are intended to be. We will attain that place of perfection once we graduate from this sinful life to the next life that has no sin. This is promised for those who belong to Christ Jesus. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory (I Cor. 15:54).
We look forward to the day when the King of kings shall reign — when the Lord alone shall be exalted (Is. 2:17). That will be the day when we no longer are at war with our enemy the devil. He will be gone from our lives forever. We will live in perfect peace forever and ever.
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (II Cor. 7:1).
Thought for Today:
Continued disobedience blinds one's eyes to the will of God.
Christ Revealed:
As the One who will judge the nations (Is. 2:2-4). The Lord Jesus Christ . . . shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing (II Tim. 4:1).
Word Studies:
1:13 vain oblations, worthless sacrifices offered by hypocrites; 2:12 day of the Lord, the coming judgment upon the unfaithful as well as the time of rejoicing for the faithful; 3:18 cauls, and their round tires like the moon, headbands bejeweled with sun and moon ornaments; 3:22 crisping pins, money bags or purses; 3:24 stomacher, rich robe; 4:4 blood of Jerusalem, Jerusalem was guilty of killing innocent prophets.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for our Military worldwide • Staff: Jennifer Cunningham Palafox • Government Official: Rep. Sue Wilkins Myrick (NC) • Country: Niger (10 million) in west-central Africa • Major languages: French and Hausa • Christian evangelism is limited • 89% Muslim; 10% animist; .4% Christian • Prayer Suggestion: Sing praises to God, for He hears your prayers and delivers you (Ps. 40:1-3).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 9
NOTE: Bible Pathway covers the Old Testament with devotional and commentary insights over a nine-month period, January through September. Each day during these months, an optional reading of one chapter a day from the New Testament will also be listed. The October, November, and December issues will provide a daily commentary on the New Testament readings. Thus, the reader goes through the New Testament twice each year using the Bible Pathway plan.
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:10
