Here are some things I picked up in my read through the book of Isaiah from The Message Bible. Too long of a book to do in one blog. One of my favorite books of the OT.
Isaiah is a book about salvation. It is like a symphony that repeats three common themes: judgment (ch. 1-39), comfort (ch. 40-55), and hope (ch. 56-66).
- As wicked and sinful as God's people may become, He is always ready, willing, and able to forgive and wipe the slate clean.
- I love Peterson's paraphrase early in the chapter: "He'll show us the way He works so we can live the way we're made." That's what I want--to live the way He made me to live.
- Unfortunately, some of Isaiah's descriptions of the condition of the hearts of God's people resemble the hearts of Christians today.
- Three adjectives to describe someone touched by God--holy, alive, precious.
- People can live as wickedly as they so desire. But God always has the final say.
- One of the greatest chapters in the Bible. Reading it never grows old. "Lord, here am I, send me" should be a prayer every Christian prays.
- Ongoing debate--is it okay to ask God for a sign? God challenged King Ahaz to ask for a sign. It's interesting, however, the previous verse stresses the importance of faith.
- No matter what happens in my life and in this world, the last word is always Immanuel.
- Reading the prophetic words about the coming Messiah in verses 6-7 never grows old.
- Beware of using the first person pronoun as if "I" can do this or that. Arrogance certainly will lead to a downfall.
- God's reign on earth blows my mind--all is at peace. Kids crawling over rattlesnake dens; no animal or human will kill or hurt.
- When we sing in worship, we should raise the roof.
- God is sovereign over every kingdom. He will use one wicked country to destroy a "good" country if He so chooses.
- Satan's fall from heaven is in this chapter. Notice how many times Satan says, "I." Pride was his main problem.
- Isaiah is not just about judgment of God's people--but about His judgment of enemy nations as well.
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