Article archive
06/08/2012 11:26
Chapter 25 introduced us to the remnant perspective. Judgment was still in view, but our perspective (Isaiah’s actually) shifted from that of the judged to that of those who, though living amid judgment, had their trust in the caregiver God. That chapter ended with a contrast of those...
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06/01/2012 07:52
The first verse of chapter 25 transfers focus from God’s judgment to God’s sovereignty, but it is a focus built on and not replacement of the prior subject. Isaiah’s vision of judgment is the cause of the praise that wells up within him. He praises because that which God has done—the...
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05/25/2012 09:37
Chapter 24 broadens the judgment beyond the specifics of the Mediterranean economy to encompass the world. As in the other specific nation judgments, this general judgment of the world has elements both of current devastation and ultimate destruction. The first three verses of the...
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05/16/2012 10:59
The oracle against Jerusalem includes an extra warning beyond the oracles against the other nations. In verses 15 through 25, Isaiah concentrates on the activity of the leaders. Verses 15 through 19 help us understand that Shebna, the court secretary (2 Kings 18:18) was particularly...
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05/04/2012 07:43
In chapter 21, the oracle against Babylon, we read in verses 6 through 9 of a watchman ordered to look for horses and riders. This is more of a lookout than a watchman, specifically tasked with looking for riders with news from Babylon. In Isaiah’s emphasis on paying close attention, he...
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04/27/2012 07:07
In Isaiah 17:12, the prophecy of judgment begins to reach beyond the nations that were part of the direct interaction with Judah covered so far in regard to Assyria’s attack. The binding of this expanded circle to the judgment story is not so much the nation of Judah as previously, but now...
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04/13/2012 10:29
The judgment of Moab covers two chapters—a much longer treatment than that given to Assyria and Philistia. With the greater coverage we learn additional aspects about the judgment of God. Chapter 15 begins by emphasizing the extent of Moab’s judgment. The city Ar, mentioned in verse 1,...
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04/06/2012 12:13
The introduction (Is 13-14:23) to the judgment section (Is 13-24) ends with verses 3-23 of chapter 14. In this passage we look at Babylon’s king from the perspective of the rescued at rest. In this introduction, Babylon is mentioned because of the specific arrogance displayed by this...
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03/30/2012 10:43
The major outline of Isaiah so far to our current position—beginning chapter 13—is as follows:
I. Isaiah 1-5 – INTROCDUCTION TO BOOK
II. Isaiah 6-12 – REMNANT PROMISE
III. Isaiah 13-39 – REMNANT PROVIDENCE
A. Isaiah 13-24 – Nations...
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03/19/2012 07:56
Even a quick read through Isaiah won’t shake the impression that the thirteenth chapter begins a new section. Chapters 11 and 12 gave such a dramatic description of the Messiah’s gift of peace and joy to the remnant that renewing the other of Isaiah’s twin themes of judgment and hope...
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