My Daily Bible study - Isaiah (2)

[Frances]

Isaiah 45

What does the text say? – The Lord tells Cyrus (who will not come to power for over 150 years) that He will open gates before him and give him treasures and secret riches, so that he knows the God of Israel has called him by name for the benefit of His people, he has also equipped Cyrus for battle so everyone, all over the world, will know there is no other God, and that He creates light and makes darkness. He sends good times and bad times and will enable Salvation and Righteousness to spring up together, and only sorrow awaits those who argue with their Maker, for a clay pot cannot argue with the potter. The Holy One of Israel has created the heaven’s, earth and mankind, and will raise Cyrus and Guide his actions to fulfil His Purpose; he will restore His chosen city and free His captive people without seeking a reward. The Egyptians, Ethiopians and Sabeans will be their prisoners and acknowledge the one true God, and those who make idols will be humbled but the Lord will give Israel an eternal Salvation. The Lord publicly proclaims bold Promises that will come to pass. There is no other God beside Him, every tongue will confess allegiance to Him, and in Him all the descendants of Israel will be joyful.

Application? – The Lord controls my life, so everything that happens is under His control. Do I praise Him for the good times, and seek to learn from the bad? He has offered me Salvation, have I accepted His offer or do I argue with, or disregard, my Maker? Have I made anything into an idol? Have I confessed allegiance to the God of Israel?

[Frances]

Isaiah 46+47

What does the text say? – Idols cannot protect their owners, nor can their owners protect them, they both go into captivity together. God told the Israelites, through Isaiah, to listen to Him who is the One who had been their God before they were born, and would still be when they were old; He had Created them and He would care for them and save them. No idol, however expensive it was, is God’s equal. No idol can rescue anyone from troubles, however much they pray to it. Remember what God has done in the past, for He alone is God and there is none other like Him. Only He can accurately tell what the future holds before it happens, and everything He plans will come to pass. Listen you stubborn people, He is ready to save Jerusalem and show His Glory to Israel. The Lord God will take vengeance against Babylon, the Holy One of Israel will redeem His people; He punished them by sending them to be captives in Babylon, but even the elderly were treated shamefully – so calamity will fall on the Babylonians in an instant because of all their astrology, witchcraft and magic. Their so called wisdom and knowledge have failed them and are no more use than burning straw.

Application? – Are there idols of any kind in my life? Do I heed the Word of God, the One who created me and has always cared for me? Do I listen to Him and talk to Him in prayer? Do I know what God has done in the past? If not, why not when His Word is available? Have I treated any of God’s people shamefully? Do I take any notice of astrology, witchcraft or magik? If so, God will punish me in due course – unless I have repented, trusting in the Salvation He offers through Jesus Christ.

[Frances]

Isaiah 48

What does the text say? – The Lord of Heaven’s armies told the Israelites that although they prayed to Him they didn’t practice truth and righteousness, even though they said they depended on Him. Long ago God had told them what would happen and all His predictions had come true, so no one could say their idols had been responsible. Even though God’s predictions had come true they had refused to admit He was responsible. For His own sake, and the honour of His Name, the Lord would not annihilate them completely; He has refined His people through suffering so His reputation would not be tarnished, for He refuses to share His Glory with anyone or anything. God Created the Heavens and the earth, and He has chosen Cyrus to put an end to the Babylonian empire. The Lord says that if His people had obeyed Him they would have enjoyed peace and righteousness, and would not have faced destruction. Now the Lord has redeemed His servants, the people of Israel. Now He will provide for them, but there is no peace for the wicked.

Application? – Do I really depend on God in every area of my life, or only say that I do? Is the Lord refining me through suffering? Do I trust God to have Created everything, seen and unseen, in 6 x 24 hour days as His Word says, or do I give His Glory to something else? Do I enjoy peace and righteousness? I cannot expect to experience peace and righteousness if the Lord God regards me as wicked.

[Frances]

Isaiah 49

What does the text say? – A prophecy regarding Jesus Christ, from His birth to His death. His purpose was to bring God’s people back to Him, and also to be a Light to the Gentiles everywhere. One day God will return the land He originally gave to His people (the descendants of Jacob) back to them, and they will return to it from far away to take possession of it; there will be enough to eat and drink for all of them. Prior to that time God’s people will think He has abandoned them; but He will never do that, so although the land has been desolate and His people there destroyed, and it will seem too small to accommodate all the people who return, there will be enough for them all, and they will know He is the Lord, and they will not be ashamed of Him. The Lord will contend with those who contend with His people and will Save them. Everyone will know that the Lord God has Saved His people

Application? – This seems to refer both to the time Isaiah was living in and to the future reign of the Messiah. For us it is referring to the past, present (the Jews are returning to their land), and future.

[Frances]

Isaiah 50

What does the text say? – The Lord said He had not disowned His people but they had not acknowledged Him or His Power. None of them answered when He called, no one turned to Him when in distress, even though He has the Power to save them. The Sovereign Lord tells His servant what to say to sustain the weary and he has not rebelled, even when mocked or ill-treated. Because the Sovereign Lord helps him he will not be put to shame. The Lord God will help him. Who fears the Lord and obeys His Servant? Trust in the Name of the Lord and rely on Him to Guide you, but if you rely on human resources you will be tormented.

Application? – Do I ask the Lord for Guidance at all times? Do I act on what He says? Do I rely on the Lord’s Power when in distress? Might difficulties I face be because I didn’t rely on the Lord? Am I prepared to obey the Lord when He tells me to do the opposite of what I want to do?

Quote:- (Henry H. Halley) “In chapters 49-55 the thoughts revolve around the servant of God. In some passages the servant seems to be Israel the nation, and in other passages, the Messiah, the One in whom Israel would be personified. The passages are pretty well blended, the content itself indicating which is meant. These chapters (41 – 53) seem to be a sort of soliloquy of the Servant, with interspersed replies from God, having to do mainly with His work of bringing all nations to God”.

[Frances]

Isaiah 51

What does the text say? – The Lord will comfort Zion and restore the joy of the people and the land to it’s former glory. The Lord’s people must realise His Law and justice will become a Light to the nations, His Righteousness is near, He offers Salvation and the people will trust Him. The Heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth wear out like clothing, and the people will die, but His Salvation will last forever and His Righteousness will never fail. Those who respect and trust the Lord must not fear the reproach or insults of men, who will be like clothing devoured by moths. The Lord’s Righteousness and Salvation will never end. The Lord is the One who dried up the sea for His people to cross, so the ransomed of the Lord will return and sorrow and dying will flee away. Don’t fear any oppressor but remember the Lord your Maker Who puts His Words in the mouth of those who belong to Him and covers them with the shadow of His Hand. Jerusalem has suffered the Lord’s wrath because no one guided them, so they suffered ruin, destruction, famine and sword. The Lord will now make their tormentors suffer instead.

Application? – Am I guided by the Lord’s Law and Justice? Have I accepted, and encourage others to accept, His Salvation? Do I fully trust the Lord? I must not fear insults or reproach if I am doing the Lord’s Will in His (not my)Way. One day those who torment those who trust the Lord will suffer for it.

[Frances]

Isaiah 52

What does the text say? – Wake up captive Zion, free yourselves from your chains. Jerusalem, the uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again. You sold yourselves for nothing and will be redeemed without any cost to you. The Lord’s Name is mocked and blasphemed by your captors but the Lord has foretold your release. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace and salvation and who tell Zion ‘your Lord reigns’. The Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem, all the earth will see the Salvation of our God. Depart, depart, touch nothing unclean, come out and be pure, you who bear the vessels of the Lord. You will not leave in haste or running away, for the Lord will go ahead of you, and He will be your rearguard. Behold His Servant will prosper and be lifted up, many will be appalled as His appearance will be disfigured beyond human likeness. He will startle many nations, for what was not told will be seen and will be understood and considered.

Application? – Does Sin hold me captive? The Lord is willing to Redeem me. Do I ever mock or blaspheme the Lord’s Name? Do I value those who proclaim the Word of the Lord? Have I removed everything ‘unclean’ from my home and person (eg. souvenirs from foreign parts that were dedicated to a ‘foreign god’ or used for ‘unclean’ purposes)? Jesus Christ was beaten in my place before His crucifixion, do I understand, consider and be grateful for, His death in my place on the cross?

[Frances]

Isaiah 53

What does the text say? – The Lord’s Servant has no physical beauty to attract folk to Him, but is despised and rejected, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. He has bourn our sorrows and grief, yet we thought Him struck down by God, He was pierced through and crushed for our wrong-doing, and by blows He received we are Healed. We have all done as we pleased and He has been punished in our place for our iniquity. He was oppressed and afflicted yet He was silent. He left no descendants. For the transgressions of His people He was stricken, He was treated as a criminal but was with the rich at His death, because He had done nothing wrong. Yet it pleased the Lord to crush Him and cause Him to suffer and though the Lord makes His life a guilt-offering He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the Lord’s Will will prosper in His Hand. He will be satisfied with what He has accomplished. By knowledge of Him many will be justified for He shall bear their iniquity. He will be great because He poured out His life unto death as a criminal, for He bore the Sin of many, and made intersession for the transgressors.

Application? – Jesus Christ has bourn my sorrows and grief. He was pierced through and crushed for my wrong-doing, and by blows He received I am able to be Healed (in body, mind and spirit). I have done what pleased me and He was punished in my place without complaining, even though He did nothing wrong. What have I done to tell others of His sacrifice for them? Jesus Christ makes intercession for each of those who trust in Him.

[Frances]

Isaiah 54

What does the text say? – Barren women will have more children than those who have borne children, and their descendants will inherit the nations. Do not fear for you will not be ashamed nor disgraced. Your Maker is your husband, the Lord of Hosts is His Name; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is the God of the whole earth. For a moment He has forsaken His people, but with great Mercy He will gather them, with everlasting Kindness will have Mercy on them. As He has sworn that the whole earth will never be submerged under a flood as in the days of Noah, so He has sworn not to be angry or rebuke and His Kindness will not depart, nor His Covenant of Peace be removed. The Lord’s people will have the best of everything, they will be taught by Him and there will be peace and righteousness. The Lord’s people will be established and have nothing to fear from Him. No weapon formed against the Lord’s people will prosper, and they will refute everything said against His righteous ones.

Application? – Trusting the Lord, and producing spiritual children who obey Him, is more important than producing physical children. The Lord will not forsake those who trust Him and they will always have access to His Peace.

[Frances]

Isaiah 55+56

What does the text say? – Why do you spend money for things that do not nourish or satisfy you? Come to Me for what is good and abundant, and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you. Seek the Lord while He is available and call on Him. Repent of ungodly thoughts and actions and return to the Lord God who will have Mercy and pardon you. The Lord’s thoughts and ways are much higher than yours and My Word will accomplish the purpose for which it was given, enabling you to enjoy every good thing. Maintain justice and be righteous for the Lord s Servant is about to come and His righteousness to be revealed. People who are not Jews but submit themselves to the Lord and choose to please Him and obey His Law will belong among His people. Everyone who serves the Lord keeps from defiling the Sabbath and keeps His Covenant will have joy in His House of prayer, their sacrifices will be accepted, for His House is a house of prayer for all people. God will gather others beside the Jews. Those who should be watching for, and warning of danger are too busy with other things, blind and intoxicated with their way of life.

Application? – Do I waste money on what does not nourish or satisfy? Do all my thoughts and actions please the Lord? Do I maintain justice and righteousness at all times? Do I always submit myself and my ways to the Lord? Do I enjoy spending time with the Lord? Do I warn other folk of God’s coming Judgement and how to escape it?

Quote:- (Henry H. Halley)”Chapter 55 is the Servant’s invitation to all the world to enter His Kingdom and share His Blessings.”

[Frances]

Isaiah 57+58

What does the text say? – Righteous, merciful and upright people die to protect them from evil, they find peace in death. Those who rebel against the Lord and worship idols, including Molech, will not benefit, but the person who makes the Lord their refuge will inherit the land and His holy mountain. The Lord lives in a high and holy place and also with those humble, contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive their spirits. God has been enraged by His people’s sinful ways, but will heal, guide, restore and comfort them, creating praise in Israel, yet there is no peace for the wicked.
Day after day the people of Israel seem eager to seek God but don’t keep His Commandments, yet when they fast they exploit their workers also their fasting ends in quarrelling and fights. The kind of fast the Lord God has chosen is not only bowing the head, but to stop injustice and to free the oppressed , break every restriction, to share your food with the hungry, and provide shelter for poor wanderers; then your light will shine and your healing come quickly. Then your righteousness will go before you, you will call and the Lord will answer and He will help and guide you, He will satisfy your needs and strengthen your bones and your people will rebuild the ancient ruins. If the Sabbath is a delight to you, if you honour it by not going your own way you will feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.

Application? – Do I rebel against the Lord or make Him my refuge? Do I enrage God? Is my humility genuine? Do I always obey Him? Do I do all I am able to stop injustice and free the oppressed? Do I offer food and shelter to those in need? Does the Lord regard me as righteous or wicked?

[Frances]

Isaiah 59

What does the text say? – The Lord’s ability to hear and save is still limitless but your iniquities and sins of bloodshed, lies, and perversity have separated you from Him, so He will not hear or save you. No one calls for justice and integrity, they trust in empty arguments and lies, they know nothing of justice or peace. We look for light but there is only darkness, we look for justice but there is none and salvation is far from us. We acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion, treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on our God, encouraging others to revolt, and telling lies, so justice, righteousness, truth and honesty are far from us. Truth is nowhere to be found and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey for the wicked. The Lord was appalled that there was no intercessor so according to what they have done, with vengeance He will repay His enemies. All people will learn to fear the Name of the Lord and revere His Glory. The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those who repent of there sins, and His Covenant with them is that His Spirit will speak to and through them.

Application? – Have I separated myself from the Lord by my actions? Do I encourage justice and truth? Am I unfailingly honest and just? Do I acknowledge, and repent of, my Sins? Am I ill-treated because I shun evil? Do I intercede for others? Do I pray that all people will enjoy truth, honour, freedom and courtesy? Do I fear the Name of the Lord and revere His Glory? Have I submitted my life to the Redeemer, Jesus Christ? Do I recognise the Voice of His Spirit? Do I allow Him to speak through me?

[Frances]

Isaiah 60+61

What does the text say? – Arise and shine for your light has come, and the Glory of the Lord is rising on you. Darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the people, but the Lord will arise over you and His Glory will be seen upon you, and the Gentiles and their wealth will drawn to you, filling you with joy. Though in anger the Lord departed from you, His Mercy is now upon you, and the nations that have oppressed you and despised you will bow to you and honour the Holy One of Israel. Although you have been hated you will know that the Lord is your Saviour and your Redeemer – the Mighty One of Jacob. Your officers will be peace and your magistrates righteousness, removing violence far from you.
– Only if my life is totally submitted to the Lord God am I qualified to preach His Good News to those who don’t know Him, but only know of Him. He has sent me to build up the broken-hearted, to tell captives they can be set free, to comfort those who mourn and to tell of God’s favour and vengeance; to tell those of the Lord’s people who grieve that He offers joy instead of distress and praise instead of despair. They will Glorify the Lord by the strength of their righteousness. You will rebuild ancient ruins, and restore places devastated for generations and foreigners will be your labourers. You will be ministers to, and servants of, our God. You will receive honour instead of disgrace, will rejoice in your righteousness and receive everlasting Joy. The Lord says He hates people offering Him what isn’t rightfully theirs and loves justice. He will make and everlasting Covenant with His people, and they will be known as the people the Lord has Blessed. I will delight greatly in the Lord and rejoice in my God, for He has given me Salvation and His righteousness. The Lord will cause righteousness and praise to grow like seeds planted in a garden.

Application? – Do I honour the Holy One of Israel? He will be my Saviour and Redeemer when I submit my life to Him. When all those in authority in my nation always act in righteousness and peace there will be no more violence.
Is every area of my life totally submitted to the Lord? if not none of this applies to me.

[Frances]

Isaiah 62+63

What does the text say? – I will keep telling of the faults of Zion until your salvation and righteousness is recognised by other peoples, and then the Lord will bestow on you a new name. You will no longer be Forsaken or your land Desolate, but you will be called Hephzibah(my delight is in her) and your land Beulah(married), demonstrating the Lord’s delight in you. You who belong to the Lord, give Him no rest from your prayers. The Lord has sworn not to give your food or drink to those who are not His people, you will be able to enjoy the fruit of your labour. Prepare the way for your Saviour and His Holy people, the Redeemed of the Lord, for you will be sought after, a city forsaken and deserted no longer.
The Lord will come in righteousness, mighty to Save. Why are His clothes red? Because the time of His vengeance has come. He looked but there was no one to help His people, so He did what was necessary Himself. I will tell of all the Lord has done for His people according to His Compassion and Mercy. Yet they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit in days of old. Where is He who brought His people through the sea? Where are Your Zeal and Might, Your Compassion and Tenderness? You are our Father and Redeemer, though neither Abraham nor Israel acknowledge us. Why have You allowed us to stray from Your Ways and to have no respect for You or Your Power? For a little while Your people possessed Your Holy places but now our enemies have trampled down Your Holy sanctuary.


Application? – Do I tell others if their behaviour, according to God’s Word, does not please Him? Do I constantly pray for what is important to the Lord? Will the fruit of the seeds I sow, by word or deed, bring me joy or pain? Do I tell others of the Salvation the Lord offers?

[Frances]

Isaiah 64+65

What does the text say? – Lord, if only You would come to earth to make Your enemies tremble with fear, in the way You did for our ancestors when the mountains shook at Your Presence. Since the beginning of the world there has been no God but You who acts for those who trust Him. You are pleased with those who delight in pleasing You, but are angry when we have Sinned. All our righteousness is like filthy rages and You have let us waste away because of our Sins. You are the Potter, we are the clay, so don’t be furious with us for ever O Lord, for we are Your people. Zion is a wilderness, our temple is burned, will You say nothing and punish us beyond measure?
The Lord replied that He was sought by those who didn’t ask for Him and He was found by those who didn’t seek Him; He has pleaded with His people but they continued to rebel, provoking Him to anger by worshipping idols, so He will pay them back for their wickedness. The Lord will not destroy all Jacob’s descendants but the people who seek to please Him will live in the land. Those who forsake their God and worship pagan deities will be destroyed, because when the Lord Called they didn’t answer or listen when He spoke. Those who serve the Lord will have their needs met, but His enemies will not. The Lord will create a new heaven and a new earth for His servants – before they call He will answer, herbivores will have nothing to fear from carnivores and reptiles will eat dust.

Application? – Do I delight in pleasing the Lord? I can do nothing worthwhile without the Lord’s help. Do I allow the Lord to mould me into the person He wants me to be? Do I ask the Lord to reveal Himself to me? Do I have any idols in my life – anything that means more to me than obeying the Lord? Do I listen to the Lord and answer Him with obedience? Have I noticed that as soon as I have prayed the answer is often obvious (but not if I don’t pray)?