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Bible Pathways 08/03/2002


August 03

Read Isaiah 10 -- 14

In Today's Reading:

Assyria to be broken; promise of Israel's restoration; the future rule of Christ, the Branch; thanksgiving for God's mercies; Babylon's and Philistia's doom predicted; Israel to be preserved.

Verses for Today:

There shall come forth a Rod (a Descendant) out of the stem (stock) of Jesse . . . And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him. . . . The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord. . . . In that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, which shall stand for an Ensign (rallying standard) of the people; to it (Him) shall the Gentiles seek. . . . In that day ye shall say, Praise the Lord, call upon His Name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His Name is exalted. Sing unto the Lord; for He hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. . . . for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee (11:1-2,9-10;12:4-6).

Isaiah the prophet foretold the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, 700 years before it took place. In fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, the New Testament records the genealogy of Jesus, Who was the son of David, which was the son of Jesse (Luke 3:31-32). At Jesus' baptism, Luke recorded a remarkable revelation of the Trinity when he wrote: The Holy [Spirit] descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice (of the Father) came from Heaven, which said, [You are] My beloved Son; in [You] I am well pleased (3:22).

Isaiah also foretold Christ's coming return to earth and His millennial reign. In exile on the isle . . . [of] Patmos, John, the beloved disciple, heard Jesus proclaim Himself the fulfillment of the Messianic promise of Isaiah: I Jesus . . . am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 1:9; 22:16). The promise, made through Isaiah, of the Ruler Who would come from Jesse, is far-reaching and anticipates the new heavens and the new earth that are yet to be.

Isaiah the prophet also looked beyond the threats of Assyria to a future time when Babylon would surpass Assyria and conquer the Kingdom of Judah and carry the Israelites into captivity. The burden of Babylon (Isaiah 13:1) and of other nations mentioned in chapters 13 -- 23 refers to a strong message of the judgment of God against these nations. Surprising as it may seem, about 180 years before it took place, Isaiah also foretold that Babylon itself would be defeated and destroyed. Isaiah continued the judgment message of God against Babylon and also foretold that Babylon, the glory of kingdoms . . . shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited. . . . her time (of destruction) is near (13:19-20,22). In striking contrast, Isaiah foretold of Israel's future restoration and that the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel. . . . and they shall rule over their oppressors (14:1-2).

Until that day, let us proclaim as did Isaiah: God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid (regardless of circumstances): for the Lord Jehovah is my strength. . . . Call upon His Name, declare His doings among the people. . . . for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee (Isaiah 12:2-6).

Christ Revealed:

As the Descendant of Jesse, King David's father (Isaiah 11:1; compare Luke 3:31-32). Isaiah 11 reveals Christ's earthly rule of righteousness. When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of his glory (Matthew 25:31-46; see also Revelation 20).

Word Studies:

10:1 grievousness = oppression; 10:12 high = proud; 10:20 stay = rely; 10:22 consumption = destruction; 10:33 lop = cut off; 11:10 an ensign = a signal to rally, flag; 14:16 narrowly look upon = gaze at.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for the missionary ministries · Country: Papua New Guinea (5 million) in the southwestern Pacific · Major languages: 715 indigenous languages · Religious freedom · 64% Protestant; 33% Roman Catholic; 2% ancestor worship, belief in spirits, and witchcraft · Prayer Suggestion: Pray for safety in your travels (Romans 1:8-18).

Optional Reading: Hebrews 11

Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 3:24



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