Bible Pathways 08/05/2003
August 5
Read Isaiah 22 -- 26
In Today's Reading:
Prophecy about Jerusalem; Babylon and Tyre to be destroyed; Isaiah glorifies God; God's dominion over Judah
Isaiah foretold: The Day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and He shall destroy the sinners thereof (Isaiah 13:9). This prophecy was first directed to Judah, then to Israel, then to the surrounding Gentile nations, and finally to all the world: He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth. . . . And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us . . . we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation. . . . Thou wilt keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee. . . . Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD . . is everlasting strength (25:8-9; 26:3-4).
Just as surely as many of the prophecies were fulfilled in ancient history, we can also expect that the Messiah Jesus will return as Christ the King. Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (9:6), and He will give eternal life to both Jew and Gentile who have received Him as Lord of their lives.
Jesus has imparted His indwelling Holy Spirit into every believer and assured us: Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them (spirits of antichrist): because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world (I John 4:4). It is no longer necessary to live in slavery to Satan and our fleshly passions because we can be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-11).
We are slaves to what we allow to control us, including our thoughts and conduct. In the beginning, all are slaves to sin because we descended from Adam (see Romans 5:12). However, our Creator, through Christ, has given us freewill to choose. Once we choose to obey Him, we no longer remain slaves in sin. God's Word provides a simple revealing test: Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart . . . Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness (Romans 6:16-18).
Christ Portrayed:
By Eliakim, master of Hezekiah's household (Isaiah 22:20-22); what was said of him is true of Christ Who is also Master over the household of faith. But Christ as a Son over His own house; Whose house are we (Hebrews 3:6; Galatians 6:10). The keys given to Eliakim foreshadowed the keys of death and hell which Jesus took from Satan (see Revelation 1:18). Jesus alone has the power to open the door of salvation to those who believe in Him and shut it to those who don't.
Word Studies:
22:2 stirs = full of shoutings; 24:7 mourneth = dries up; 24:15 fires = dawning light; 24:19 clean dissolved = split open; 24:23 ancients = elders; 26:7 weigh = prepare.
Prayer Needs:
BP Staff: Ilene Wallace · Pray for Bible Pathway Faith Promise Supporters · for International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponosred by John C. Higby · Government Official: Rep. Michael Doyle (PA) · Country: Mexico (100 million) in North America · Major language: Spanish · Religious freedom · 88% Roman Catholic; 4% Protestant; .1% Eastern Orthodox · Prayer Suggestion: Praise and thank the Lord that He can do exceedingly more than we ask or even think (Ephesians 3:20).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 13
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 5:1
