Bible Pathways - Aug. 7, 2008

Isaiah 32

Highlights In Today's Reading:

A vision of how things will be when Jesus is recognized as the Messiah and the Righteous King who delivers Jerusalem from disaster is given in Chapters 32-35. Future judgment on enemies of Israel and kingdom blessings for regathered Israel are clearly described. Watch for an historical "flash back" about Sennacherib's invasions and good King Hezekiah.

Just eight years after he invaded and destroyed the Northern Kingdom, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, attacked Judah. Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them. . . . Thus saith the king (of Assyria), Let not Hezekiah deceive you. . . . Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria (36:1,14-15; compare II Kings 18:13-17; II Chronicles 32:1-8). It was during this crisis that King Hezekiah expressed his trust in God and confidently told his nation: With us is the Lord our God (32:8).

Hezekiah sought to influence and lead his people to trust in God as their only hope of survival against Assyria. When he read the letter which the Assyrian ambassador had brought from Sennacherib, Hezekiah went up into the House of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord (II Kings 19:14-15).

The desperate prayer was short but sincere, and God answered with an amazing victory. In one night, the angel of the Lord destroyed 185,000 soldiers in Sennacherib's army (19:35).

Be careful for (worry about) nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Philippians 4:6).

There are three promises implied in this prophecy (Isaiah 32:1-2) that deal with three aspects of our misery. The covert (covering) and the hiding place imply the necessity of protection from fierce desert winds and storms. The water is desperately needed to sustain life in a dry place . . . the shadow of a great rock in a weary land depicts the desert traveler in the heat of day seeking shade from a rock and, as the day comes to a close, hopeful for rest in a place of security and protection. You can depend on the promises of God; they cannot fail.

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen (Ephesians 3:20).

The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword (Hebrews 4:12).

Thought for Today:

Our all-powerful God is able to handle all of our problems. He changes the impossible to the possible.

Christ Revealed:

As the One, who in judgment, wields the sword of the Lord (Isaiah 34:6). Out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations (Revelation 19:15).

Word Studies:

32:2 covert =b> shelter; tempest =b> storm; 32:5 liberal =b> noble; churl =b> deceitful; 32:7 instruments =b> schemes; 32:19 low in a low place =b> completely destroyed; 33:9 hewn down =b> destroyed.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts in honor of Betty Beane's birthday • Staff: Jennifer Cunningham • Government Official: Rep. Bob Etheridge (NC) • Country: Belize (236,000) on the eastern coast of Central America • Major languages: English and Spanish • Religious freedom • 64% Roman Catholic; 26% Protestant; 2% spiritist/animist; 1% Hindu; 1% Muslim; 1% Baha'i • Prayer Suggestion: Ask for the Lord's blessings and peace upon His children (Num. 6:24-27).

Optional Reading: James 2

Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 4:12