Read Isaiah 10 -- 14
In Today's Reading:
Assyria to be broken; promise of Israel's restoration; Christ, the Branch; thanksgiving for God's mercies; Babylon's doom predicted; Israel to be preserved
Concerning the return of Jesus to earth and His glorious millennial reign, Isaiah foretold: The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD . . . . The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. . . . And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, which will stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious (Isaiah 11:2,9-10). The promise made through Isaiah, of the Ruler who would come from King David, the Root of Jesse, is far-reaching and anticipates the new heavens and the new earth that are yet to be. In that day shall ye 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. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee (12:4-6).
Isaiah the prophet also looked beyond the defeat of Assyria to the future when Babylon would carry the people of Judah into captivity. Surprisingly, about 180 years before it took place, he also foretold Babylon's defeat and destruction saying: Babylon, the glory of the kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah (13:19-20). In striking contrast, Isaiah prophesied Israel's future restoration: The LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place . . . and they shall rule over their oppressors (14:1-2).
Until that day, let us say with Isaiah: Behold, God is my salvation. . . . the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:2-3).
Christ Revealed:
As the Descendant of Jesse, King David's father (Isaiah 11:1; compare Luke 3:31-32). Isaiah 11 reveals Christ's coming earthly rule of righteousness. One day soon Jesus will return to earth in all the fullness of His glory and accompanied by His angels. Then He will set up the millennial kingdom of His creation; this will be the beginning of His eternal rule (see Matthew 25:31-46; see also Revelation 20-22).
Word Studies:
10:1 grievousness = wickedness; 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 Bible Pathway Distributors · Country: Mauritania (3 million) in western Africa · Major language: Hasaniya Arabic · Islamic state with no mission work allowed · 99+% Muslim; .5% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to give you strength for today's need (Ephesians 3:14-16).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 11
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 5:1