August 3
Isaiah 10 -- 14
Isaiah the prophet foretold the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, 700 years into the future, proclaiming: There shall come forth a Rod (Shoot or Sprout -- a Descendant) out of the stem of Jesse . . . And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him (Isaiah 11:1-2). In fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, the New Testament records in the genealogy of Jesus: Which was the son of David, Which was the son of Jesse (Luke 3:31-32). At Jesus' baptism, Luke also portrayed a remarkable revelation of the Trinity when he said: 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).
Concerning Christ's return to earth and His millennial reign, Isaiah foretold: 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 of the people; unto Him shall the Gentiles seek (Isaiah 11:9-10). In exile on the island of Patmos, John, the beloved disciple, heard Jesus say that He was 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 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: In that day you 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 has done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, you inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of you (Isaiah 12:4-6).
Isaiah the prophet also looked beyond the coming Assyrian defeat to a future time when Babylon would defeat the Kingdom of Judah and carry them into captivity. The burden of Babylon (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, he also foretold that Babylon itself would be defeated and destroyed about 180 years before it took place. 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 declare with Isaiah: God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid (regardless of circumstances): for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song. . . . Call upon His Name, declare His doings among the people. . . . for great is the Holy One of Israel who is in your midst (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 (Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 20 -- 21).
Word Studies:
10:1 grievousness means oppression; 10:12 stout means arrogant; high means proud; 10:20 stay means rely; 10:22 consumption means destruction; 10:33 lop means cut off; 11:5 reins means waist; 11:8 asp means cobra; on the cockatrice's means in the viper's; 11:10 an ensign means a signal to rally, flag; 13:12 more precious means rarer, scarce; 14:8 feller means tree cutter; 14:16 narrowly look upon means gaze at; 14:23 besom means broom; 14:28 burden means mournful prophecy; 14:31 Palestina means Philistines.
BPM Staff: Letha Hash · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Shortwave Radio Outreach · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio Broadcast sponsored by Sandra L. Palumbo · Country: Vietnam (68 million) in Southeast Asia · Major languages: Vietnamese and French · Very strict control of Christians in the North; the South has been more lenient but is getting tighter · 65% Buddhist and Buddhist sects; 7% Roman Catholic; 4% belief in evil spirits and ancestor worship; .4% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Lift up prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God even in times of adversity (Acts 16:22-25).
Optional Reading:
Hebrews 11
Memory Verse for the Week:
I Thessalonians 4:18