Isaiah 15-16

16:4-5 “When this is all over,” Judah answers,
    “the tyrant toppled,
The killing at an end,
    all signs of these cruelties long gone,
A new government of love will be established
    in the venerable David tradition.
A Ruler you can depend upon
    will head this government,
A Ruler passionate for justice,
    a Ruler quick to set things right.”


I didn't take much away but again just soaking in the prophecy of Jesus coming and the accuracy of statements made so far ahead of the events occurring.  I like the Message version today.

Edit:---on further research maybe this is not a reference to Jesus??? I really am not sure.  The capitalization of Ruler made me think it was but in doing a little more research after making my post I'm less certain? 

knut

Isaiah 14

23 “I will turn her into a place for owls
    and into swampland;
I will sweep her with the broom of destruction,”
    declares the Lord Almighty.

Babylon would be reduced to swampland
Bible prophecy: Isaiah 14:23
Prophecy written: Between 701-681 BC
Prophecy fulfilled: 539 BC

In Isaiah 14:23, the prophet said that Babylon, which had been a world power at two different times in history, would be brought to a humble and final end. It would be reduced to swampland. After Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC, the kingdom never again rose to power. The buildings of Babylon fell into a gradual state of ruin during the next several centuries. Archaeologists excavated Babylon during the 1800s. Some parts of the city could not be dug up because they were under a water table that had risen over the years.

No specific takeaway, but again I continue to be amazed a prophecy.  I wonder back in 539BC as word spread about Babylon was it clear to people what had just happened?  Did they recognize the prophecy being realized and did it make any believers out of doubters?  Does it today?  It should.

knut

Isaiah 12-13

Well 12 was short and I didn't get any take aways so I went onto 13, kinda of the same reaction.  But what a stark contrast between the two chapters--rejoicing and praising God to hearing the prophecy of complete destruction of Babylon.


19 Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms,
    the pride and glory of the Babylonians,[b]
will be overthrown by God
    like Sodom and Gomorrah.

from what i researched this was fulfilled 150 years after it was written--probably seemed pretty unlikely when he wrote it.  again i'd love to spend more time digging into these as they fascinate me.

knut

Isaiah 11

1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

I'd need to research more but this is a huge prophecy in this single line.  Its pointing out decimation that is coming then from that low point of nothing significant being left 1 sprout will turn out to be a tree with fruit. 

I believe this tree is first David and ultimately Jesus, so coming from a place of nothing in the society of the time to being the Messiah of all time.

--side note I just found Christianity, Islam and Mormonism all rely on Isaiah as a key prophet.  Mormonism actually uses Chapter 11 as a foundation for their entire beliefs saying that John Smith is fulfillment of this prophecy.  i didn't research beyond that so i don't know why they believe that

prophecy as well as how Islam and Christianity intersect always fascinates me, when i retire maybe i'll dig in more
knut

Isaiah 10

3 What will you do on the day of reckoning,
    when disaster comes from afar?
To whom will you run for help?
    Where will you leave your riches?

I was struggling today to get a message or take away.  I read what I wrote back in 2013 and it is still a good reflection to consider.  Am I ready today if this is The Day?  I say yes!  But I also think do I really live in a way that shows I am ready for Jesus return at any single moment?  Everyday?? 

hmm
knut

Isaiah 9

So God hacked off Israel’s head and tail,
    palm branch and reed, both on the same day.
The big-head elders were the head,    the lying prophets were the tail. 

quick take today.  It seems the people that anger God the most, are always the religious leaders.  Jesus faced the same thing with the Pharisees and the only time he got outwardly angry was in the temple.  Isn't that a strange thing to think about?  The people that sometimes are the farthest from God's heart are those that are supposed to be the closest.....weird.

tp

Isaiah 8

When people tell you, “Try out the fortunetellers.
    Consult the spiritualists.
Why not tap into the spirit-world,
    get in touch with the dead?”
Tell them, “No, we’re going to study the Scriptures.”
    People who try the other ways get nowhere—a dead end!
Frustrated and famished,
    they try one thing after another.
When nothing works out they get angry,
    cursing first this god and then that one,
Looking this way and that,
    up, down, and sideways—and seeing nothing,
A blank wall, an empty hole.
    They end up in the dark with nothing.

This is one that sometimes, I feel alone in.  I frequently hear of people throwing parties where they invite a psychic or medium to read peoples futures.....and I think "what are you doing?"  Kim has even been to some of them.  She says, "its just for entertainment."  But, I think the bible is clear that we should stay away from that stuff, and stay focused on the word and on God.  Anything else takes you just slightly off course.  Over time, that "slight" misplaced direction can take you REALLY far off the right path.  
Wow!  That sounded preachy today!

tp