Inspiration from Isaiah.

I remember a long while back maybe a year or so ago now we did a study of Jeremiah where we here on SI did an open study of Jeremiah all reading Jeremiah at the same time or relatively close anyways to one another sharing what the Lord revealed to us as we went along.

It was very edifying and encouraging sharing our thoughts, I believe we did the same with some other books but I thought I would start of the Book of Isaiah for those interested in joining me I will be posting in this thread what the Lord shows me in Isaiah. :)

I join.
WHen and how we start?

Why not now :)

Isaiah 1:5-6 "Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart is afflicted. From the sole of your feet to the top of your head there is no soundness- only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged." NIV1984

I read this and saw the compassion our heavenly Father has for us, as a father myself I thought of times where my children disobey something I ask them and they get injuried in some way because they disobeyed. Israel failed to identify their sin and disobedience as the problem but all the more were in turmoil. Infact they kept sacraficing to appease God as but God says specifically "I have not pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats." Israel needed good ole fashion repentance to God or a turning to God forsaking their sins and their false Gods in order for God to step in and Heal them.

Isaiah 1:18-20 “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." NIV1984

In Isaiah 1 we see a need for repentance and this is what God is calling for, many have not repented (turned from their sin) and without repentance there is no forgiveness, We can't call our sins white as snow but we as we turn our hearts to God are those that become White as snow. There is no sugar coating the message of the Cross, it frees those submitted to it from Sin.

Isaiah 2:6-9 "You have abandoned your people,the house of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and clasp hands with pagans. Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots. Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made. So man will be brought low and mankind humbled— do not forgive them."

For me personally I believe in our day and age especially in the United States it would be foolish to ignore this passage. This is a proclaimation of Day of the Lord and the sins of the House of Jacob (or so it seems to me) The people have turned from God and have began to put their trust in supersitions, future telling, and agreements with the pagan world to get rich. Why are the people of Israel acting this way? Because they had spent to much time worshiping the works of their hands. We do the same today it just looks differently but this doesn't mean we are off the hook we must humble ourselves and trust in the Lord, or He is liable to just take everything we have away.

I believe Verse 22 sums up the entire intent and purpose of the greater bulk of chapter 2

"Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what accounts is he?"

Oh, Matt, I love the book of Isaiah! I am glad you are doing this! Mind if I share?

I see in Chapter 1:11-15 how God:
1. Had enough of burnt offerings of rams
2. Takes no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, goats,
of New moon festivals and appointed feasts
3. These things weary Him.

Why do these things weary Him? May I suggest that it is because people were resorting to rituals to atone for their rebellion. V.15: "Yes, even though you multiply prayers I will not listen, your hands are covered with blood." NASB People were very diligent in the observing of rituals but they lived in disobedience.

Modern day lessons: How often do we resort to doing good works believing that God will see and accept us for being so good while we are living in rebellion/disobedience to his written will?

Some things never change, do they?

"Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what accounts is he?"

This verse is so profound.

Why do I allow the fear of man manipulate my obedience to God?
This is the epitome of stupidity. And that includes me. I have been so stupid too many times. What will people think? They will get angry? They will be nasty? How do I know? Because of past experiences. So what do I do instead? Walk in fear!

But God says, "STOP!" Now.

Ah very good Ginny I was hoping you would join in this, such good fellowship from the Study in Jeremiah :)

I am guilty as well of the trap of "Good works atonement" God has no desire for it and infact the NIV says "My Soul Hates" we know from the attributes of God that for Him to hate something means it is the exact opposite of His love. Kind of blows the whistle on a Sunday morning service and those that come simply to do a weekly Ritual and punch the religious time card.

Do not hurry so much!:)

I agree, brother, and more:

It is a tragedy, how foolish can be men of God? It is written in verse 3, that an ox and a donkey knows his owner more, than His folk. It is a painful tragedy, that God's folks so much hates their father.

1, Wounds must be cleansed! Unfortunatelly, it is painful. God- like a good surgeon- knows, that it is painful, but saves life. Once He cuts our wounds to clean it, cut our hearts to clean out from sin, it is painful, but useful. This is the pain of repentance. So much of us are frightened of this pain, but do not know, that this is the only way to get rid of infectious wounds.

2, God is doing penalty with sinners, but discipline to His own children. That is why we feel His discipline on our life, we repent! Sinners feel His penalty on their life, and harden their heart- as written in Revelations so much times.
One of my favourites tells the same: Is 26:16 ​​​​​​​O LORD, in distress they looked for you; they uttered incantations because of your discipline. I have some sweet experience of God's discipline, that helps me to hold the way.

verse 13: 13 ​​​​​​​Do not bring any more meaningless offerings; I consider your incense detestable! You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and convocations, but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations!

So much thrue! God never changed. His grace through Jesus will never approve sin-stained worship and praise.

15 ​​​​​​​When you spread out your hands in prayer, I look the other way; when you offer your many prayers, I do not listen, because your hands are covered with blood.

A truth about prayer: God will never listen to our prayer, if we are sinner. Here in Hungary, I hear a lot this word:
"whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you." But do not tell the conditions. It is not obvious that God listens to a prayer.

27 Zion will be freed by justice, and her returnees by righteousness.
It is written to the church and not to the world. Freed by justice!

Here in Hungary, it is the same situation as in USA. People started to believe anything- even "God"- but do not want to know Jesus and the only God.

There is a law of God clear in this 2nd chapter:
- Only God is worthy for the glory. No men.
- Proud and arrogant people will be humiliated, but:
- those, who are humble in heart will be exalted with the Lord. (eg. Mt 23:12). Only these humbles get grace of God.

It is amazing how they changed these original laws today in human-centered preaching. Like God would have to satisfy all our needs, as we were above all.

Good word Kono! I really enjoyed your first point particularly because there are times when God feels so far off but for the most part God is simply doing what He does best Purifying us, does it hurt Oh yeah! I know that hurt and God hurts so GOOD ;)

Sometimes we need it to go deeper in Him, and sometimes its things we aren't even aware about, when I first came to Christ I had no idea how dark my heart was until God cut it open with his Holiness. It reminds me of Proverbs 3:11 "My Son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke."

I use to ignore God's correction but now I LOVE it I even thank Him for it because Lord knows I need to be corrected.

This verse 6 is translated into hungarian: instead of cleanse the wound, it uses "crush out" the wound. You can imagine :D

If You crush out the matter out of the wound, it is much more painful, than if You leave it alone.

Chambers told, that sin is not causing any pain, as it makes You numb. Pain comes only when the Spirit starts His work on Your heart.

Edwards told that the pain, when realizing sins of your heart, must be so high, as if You had lost Your most precious thing on earth.
I think people forgot the way of repentance. Everyone wants to get rid easily of the sin, but without pain. Noone can convince me, that it works.

"Do not hurry so much!:)"

I agree! Isaiah is so wonderfully rich! Mine it for all its worth! :-)

I look forward to this study...

1, Ézs 3:1 ​​​​​​​Look, the sovereign LORD who commands armies is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah every source of security, including all the food and water...

That is for only He wants to be our security! In hungarian, translated to: support. It is grace, when we have no other support, only God. We are afraid of this state sometimes, but this is the best for us. We do not have to depend on circumstances, but depend on Him alone.

2, Ézs 3:6-7 ​​​​​​​Indeed, a man will grab his brother right in his father’s house and say, ‘You own a coat – you be our leader! This heap of ruins will be under your control.’ ​​​​​​​At that time the brother will shout, ‘I am no doctor, I have no food or coat in my house; don’t make me a leader of the people!’”

Now, we see people are fighting for positions. Everyone wants to be a leader, and collect admiration of men.
I have a position in the hungarian baptist youth comittee. Yesterday, my friend called me, and told: on the next session, some other guys may get our places. For they do not like us so much- as we are not willing to support all of their ideas, as a case of conscience.
I laughed:) Told him, that I do not care. With or without position, I do the same. If someone wants to take this responsibility instead of me, and the load of the work we have to do in dead wind, I am ready to gladly give him my position. For all of them wants positions. Not to serve God's people, but position and power.

3, Ézs 3:10-11 ​​​​​​​Tell the innocent it will go well with them, for they will be rewarded for what they have done.
Too bad for the wicked sinners! For they will get exactly what they deserve.

It is the day of the Lord. Some long for the day of the Lord, singing and praying: "Send Your fire, Lord!" You know, we have these kind of worship songs.
They do not know, what they ask for. It is a day of the joy only for the righteous, but day of fear and mourning for all the sinners.

4, Ézs 3:15 ​​​​​​​Why do you crush my people and grind the faces of the poor?” The sovereign LORD who commands armies has spoken.

Look at this, how wonderful God we have. He is just the opposite, what leaders of the world think about the poor, small, and downtrodden. They are precious for Him. They have greater priority in front of God, than the powerful, healthy and wealthy.

5, Ézs 3:16 ​​​​​​​The LORD says, “The women of Zion are proud. They walk with their heads high and flirt with their eyes. They skip along and the jewelry on their ankles jingles.

We find here the same picture as in Rev 17, and also at many other prophets: this is the great whore, the prostitute ( I don't know, which You use). The church that had husband (God), but is not faithful to Him. The wealth of the world is more important to her, than the true love of His husband. For the church has turned from God to the world. It does not matter to her, if she gains God's pleasure, but to gain the pleasure of the world. With power, schools, wealth, singing choirs, etc. When the bridegroom comes for his bride, he takes with himself only those who are faithful to Him.
Or would anyone marry a bride that had made prostitute with others, while he was not there?

Kono wrote:
"That is for only He wants to be our security! In hungarian, translated to: support. It is grace, when we have no other support, only God. We are afraid of this state sometimes, but this is the best for us. We do not have to depend on circumstances, but depend on Him alone."

This is a vital point in understanding the reasons for God's judgments. Too many folks cannot see past the immediate hurt and see this.

Isa. 2:12-18 shares some of the details...how God will work to destroy or cripple all the things that people look to for security.

People - v. 12: For the LORD of hosts will have a day of reckoning Against everyone who is proud and lofty
And against everyone who is lifted up,
That he may be abased.

Nature: v. 13-14:And it will be against all the cedars of Lebanon that are lofty and lifted up, Against all the oaks of Bashan, Against all the lofty mountains,
Against all the hills that are lifted up,

National security - v. 15: Against every high tower,
Against every fortified wall,

Commerce - v. 16:Against all the ships of Tarshish
And against all the beautiful craft.

Reason? v. 17:The pride of man will be humbled
And the loftiness of men will be abased;
And the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,

Result? - v.18: But the idols will completely vanish.

And there is more.

Im was completely impressed with chapter 3, if chapter two is about removing supports other than God then chapter 3 is its detailed execution. Of all the things that stuck out the most though is the Men's support is taken away and then the Lord takes extra time for the Women of Zion. Starting at verse 16 to 26

The women of Zion apparently would loose their one and only support their men likely wouldn't have and that is their looks, even their fragrance would be lost. But a women could sell her body easily to the pagan world BUT God removed that avenue by ruining their looks.

I do see it as beautiful poetry though, God is simply causing the outside to match the inside of Jerusalem and that is Ugly. And this would cause no one to want to partner with something so ugly, the actualy women of Jerusalem and the City of Jeruselem itself.

Isaiah 4,1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

It is essential to everyone, that want to have life, to call on the name of the Lord. We have to do the same; but our Lord gives much more: not only He takes our shame away, but He gives his own righteousness as apparel, and His own body as bread.

2 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious:

This is the one man, written in verse 1, Jesus Christ.
And if someone grabs this man, call on the name of this man, will be saved:

4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

Holy means: separated for Him, as a fiance'e.

Ézs 4:3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:

And if someone belongs to Jesus, to covenant with Him, in marriage, will have His presence:

5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.”

His presence is:
Ézs 4:6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

A tabernacle, Hebrews 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
His bread will be our bread, His home will be our home, His name will be our name.

Just saw this for the first time~! can anyone join in? I love Isaiah!

Everyone is welcome :) Really the only "rule" is when you post something put what Chapter and verse you are going to talk about or just what chapter this helps with keeping stuff organized a bit better.

Isaiah 6 1

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.

Oh, this one is too much for me to even take in.

Think this might be revival:
Isaiah 6

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”

Hi everyone, where are you at, Isaiah is one of my favorites!

I just read chapter 3 the other day still trying to soak it in really. great book altogether, feel free to join us. :)

Thanks for the Insight on chapter 4 kono its very well thought out and was very helpful to me when I read chapter 4, I find it interesting that the women of Israel are reduced to absolutely nothing before they cry out to the "One Man" They became undesireable so much to the point they vowed to provide for themselves but to take the name of the man.

I wrote in my bible "The people of Israel will be reduced to graveling to their other lovers but find no honor but only shame, but then they find redemption in Christ.

This reminds me of the Song of Solomon chapter 1:5 where it says "I am dark yet I'm lovely" This is a beautiful place to be knowing your faults and failures yet still confidently know you are a lovely bride to the bridegroom.

My cousin told me tonight something that is so very true, sometimes God's best addition can only be done through subtraction. God had to remove the outward Loveliness of Israel in order for her to return to Him, of course by their sinful life they removed their own loveliness BUT oh the promise of this chapter is wonderful! God is saying something we all need to hear: Despite your failures and your undesirable traits I, the GOD OF EVERYTHING, still want you for myself. That is mind blowing :)

Another preacher have talked about John 8: 1-11, the woman taken in adultery.
The message was: Our place.

Our place is not among the pharisees. They only want to sit in judgement on her, but they are hyppocrites.
Our place is surely not Jesus' place.

So only one place left for us: the place of the sinful woman, who has a strong need of Jesus' grace. This is the only place of everyone, who want to be saved!

Of course, she needs restoration, but only through Jesus. He never told her, go, and do the same again, but to go and do not sin anymore.
He knew her thirsty heart, and that legalism would never change her, but His grace changed her heart forever.

It has come to my mind, when reading You.

20 Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.

24 Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw
and as dry grass sinks down in the flames,
so their roots will decay
and their flowers blow away like dust;
for they have rejected the law of the LORD Almighty
and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel.

What I picked up from this pretty long and detailed chapter is that God doesn't do Grey, in our day and age where we have started trying to define sin to appease the masses we place our focus on the Greys of life. God sovereignly knows what is Good, light, and Sweet alternatively He also know what is evil, dark, and bitter. He has blessed us with His Word so we too will know these things but we like Israel are guilty of verse 24 We have rejected the Law of the Almighty Lord and spurned the Word of God. We must return to the read of His Word along with following it and agree with what it calls Good, Light, and Sweet and Evil, Dark, and Bitter.

This is an very deep chapter I am still mediating about it I highly recommend one to camp in this verse for a while :) I may share more as the Lord leads me.

"20 Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter.

24 Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw
and as dry grass sinks down in the flames,
so their roots will decay
and their flowers blow away like dust;
for they have rejected the law of the LORD Almighty
and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel."

V. 24 is a powerful promise: these folks who call good evil, evil good will be destroyed. They will be as straw in a fire. Know how straw burns in a fire? Very quickly. You sure cannot use straw to grill meats - it is too short lived.

Sometimes I think we lose sight of this fact. We think God is sure taking his time to bring about justice, but the scripture tells us that God is not willing that any should perish.

So, it behooves us to discern what is good and evil and allow this knowledge to teach us in all of our decision making.

" I highly recommend one to camp in this verse for a while :)"

AMEN!

didnt see this tread early but I think is not to latee to join

It is not too late to join, we are at chapter 5.

Ézs 5:4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?
Ézs 5:5 And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:
Ézs 5:7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

This is the same, that John talks about in chapter 15: not only Israel can be the vineyard, but we, the christian folks of God.

It is a solid truth of the Kingdom of Heaven, that
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Mt 7:19 )
Therefor we must not forget the fear of God! He is Love, but still consuming fire for all who hate His words. From time to time, I feel alone with this truth, because today everyone are just repeating: God is love, God is love... Sometimes I think there may be some problem with my understanding of the Bible, but later I find these verses, and realize, I am right.

My favourite words in this chapter are:
Ézs 5:18 Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:
Ézs 5:19 That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!

Do not we hear these a lot: Let Him make speed and hasten His work? Do not we ourselves tell these words sometimes about revival? And still do not want to repent from our sins!
This shows, that only those, who are willing to repent, has the right to accelerate God's work (revival).

Ézs 5:25 Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

I am shocked about these harsh words. Today we can not hear anything that sounds like this.
Most of the so called christians do not want to hear any threat, for they tell God is working only through encouragement. We are used to caress, even if it kills us, for they are lies.
2Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Seven women (seven the number of completeness) want to have a name (Church of Jesus) but refuse the bread (John 6:35 - "I am the bread of life" - This smacks of both our day, AND the time to come after believers are taken out when Judaism becomes part of the one world religion.
I believe that chapter 4 takes us through the rapture and into the tribulation in chapter 5 where we see it wrapping up with God bearing down on the earth - see also Isaiah 13:3,4,5 and on where God has gathered His mighty ones from the end of the universe to come to the battle of Armageddon... then Isaiah 13 continues on - compare Is 13:13 to the great earthquake in Rev 6:12, 11:13 & 16:18.

Many things are written in the Bible to be read in conjunction - Mt 24 & Luke 17 for example.
Thank you for letting me comment on the study in Isaiah.

you are not alone, and true those understanding what is written are becoming harder to find, but what is truth is truth. Be encouraged you may pm me if you feel led.
Blessings
rich
Iowa USA

Chapter 5:4 What do you guys think here? The Lord does do more to us than this vineyard doesn't He? He gives us that new heart and a new spirit and His Spirit to work in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure. As Paul we hope that Israel will turn to Jesus their Messiah. We would be no different than these wild grape bearing vines if it were not for the Lord, praise Him!
But how much greater judgment and accountability for us who have the greater resources, to live according to His word.

vs 24
Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, [so] their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

All on account of a despising of the Word of God. How great does He esteem His word! Oh, that I would esteem it that highly and consider it, and Him, in all my ways.

Psa 138:2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

Lloyd

Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

I just saw this, I've got a lot of catching up to do! :)

A true minister of God must:

Have a revelation of the Holy and Glorious God - vs 1-4
Based upon that revelation have a right understanding of himself, he is sinful and from among sinful people - vs 5
This should help him minister to others when he is fimally prepared.
Have received grace and forgiveness himself and been cleansed inside for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit-vs6-7
Be willing to go out and minister the Lord's word to others, whatever that word is, and whatever the results -vs 8-13 Thankfully our message is now one of Grace!, Grace! and Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world etc

Lots more for a minister, but that is what I see here.

Lloyd

1. Only in GOd's presence YOu feel the load of sin. No man can convince YOu about Your sin, but once YOu are in the presence of the holy God, You will immediately see Yourself as a hell deserving sinner. So this must be the evangelization strategy in our churhces.

2. Ézs 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

It tells us the state of the religious people. For they hear the word of God, but unable to understand it. The see, but still blind, and they do not know, that they are blind.
Jn 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

2Kor 3:14-16 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

As well:
Jel 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;
and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked;

So we should not only read the Bible, but we need to understand it and live by it. Or we are just in the same poor state of blindness.

3. Ézs 6:12-13 And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.

God is not humanist God. He is holy. It happens, that He removes all men because of sin.

Only the remnant have the hope, that they will never be destroyed, for God promised this to us, and in the history as well we see the proof. Only the faithful remnant has the full love of God, and theirs are the promises!

Isaiah 6:1-11 NASB

1 In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.

2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

3 And one called out to another and said,
“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,
The whole earth is full of His glory.”

4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.

5Then I said,
“Woe is me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs.

7 He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.”

Isaiah’s Commission

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

9 He said, “Go, and tell this people:
‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive;
Keep on looking, but do not understand.’

10 “Render the hearts of this people insensitive,
Their ears dull,
And their eyes dim,
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
Understand with their hearts,
And return and be healed.”

11 Then I said, “Lord, how long?” And He answered,
“Until cities are devastated and without inhabitant,
Houses are without people
And the land is utterly desolate,

COMMENT: I find chapter 6 utterly fascinating.

Isaiah is given a vision of the LORD in all his glory, v. 1-4. Stop and think about that a while. Got an imagination? Use it.

Consider Isaiah's reaction: "Woe is me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips I am a man ....

He saw God and felt so small because he believed himself to be a person of unclean lips.

Notice the response of the angel in v. 7.

Then Isaiah receives a commission to preach to his people. But is he promised success? No.

How many of us would be obedient to the call of the LORD if we were promised that people would not listen? but that our teaching would in the end harden them some more?

I would guess what enabled Isaiah to proceed with his preaching/obedience was because he saw the glory of the LORD.

How many of us have seen the glory of the LORD? Does not our understanding of the majesty and the glory of the LORD impact our willingness to be obedient to his call?

Powerful chapter - I love it!

"How many of us would be obedient to the call of the LORD if we were promised that people would not listen? but that our teaching would in the end harden them some more? "

I guess ALL our preaching should be like this. A sharp edge of the sword, sharp and clean truth, that separates men, thoughts, etc.
A good preaching should end up with changes: either some hearts are broken by the word of God, or other hearts become harder for they harden themselved to the word of God.

Especially I see this at religious people, who do not have relationship with Christ. They hear the word, and harden their heart, do not want to change. Later they will be unable to change!

You remember,
1 Pt 2, 6-8 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

We never have to be afraid of these reactions, as it shows that the word has reached its aim.

Sorry for neglecting this thread, I was and am still semi in a move :-S So its craziness at the moment.

First off I picked up on what many of you did, This is an obvious display of God's Holiness and Glory. I took note of verse 3 and wrote down "If Angels who know no sin react to God's holiness with "HOLY HOLY HOLY is the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!" How much more should we be in comparison!

Isaiah 6:5 is the proof of not only the Awesomeness of God BUT also the humility of Isaiah but really do you think he could actually resist such a reaction? To me this verse is PROOF that any true Christian has been utterly humbled by God and thus there is zero reason "Proud" Christians should ever exisist, Oh but this flesh of ours.

Something else that struck me was the question and answer between God and Isaiah verses 11-12 Isaiah asks How long, O Lord!?! God's response is until I'm done with them! But then in verse 13 we see something that I interpret as something God always had in mind with Israel and that is Redemption and a return to the Holy Land. "Leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land." God had to cut Israel down to a mear stump but even then he chose to leave stump.

QUOTE:
We never have to be afraid of these reactions, as it shows that the word has reached its aim.
______________________________________________________________

Hmmm...never thought of that, but you are right. I am glad you shared this insight. This is like a popcorn kernel stuck in my teeth!

God bless.

I am not sure, but is this Ephraim the tribe of Israel? And they want to kill their brothers?

Is 7, 9: If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

Faith is one of the greatest value on earth. We need to have faith in God's word, or we die.

13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; [Is it] a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

For the answer of Ahaz seems to be very humble, but in reality it is rebellious against God's word. There was no faith at all in the king.
We also have to keep in mind, that lots of people seems to be humble in the church as well, but some of them -in reality- not humble at all. True humility means, that YOu obey to the word of God, and do not take care of words of men!

20 "a razor that is hired,"

It is very interesting for me. God uses men, even if they are wicked, for His purposes. But we have to understand, that these men are never God's owns. Only he use them.

The other parts -except the promise of Immanuel- are about the total destruction of Israel. we have to take it serious: if God was mercifulness with his own choesen nation, he will not be merciful with us either, if we do sin, and do not repent.
One of my friends told me few years ago a very surprising sentece. If we look on the state of the church, the miracle is not that we do not have healings, but that we are still not destroyed by God, and churches like this exist at all. Im am very sorry to say that, but he is right.

I agree Kono it is a miracle God even keeps the "church" around BUT resting in Him I found He has a plan for it even though its a harlet and so unfaithful to Him. I too at times play the harlet and am so very unfaithful, that's what I enjoy about Chapter 7 though. God leaves the stump as a tell of restoration. God will raise up His church and we will have to decide if we wish to be Christians or not. Which brings me to my finds of Isaiah 8 :)

I began this with many things on my mind and here lately it seems God is placing before me two routes to take, one His way and the other is my way or the way of the world. As I sit down infront of Isaiah today what does the Lord utter to Isaiah? A warning not to follow the way of "this people" aka the world. What does the righteous have that the ungodly don't?

Verse 16 "Bind up the testimony and seal up the Law among my disciples."

The righteous and Ungodly both have the Words and Law of God but the Righteous in Christ heed the Words and keep them safe along with their testimony. We are reaching a climax of the ages and Christianity will be purged of its wickedness, we will come to a place of decision and that is either the Word of God is something we choose to live by and follow OR its just a book of "neat stories" that have a life lessons we don't necessarily have to follow or pay attention to. BUT we must always heed the warning of the outcome of those that didnt have the Word of God as their guide. Darkness. The Word of GOD MUST!!! BE!! OUR!!! STANDARD!!!! PERIOD!!! POINT!!! BLANK!!!! None of that mamby pamby half hearted "God is love so I can get away with whatever I want stuff" but the God of the bible is a Righteous and jealous God and HE is returning for His bride get ready.

People ask sill questions that are often loaded and sometimes those questions pop up on here at SI the best answer we can give is a clear and properly interpreted answer from the Word of God and in reality that should be the only answer they get. :)

PS: I am still moving and trying to get the world around me in a place of somewhat settling which is why I haven't been posting to much on this thread, my apologizes.

Ézs 8:10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.

In the previous chapter we could see the profecy of Immanuel, and now it says again: God is with us, Immanuel.
Much more we need God in the times of trouble, then in the sunny times. His promise is that He will be with His people much stronger when waves of troubles are all around.

13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

It is again a message, that we need the fear of God. If we do not sanctify Him, He can not sanctify us.

This stone is the light in the dark, the word of God, Jesus Christ.
Jn 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

As previously have been told, we have to preach the word of God such a way, that some hearts might break, others will be hardened. A good job is made, when You see both of these.

PS: Our move to heavenly houses will be easy, because it is ready, fully prepared for our arrival.

Is this not backwards? """It is again a message, that we need the fear of God. If we do not sanctify Him, He can not sanctify us."""

Edit: It is really hard to mix Law and Grace. One always cancels out the other.

1 Cor 1:30

I did not want to draw a theology on law and grace from this verse. Only it is written here. I mean, it is the translation of that verse into hungarian.
If we see God, as holy God, in the same moment we will see ourselves as sinful man, and that leads us to repentance, conversion, and holyness. Without this view, we would die in our sin.

I do not think that law and grace is opposite of each other. Let me tell You just shortly, how I understood:

- Law is rather a doctrine, in the original meaning. A doctrine about God and life. It does not prohibit things, but rather teaches us the way to life.
Jer 7:22-23 For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices:
But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

- Grace filfills the law, and not destroys it. Or let's say, grace is the fulfilled law.
Mt 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

- The grace itself is the law, the law of life:
Róm 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

- The grace is the form of law, that is able to form our hearts, so we will be able to walk in truth, and have life through it.
Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Rom 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

- And whoseever will obey to the law of life, the grace that teaches us to God's way, will live. It brings back us to the original purpose: to live through the doctrine of God.
Róm 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

I am waiting for You coming back:)

Thank you for waiting sorry it took so long, I have been living in a house with no internet and so it kind of messes up posting in SI. Also my computer at work was down so that didn't help the situation anymore. I have missed posting and I am continued in Isaiah while I waited for the computers to come back at work. :)

Chapter 9 is a wonderful and glorious chapter predicting our Lord Jesus Christ coming a Saviour. In the mist of all the wonderful things in this chapter and prediction of judgment coming on Israel or to the very least the Proud inhabitant of Ephraim there is one verse that melts my heart in thought, one verse that brings warmth and peace and security as a child to a Father.

6"...The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."

This verse tells me something about God that is so very vital in our walk, in our hope and faith, in our human emotions and mental thought process. God the creator of all things the Lord Almighty ruler of the universe is zealous for me. When Christ died on the cross He didn't do it with regret or halfheartedly BUT He did it with ZEAL!

When I ran from God growing up I saw more of this zeal has HE zealously chased me! As He pursued me and brought me back to Him in Love and Hope. HE zealously wanted to be MY Wonderful Councelor, MY Mighty God, MY Everlasting Father, MY Prince of Peace! God's zeal is unmatched by anything in this world, Satan is zealous to destroy me BUT GOD is even more Zealous to SAVE ME. Going through things in my life with my wife I learn of a Zeal I must have for her to remain in hot pursuit of her heart constantly wanting in and showing her I am can be trusted. Why? because husbands are called to love their wifes like Christ loved the church and Christ is wonderfully ZEALOUS for His Church. :)

QUOTE:
"When I ran from God growing up I saw more of this zeal has HE zealously chased me! As He pursued me and brought me back to Him in Love and Hope. HE zealously wanted to be MY Wonderful Councelor, MY Mighty God, MY Everlasting Father, MY Prince of Peace! God's zeal is unmatched by anything in this world, Satan is zealous to destroy me BUT GOD is even more Zealous to SAVE ME. Going through things in my life with my wife I learn of a Zeal I must have for her to remain in hot pursuit of her heart constantly wanting in and showing her I am can be trusted. Why? because husbands are called to love their wifes like Christ loved the church and Christ is wonderfully ZEALOUS for His Church. :)"

Looks like you are learning what it means when Scripture teaches that a man ought to love his wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her so that he can present to himself a bride without spot or wrinkle.Ephesians 5:22,27.

Yes, life is a series of lessons learned, some hard and difficult. The worst thing that can happen is when one fails to learn through the tests sent our way.

Jesus - zealous for his bride...so beautiful! I checked out Strong's on NT verses dealing with 'bride'. I get the sense he is so proud of her, he loves her so very much....ahhh...I think we so often fail to grasp the depth of His love. Now, "how do I respond to such love?" is the question we face every moment.

In the chapter 9, we also can clearly see a border between the family of God and the sinners.
The zealous love of God is for His children, and the others, who do not want to repent, will get the wrath of God. What a huge difference!!! It looks to me like the opposite of the modern gospel (God loves You).

God only chastens His children, but punishes the sinners.

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
OR
Ézs 9:12 The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

And the reaction:
Ézs 26:16 LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.
OR
Ézs 9:13 For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.

Woe is a pretty strong word when used websters defined it

-grievous distress, affliction, or trouble.

And it is the start of this chapter 10 Woe, when reading that right off the bat, it tells you something woeful needs to be address. This is a very long chapter but I really want to focus on this first Woe and potentially look further at the other Woe, or someone can talk about the other Woe. :)

This first woe is really a distress for those oppressed by the governmental system, God deeply cares for the foreigner, widow, and orphan. We see this throughout all of the setting up of the Law God always seems to keep them in mind. But something happened to the Law that changed it, ie the ideas and laws of man, and when man is involved so is sin. So we have this man made system that has created its own laws and from these laws we have oppression. That is something to note, God's Law Frees, man's law oppresses and that is exactly what religion does, it oppresses those in bondage to it.

What I really enjoy about this first little section though is God's heart toward the poor, unlike man God's heart is warmed and comforting unlike man who views weakness as a sickness or disease or lesser of a person but not God, these are His, the Poor in Spirit and He will comfort each one. :)

Thank you Lord for Your comforting hand upon my heart as I feel broken and poor in Spirit. You are Worthy of ALL Praise!

It is interesting fact to me, that a prophet have never been politician, but had God's word for the political leaders. I mean, in some cases, they went directrly to the king to tell the word of God.
I guess, we need these kind of men today as well. Who are not afraid to tell, that God's eyes are on the poor! So they can not make their decisions ignoring this fact.

We read of the coming of Christ Jesus in this chapter, the shoot that will coming from the Root of Jesse.

What I would like to note in this wonderful chapter is verses 3-5 to start.

"and He will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what He sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with His ears, but with Righteousness He will judge the needy, with justice He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth; with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be His belt and faithfulness the sash around His waist."

Christ will come and judge not with His emotions or feelings BUT by what is Right and Just. His words will destroy our worldly standard, this includes His church and everything will be set straight in Him.

And the result?
"The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat..."
and
"He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will assemble the scattered people of Judah."

First? Peace among nature, the thing that usually destroys shows peace and grace towards its prey.

Second? Full restoration of Israel and the Bride.

God Bless,
Matthew

"and He will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what He sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with His ears, but with Righteousness He will judge the needy, with justice He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth; with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be His belt and faithfulness the sash around His waist."

The righteousness of God could bring terrible fear to sinners
but as somebody had said 'His mercy is His righteousness His love is His holiness'.

Therefore, prostrating before Him with a repentant heart and a contrite spirit the righteousness of God gives us hope and bids us to come before the throne of His grace.