Isaiah 20 - 22

For three years, Isaiah walked through the city barefoot and naked.  This was a sign to the nation that God would allow the nation to be led away captive.  When that occurred, the nations would know that God had exacted His promised revenge on the nation's sin; and would punish other nations that offended Him as well.

Isaiah 17 - 19

When God destroys the nations opposing Israel, it will cause mankind to reflect on the objects of their worship and abandon their false idols.  All eyes will be riveted on the God of the Universe, for He alone displays the power over all others.  Rest and safety are found in none other, not in places of refuge or people of strength.  Even the strongest of opponents is no match for the Almighty.  God is able to make them fight among themselves and destroy themselves from within.  In that day, small insignificant Israel will strike terror in the hearts of those who oppose her - not because of her great strength or massive army - but because of the One Who gives them victory.  Even in the midst of such turmoil, worship will flourish.  Those who turn to the Lord in repentance will find blessing even in the midst of the destruction taking place around them.

Isaiah 14 - 16

On the day that God establishes His unquestioned rule over all, those who have been most vocal in their opposition to Him will be vanquished and destroyed.  Isaiah lists several who will be among that list:  Babylon, Lucifer, Assyria, Philistia and Moab.  These predictions had immediate and future consequences.  In the immediate future they would come to pass; in the distant future they would occur again - this time with finality.

Isaiah 11 - 13

When Messiah comes to rule, all acquiesce to His will.  Blessing is given to those meeting His favor; while those opposing Him will be brought to destruction.  His strength will be seen as the driving force of the universe; and praise is given for His wisdom and glory.  As His displeasure is given out against those opposing Him, it causes other nations to take note and fear for their own existence.  It IS a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the wrathful Lord and Judge of the Universe.

Isaiah 9 - 10

Even though there would be great calamity, God would still protect and provide for those who looked to Him for guidance and protection.  The government of this future promised Son (the Jewish Messiah) is described as one of prosperity, peace and longevity.  Those who sought to rebuild in their own strength would be brought to nothing; such is the price to those who seek to operate without God's leadership and blessing.  Indeed, God will come and bring destruction to those nations who seek to not only undermine His authority, but also eliminate His people.  Those who come to attack and plunder need not be feared for one day they, too, will be conquered and God's people will still remain.

Isaiah 7 - 8

Isaiah speaks to the king, who is distressed at the approaching invading armies.  God desires to comfort the king, and invites him to ask for signal proof of his security.  The king, in an act of false piety, arrogantly declines to ask God to display His glory; so God designs His own sign - a baby born that will prove God's ability to perform on HIs own time schedule.  This promise also foreshadows the birth of Christ.  The baby born in Isaiah's day would see - in his lifetime, before he could even develop to maturity - God fulfilling His promises of deliverance.  God keeps His word in His time.

Isaiah 5 - 6

The highlight of Isaiah's lifetime was seeing a vision of God at the low point of the nation's history.  A beloved king had died; and during the time of mourning and transition, Isaiah's vision was focused on God and His sovereignty and His purposes for Isaiah's life.  This strikes particularly close to me.  In the last 10 days, I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death.  A dear friend - one I've known and worked with for 8 years - passed into eternity.  For the last 10 days, my focus has been on the loss suffered and the grief of the situation.  My focus needs to be kept on The Sovereign; and His call on my life needs to be paramount.  God, in the midst of grief, keep my focus on You!

Isaiah 3 - 4

Isaiah continues to describe the desolation that will befall Judah.  The poverty will be so great that anyone with a garment will be seen as a man of great wealth and give them the qualifications to be a leader.  Others will do whatever it takes to be able to have a standing in society.  The economic crisis will be vast and far-spread.

Isaiah 1 - 2

Isaiah, a prophet of God during the reign of four kings, delivers a message to the nation of Judah (the two tribes in South Israel) concerning her future.  Because the people had turned away from following God and keeping His commands, punishment would come.  The nation would be turned upside down and severely chastened for their sin.  Those who still listened to God's word were invited to take cover and prepare for the coming punishment.  How well do you listen to God's voice today?  Are you able to see God's hand moving and take appropriate action?  Listen for His voice today.

Song of Solomon 6 - 8

This love story concludes with the couple reuniting and reaffirming their love for one another.  Although kept apart for a period of time, they had not lost their desire for one another; and it was evident to others around them.  Even their friends and neighbors rejoiced at the great love displayed by this couple.  They only had eyes for each other; and made no secret of hiding or withholding their love.

Song of Solomon 4 - 5

In this passage, the lovers describe the joy they take in one another's presence.  They praise each other in creative and richly descriptive terms.  Their love is unbounded and a joy to them.  However, not everything is as would be desired.  The bridegroom approaches his bride, and she turns him away, then seeks out after him; but he has been called away.  Will they reunite or is the relationship damaged almost as soon as it is established?

Song of Solomon 1 - 3

This portion of Scripture has received much attention from commentators.  Some see it as an allegory of Christ's love for the church; others see it as a picture of consumate love; while others see it as love opera written by, produced for and starring King Solomon.  While there may be parallels between the characters in this passage and the love that Christ has for the Church, I believe it was exactly what it claimed to be - the pinnacle of Solomon's songs.

The main characters are Solomon and his love, the Shulamite woman.  In the opening chapters their love is described and displayed in wonderfully creative and personal terms.  Solomon, the Shulamite and the "chorus" who comment on the action are all preoccupied with the magnitude of love shown by these two individuals.  They long for the time when they will be united, and towards the end of the passage, we learn that Solomon has indeed come to claim his bride in marriage.

Ecclesiastes 10 - 12

Solomon concludes his entire study of life and its meaning and implications.  His summary statement is this:  fear God and keep His commandments.  A proper reverence for God will motivate an individual to keep His commands.  Apart from this, life is pointless.  When God is revered and His commands followed, life takes on incredible meaning and purpose.

Ecclesiastes 7 - 9

Solomon develops a theme:  Man does not know his time.  He spends several paragraphs describing the works and attitudes of the wise and foolish, and yet all of them one day come to the end of their life.  There are some good men who die early and some wicked men who live long lives; yet none of them escape death.  The point of wisdom, says Solomon, is preparation for death - and that date cannot be presumed by any factor.

So, are you prepared?

Ecclesiastes 4 - 6

Solomon continues to lay out the futility of life lived without acknowledgment of God.  It makes no difference if life is long or short; without God it is meaningless.

Along those lines, the author of this blog is greatly missing a dear friend.  This friend's time on earth was short yet they left an impact on many.  Pray for a hurting family and a host of hurting friends as we all process this loss.  This dear friend lived life acknowledging God's presence; and for that I can truly be thankful.

Ecclesiastes 1 - 3

"Life is empty."  That is the conclusion to which the preacher of Ecclesiastes came (Ecclesiastes is a term that means "preacher").  This man (also known as Solomon) set out to know the wisdom of all; and he continually came to the conclusion that life is empty.  No one ever learns from the past, folks keep making the same mistakes; and the earth keeps on spinning.

His search led him to experience with pleasure, but it proved empty.  He attempted to find meaning in activity - building, acquiring, excelling, enjoying - and it proved meaningless to him.  He states that he came to the point where he hated life for nothing brought real satisfaction - not even hard labor.

Certainly, there is a time and place for every activity.  God gives each person a task to accomplish, and these tasks are designed to instill in each one a yearning that only God can fill.  The expected result is that man will turn to God; but many do not.

Proverbs 30 - 31

Nestled in the closing chapters of Proverbs is one little verse with a great message.  Proverbs 30:5 states that "every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him."  The word 'pure' indicates a substance that has been tested, refined and found to be without error or imperfection.  As one approaches God's Word, they will find it to be without error; it stands, has stood and will stand the test of time and criticism.  No wonder the author can state that God is a protector for those who trust Him.  One Whose words are found to be true, accurate and without error CAN be trusted in any situation.

Proverbs 27 - 29

Solomon tells us that the citizenry will rejoice at the leadership of a righteous one; but that they groan under the leadership of a wicked authority.  The reason for this is due to the standards they each keep.  The righteous measure themselves by a fixed standard outside of themselves.  The wicked, on the other hand, measures everything by themselves - using themself as the standard.  Thus, what might be appropriate today would be in appropriate tomorrow.  The standard would change on the whim of the leader.

As we face a political season unlike any other in (at least recent) history, perhaps it is a good reminder to look for the candidate in every race who most closely follows a standard that does not vary, one that holds true despite the passing of time.  At election times, many rejoice over the outcome; but what is the lasting impression - rejoicing or groaning?

Proverbs 25 - 26

Solomon tells us that the best way to avoid arguments and disagreements is to remove gossip and whispering from the situation.  He describes it as removing wood from a fire.  What fire can burn without fuel?  How damaging gossip and whispering are to relationships; they fuel the fires of disagreement, contempt and arguments.  Today, be on "fire patrol."  Remove all the flammable materials - gossip and whispering - so that your relationships don't go up in smoke.

Proverbs 22 - 24

Proverbs speaks much about the discipline of children.  In these chapters, the sage outlines several guidelines for discipline.  Discipline, he argues, will not destroy a child; rather, it will allow the child to be fully prepared for life in the future.  Another maxim stated by the writer is the invitation to his children to follow along beside him and copy his words and actions.  How often do I set this truism aside in favor of "Do as I say, not as I do."  That is NOT the way of wisdom - for my, or my children.