In Isaiah 47, the Lord moves from talking to Israel about Babylon (chapter 46), to addressing Babylon directly. He announces a devastating judgment upon proud Babylon. The Babylonians are pictured as a young, royal woman (“virgin daughter of Babylon”—1) experiencing…
Category: Isaiah
Tuesdays with Isaiah (Chapter 46)
Extending the theme begun in chapter 41, the Lord continues to make the case that there is no one like Him. The opening verse spotlights the Babylonian gods Bel and Nebo, showing their impotence to save the Babylonian peoples from…
Tuesdays with Isaiah (Chapter 45)
In Isaiah 45 we continue the section where the Lord prosecutes his case against the so-called gods (represented by idols). In this chapter He gives His convincing proof and compelling arguments for His unique position as the one and only…
Tuesdays with Isaiah (Chapter 44)
Continuing the thought flow of chapter 43, Isaiah 44 announces good news to an undeserving, unfaithful and destroyed nation (see 43:27-28). In spite of their sins and transgressions (43:27), the Lord promises to come to the aid of His people. …
Tuesdays with Isaiah (Chapter 43)
Coming after the closing words of chapter 42, Isaiah 43 brings hope to life. Even though God’s people, Israel, had been stubbornly rebellious and suffered the consequences of their willful ways (42:24-25), the Lord is not finished with His people. …
Tuesdays with Isaiah (Chapter 42)
Isaiah 42 introduces us to the Lord’s “servant” (1, 19), but in an unusual, strange way. In the opening section of the chapter (1-9), the Lord speaks of this servant (“my servant”—1) in a very positive manner; however, in the…
Tuesdays with Isaiah (Chapter 40)
Beginning in chapter 40, the focus and feel of the book of Isaiah changes. In fact, many commentators argue that the changes are so pronounced, we must be reading the words of a different author than Isaiah of Jerusalem. Many…
Tuesdays with Isaiah (Chapter 39)
Chapter 39 serves as a pivotal chapter in Isaiah’s book; it finishes what has come before and foreshadows what is ahead. It concludes the short section on king Hezekiah (chapters 36-39) as well as the longer opening section of the…
Tuesdays with Isaiah (Chapter 38)
After the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian armies (chapters 36-37) we are given an account of a miraculous deliverance of Hezekiah from sickness and death (chapter 38). As the Lord can save His nation, He can also save…
Tuesdays with Isaiah (Chapters 36-37)
The historical account described in these chapters presents a case study of the right response to the truth set forth in chapters 13-35: trust in the Lord for salvation rather than any nation (including your own). The action picks up…
Rick and Linda Reed 