"Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 26 March 2012"
Today's Blog Title: "Woe to Ephraim and Jerusalem"
Today's Scripture Reading: Isaiah 28:1-29
Today's Key Verse: Isaiah 28:16 "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily."
The prophecies of this section which will in this chapter and end in Isaiah 33:24 each announce a "woe" (doom) upon Israel and Judah. They probably date from the reign of Hezekiah and the time of the Assyrian threat. Each "Woe" is a legal condemnation of death. The first one is pronounced against the "crown of pride...the drunkards of Ephrain." the reference is to Samaria the capital of Ephraim (the northern kingdom) which was situated on a hill that resembled a crown. Isaiah denounces them because they have "erred through wine and strong drink." Both "priest" and "prophet" have joined the debauchery of the nation. The familiar reference to "precept upon precept; line upon line is to be taken negatively, not positively. Isaiah is quoting the people who are weary of his prophecies and are complaining that his repetitions that his repetitions message ("rule upon rule") is annoying. Since they will not listen to God's messenger, He will speak to them with "another tongue," that of the Assyrians who will take them into captivity.
In verses 28:14-19, Isaiah turns his attention to the people of Jerusalem, who have made a covenant by foolishly thinking that a pro-Assyrian alliance will protect them when Samaria falls. In contrast to their covenant, God promises to "lay in Zion... a precious cornor stone." New Testament writers clearly identify that cornerstone as Jesus Christ (Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:6). Those who believe in Him and find Him "a sure foundation." To those who reject Him, He becomes a stumbling stone.
Man-made covenant's are humorously depicted by the illustration of a "bed" that is "shorter than a man can stretch himself on" or by a "covering" that is "narrower that shorter than a he can wrap himself in." This clever illustration emphasizes the frustration of attempting to sleep in such a manner, and it illustrates the futility of trusting in human alliances. Isaiah then turns to an illustration of the "plowman" who does plow just for the sake of plowing but that he might receive a crop. "Fitches" in verse 27, means "Black cummin," a plant with dark seeds used for seasoning.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness.
Love God More Today. Pray for our Brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ . Pray for Youcel Nardarkhani the Iranian pastor who has been sentenced to death for is refusal to renounce his faith and trust in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Always remember that whenever you have a spiritual dilemma in life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN ."
"Bless the LORD, O my soul; And forget not His benefits." Psalm 103:2
Jesus Reigns, and HE IS and ALWAYS WILL BE IN COMPLETE and TOTAL CONTROL.
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "Woe to Ephraim and Jerusalem"
Today's Scripture Reading: Isaiah 28:1-29
Today's Key Verse: Isaiah 28:16 "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily."
The prophecies of this section which will in this chapter and end in Isaiah 33:24 each announce a "woe" (doom) upon Israel and Judah. They probably date from the reign of Hezekiah and the time of the Assyrian threat. Each "Woe" is a legal condemnation of death. The first one is pronounced against the "crown of pride...the drunkards of Ephrain." the reference is to Samaria the capital of Ephraim (the northern kingdom) which was situated on a hill that resembled a crown. Isaiah denounces them because they have "erred through wine and strong drink." Both "priest" and "prophet" have joined the debauchery of the nation. The familiar reference to "precept upon precept; line upon line is to be taken negatively, not positively. Isaiah is quoting the people who are weary of his prophecies and are complaining that his repetitions that his repetitions message ("rule upon rule") is annoying. Since they will not listen to God's messenger, He will speak to them with "another tongue," that of the Assyrians who will take them into captivity.
In verses 28:14-19, Isaiah turns his attention to the people of Jerusalem, who have made a covenant by foolishly thinking that a pro-Assyrian alliance will protect them when Samaria falls. In contrast to their covenant, God promises to "lay in Zion... a precious cornor stone." New Testament writers clearly identify that cornerstone as Jesus Christ (Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:6). Those who believe in Him and find Him "a sure foundation." To those who reject Him, He becomes a stumbling stone.
Man-made covenant's are humorously depicted by the illustration of a "bed" that is "shorter than a man can stretch himself on" or by a "covering" that is "narrower that shorter than a he can wrap himself in." This clever illustration emphasizes the frustration of attempting to sleep in such a manner, and it illustrates the futility of trusting in human alliances. Isaiah then turns to an illustration of the "plowman" who does plow just for the sake of plowing but that he might receive a crop. "Fitches" in verse 27, means "Black cummin," a plant with dark seeds used for seasoning.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness.
Love God More Today. Pray for our Brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ . Pray for Youcel Nardarkhani the Iranian pastor who has been sentenced to death for is refusal to renounce his faith and trust in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Always remember that whenever you have a spiritual dilemma in life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN ."
"Bless the LORD, O my soul; And forget not His benefits." Psalm 103:2
Jesus Reigns, and HE IS and ALWAYS WILL BE IN COMPLETE and TOTAL CONTROL.
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
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