GOOD MORNING SIBLINGS!

I hope you’re ready for a day of blessing, both sowing and reaping!
Today’s readings are Isaiah 18-22

Click here to read today’s passages on BibleGateway.

Rabbit Trails

Isaiah 18 this is considered by many to be one of the most obscure chapters in the book of Isaiah. (eep!)
At the time this was written Ethiopia was a major ruling power and the Nile area was known to be filled with insects, knowing that makes the first part make a bit more sense.
And yes, they actually built boats from Papyrus reeds during this time (click here to see them)

Many believe the first few verses in chapter 18 are speaking about Judah aligning itself with Ethiopia, a powerhouse, in order to have better odds against Assyria but we see quickly in 18:3-6 that the Father declares He does not need help from any outside forces.

Isaiah 18:3 basically says “When YHWH is ready to move you will know it.”
Y’all, who needs action films. We have the creator of the universe up in here!

Verses 4-6 -Here we see the Father, knowing full well what He intends to do in response to the wickedness of Assyria, letting us know that He will sit and wait patiently while they grow and prosper, allowing Assyria to reach the apex of their power and (evil) and then He will cut them down.
That’s some serious stuff.
All of this evil is taking place on the earth and where any of us might have more than one moment of panic,

YHWH looks down and says “I will take My rest…”

He has this under control and knows exactly what comes next. He plans on pruning Assyria on His own, leaving nothing left of their military but remnants for scavenger birds.

Isaiah 18:7 moves into the after effects of this wherein Ethiopians come to worship YHWH on Mount Zion. So now we have a moment where Judah was looking to the powerful Ethiopia to help them against the Assyrians but this great and mighty country will now come and bow down before their God. That’s pretty cool.
This was likely fulfilled in Isaiah’s time but it was also fulfilled in Acts 8:26-40 when an Ethiopian came to Jerusalem to worship YHWH and became a Believer in Messiah.

We begin Chapter 19 by seeing YHWH riding in on a swift cloud – the Hebrew word used originally for swift meant fast moving and light, as in so fast and light that it may have been difficult to see. He is enacting judgement against Egypt by bringing about a civil war and destroying their government and putting in their place foolish counsel.

Check out Isaiah 19:17! The land of Judah will become a terror to the Egyptians! They see how mighty their God is and now, rather than Judah fearing or being subjected to Egypt, YHWH has turned the tables.

As a result of all of this, in Isaiah 19:18-22, Egypt turns to YHWH and, like the God of Grace that He is, He saves them. Isaiah 19:20 is amazing and makes a clear case for Messiah, yet again.

So now we have two countries who were once great and mighty bowing down before our Father. Talk about shadows of things to come! 

Now check out how beautiful this is:

 And the Lord will strike Egypt, striking and healing, and they will return to the Lord, and he will listen to their pleas for mercy and heal them. Isaiah 19:22

How wonderful is the discipline that leads us to Him!

Y’all, he wasn’t naked

•Isaiah 20:2 Okay first off, the word used here does not always mean completely naked so y’all get that out of your head. More likely than not, Isaiah was wearing his undergarment with his cover garment removed as the context of this verse means to humble himself before going to the people. Moving on we see that the Father called Isaiah to dress this way for three years, as a sign to Egypt that they were about to become slaves.

In Chapter 21 we see the fall of Babylon.

Oh man, in Isaiah 22 we see Jerusalem come under judgement at a time in which Judah had abandoned YHWH.

Ironically, in Isaiah 22:8-14 everything we read is the opposite of what Jerusalem should have done to prepare for this, and yet they think they are preparing.

Think about that a moment. They see YHWH’s judgement coming and set about to prepare – but their preparations are all wrong.
There is some wisdom to glean here for us.

What stood out to you today? I look forward to reading all of the comments!

Test everything, hold tight to what is good.~ 1 Thess 5:21

We are saved by Grace alone: Obedience is not the root of our salvation, it is the fruit!

May YHWH bless the reading of His Word!

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Christy Jordan
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