Day 207 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 26 July 2023 reflections
Day 207, 26 July 2023
1) Isaiah 44, 45, 46, 47, 48
Isaiah 44
God's Blessing on Jacob
1 (Isa 41:8; Jer 30:10) Yet now listen, O Jacob, My servant,
and Israel, whom I have chosen.
2 (Dt 32:15; Isa 41:10) Thus says the Lord
who made you, and formed you from the womb,
who will help you:
Do not fear, O Jacob, My servant, and you,
Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3 (Joel 2:28; Isa 59:21) For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,
and floods on the dry ground;
I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants,
and My blessing on your offspring;
4 (Ps 1:3) and they shall spring up as among the grass,
as willows by the water courses.
5 One will say, "I am the Lord's";
another will call himself by the name of Jacob;
and another will write on his hand, "Belonging to the Lord,"
and name himself by the name of Israel.
[1] Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:
[2] Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which
will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I
have chosen.
[3] For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry
ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine
offspring:
[4] And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water
courses.
[5] One shall say, I am the LORD's; and another shall call himself by the
name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and
surname himself by the name of Israel.
Idolatry Condemned
6 (Rev 1:8; Isa 41:4; 43:1) Thus says the Lord the King of Israel,
and his Redeemer the Lord of Hosts:
I am the first, and I am the last; besides Me there is no God.
7 (Isa 41:26; 41:22) Who is like Me? Let him proclaim
and declare it, and recount it in order for Me,
since I appointed the ancient people.
And let them declare to them the things that are coming, and shall come.
8 (Isa 43:10; Dt 4:35; 1Sa 2:2) Do not fear, nor be afraid;
have I not told you from of old, and declared it? You are My witnesses!
Is there a God besides Me? There is no Rock; I know not any.
9 (Isa 41:24; Ps 97:7) Those who make a graven image are, all of them, vain,
and their delectable things shall not profit;
and they are their own witnesses;
they do not see nor know, that they may be ashamed.
10 (Jer 10:5; Hab 2:18) Who has formed a god or molded a graven image
that is profitable for nothing?
11 (Isa 42:17; 45:16) All his companions shall be ashamed;
and the workmen, they are mere men.
Let them all be gathered together; let them stand up,
yet they shall fear; they shall be ashamed together.
12 (Isa 40:19; 41:6-7) The smith with the tongs both works in the coals
and fashions it with hammers, and works it with the strength of his arms.
He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; He drinks no water and is faint.
13 (Jdg 17:4-5; Ps 115:5-7) The carpenter stretches out his measuring line;
he marks it out with a line; he fits it with planes,
and he marks it out with the compass,
and makes it after the figure of a man,
according to the beauty of a man, that it may remain in the house.
14 (Isa 40:20) He hews down cedars for himself,
and takes the cypress and the oak,
which he raises for himself among the trees of the forest.
He plants a fir, and the rain makes it grow.
15 (2Ch 25:14 ) Then it shall be for a man to burn,
for he will take some of it and warm himself;
he kindles it and bakes bread;
he also makes a god and worships it;
he makes it a graven image and bows down to it.
16 He burns half of it in the fire;
over this half he eats meat;
he roasts it and is satisfied.
Also he warms himself and says,
"Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire."
17 (Isa 45:20) And the rest he makes into a god, even his carved image.
He falls down to it, and worships it,
and prays to it, and says,
"Deliver me, for you are my god."
18 (Ps 81:12; Isa 29:10 ) They have not known nor understood;
for He has shut their eyes so that they cannot see,
and their hearts so that they cannot understand.
19 (Dt 27:15; 1Ki 11:5) No one considers in his heart,
nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say,
" have burned part of it in the fire;
I also have baked bread on the coals;
I have roasted meat and eaten it;
and shall I make the rest into an abomination?
Shall I fall down to a block of wood?"
20 (Job 15:31; Ps 102:9 )He feeds on ashes;
a deceived heart has turned him aside
so that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say,
"Is there not a lie in my right hand?"
[6] Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of
hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
[7] And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for
me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming,
and shall come, let them shew unto them.
[8] Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and
have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea,
there is no God; I know not any.
[9] They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their
delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they
see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.
[10] Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for
nothing?
[11] Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of
men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall
fear, and they shall be ashamed together.
[12] The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it
with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is
hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.
[13] The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line;
he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and
maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that
it may remain in the house.
[14] He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he
strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash,
and the rain doth nourish it.
[15] Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm
himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and
worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
[16] He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh;
he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith,
Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:
[17] And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he
falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith,
Deliver me; for thou art my god.
[18] They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that
they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
[19] And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor
understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have
baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and
shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the
stock of a tree?
[20] He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he
cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
Israel Not Forgotten
21 (Isa 44:1-2) Remember these things, O Jacob,
and Israel, for you are My servant;
I have formed you; you are My servant;
O Israel, you shall not be forgotten by Me.
22 (Isa 43:25; 1Co 6:20) I have blotted out, as a thick cloud,
your transgressions, and your sins, as a cloud.
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.
23 (Ps 69:34; Isa 49:3 ) Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it.
Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth;
break forth into singing, you mountains,
O forest, and every tree in it.
For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
and glorified Himself in Israel.
Jerusalem to Be Inhabited
24 (Isa 42:5; 43:14; 44:2) Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb:
I am the Lord
who makes all things,
who stretches out the heavens alone,
who spreads abroad the earth by Myself,
25 (2Sa 15:31; Ps 33:10) who frustrates the omens of the boasters
and makes fools out of diviners,
who turns wise men backward
and makes their knowledge foolish,
26 (Zec 1:6) who confirms the word of His servant
and performs the counsel of His messengers,
who says to Jerusalem, "You shall be inhabited,"
and to the cities of Judah, "You shall be built."
And I will raise up her ruins again;
27 (Isa 42:15; Jer 50:38) it is I who says to the deep, "Be dried up!"
And I will dry up your rivers;
28 (2Ch 36:22-1:3; Isa 45:1) it is I who says of Cyrus, "He is My shepherd,
and shall perform all My desire";
and he declares to Jerusalem, "You shall be built,"
and to the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid."
[21] Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have
formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
[22] I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a
cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
[23] Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of
the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree
therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.
[24] Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the
womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the
heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
[25] That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that
turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
[26] That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of
his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the
cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places
thereof:
[27] That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:
[28] That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my
pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple,
Thy foundation shall be laid.
Isaiah 45
Cyrus, God's Anointed
1 (Isa 41:13; Ps 73:23) Thus says the Lord to Cyrus, His anointed,
whose right hand I have held-to subdue nations before him
and to loosen the loins of kings, to open doors before him
so that the gates will not be shut:
2 (Ps 107:16; Isa 40:4) I will go before you
and make the crooked places straight;
I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and shatter the bars of iron.
3 (Isa 43:1; Jer 50:37) And I will give you the treasures of darkness
and hidden riches of secret places so that you may know that I, the Lord,
who calls you by your name, am the God of Israel.
4 (Isa 41:8-9; Ac 17:23) For Jacob My servant's sake and Israel My chosen one,
I have even called you by your name; I have named you,
though you have not known Me.
5 (Isa 44:8; Ps 18:39; Job 12:21) I am the Lord and there is no other;
there is no God besides Me. I strengthen you, though you have not known Me,
6 (Mal 1:11; Isa 37:20) so that they may know from the rising of the sun
and from the west that there is no one besides Me.
I am the Lord, and there is no other;
7 (Am 3:6 ) I form the light and create darkness;
I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.
8 (Hos 10:12; Ps 72:6 ) Drip down, O heavens, from above,
and let the clouds pour down righteousness; let the earth open up,
and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together.
I, the Lord, have created it.
9 (Isa 29:16; 64:8) Woe to him who strives with his Maker,
the potsherd with the potsherds of the earth!
Shall the clay say to the potter,
"What are you making?"
Or the thing you are making say,
"He has no hands"?
10 Woe to him who says to his father,
"What are you begetting?"
Or to the woman,
"To what are you giving birth?"
11 (Isa 29:23; 43:7) Thus says the Lord,
the Holy One of Israel and his Maker:
Ask Me of things to come
concerning My sons,
and you shall commit to Me the work of My hands.
12 (Isa 42:5; Ge 2:1; Ne 9:6) I have made the earth
and created man on it.
I, even My hands, have stretched out the heavens,
and I have ordained all their host.
13 (Isa 41:2; 2Ch 36:22-23) I have raised him up in righteousness,
and I will direct all his ways;
he shall build My city,
and he shall let My captives go,
neither for price nor reward,
says the Lord of Hosts.
[1] Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have
holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings,
to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
[2] I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will
break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
[3] And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of
secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by
thy name, am the God of Israel.
[4] For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called
thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
[5] I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I
girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
[6] That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that
there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
[7] I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I
the LORD do all these things.
[8] Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down
righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and
let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
[9] Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with
the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it,
What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
[10] Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the
woman, What hast thou brought forth?
[11] Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of
things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands
command ye me.
[12] I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have
stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
[13] I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways:
he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor
reward, saith the LORD of hosts.
The Only Saviour
14 (Isa 49:23; Jer 16:19; Zec 8:20-23) Thus says the Lord:
The products of Egypt and merchandise of Ethiopia
and of the Sabeans-men of stature-
shall come over to you,
and they shall be yours;
they shall come after you;
in chains they shall come over,
and they shall fall down before you.
They shall make supplication to you, saying,
"Surely God is with you, and there is no other;
there is no other God."
15 (Ps 44:24; Isa 57:17) Truly You are a God who hides Yourself,
O God of Israel, the Savior.
16 (Isa 42:17; 44:9) They shall be ashamed and also humiliated, all of them;
the craftsmen of idols shall go away in confusion together,
17 (Isa 26:4; 54:4) but Israel shall be saved by the Lord
with an everlasting salvation;
you shall not be ashamed nor humiliated
to all eternity.
18 (Isa 42:5; Ge 1:2) For thus says the Lord,
who created the heavens,
who is God,
who formed the earth and made it,
who has established it,
who did not create it in vain,
who formed it to be inhabited:
I am the Lord,
and there is no other.
19 (Isa 48:16; 2Ch 15:2) I have not spoken in secret
in a dark place of the earth;
I did not say to the descendants of Jacob,
"Seek Me in a waste place";
I, the Lord, speak righteousness;
I declare things that are right.
20 (Isa 43:9; 46:1) Assemble yourselves and come;
draw near together, you fugitives of the nations.
They have no knowledge who set up the wood of their carved image,
and pray to a god that cannot save.
21 (Isa 43:9; 43:11) Declare and set forth your case;
let them take counsel together.
Who has declared this from ancient times?
Who has told it from that time?
Have not I, the Lord?
And there is no God besides Me,
a righteous God and Savior;
there is no other besides Me.
22 (Nu 21:8-9; 2Ch 20:12) Turn to Me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth.
For I am God, and there is no other.
23 (Php 2:10; Ps 63:11) I have sworn by Myself,
the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness
and shall not return,
that to Me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall take an oath.
24 (Isa 41:11) Surely, one shall say, "Only in the Lord
are righteousness and strength."
Men shall come to him,
and all who are incensed at Him shall be ashamed.
25 (Isa 41:16) In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel
be justified and shall glory.
[14] Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia
and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they
shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over,
and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee,
saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.
[15] Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.
[16] They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go
to confusion together that are makers of idols.
[17] But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation:
ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
[18] For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that
formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in
vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
[19] I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not
unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness,
I declare things that are right.
[20] Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped
of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven
image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
[21] Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who
hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have
not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a
Saviour; there is none beside me.
[22] Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God,
and there is none else.
[23] I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in
righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall swear.
[24] Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength:
even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be
ashamed.
[25] In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
Isaiah 46
The Idols of Babylon
1 (Isa 21:9; Jer 50:2) Bel bows down, Nebo stoops,
their idols are appointed to the beasts and the cattle.
The things that you carry are burdensome;
they are a burden to the weary beast.
2 (Jdg 18:17-18; 2Sa 5:21) They stoop, they bow down together;
they could not deliver the burden,
but themselves have gone into captivity.
3 (Dt 1:31; Ps 71:6) Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,
and all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who are borne by Me from birth
and are carried from the womb:
4 (Ps 71:18; Isa 43:13) And even to your old age I am He,
and even to your graying years I will carry you;
I have done it, and I will bear you;
even I will carry, and will deliver you.
5 (Isa 40:18; 40:25 ) To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal,
and compare Me that we may be alike?
6 They lavish gold out of the bag,
and weigh silver on the scales;
they hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god;
they fall down and worship it.
7 (Isa 45:20; Jer 10:5) They lift it on the shoulder, they carry it,
and they set it in its place, and it stands;
from its place it does not move.
If one shall cry to it, it cannot answer
nor save him out of his trouble.
8 Remember this, and show yourselves men;
bring it to mind again, O transgressors.
9 (Dt 32:7; Isa 42:9) Remember the former things of old,
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 (Pr 19:21; Ps 33:11) declaring the end from the beginning,
and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying,
"My counsel shall stand,
and I will do all My good pleasure,"
11 (Nu 23:19; Isa 41:2) calling a ravenous bird from the east,
the man who executes My counsel from a far country.
Indeed, I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass.
I have purposed it; I will also do it.
12 (Ps 119:150; Isa 46:3) Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted,
who are far from righteousness;
13 (Isa 61:3; 44:23) I bring My righteousness near;
it shall not be far off,
and My salvation shall not tarry.
And I will grant salvation in Zion,
and My glory for Israel.
Isaiah 46
[1] Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and
upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the
weary beast.
[2] They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden,
but themselves are gone into captivity.
[3] Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of
Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the
womb:
[4] And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry
you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
[5] To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may
be like?
[6] They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and
hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they
worship.
[7] They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his
place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall
cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
[8] Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye
transgressors.
[9] Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else;
I am God, and there is none like me,
[10] Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things
that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my
pleasure:
[11] Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my
counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to
pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
[12] Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
[13] I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my
salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my
glory.
Isaiah 47
The Fall of Babylon
1 (Ps 137:8; Isa 3:26) Come down, and sit in the dust,
O virgin daughter of Babylon;
sit on the ground; there is no throne,
O daughter of the Chaldeans.
For you shall no more be called
tender and delicate.
2 (Mt 24:41; Ex 11:5) Take the millstones and grind meal.
Uncover your veil,
strip off the skirt, uncover the leg,
pass over the rivers.
3 (Na 3:5) Your nakedness shall be uncovered,
and your shame shall be seen;
I will take vengeance,
and I will not meet you as a man.
4 (Isa 41:14; 43:14) As for our Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts is His name,
the Holy One of Israel.
5 (Isa 47:7) Sit silently, and go into darkness,
O daughter of the Chaldeans;
for you shall no more be called
the queen of kingdoms.
6 (Dt 28:50; 2Ch 28:9) I was angry with My people;
I have polluted My inheritance
and given them into your hand.
You did not show them mercy;
on the aged
you have laid your yoke very heavily.
7 (Dt 32:29; Isa 47:5) You said, "I shall be a queen forever,"
but you did not take these things to heart,
nor remember the outcome of them.
8 (Zep 2:15; Isa 32:9; 45:6) Therefore, now hear this,
you who are given to pleasures,
who dwell carelessly,
who say in your heart,
"I am, and there is no one besides me;
I shall not sit as a widow,
nor shall I know the loss of children";
9 (Na 3:4; Ps 73:19) but these two things shall come to you
in a moment, in one day,
the loss of children and widowhood.
They shall come upon you in their fullness
because of the multitude of your sorceries
and for the great abundance of your enchantments.
10 (Ps 52:7; Isa 5:21) For you have trusted in your wickedness;
you have said, "No one sees me";
your wisdom and your knowledge have perverted you;
and you have said in your heart,
"I am, and there is no one besides me."
11 (1Th 5:3) Therefore, evil shall come upon you,
which you shall not know from where it rises.
And disaster shall fall upon you,
for which you shall not be able to atone.
And desolation shall come upon you suddenly,
which you shall not know.
12 Stand fast now with your enchantments,
and with the multitude of your sorceries
in which you have labored from your youth.
Perhaps you shall be able to profit,
perhaps you may cause trembling.
13 (Isa 44:25; 57:10) You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels;
let now the astrologers, the stargazers,
the monthly prognosticators stand up
and save you from these things that shall come upon you.
14 (Na 1:10; Mal 4:1) Surely they shall be as stubble,
the fire shall burn them;
they shall not deliver themselves
from the power of the flame;
it shall not be coal to be warmed by
nor a fire to sit before.
15 Thus those shall be to you
with whom you have labored,
even your merchants, from your youth;
they shall wander, everyone to his quarter.
No one shall save you.
[1] Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the
ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no
more be called tender and delicate.
[2] Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the
leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.
[3] Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will
take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.
[4] As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of
Israel.
[5] Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the
Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.
[6] I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given
them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast
thou very heavily laid thy yoke.
[7] And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay
these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.
[8] Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest
carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I
shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:
[9] But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss
of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection
for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine
enchantments.
[10] For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me.
Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in
thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.
[11] Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it
riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it
off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not
know.
[12] Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy
sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be
able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.
[13] Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the
astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save
thee from these things that shall come upon thee.
[14] Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall
not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a
coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.
[15] Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy
merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none
shall save thee.
Isaiah 48
Israel Refined for God's Glory
1 (Ps 68:26; Jer 4:2) Hear this, O house of Jacob,
who are called by the name of Israel,
and have come forth from the waters of Judah;
who swear by the name of the Lord,
and invoke the God of Israel,
but not in truth or in righteousness;
2 (Mic 3:11; Isa 10:20) for they call themselves after the holy city,
and lean on the God of Israel;
the Lord of Hosts is His name:
3 (Isa 41:22; 42:9) I have declared the former things from the beginning;
and they went forth from My mouth, and I announced them.
Suddenly I did them, and they came to pass.
4 (Ex 32:9; Dt 31:27) Because I knew that you are obstinate,
and your neck is an iron sinew,
and your brow bronze;
5 (Isa 48:3; Jer 44:15-18) I have even from the beginning declared it to you;
before it came to pass I announced it to you,
lest you should say,
"My idol has done them,
and my carved image and my molded image has commanded them."
6 (Isa 42:9) You have heard; see all this.
And will you not declare it?
I have shown you new things from this time,
even hidden things, and you did not know them.
7 They are created now and not from the beginning;
even before the day when you did not hear them,
lest you should say,
"Yes, I knew them."
8 (Ps 58:3) You have not heard, you have not known,
indeed, from long ago your ear has not been open.
For I knew that you would deal very treacherously,
and that from birth you have been called a rebel.
9 (Ps 78:38; Ne 9:30-31) For My name's sake I will defer My anger,
and for My praise I will restrain it for you
so that you are not cut off.
10 (Dt 4:20; Jer 9:7) See, I have refined you, but not with silver;
I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.
11 (Isa 42:8; Eze 20:9) For My own sake, even for My own sake, I will do it;
for how can My name be polluted?
And I will not give My glory to another.
[1] Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel,
and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of
the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in
righteousness.
[2] For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the
God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.
[3] I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went
forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came
to pass.
[4] Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew,
and thy brow brass;
[5] I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to
pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them,
and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.
[6] Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed
thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know
them.
[7] They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day
when thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them.
[8] Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that
thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very
treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.
[9] For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I
refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.
[10] Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in
the furnace of affliction.
[11] For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should
my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.
The Lord's Call to Israel
12 (Isa 41:4; Rev 22:13) Listen to Me, O Jacob
and Israel, whom I called: I am He;
I am the First, and I am the Last.
13 (Isa 40:26; Ex 20:11) My hand also has laid the foundation of the earth,
and My right hand has spanned the heavens; when I call to them,
they stand up together.
14 (Isa 43:9; 13:4-5) Assemble, all of you, and listen.
Who among them has declared these things? The Lord has loved him;
he will do His pleasure on Babylon,
and His arm shall be against the Chaldeans.
15 I, even I, have spoken, and I have called him;
I have brought him, and his way will prosper.
16 (Isa 45:19) Come near to Me, hear this:
I have not spoken in secret from the beginning;
from the time that it was, there I am.
And now the Lord God has sent me and His Spirit.
17 (Ps 32:8; Isa 43:14) Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of
Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit,
who leads you in the way you should go.
18 (Dt 32:29; Isa 66:12) Oh, that you had listened to My commandments!
Then your peace would have been as a river
and your righteousness as the waves of the sea.
19 (Ge 22:17; Isa 10:22) Your descendants also would have been as the sand
and your offspring like grains of sand;
their name would not have been cut off
nor destroyed from before Me.
20 (Isa 52:9; Jer 50:8; 51:6) Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans!
With a voice of singing declare, proclaim this,
utter it even to the ends of the earth;
say, "The Lord has redeemed His servant Jacob."
21 (Ex 17:6; Nu 20:11) They did not thirst when He led them
through the deserts;
He caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them;
He also split the rock,
and the waters gushed out.
22 (Isa 57:21) "There is no peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked."
[12] Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the
first, I also am the last.
[13] Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand
hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
[14] All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them hath declared
these things? The LORD hath loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon,
and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans.
[15] I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him,
and he shall make his way prosperous.
[16] Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from
the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD,
and his Spirit, hath sent me.
[17] Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the
LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way
that thou shouldest go.
[18] O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace
been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:
[19] Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels
like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed
from before me.
[20] Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of
singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say
ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.
[21] And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused
the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the
waters gushed out.
[22] There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
2) Our Daily Bread for 26 July 2023 titled Castaway Faith
1 Peter 4:7-11
7 (1Pe 1:13; Lk 21:36) The end of all things is near.
Therefore be solemn and sober so you can pray.
8 (Pr 10:12; Jas 5:20) Above all things, have unfailing love for one another,
because love covers a multitude of sins.
9 (Php 2:14; 1Ti 3:2) Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
10 (1Co 4:1-2; Lk 12:42) As everyone has received a gift, even so serve one
another with it, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 (Ac 7:38; 1Co 10:31) If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.
If anyone serves, let him serve with the strength that God supplies, so that
God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
[7] But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch
unto prayer.
[8] And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity
shall cover the multitude of sins.
[9] Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
[10] As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
[11] If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man
minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all
things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion
for ever and ever. Amen.
In June 1965, six Tongan teenagers sailed from their island home in search of
adventure. But when a storm broke their mast and rudder the first night, they
drifted for days without food or water before reaching the uninhabited island
of 'Ata. It would be fifteen months before they were found.
The boys worked together on 'Ata to survive, setting up a small food garden,
hollowing out tree trunks to store rainwater, even building a makeshift gym.
When one boy broke his leg from a cliff fall, the others set it using sticks
and leaves. Arguments were managed with mandatory reconciliation, and each day
began and ended with singing and prayer. When the boys emerged from their
ordeal healthy, their families were amazed-their funerals had already been
held.
Being a believer in Jesus in the first century could be an isolating
experience. Persecuted for your faith and often stranded from family, one
could feel adrift. The apostle Peter's encouragement to such castaways was to
stay disciplined and prayerful (1 Peter 4:7), to look after each other (v. 8),
and use whatever abilities one has to get the work done (vv. 10-11). In time,
God would bring them through their ordeal "strong, firm and steadfast" (5:10).
In times of trial, "castaway faith" is needed. We pray and work in solidarity,
and God brings us through.
By: Sheridan Voysey
Reflect & Pray
In times of ordeal, are you more likely to ask for help or try and face
the problem alone? What "castaway" do you know who needs encouragement?
Dear God, please give me "castaway faith" to face times of difficulty well.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 4 - Arming for Battle
Joshua 1:8
8 (Ps 19:14; 119:15) This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth.
Meditate on it day and night so that you may act carefully according
to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way successful,
and you will be wise.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according
to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous,
and then thou shalt have good success.
When God spoke these words to Joshua, the young leader's prospects for
"prosperity" and "success" were far from promising. Upon Moses' death,
Joshua was appointed to lead Israel into the Promised Land, to claim
the territory and establish a nation under God's rule.
Joshua was afraid, and for good reason. The people were rebellious
and intractable. And "claiming the land" meant battling many strong enemies.
Yet God told Joshua that his strength would come not in preparing for battle,
but in preparing for battle, but in preparing himself by meditating
on and applying God's word to his life.
We, too, face difficult battles as we seek to enter the "Promised Land"
of God's peace and presence. But his promise is the same as it was to Joshua:
through obedience to the Word, we can find prosperity and success.
God's promise does not necessarily mean financial prosperity
or material success. These victories may come as well, but God's primary
purpose for his people is spiritual success - the victory and joy of living
in fellowship with him. We can be enriched in the knowledge of God and
find power to overcome the enemies of sin and self. The way may not be easy
- after all, there is no victory without conflict - but God promises
that we will succeed as we look to him.
Application
a) What image do I have a personal "Promised Land" that I long
to enter and claim as my own?
b) What enemies will I need to battle in order to enter that land?
c) How can meditation on the Word of God and obedience to him bring me
prosperity and success?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Haggai 2:7-9
7 (1Ki 8:11; Isa 60:7) And I will shake all the nations,
and they will come with the wealth of all nations,
and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of Hosts.
8 (Isa 60:17) The silver is mine, and the gold is Mine,
says the Lord of Hosts.
9 (Isa 9:6-7) The glory of this latter house will be greater
than the former, says the Lord of Hosts. And in this place
I will give peace, says the Lord of Hosts.
7 and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations
shall come: and I will fill this house with glory,
saith the LORD of hosts.
8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,
saith the LORD of hosts.
9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater
than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place
will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Help in Times of Temptation
James 1:12-18
Trial and Temptation
12 (Jas 2:5; 1Co 9:25; 2Ti 4:8) Blessed is the man who endures temptation,
for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life,
which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God,"
for God cannot be tempted with evil; neither does He tempt anyone.
14 But each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed.
15 (Job 15:35; Ps 7:14) Then, when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin;
and when sin is finished, it brings forth death.
16 (Jas 1:19; 2:5) Do not err, my beloved brothers.
17 (Mal 3:6; Nu 23:19; Jn 3:27) Every good gift and every perfect gift
is from above and comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom is no change or shadow of turning.
18 (1Pe 1:23; Jn 1:13; Rev 14:4) Of His own will He brought us forth with
the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried,
he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised
to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:
for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust,
and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:
and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,
neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth,
that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Where do Muslims live?
Canada is a land of immigrants. And Muslims are coming in increasing numbers
to our shores. Where do they live? How can we pray for these areas? Use this as
your more effectively for Muslims in Canada.
Data for those population figures is extrapolated for the 2011 National
Household Survey and population growth projections by Pew Forum. These have
also been adjusted by +40% as reliable sources state that on 60% of Muslims
self-identify on government surveys and forms. These estimates are still on
the conservative end of the spectrum. Percentages represent that of the total
Canadian population, not provincial
BC - 136493 - 7.5%
AB - 195240 - 11%
SK - 17279 - 1%
MB - 21349 - 1.2%
ON - 1001542 - 55%
QC - 418946 - 23%
NB - 4543 - 0.003%
NS - 14629 - 0.1%
PEI - 1127 - 0.0006%
NFLD - 2065 - 0.001%
Yukon - 69 - 0.00004%
NWT - 473 - 0.0003%
NU - 86 - 0.00005%
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 26 of the Month
a) Pray that Christians in the marketplace will demonstrate exemplary
work ethics and shine as witnesses of Christ (Matt 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
)
b) Pray for the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut
I) Pray for the leaders of Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut,
that God's Spirit would influence then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 for kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge
of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember The Lord blessings and authorities.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please give me 'castaway faith' to face times of
difficulty well."
Pray to the Lord and pray meditate fully on the Word of God.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember tall belongs to the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to give the Lord all your temptations.
Pray for Muslims in Canada to know Jesus as Saviour.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray that Christians in the marketplace will demonstrate exemplary
work ethics and shine as witnesses of Christ
Pray that God will call more labourers to the harvest fields so many
will be delivered from spiritual strongholds in the Maldives.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1) Isaiah 44, 45, 46, 47, 48
Isaiah 44
God's Blessing on Jacob
1 (Isa 41:8; Jer 30:10) Yet now listen, O Jacob, My servant,
and Israel, whom I have chosen.
2 (Dt 32:15; Isa 41:10) Thus says the Lord
who made you, and formed you from the womb,
who will help you:
Do not fear, O Jacob, My servant, and you,
Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3 (Joel 2:28; Isa 59:21) For I will pour water on him who is thirsty,
and floods on the dry ground;
I will pour out My Spirit on your descendants,
and My blessing on your offspring;
4 (Ps 1:3) and they shall spring up as among the grass,
as willows by the water courses.
5 One will say, "I am the Lord's";
another will call himself by the name of Jacob;
and another will write on his hand, "Belonging to the Lord,"
and name himself by the name of Israel.
[1] Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:
[2] Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which
will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I
have chosen.
[3] For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry
ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine
offspring:
[4] And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water
courses.
[5] One shall say, I am the LORD's; and another shall call himself by the
name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and
surname himself by the name of Israel.
Idolatry Condemned
6 (Rev 1:8; Isa 41:4; 43:1) Thus says the Lord the King of Israel,
and his Redeemer the Lord of Hosts:
I am the first, and I am the last; besides Me there is no God.
7 (Isa 41:26; 41:22) Who is like Me? Let him proclaim
and declare it, and recount it in order for Me,
since I appointed the ancient people.
And let them declare to them the things that are coming, and shall come.
8 (Isa 43:10; Dt 4:35; 1Sa 2:2) Do not fear, nor be afraid;
have I not told you from of old, and declared it? You are My witnesses!
Is there a God besides Me? There is no Rock; I know not any.
9 (Isa 41:24; Ps 97:7) Those who make a graven image are, all of them, vain,
and their delectable things shall not profit;
and they are their own witnesses;
they do not see nor know, that they may be ashamed.
10 (Jer 10:5; Hab 2:18) Who has formed a god or molded a graven image
that is profitable for nothing?
11 (Isa 42:17; 45:16) All his companions shall be ashamed;
and the workmen, they are mere men.
Let them all be gathered together; let them stand up,
yet they shall fear; they shall be ashamed together.
12 (Isa 40:19; 41:6-7) The smith with the tongs both works in the coals
and fashions it with hammers, and works it with the strength of his arms.
He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; He drinks no water and is faint.
13 (Jdg 17:4-5; Ps 115:5-7) The carpenter stretches out his measuring line;
he marks it out with a line; he fits it with planes,
and he marks it out with the compass,
and makes it after the figure of a man,
according to the beauty of a man, that it may remain in the house.
14 (Isa 40:20) He hews down cedars for himself,
and takes the cypress and the oak,
which he raises for himself among the trees of the forest.
He plants a fir, and the rain makes it grow.
15 (2Ch 25:14 ) Then it shall be for a man to burn,
for he will take some of it and warm himself;
he kindles it and bakes bread;
he also makes a god and worships it;
he makes it a graven image and bows down to it.
16 He burns half of it in the fire;
over this half he eats meat;
he roasts it and is satisfied.
Also he warms himself and says,
"Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire."
17 (Isa 45:20) And the rest he makes into a god, even his carved image.
He falls down to it, and worships it,
and prays to it, and says,
"Deliver me, for you are my god."
18 (Ps 81:12; Isa 29:10 ) They have not known nor understood;
for He has shut their eyes so that they cannot see,
and their hearts so that they cannot understand.
19 (Dt 27:15; 1Ki 11:5) No one considers in his heart,
nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say,
" have burned part of it in the fire;
I also have baked bread on the coals;
I have roasted meat and eaten it;
and shall I make the rest into an abomination?
Shall I fall down to a block of wood?"
20 (Job 15:31; Ps 102:9 )He feeds on ashes;
a deceived heart has turned him aside
so that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say,
"Is there not a lie in my right hand?"
[6] Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of
hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
[7] And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for
me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming,
and shall come, let them shew unto them.
[8] Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and
have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea,
there is no God; I know not any.
[9] They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their
delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they
see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.
[10] Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for
nothing?
[11] Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of
men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall
fear, and they shall be ashamed together.
[12] The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it
with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is
hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.
[13] The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line;
he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and
maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that
it may remain in the house.
[14] He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he
strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash,
and the rain doth nourish it.
[15] Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm
himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and
worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
[16] He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh;
he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith,
Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:
[17] And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he
falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith,
Deliver me; for thou art my god.
[18] They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that
they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
[19] And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor
understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have
baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and
shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the
stock of a tree?
[20] He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he
cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
Israel Not Forgotten
21 (Isa 44:1-2) Remember these things, O Jacob,
and Israel, for you are My servant;
I have formed you; you are My servant;
O Israel, you shall not be forgotten by Me.
22 (Isa 43:25; 1Co 6:20) I have blotted out, as a thick cloud,
your transgressions, and your sins, as a cloud.
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.
23 (Ps 69:34; Isa 49:3 ) Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it.
Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth;
break forth into singing, you mountains,
O forest, and every tree in it.
For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
and glorified Himself in Israel.
Jerusalem to Be Inhabited
24 (Isa 42:5; 43:14; 44:2) Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb:
I am the Lord
who makes all things,
who stretches out the heavens alone,
who spreads abroad the earth by Myself,
25 (2Sa 15:31; Ps 33:10) who frustrates the omens of the boasters
and makes fools out of diviners,
who turns wise men backward
and makes their knowledge foolish,
26 (Zec 1:6) who confirms the word of His servant
and performs the counsel of His messengers,
who says to Jerusalem, "You shall be inhabited,"
and to the cities of Judah, "You shall be built."
And I will raise up her ruins again;
27 (Isa 42:15; Jer 50:38) it is I who says to the deep, "Be dried up!"
And I will dry up your rivers;
28 (2Ch 36:22-1:3; Isa 45:1) it is I who says of Cyrus, "He is My shepherd,
and shall perform all My desire";
and he declares to Jerusalem, "You shall be built,"
and to the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid."
[21] Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have
formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
[22] I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a
cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
[23] Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of
the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree
therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.
[24] Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the
womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the
heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
[25] That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that
turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
[26] That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of
his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the
cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places
thereof:
[27] That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:
[28] That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my
pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple,
Thy foundation shall be laid.
Isaiah 45
Cyrus, God's Anointed
1 (Isa 41:13; Ps 73:23) Thus says the Lord to Cyrus, His anointed,
whose right hand I have held-to subdue nations before him
and to loosen the loins of kings, to open doors before him
so that the gates will not be shut:
2 (Ps 107:16; Isa 40:4) I will go before you
and make the crooked places straight;
I will break in pieces the gates of bronze and shatter the bars of iron.
3 (Isa 43:1; Jer 50:37) And I will give you the treasures of darkness
and hidden riches of secret places so that you may know that I, the Lord,
who calls you by your name, am the God of Israel.
4 (Isa 41:8-9; Ac 17:23) For Jacob My servant's sake and Israel My chosen one,
I have even called you by your name; I have named you,
though you have not known Me.
5 (Isa 44:8; Ps 18:39; Job 12:21) I am the Lord and there is no other;
there is no God besides Me. I strengthen you, though you have not known Me,
6 (Mal 1:11; Isa 37:20) so that they may know from the rising of the sun
and from the west that there is no one besides Me.
I am the Lord, and there is no other;
7 (Am 3:6 ) I form the light and create darkness;
I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.
8 (Hos 10:12; Ps 72:6 ) Drip down, O heavens, from above,
and let the clouds pour down righteousness; let the earth open up,
and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together.
I, the Lord, have created it.
9 (Isa 29:16; 64:8) Woe to him who strives with his Maker,
the potsherd with the potsherds of the earth!
Shall the clay say to the potter,
"What are you making?"
Or the thing you are making say,
"He has no hands"?
10 Woe to him who says to his father,
"What are you begetting?"
Or to the woman,
"To what are you giving birth?"
11 (Isa 29:23; 43:7) Thus says the Lord,
the Holy One of Israel and his Maker:
Ask Me of things to come
concerning My sons,
and you shall commit to Me the work of My hands.
12 (Isa 42:5; Ge 2:1; Ne 9:6) I have made the earth
and created man on it.
I, even My hands, have stretched out the heavens,
and I have ordained all their host.
13 (Isa 41:2; 2Ch 36:22-23) I have raised him up in righteousness,
and I will direct all his ways;
he shall build My city,
and he shall let My captives go,
neither for price nor reward,
says the Lord of Hosts.
[1] Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have
holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings,
to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
[2] I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will
break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
[3] And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of
secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by
thy name, am the God of Israel.
[4] For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called
thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
[5] I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I
girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
[6] That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that
there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
[7] I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I
the LORD do all these things.
[8] Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down
righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and
let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
[9] Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with
the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it,
What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
[10] Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the
woman, What hast thou brought forth?
[11] Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of
things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands
command ye me.
[12] I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have
stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
[13] I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways:
he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor
reward, saith the LORD of hosts.
The Only Saviour
14 (Isa 49:23; Jer 16:19; Zec 8:20-23) Thus says the Lord:
The products of Egypt and merchandise of Ethiopia
and of the Sabeans-men of stature-
shall come over to you,
and they shall be yours;
they shall come after you;
in chains they shall come over,
and they shall fall down before you.
They shall make supplication to you, saying,
"Surely God is with you, and there is no other;
there is no other God."
15 (Ps 44:24; Isa 57:17) Truly You are a God who hides Yourself,
O God of Israel, the Savior.
16 (Isa 42:17; 44:9) They shall be ashamed and also humiliated, all of them;
the craftsmen of idols shall go away in confusion together,
17 (Isa 26:4; 54:4) but Israel shall be saved by the Lord
with an everlasting salvation;
you shall not be ashamed nor humiliated
to all eternity.
18 (Isa 42:5; Ge 1:2) For thus says the Lord,
who created the heavens,
who is God,
who formed the earth and made it,
who has established it,
who did not create it in vain,
who formed it to be inhabited:
I am the Lord,
and there is no other.
19 (Isa 48:16; 2Ch 15:2) I have not spoken in secret
in a dark place of the earth;
I did not say to the descendants of Jacob,
"Seek Me in a waste place";
I, the Lord, speak righteousness;
I declare things that are right.
20 (Isa 43:9; 46:1) Assemble yourselves and come;
draw near together, you fugitives of the nations.
They have no knowledge who set up the wood of their carved image,
and pray to a god that cannot save.
21 (Isa 43:9; 43:11) Declare and set forth your case;
let them take counsel together.
Who has declared this from ancient times?
Who has told it from that time?
Have not I, the Lord?
And there is no God besides Me,
a righteous God and Savior;
there is no other besides Me.
22 (Nu 21:8-9; 2Ch 20:12) Turn to Me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth.
For I am God, and there is no other.
23 (Php 2:10; Ps 63:11) I have sworn by Myself,
the word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness
and shall not return,
that to Me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall take an oath.
24 (Isa 41:11) Surely, one shall say, "Only in the Lord
are righteousness and strength."
Men shall come to him,
and all who are incensed at Him shall be ashamed.
25 (Isa 41:16) In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel
be justified and shall glory.
[14] Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia
and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they
shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over,
and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee,
saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.
[15] Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.
[16] They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go
to confusion together that are makers of idols.
[17] But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation:
ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
[18] For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that
formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in
vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
[19] I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not
unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness,
I declare things that are right.
[20] Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped
of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven
image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
[21] Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who
hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have
not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a
Saviour; there is none beside me.
[22] Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God,
and there is none else.
[23] I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in
righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall swear.
[24] Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength:
even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be
ashamed.
[25] In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
Isaiah 46
The Idols of Babylon
1 (Isa 21:9; Jer 50:2) Bel bows down, Nebo stoops,
their idols are appointed to the beasts and the cattle.
The things that you carry are burdensome;
they are a burden to the weary beast.
2 (Jdg 18:17-18; 2Sa 5:21) They stoop, they bow down together;
they could not deliver the burden,
but themselves have gone into captivity.
3 (Dt 1:31; Ps 71:6) Listen to Me, O house of Jacob,
and all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who are borne by Me from birth
and are carried from the womb:
4 (Ps 71:18; Isa 43:13) And even to your old age I am He,
and even to your graying years I will carry you;
I have done it, and I will bear you;
even I will carry, and will deliver you.
5 (Isa 40:18; 40:25 ) To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal,
and compare Me that we may be alike?
6 They lavish gold out of the bag,
and weigh silver on the scales;
they hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god;
they fall down and worship it.
7 (Isa 45:20; Jer 10:5) They lift it on the shoulder, they carry it,
and they set it in its place, and it stands;
from its place it does not move.
If one shall cry to it, it cannot answer
nor save him out of his trouble.
8 Remember this, and show yourselves men;
bring it to mind again, O transgressors.
9 (Dt 32:7; Isa 42:9) Remember the former things of old,
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 (Pr 19:21; Ps 33:11) declaring the end from the beginning,
and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying,
"My counsel shall stand,
and I will do all My good pleasure,"
11 (Nu 23:19; Isa 41:2) calling a ravenous bird from the east,
the man who executes My counsel from a far country.
Indeed, I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass.
I have purposed it; I will also do it.
12 (Ps 119:150; Isa 46:3) Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted,
who are far from righteousness;
13 (Isa 61:3; 44:23) I bring My righteousness near;
it shall not be far off,
and My salvation shall not tarry.
And I will grant salvation in Zion,
and My glory for Israel.
Isaiah 46
[1] Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and
upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the
weary beast.
[2] They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden,
but themselves are gone into captivity.
[3] Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of
Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the
womb:
[4] And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry
you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
[5] To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may
be like?
[6] They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and
hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they
worship.
[7] They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his
place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall
cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
[8] Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye
transgressors.
[9] Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else;
I am God, and there is none like me,
[10] Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things
that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my
pleasure:
[11] Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my
counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to
pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
[12] Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
[13] I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my
salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my
glory.
Isaiah 47
The Fall of Babylon
1 (Ps 137:8; Isa 3:26) Come down, and sit in the dust,
O virgin daughter of Babylon;
sit on the ground; there is no throne,
O daughter of the Chaldeans.
For you shall no more be called
tender and delicate.
2 (Mt 24:41; Ex 11:5) Take the millstones and grind meal.
Uncover your veil,
strip off the skirt, uncover the leg,
pass over the rivers.
3 (Na 3:5) Your nakedness shall be uncovered,
and your shame shall be seen;
I will take vengeance,
and I will not meet you as a man.
4 (Isa 41:14; 43:14) As for our Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts is His name,
the Holy One of Israel.
5 (Isa 47:7) Sit silently, and go into darkness,
O daughter of the Chaldeans;
for you shall no more be called
the queen of kingdoms.
6 (Dt 28:50; 2Ch 28:9) I was angry with My people;
I have polluted My inheritance
and given them into your hand.
You did not show them mercy;
on the aged
you have laid your yoke very heavily.
7 (Dt 32:29; Isa 47:5) You said, "I shall be a queen forever,"
but you did not take these things to heart,
nor remember the outcome of them.
8 (Zep 2:15; Isa 32:9; 45:6) Therefore, now hear this,
you who are given to pleasures,
who dwell carelessly,
who say in your heart,
"I am, and there is no one besides me;
I shall not sit as a widow,
nor shall I know the loss of children";
9 (Na 3:4; Ps 73:19) but these two things shall come to you
in a moment, in one day,
the loss of children and widowhood.
They shall come upon you in their fullness
because of the multitude of your sorceries
and for the great abundance of your enchantments.
10 (Ps 52:7; Isa 5:21) For you have trusted in your wickedness;
you have said, "No one sees me";
your wisdom and your knowledge have perverted you;
and you have said in your heart,
"I am, and there is no one besides me."
11 (1Th 5:3) Therefore, evil shall come upon you,
which you shall not know from where it rises.
And disaster shall fall upon you,
for which you shall not be able to atone.
And desolation shall come upon you suddenly,
which you shall not know.
12 Stand fast now with your enchantments,
and with the multitude of your sorceries
in which you have labored from your youth.
Perhaps you shall be able to profit,
perhaps you may cause trembling.
13 (Isa 44:25; 57:10) You are wearied in the multitude of your counsels;
let now the astrologers, the stargazers,
the monthly prognosticators stand up
and save you from these things that shall come upon you.
14 (Na 1:10; Mal 4:1) Surely they shall be as stubble,
the fire shall burn them;
they shall not deliver themselves
from the power of the flame;
it shall not be coal to be warmed by
nor a fire to sit before.
15 Thus those shall be to you
with whom you have labored,
even your merchants, from your youth;
they shall wander, everyone to his quarter.
No one shall save you.
[1] Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the
ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no
more be called tender and delicate.
[2] Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the
leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.
[3] Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will
take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.
[4] As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of
Israel.
[5] Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the
Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.
[6] I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given
them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast
thou very heavily laid thy yoke.
[7] And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay
these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.
[8] Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest
carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I
shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:
[9] But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss
of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection
for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine
enchantments.
[10] For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me.
Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in
thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.
[11] Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it
riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it
off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not
know.
[12] Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy
sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be
able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.
[13] Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the
astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save
thee from these things that shall come upon thee.
[14] Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall
not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a
coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.
[15] Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy
merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none
shall save thee.
Isaiah 48
Israel Refined for God's Glory
1 (Ps 68:26; Jer 4:2) Hear this, O house of Jacob,
who are called by the name of Israel,
and have come forth from the waters of Judah;
who swear by the name of the Lord,
and invoke the God of Israel,
but not in truth or in righteousness;
2 (Mic 3:11; Isa 10:20) for they call themselves after the holy city,
and lean on the God of Israel;
the Lord of Hosts is His name:
3 (Isa 41:22; 42:9) I have declared the former things from the beginning;
and they went forth from My mouth, and I announced them.
Suddenly I did them, and they came to pass.
4 (Ex 32:9; Dt 31:27) Because I knew that you are obstinate,
and your neck is an iron sinew,
and your brow bronze;
5 (Isa 48:3; Jer 44:15-18) I have even from the beginning declared it to you;
before it came to pass I announced it to you,
lest you should say,
"My idol has done them,
and my carved image and my molded image has commanded them."
6 (Isa 42:9) You have heard; see all this.
And will you not declare it?
I have shown you new things from this time,
even hidden things, and you did not know them.
7 They are created now and not from the beginning;
even before the day when you did not hear them,
lest you should say,
"Yes, I knew them."
8 (Ps 58:3) You have not heard, you have not known,
indeed, from long ago your ear has not been open.
For I knew that you would deal very treacherously,
and that from birth you have been called a rebel.
9 (Ps 78:38; Ne 9:30-31) For My name's sake I will defer My anger,
and for My praise I will restrain it for you
so that you are not cut off.
10 (Dt 4:20; Jer 9:7) See, I have refined you, but not with silver;
I have chosen you in the furnace of affliction.
11 (Isa 42:8; Eze 20:9) For My own sake, even for My own sake, I will do it;
for how can My name be polluted?
And I will not give My glory to another.
[1] Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel,
and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of
the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in
righteousness.
[2] For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the
God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.
[3] I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went
forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came
to pass.
[4] Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew,
and thy brow brass;
[5] I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to
pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them,
and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.
[6] Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed
thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know
them.
[7] They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day
when thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them.
[8] Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that
thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very
treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.
[9] For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I
refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.
[10] Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in
the furnace of affliction.
[11] For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should
my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.
The Lord's Call to Israel
12 (Isa 41:4; Rev 22:13) Listen to Me, O Jacob
and Israel, whom I called: I am He;
I am the First, and I am the Last.
13 (Isa 40:26; Ex 20:11) My hand also has laid the foundation of the earth,
and My right hand has spanned the heavens; when I call to them,
they stand up together.
14 (Isa 43:9; 13:4-5) Assemble, all of you, and listen.
Who among them has declared these things? The Lord has loved him;
he will do His pleasure on Babylon,
and His arm shall be against the Chaldeans.
15 I, even I, have spoken, and I have called him;
I have brought him, and his way will prosper.
16 (Isa 45:19) Come near to Me, hear this:
I have not spoken in secret from the beginning;
from the time that it was, there I am.
And now the Lord God has sent me and His Spirit.
17 (Ps 32:8; Isa 43:14) Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of
Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit,
who leads you in the way you should go.
18 (Dt 32:29; Isa 66:12) Oh, that you had listened to My commandments!
Then your peace would have been as a river
and your righteousness as the waves of the sea.
19 (Ge 22:17; Isa 10:22) Your descendants also would have been as the sand
and your offspring like grains of sand;
their name would not have been cut off
nor destroyed from before Me.
20 (Isa 52:9; Jer 50:8; 51:6) Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans!
With a voice of singing declare, proclaim this,
utter it even to the ends of the earth;
say, "The Lord has redeemed His servant Jacob."
21 (Ex 17:6; Nu 20:11) They did not thirst when He led them
through the deserts;
He caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them;
He also split the rock,
and the waters gushed out.
22 (Isa 57:21) "There is no peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked."
[12] Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the
first, I also am the last.
[13] Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand
hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
[14] All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them hath declared
these things? The LORD hath loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon,
and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans.
[15] I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him,
and he shall make his way prosperous.
[16] Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from
the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD,
and his Spirit, hath sent me.
[17] Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the
LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way
that thou shouldest go.
[18] O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace
been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:
[19] Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels
like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed
from before me.
[20] Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of
singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say
ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.
[21] And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused
the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the
waters gushed out.
[22] There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
2) Our Daily Bread for 26 July 2023 titled Castaway Faith
1 Peter 4:7-11
7 (1Pe 1:13; Lk 21:36) The end of all things is near.
Therefore be solemn and sober so you can pray.
8 (Pr 10:12; Jas 5:20) Above all things, have unfailing love for one another,
because love covers a multitude of sins.
9 (Php 2:14; 1Ti 3:2) Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
10 (1Co 4:1-2; Lk 12:42) As everyone has received a gift, even so serve one
another with it, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 (Ac 7:38; 1Co 10:31) If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.
If anyone serves, let him serve with the strength that God supplies, so that
God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
[7] But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch
unto prayer.
[8] And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity
shall cover the multitude of sins.
[9] Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
[10] As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
[11] If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man
minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all
things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion
for ever and ever. Amen.
In June 1965, six Tongan teenagers sailed from their island home in search of
adventure. But when a storm broke their mast and rudder the first night, they
drifted for days without food or water before reaching the uninhabited island
of 'Ata. It would be fifteen months before they were found.
The boys worked together on 'Ata to survive, setting up a small food garden,
hollowing out tree trunks to store rainwater, even building a makeshift gym.
When one boy broke his leg from a cliff fall, the others set it using sticks
and leaves. Arguments were managed with mandatory reconciliation, and each day
began and ended with singing and prayer. When the boys emerged from their
ordeal healthy, their families were amazed-their funerals had already been
held.
Being a believer in Jesus in the first century could be an isolating
experience. Persecuted for your faith and often stranded from family, one
could feel adrift. The apostle Peter's encouragement to such castaways was to
stay disciplined and prayerful (1 Peter 4:7), to look after each other (v. 8),
and use whatever abilities one has to get the work done (vv. 10-11). In time,
God would bring them through their ordeal "strong, firm and steadfast" (5:10).
In times of trial, "castaway faith" is needed. We pray and work in solidarity,
and God brings us through.
By: Sheridan Voysey
Reflect & Pray
In times of ordeal, are you more likely to ask for help or try and face
the problem alone? What "castaway" do you know who needs encouragement?
Dear God, please give me "castaway faith" to face times of difficulty well.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 4 - Arming for Battle
Joshua 1:8
8 (Ps 19:14; 119:15) This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth.
Meditate on it day and night so that you may act carefully according
to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way successful,
and you will be wise.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt
meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according
to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous,
and then thou shalt have good success.
When God spoke these words to Joshua, the young leader's prospects for
"prosperity" and "success" were far from promising. Upon Moses' death,
Joshua was appointed to lead Israel into the Promised Land, to claim
the territory and establish a nation under God's rule.
Joshua was afraid, and for good reason. The people were rebellious
and intractable. And "claiming the land" meant battling many strong enemies.
Yet God told Joshua that his strength would come not in preparing for battle,
but in preparing for battle, but in preparing himself by meditating
on and applying God's word to his life.
We, too, face difficult battles as we seek to enter the "Promised Land"
of God's peace and presence. But his promise is the same as it was to Joshua:
through obedience to the Word, we can find prosperity and success.
God's promise does not necessarily mean financial prosperity
or material success. These victories may come as well, but God's primary
purpose for his people is spiritual success - the victory and joy of living
in fellowship with him. We can be enriched in the knowledge of God and
find power to overcome the enemies of sin and self. The way may not be easy
- after all, there is no victory without conflict - but God promises
that we will succeed as we look to him.
Application
a) What image do I have a personal "Promised Land" that I long
to enter and claim as my own?
b) What enemies will I need to battle in order to enter that land?
c) How can meditation on the Word of God and obedience to him bring me
prosperity and success?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Haggai 2:7-9
7 (1Ki 8:11; Isa 60:7) And I will shake all the nations,
and they will come with the wealth of all nations,
and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of Hosts.
8 (Isa 60:17) The silver is mine, and the gold is Mine,
says the Lord of Hosts.
9 (Isa 9:6-7) The glory of this latter house will be greater
than the former, says the Lord of Hosts. And in this place
I will give peace, says the Lord of Hosts.
7 and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations
shall come: and I will fill this house with glory,
saith the LORD of hosts.
8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,
saith the LORD of hosts.
9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater
than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place
will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Help in Times of Temptation
James 1:12-18
Trial and Temptation
12 (Jas 2:5; 1Co 9:25; 2Ti 4:8) Blessed is the man who endures temptation,
for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life,
which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God,"
for God cannot be tempted with evil; neither does He tempt anyone.
14 But each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed.
15 (Job 15:35; Ps 7:14) Then, when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin;
and when sin is finished, it brings forth death.
16 (Jas 1:19; 2:5) Do not err, my beloved brothers.
17 (Mal 3:6; Nu 23:19; Jn 3:27) Every good gift and every perfect gift
is from above and comes down from the Father of lights,
with whom is no change or shadow of turning.
18 (1Pe 1:23; Jn 1:13; Rev 14:4) Of His own will He brought us forth with
the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried,
he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised
to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God:
for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust,
and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:
and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,
neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth,
that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Where do Muslims live?
Canada is a land of immigrants. And Muslims are coming in increasing numbers
to our shores. Where do they live? How can we pray for these areas? Use this as
your more effectively for Muslims in Canada.
Data for those population figures is extrapolated for the 2011 National
Household Survey and population growth projections by Pew Forum. These have
also been adjusted by +40% as reliable sources state that on 60% of Muslims
self-identify on government surveys and forms. These estimates are still on
the conservative end of the spectrum. Percentages represent that of the total
Canadian population, not provincial
BC - 136493 - 7.5%
AB - 195240 - 11%
SK - 17279 - 1%
MB - 21349 - 1.2%
ON - 1001542 - 55%
QC - 418946 - 23%
NB - 4543 - 0.003%
NS - 14629 - 0.1%
PEI - 1127 - 0.0006%
NFLD - 2065 - 0.001%
Yukon - 69 - 0.00004%
NWT - 473 - 0.0003%
NU - 86 - 0.00005%
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 26 of the Month
a) Pray that Christians in the marketplace will demonstrate exemplary
work ethics and shine as witnesses of Christ (Matt 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
)
b) Pray for the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut
I) Pray for the leaders of Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut,
that God's Spirit would influence then to act justly,
serve with integrity
and honour high moral standards. ( 1 Tim 2:1 - 4
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 (Ezr 6:10) for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty,
3(1Ti 1:1; Lk 1:47) for this is good
and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 (Eze 18:23; 18:32)who desires all men to be saved
and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 for kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge
of the truth.
II) Pray for the churches of the province,
that they would be lighthouses
beaming forth the illuminating truth of God's Word.
III) Pray that the Lord would use
the Finding the Hope Campaign
and booklet to turn many hearts to Jesus
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember The Lord blessings and authorities.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, please give me 'castaway faith' to face times of
difficulty well."
Pray to the Lord and pray meditate fully on the Word of God.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember tall belongs to the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to give the Lord all your temptations.
Pray for Muslims in Canada to know Jesus as Saviour.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray that Christians in the marketplace will demonstrate exemplary
work ethics and shine as witnesses of Christ
Pray that God will call more labourers to the harvest fields so many
will be delivered from spiritual strongholds in the Maldives.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.