Tuesday, June 1

The meaning of Zephaniah's name is "One whom Jehovah hides." With little introduction, we learn that the Prophet was from Royal blood according to verse 1. Zephaniah was a contemporary of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.

In verses 2-6, the Prophet informs us that, man and beast, fowls and fish will be consumed. In other words, the judgment of Jehovah was about to fall upon idolatrous Israel and Judah. God considers "idolatry" as spiritual adultery. Why, because the Jewish nation was the wife of Jehovah. For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called, Isaiah 54:5. Israel was referred to as the wife of Jehovah, and the church is called the Bride of the Lamb, Revelation 21:9. There are some who don't accept the Church as the Bride of Christ, but this writer sees the Church as the "Bride of Christ!"

It seems that verses 7-18 refer to two separate events. The first is the imminent destruction of Israel and Judah in the seventy years of captivity. The Land must have her sabbatical rest. The destruction of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem is foremost in this chapter. The second event will be fulfilled in the Great Tribulation. The Double Reference Principle is to an event in the near future and another event in the remote future. In verses 11-13, there is a word that needs qualification, "Maktesh".  According to The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia the word refers to the Tyropoeon Valley. This valley seems to have been the place where most of the merchandising or selling of manufactured products were bought and sold. This was the business section of the city.

Lastly, we read of the "Great Day of the Lord." This refers to great destruction. Neither wealth nor prestige will protect, because all people will come under divine judgment. The extent of the judgment described in verses 14-18. Woe to any people who find themselves under the judgment of Almighty God. The entire unsaved world is in for a greater judgment in the near future, the Tribulation.

Zeph.1
[1] The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.
[2] I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the LORD.
[3] I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.
[4] I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;
[5] And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship and that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;
[6] And them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor inquired for him.

040104rjs

2nd

Wednesday, June 2

3rd

Thursday, June 3

4th

Friday, June 4

Malachi 1: 14

The mystery of Divine Election is presented in the first 5 verses. Some have sought to water down the words of the Lord "I loved Jacob and I hated Esau," by translating them: "I have preferred Jacob over Esau" or "I have loved Esau less than Jacob." But the words used in Malachi are also quoted by the Apostle Paul in Romans 9:13, where Paul is illustrating election. If God determines to send rain on one parcel of ground and not on another that is God's choice and we have nothing to say about it. God hardens on the same conditions as showing mercy. If men will accept mercy, God will give it to them, if they will not, thus hardening themselves; He is only just and righteous in judging them. The same sun melts wax and hardens clay. Remembering that we are clay or dirt, God's word either melts our hearts, with our permission, or hardens the heart because of unbelief. Man is able to make choices, he is not a robot. God made us that way because He wanted us to love Him by our being willing to accept Him. He does not force His will on us, but shows us the way and either we follow, or we rebel; that's up to us.

In verses 12-14 of this first chapter, we read of the hypocrisy of bringing an offering to God that is not perfect. When we pay all our bills and then tithe on what is left, we have stolen from God and brought Him an imperfect offering just as the Jews were bringing lame and sick offerings to Him in days of old. The Lord knows what your income is, He knows what your tithe is and if you are being deceitful with your giving, God has every right to collect the tithe in other ways. He may cut your salary or you my lose your job. He may bring on sickness or cause unforeseen expenses to collect His tithe. Remember God keeps books, and our rewards when we get to heaven are going to be listed according to the works we have done, be they good or bad, I Cor. 3:12-18.

We cannot rob God! He always balances the accounts. He does not need an auditor, His books are always accurate. If, and when, we think we can fool God, we are only fooling ourselves and we end up the loser. Try tithing as God leads, without deceit, you'll like it! It will be the greatest blessing you have received since you were born again!

Malachi 1:14 But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.

I Corinthians 12: 1-18 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
[13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
[14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
[15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
[16] Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
[17] If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
[18] Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

040404rjs

5th

Saturday, June 5

6th

Sunday, June 6

Ungodly Worship, Robbery, and Complaint

Malachi 3

Are you ready for the Lord to return? Apparently, even after being in captivity for years, a lot of the folks during Malachi's time were still apathetic and lukewarm towards the Lord. They knew what God wanted concerning acceptable worship and yet they did not have hearts to obey. They knew what God desired from their service and their monetary means, but they would not give God the first fruits that were His. Then, when confronted with their sin, they even had the audacity to complain against God and His divine and righteous judgments against them.

Before we get too judgmental against these folks in Malachi, we need to take a closer look at where we stand. Do we worship God acceptably? Most people would answer yes, but they answer from their own sinful opinions rather than knowing biblically what acceptable worship really is. The Apostle Paul says, Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. How many times have you really offered your body as a living sacrifice to God during this last week? A living sacrifice is doing what God desires and it starts with repentance. God desires that all would repent. God would that none should perish. God really is a God of love! It is sinful and stubborn hearted people that choose to go against God's ways. If God is truly a God of love, He must also punish sin! He is absolutely righteous and He alone is able to bring perfect justice to those who choose to go against His will for their lives. Do you rob God by not giving Him the very best of your life and the very first of your increase monetarily? Sadly, this applies to most professing Christians. Even sadder is the fact that when most folks are confronted with their sin, they continue to rebel and reject God's admonition and God's messengers and they complain and will not turn from their wicked ways. God says, Eze 18:31 "Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, repent and live." Yes, there were a few who did turn and obey God. Are you too, one that will choose Godliness in the Beauty of Holiness, to be a living sacrifice for Him?!

Mal.3
[1] Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to this temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
[2] But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
[3] And he shall sit as a refiner and purifer of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
[4] Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
[5] And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
[6] For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
[7] Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
[8] Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
[9] Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
[10] Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
[11] And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
[12] And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
[13] Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?
[14] Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
[15] And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
[16] Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
[17] And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
[18] Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

040604dm

7th

June 7

Malachi is one of the three exilic Prophets. This is the last chapter of the Old Testament. It is short and to the point and opens to us two great events in the New Testament. The Bible is consistent in that it has one message; our salvation and Who would make it possible. Between the O. T. and the N. T. is a period of silence. Sometimes called the "tunnel period" when there were no prophets and the voice of God was not heard. It is a time of transition during which the Jews were under Grecian culture. Malachi tells of two great events:

1. The Messiah's First Coming and rejection. John the Baptist is mentioned, [not by the name of John], but as a man like unto Elijah. John was a man who preached repentance and the putting away of sin. John was a "Hell-fire and brimstone" preacher. Even the Pharisees came to hear his message, but in their self-righteous attitudes, did not respond. John called them a "generation of vipers," Matthew 3:7. Malachi refers to Elijah and Moses, sent from heaven to the Mount of Transfiguration to witness to Christ's followers that He was the true Messiah.

8th

June 8

The Backslider in Heart

Isaiah 1

The picture we have in this chapter is one of God's people giving way to evil and being unresponsive to God's chastisement. For the child of God today, this is a sin unto death. Such sin is insanity. In Isaiah 1:18, we read God's plea for sanity. God pleads with the people to, come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. God does not want to hurt and destroy, He wants to bless and heal.

There comes a point where the chastening hand of God will not move the backslider in heart. Some have suggested that the book has two themes, one for chapters 1-39 and another for chapters 40-66. Judgment seems to be the emphasis in the first part, and salvation and comfort are prominent in the second. Just as God is able to save all who come to Him. Israel cannot end its history on this earth in failure. She comes to total failure and God puts her away, but in the end she will be fully restored. In the end, God's great grace is irresistible.

When people give way to evil, they do not necessarily abandon the outward forms of truth. In chapter one, God presents his case against the nation. In short, Isaiah 1:4 covers the problem. We read, " sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. However, note the faithfulness in worship. Isaiah 1:11-15 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams ... Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity ...your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. ... I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. They were as most who profess faith today, very religious and very corrupt. The nation as a whole did not heed this call to repentance, and I don't think the church will today either. But as we see here, the message must still go forth.

(1) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

Isa.1
[1] The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
[2] Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
[3] The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
[4] Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
[5] Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
[6] From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
[7] Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
[8] And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.
[9] Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
[10] Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
[11] To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
[12] When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
[13] Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
[14] Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
[15] And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
[16] Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
[17] Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
[18] Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
[19] If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
[20] But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
[21] How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
[22] Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
[23] Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
[24] Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
[25] And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
[26] And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellers as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
[27] Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
[28] And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
[29] For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
[30] For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.
[31] And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.

040804dw

9th

Wednesday, June 9

10th

Thursday, June 10   

National Anarchy and Spiritual Anarchy

Isaiah 3:1-8

Their tongues and their hearts are in rebellion against God's leadership in the matters of government. Sin in both word and deed draws down the righteous indignation of God on any people. In Isaiah's time, integrity and honesty were not found in political leaders. Americans are entering a year of national elective offices and mud and lies will permeate the radio, television and newspapers. Intellectual honesty and integrity will be forgotten and politicians who spend the most money, and successfully tell the "biggest lies" most often will become the next leaders of our fair land. We already have anarchy in our land as mayors and judges are in the process of overriding the laws and rewriting them according to the dictates of their evil hearts. May God have mercy on our land! The bones of the Father's of our Constitution and country are twisting and turning in their graves as they see and hear what is being done in our judicial system.

The second half of our passage has to do with Spiritual anarchy and rebellion against God. Its signs are found in three spheres, Conscience, Reason, and Pure Affection.

CONSCIENCE: There is a spiritual conscience that was instilled in man before birth. All people, regardless of national origin, or race, the world over have a built-in instinct to worship some form of god. It may be idols, or nature, or self, ancestors, or take on a multitude of other things, but its there!

REASON: We live in a nation that can no longer think for itself. We have been dummied down by poor education, liberal media and the "boob-tube." Reason is the ability to think logically and arrive at a conclusion and make the right decisions.

PURE AFFECTION: Is the means whereby we have a fondness, or friendly feelings toward another. It is manifested in our relationship with God and mankind. It is an old fashioned love that expresses itself in tenderness and overlooks the faults of the one loved. It's expressed in word and deeds. It's in conversation, eye contact, and selflessness. The "ME" society that came in the 1970's has catapulted itself into every part of society, and the church. "I am the most important" is the attitude of both believers and non-believers.

Isa.3: 1-8
[1] For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,
[2] The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient,
[3] The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counseller, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.
[4] And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.
[5] And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.
[6] When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand:
[7] In that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people.
[8] For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.

041004rjs

11th

Friday, June 11

The time is the days immediately following the end of this age. Isaiah's initial audience might have thought he was speaking of those who would survive the Exile. However, in the light of Matthew 24:4-30 he was referring to the people who will survive the difficulties in the Great Tribulation just before the Lord Jesus Christ returns to set up His kingdom. (2) The message is a message of hope and restoration. At His first coming the nation Israel rejected Jesus Christ. The majority of those that survive the tribulation will have turned to Christ in faith and hope.

In the Bible, we read of three great beginnings where only those who know God live on the earth. The first is at the creation of Adam and Eve. The second is Noah and his family. The last are the days immediately following the judgment of the great tribulation, and the end of this age. At this time, the angels will separate the wheat from the tares. We read about this time in Matthew 13:30. Jesus said "in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." The harvest is another picture of the end of this age. The barn is a picture of plenty and blessing. The kingdom will be a time of unparalleled peace, righteousness and prosperity. Oh, that today we understood the blessings of righteousness! In verse 3 of our text we read, it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem... I believe we could enjoy such a time today if most peoples' hearts were righteous.

(1) (2) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

Isa.4
[1] And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
[2] In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.
[3] And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:
[4] When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
[5] And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
[6] And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

041104dw

12th

Saturday, June 12

Back to Top

13th

June 13

I Dwell in the Midst of a People of Unclean Lips

Isaiah 6: 5-8

Isaiah says, "I am undone," literally "cut off, destroyed." God said to Moses in Ex. 33:20 Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. Isaiah now sees himself as good as dead, because he has seen the Lord. On several occasions in the Old Testament, when humans saw the "angel of the Lord" they thought they were going to die. Isaiah immediately saw himself as God sees him, a man of unclean lips. A person must indeed be perfect never to offend with words. How often have you wished you had not said something? Once words are spoken they can never be taken back. Oh, we may try to apologize, but the offending words seem never to be forgotten. I Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

"A Live Coal" verses 6, 7. When that red hot, glowing stone was taken from the Alter of Incense and placed on Isaiah's lips, they were purged from all sin. My guess is that Isaiah never forgot when that searing, flame touched to those tender lips. "Laid it upon my mouth" literally, "he caused it to touch my mouth." The seraphim brought the hot stone in touch with what Isaiah had acknowledged was his number one sin, and the sins of his people. It has been suggested that this fire was the fire of Divine Love. Jesus said, "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh," Matt. 12:34.

"The call of God." verse 8. God now knows that Isaiah is ready to do His bidding. Whom shall I send? Isaiah volunteered with no hesitation. He knew that God had a message and Isaiah could deliver it. God's call to be a minister is an elective honor and to be sent with God's message. The word "Send" is used in John 20:21, Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. We too, are commissioned to go to our neighbors and friends and even to the ends of the earth to tell all who will listen that they might be saved. If someone had not told you, you would not be saved! We should never cease to thank the Lord for the person that led us to the Lord, for without that witness we would be hell bound.

Isaiah 6: 5-8 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
[6] Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
[7] And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
[8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
[9] And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not

041304rjs

14th

June 14

Isaiah 7

We find the theme of this chapter in verse 14. Here we read "the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Some have made a major issue out of the fact that the Hebrew word used here does not always mean virgin. This may be true, however, when this verse is quoted in the New Testament, the Greek word that is used can only mean virgin. Jesus Christ came into this earth without a human father. This fact is significant for it enabled Him to be free from the pollution of sin.

This chapter opens with the enemies of Israel conspiring against her. Among her enemies was the northern kingdom which was begun in apostasy and, at this time, was wholly dominated by apostasy. God assures His faithful people in the Southern Kingdom that her enemies would not succeed. Isaiah made the startling prophecy that within 65 years Israel would no longer even be a people because they would be so shattered (7:8). Isaiah gave this prophecy in 734 b.c., so 65 years later was 669. When Assyria conquered Israel in 722, many Israelites were deported to other lands by Assyria and foreigners were brought into Samaria (2 Kings 17:24). However, in 669 many more foreigners were transferred to Samaria)... This "shattered" Israel, making it impossible for her to unite as a nation ("a people"). (1)

Ahaz was the king of Judah. He did not believe Isaiah's prophecy. " Ahaz was told to ask the Lord . . . for a sign" Ahaz, by rejecting the offer of a sign from God's messenger, was in effect rejecting the One who sent the prophet. The "alma'h was a virgin when Isaiah spoke his message, but then she would marry and have a baby. When the Aram-Israel alliance was broken the boy would still be young. Centuries later the Holy Spirit led Matthew to quote Isaiah 7:14 as a statement that was also true of a virgin birth (i.e., a birth to a woman who was still a virgin). This is the first of many prophecies about the Messiah given by Isaiah. (2) In other words, this is an example of a prophecy which had a double fulfillment. One was in the life of the prophet Isaiah, and the other, in the life of Jesus Christ.

(1) (2) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

Isa.7
[1] And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
[2] And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.
[3] Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shear-jashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;
[4] And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.
[5] Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,
[6] Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal:
[7] Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.
[8] For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.
[9] And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
[10] Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
[11] Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
[12] But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.
[13] And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
[14] Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
[15] Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
[16] For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.
[17] The LORD shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria.
[18] And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
[19] And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.
[20] In the same day shall the Lord shave with a rasor that is hired, namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard.
[21] And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;
[22] And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.
[23] And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall even be for briers and thorns.
[24] With arrows and with bows shall men come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
[25] And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.

041404dw

15th

June 15

Fear God, Heed His Word!

Isaiah 8

There are many people today who want to hear spiritual words and religious things, but just like in our text today with Isaiah, they are not interested from the heart. Can you imagine preaching and teaching to people who lie and tell you what you want to hear, but then turn and do their own thing in spite of the warnings of the Lord. It happened to Isaiah and to Ezekiel, too. Eze 33:30-33. Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.

Our society today is seriously caught in apostasy and apathy. Many good people are doing nothing, as we see our great nation, founded upon God's Word, going down the tubes. What will it take, what will God have to do to bring about an obedient and a humble and contrite spirit in people; a people who desire Him? The scriptures are clear about the age that we live in. We are in the age of Grace. The very next step is the return of Christ to rapture His saints out and then the world will be thrown into the 7 year tribulation, a time unprecedented, a time as never before, a time when many will see the error of their ways. Sadly even then, there are going to be many more who will not turn and who will rebel against God to their eternal doom.

The choice that Joshua made for his family is a choice that we all should follow. Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Say Friend, will you too serve the Lord!

Isa.8
[1] Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
[2] And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.
[3] And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
[4] For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
[5] The LORD spake also unto me again, saying,
[6] Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;
[7] Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:
[8] And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
[9] Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.
[10] Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
[11] For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,
[12] Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
[13] Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
[14] And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
[15] And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
[16] Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
[17] And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
[18] Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.
[19] And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
[20] To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
[21] And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
[22] And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

041504dm

Back to Top

16th

Wednesday, June 16

The People Who Walked in Darkness

Have seen a Great Light

Isaiah 9:2-7

The first great prophecy of this chapter is in verse two and is quoted by Jesus, The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up, Matthew 4:16. The whole known world was in darkness when Jesus came to minister two thousand years ago. The Jews were in more darkness than the Gentiles, because they had the Old Testament and should have known the words from Isaiah 9. The Jews knew, but had rejected. The Gentiles did not know, but received and to this twenty-first-century we are blessed because of the ministry of twelve believing Jews, who accepted the challenge and went to the then known world with the Gospel message.

 The second great prophecy is now before us, verses 6 and 7. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

The name "Wonderful," is found many times in the Scriptures, but there is one outstanding reference found in Judges 13: 17 and 18. One commentator says it should have been translated, "secret," another says He is "incomprehensible." We personally accept the latter above the former, because there is no word in our language that covers the greatness of our Saviour.

"Counselor" He is the Supreme Counselor who is qualified to give wisdom to all.

"The mighty God" literally means the "Mighty Almighty God," El Gibbor is the Hebrew name, also the "conquering One."

"The Everlasting Father" He is the Planner of the ages, the Eternal One, He controls all creation, Col. 1:17.

"The Prince of Peace" "The Peaceful Prince," He shall promote and increase His government and peace without war.

Isaiah 9: 2-7 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
[3] Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
[4] For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
[5] For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
[6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
[7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

041604rjs

20th

June 20

The Enemies of God

Isaiah 13

In some ways, we could think of the history of this world as a tale of two cities. The cities are Babylon and Jerusalem. Babylon is the kingdom of the enemy. This is brought out even more clearly as Satan is described as the real king of Babylon in the chapter 14. Isaiah's oracle concerns Babylon. Babylon ... had long been a rallying point of anti-God activity. From its very beginning (Gen. 11:1-9) it had been characterized by rebellion against God. ... it was viewed as a place of hatred against the God of Israel. ... in the Tribulation it will be a center of hatred against God (Rev. 17-18).

(1)In Isaiah's day that judgment was coming because of the tremendous political turmoil of the next several decades that would culminate with the fall of Babylon to the Assyrians in 689 b.c. That political turmoil was similar to the judgment which will come on the whole world just before God establishes His millennial kingdom on the earth.

(2) It is interesting to note that there are cycles and patterns in human history. The spiritual forces at work in Isaiah's day will also be at work at the end of the age.

The prophecies of this chapter speak of events in Isaiah's day, but also events that will take place at the end of the age. In particular we read in verse 12, I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Jesus made a very similar statement concerning the end of the age. Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved... At the end of this age, the struggle between good and evil will come to a head. At this time, God will once again inject Himself in a supernatural way to insure the triumph of good over evil. The history of this world will reveal clearly, the character of evil, the grace and goodness of God, and the failure of the best of God's people. Oh, that God's people would stand as an effective force of righteousness against the enemy! Sadly, even the best of God's servants fail, leaving a clear message that without God, there would be no hope. If we understood this, we would yield ourselves to righteousness, and not try to serve God in the flesh.

(1) (2) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.

Isa.13
[1] The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
[2] Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
[3] I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.
[4] The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.
[5] They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.
[6] Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
[7] Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:
[8] And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
[9] Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
[10] For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
[11] And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
[12] I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
[13] Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
[14] And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.
[15] Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword.
[16] Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.
[17] Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.
[18] Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.
[19] And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
[20] It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.
[21] But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.
[22] And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.

042004dw

21st

June 21

The Fall of Lucifer

Isaiah 14

This chapter deals with the Lord having Mercy on the house of Jacob, the Fall of the king of Babylon, the Fall of Lucifer, and that Babylon, Assyria, and Philistia will be destroyed. We would like to focus on the Fall of Lucifer for our devotion today. God created Lucifer as the Cherub (Angel) who covers. Lucifer means "shining one or morning star". In either case, we know that he was very beautiful from the description in Eze 28:12 " Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

We need to understand that Lucifer fell from heaven, from the very throne of God, because of the sin of pride. Pride is an ungodly sin that will literally keep most people from ever getting to heaven. 1Jo 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. The sin of pride is a terrible thing. It has ruined many good people; it has cost many Good "professing Christians" eternity. It really doesn't matter what you think about your eternal state. It REALLY matters what God thinks about it. If God does not agree with you nor know you, where are you going to go when you die? To know for sure, we must confess with God that we are the ones that nailed Christ to the cross, that we are guilty of the very sin of pride that cost Satan his place in heaven. Interestingly, a third of the angels fell too. This speaks volumes as to the company that we keep. Are you absolutely sure you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? It really is a matter of life or death!

Isa.14
[1] For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.
[2] And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.
[3] And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,
[4] That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
[5] The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.
[6] He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.
[7] The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.
[8] Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.
[9] Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
[10] All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?
[11] Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
[12] How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
[13] For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
[14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
[15] Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
[16] They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
[17] That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
[18] All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.
[19] But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.
[20] Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.
[21] Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.
[22] For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD.
[23] I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.
[24] The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:
[25] That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.
[26] This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
[27] For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?
[28] In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden.
[29] Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.
[30] And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant.
[31] Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times.
[32] What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

042104dm

June 28

Nations are a Creation of God

Isaiah 21:1-16

Isaiah referred to the "desert of the sea" and it's possible he was referring to the great desert between the Euphrates and the Jordan Rivers. He speaks of the fall of Babylon and other kingdoms that have reaped destruction and now lie buried under the sands of time. These long forgotten kingdoms are representative of the wrath of God upon nations that neglect and forget God. When the Lord lifts His hands of blessing from a nation, destruction comes as a whirlwind either from without or within. God may consume a people with drought, floods, earthquakes or a multitude of other sources He has at hand. We need to remember that all nature is subject to the will of God and that it obeys Him without hesitation. It would do well for all people to look at history and see that a time comes when God says, "Enough is enough." Nebuchadnezzar proclaimed the following after eating grass in the field for seven years and his reason returned to him in Daniel 4:32, " the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He wills."

A nation is a creation of God even as an individual person is a product of God's creation. What forethought, what wisdom has been required for the planning of a nation! God brought God-fearing people from Western Europe to a new land; God had a design for America long before its discovery in 1492. God brought persecuted, chosen people to the colonies and special leadership to form a government of the people and by the people. The God-given freedoms we American's share today are because God fearing men who believed in prayer and honoring God were our first leaders. However, in the last half of the 20^th century we have been in the process of removing God from every facet of our society. America is already seeing anarchy by judges and civil leaders.

There are two actions that can stop this tide of disobedience to the laws of the land, and anarchy will be shut down:

1) By Christians getting on their knees and seeking revival (and let it begin with me!).

2) By becoming involved in the political arena and standing for the faith delivered to the fathers.

By praying and getting involved, we can thwart the destruction that is at the threshold of our wonderful nation and restore some "age old values" to our society.

Isa.21
[1] The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.
[2] A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.
[3] Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.
[4] My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.
[5] Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.
[6] For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.
[7] And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:
[8] And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:
[9] And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.
[10] O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.
[11] The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
[12] The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: return, come.
[13] The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.
[14] The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.
[15] For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.
[16] For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:
[17] And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it.

042804rjs