I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” (Hosea 2:23) There's something beautiful about old, broken things being restored, isn't there? I believe that, when we see such beauty, we get a taste of what's to come ... [Continue Reading]
Hindsight (2 Kings 18:1-8; 2 Chronicles 29-31)
Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. (2 Kings 18:5) The quality of a person and his or her leadership isn't always known until years after the person's life is over. It's only in hindsight that we can truly see the motives behind a person's actions and the quality of a ... [Continue Reading]
Flashback: No More Tears (Isaiah 24-25)
As bad as Israel's exile was and as bad as hopeless as the situation seemed, Isaiah reminded the people that God would swallow up death: yet another foreshadowing of Christ's death and atonement (payment) for our sins. Though their situation was bleak, the tears would one day be wiped away. This prophecy doesn't relate just to them, however, it relates to us, too. Our ... [Continue Reading]
Flashback: Simply Pawns (Isaiah 13-14, 22:1-14)
While Babylon and Assyria were used by God to get the attention of the Israelites, one shouldn't think that they were favored by God. In fact, once they were no longer useful for His purposes, their nations faced demise because they never submitted to Him. In their arrogance, they sought to make themselves like gods, and so God had no choice but to humble them. ... [Continue Reading]
Flashback: We Need a Ransom (2 Chronicles 28; 2 Kings 16-17)
When you read the acts of the Israelites it isn't hard to believe why God wanted them out of His sight (2 Kings 17:18). Performing such abominations as child sacrifice and worshiping other gods, the Israelites were taken captive by the Assyrians. Was God giving up on them because of their sins? The answer is a shocking NO! God's desire was for the Israelites to turn ... [Continue Reading]
Flashback: Redemption (Isaiah 12)
Isaiah's description of God's redemption of His people is amazing. His anger is turned away so that we might be comforted; we have no reason to fear; God is our strength, our song, and our salvation. What more reason is there to praise His name? ... [Continue Reading]
Merry Christmas (Isaiah 11)
...for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9b) Isn't it amazing that much of the earth pauses today to celebrate the birth of a Jewish carpenter? I don't know if you've given that idea much thought, but it's worth thinking about. Nearly 2000 years after his death, millions of people still take a reprieve from ... [Continue Reading]
If Not To God, To Whom? (Isaiah 10)
What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? (Isaiah 10:3) It's tempting sometimes to believe that we have a lot of say in what goes on in our lives and in the world. While we do have some level of freedom in our lives, Isaiah reminds us that God is ultimately the One in ... [Continue Reading]
Preparing for Christmas (2 Chronicles 27; Isaiah 9)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) It's pretty amazing to think about the prophecies made by Isaiah regarding the birth and life of Christ long before He came to earth. Especially as we draw nearer to ... [Continue Reading]
Becoming Popular (Amos 7-9)
Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Get out, you seer! Go back to the land of Judah. Earn your bread there and do your prophesying there.” There's a sense in which we all want to be popular. We all want to be liked, included, and appreciated. Some people even go to great lengths to make sure that people like them, but becoming popular can be costly - particularly when it's at ... [Continue Reading]
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