After Sennacherib invades Judah he sends his high-ranking military officer (the Rabshakeh) to speak to King Hezekiah and to the people sitting on the wall.  The Rabshakeh spews forth a series of half-truths that essentially manipulate the reality that the people of Judah know.  I appreciate Hezekiah's instruction to the people: don't answer this ... [Continue Reading]

The Lord tried, on many occasions, to get the attention of Israel.  His attempts were not successful, so Isaiah tells us that the Lord would speak to His people by those of "strange lips" and a "foreign tongue."  Essentially, He sent them to captivity to another land so they could learn the lesson He had to teach them.  God goes to ... [Continue Reading]

The type of love that the Lord desires from His people is a steadfast love, meaning it carries with it loyalty.  A true follower of God is not fickle in his or her worship but seeks to honor the Lord in everything.  Sadly this type of love was not characteristic of Israel and Judah.  Their love was like a morning cloud or the dew: an object not lasting ... [Continue Reading]

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 ... [Continue Reading]