DAY 048: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR – ISAIAH 34-39

February 16, 2024

ISAIAH 34-39
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DAY 048: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

Today, in our journey through the books of prophecy, we continue our study of the book of Isaiah with another look at the sin of pride. Anyone – anyone! – can fall victim to the sin of pride! King Hezekiah was a good king. He followed the Lord and was rewarded for his faithfulness, only for the sin of pride to strike.

As we prepare to begin our journey take a few moments to ask the Lord for His understanding of Isaiah 34-39. Now read Isaiah 34-39. Let’s begin our journey!

Following Solomon’s death, the Kingdom of Israel was split in two; Judah, in the south, consisted of two tribes and remained under the control of Solomon’s son Rehoboam, while Israel, to the north, consisted of the remaining ten tribes and came under the control of Jeroboam. The split occurred around 930 BC. During the nearly 200 years in between the split and the writing of Isaiah, the two nations were often at war. Throughout the book of Isaiah, the prophet offers both messages of coming judgment and of hope for redemption.

Isaiah 34-39: God will totally destroy all of His enemies, celestial and earthly. He will then restore the land that had been consumed with sin. Those who are redeemed by God experience joy. The redeemed follow the Way of Holiness, a highway where the unclean do not journey. Sennacherib, King of Assyria, threatens Jerusalem, warning that Jerusalem will be destroyed if King Hezekiah doesn’t surrender Jerusalem to King Sennacherib. King Hezekiah sought out the Lord, for he was a God-fearing king. Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, who delivered Jerusalem. God directed Isaiah to go to King Hezekiah and instruct him to get his affairs in order. Hezekiah was dying. Upon receiving this message from Isaiah, King Hezekiah prayed for more time to live. God granted the king’s request. After his healing, foreign ambassadors from Babylon visited King Hezekiah, bestowing him with gifts and praise. The king apparently wanted his visitors to know that he was truly worthy of their praise so he showed them the great wealth of Jerusalem. God doesn’t like pride. God sends Isaiah to pronounce judgment on King Hezekiah for his sin (pride). Isaiah tells the king that Jerusalem will be taken captive by Babylon and that his heirs will be taken to Babylon where they will be held as eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon. Isaiah 39:8 NIV:  “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.” What happened to King Hezekiah? He was the man who honored God his entire life. (Isaiah 34:1-39:8)

Read chapters 34 through 39 and ask yourself these questions: Do you pray in times of adversity? Do you pray in times of good fortune? What warning of judgment is Isaiah giving? What message of hope is Isaiah giving? How has God provided hope to you in trying times?

Godspeace!