We all come to a place in our lives when we realize we can’t save ourselves. We are forced to ask: who will save us and how? Isaiah proclaims THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL’s justice against sin and rebellion, and hope as the saving Messiah. Isaiah’s message is simple: Yahweh, THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, is Judge and Savior of His people (1-12), of the nations (13-27), of Jerusalem (28-39), while in exile (40-48), as the suffering Messiah (49-55), and as LORD forever and ever (56-66). #isaiah #2024 #2025
What typically gets you…
…to exalt and praise the name of God?
…to not exalt and praise the name of God?
…to exalt and praise other names instead of God’s?
Lord we thank you that you are The Holy One of Israel. You are Holy perfect in all you do and worthy of our worship and obedience. We like Israel are the ones who wrestle with you, fight to see you, know that you always win, and must understand you bless those you choose to bless. Thank you for for loving us, for forgiving us, and for restoring us. We live through you raising up and tearing down nations. You know what is coming and what has really happened. Help us to repent and live in response to your oracles and judgements for you take no pleasure in death. May we exalt and praise you name. Amen
We are in a section of Isaiah, from chapters 13-24, that are Oracles and judgements against most of the known nations of that time, some not yet known, all the nations, the earth, and God’s own people. Oracle against Babylon- 13-14 Judgement against Assyria- 14 Oracle against Philistia- 14 Oracle against Moab- 15-16 Oracle against Damascus- 17 Judgment against Israel- 17 Judgment against Nations- 17 Judgement to Cush- 18 Oracle against Egypt- 19 Judgment in Cush & Egypt- 20 Oracle against the desert- 21 Oracle against Dumah- 21 Oracle against Arabia- 21 Oracle against Jerusalem- 22 Oracle against Shebna- 22 Oracle against Tyre- 23 Curse consumed earth- 24
After these oracles and judgements God has Isaiah give a message of salvation and hope in chapters 24-27.
Tyre was the leading city of Phoenicia, the great maritime power of the ancient world. Because it was such an important harbor and center for shipping, Tyre was synonymous with commerce and materialism and called the “Babylon of the Sea.” Tyre was a city in two parts – an inland city, and an island city. The inland city was conquered by the Assyrians and the Babylonians, and the island city was later conquered by Alexander the Great just as Isaiah prophesies.
King Hiram of Tyre supplied David and Solomon great timbers for the building of the temple and other projects (2 Samuel 5:11, 1 Kings 5:1-11). Hiram also gave Solomon sailors, so Israel could build their commerce by sea (2 Chronicles 8:17-18). Later, Tyre gave Israel one of the worst rulers Israel ever had: Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab of Israel (1 Kings 16:31)