Jehovah would perform these miracles for Israel and the surrounding nations feared them. Isaiah 64 reminds us that there was no other god. How can we be saved when we continue to disobey the Lord? Our best is like a bunch of dirty rags. Verse eight calls us the clay and Jehovah the potter.

Yahweh tells us in Isaiah 65 about those that rejected Him. He let them know that He was available to them. His instructions would have benefited them. They chose not to follow the Lord. I am one of those who eat the flesh of pigs. I must admit I like bacon, ham, pork chops, and ribs. I try not to claim holiness that I do not have on my own. We will receive the payment for what we have done.

Some say that Jehovah’s justice is not individual. It is based on our being in a certain group. Jew or gentile, black or white, American, or foreign are a few of these designations. Verses eight and nine tell that those that accept Jesus will be rescued, while those who refuse will suffer for their own decisions. There is a choice to be made. It is yours. The new name you can have is Christian which means you strive to be a little Christ. It is not like the names I began with. If you want it, He will give it to you. It cannot be earned or given at birth.

We can look forward to a new heaven and earth. It will be a place where there will be no sorrow, crying, or mourning. Destruction and harm will be avoided. We are not there yet. Some of us will never reach that promised land, because we have not followed Jehovah and His Son, Jesus, the Messiah (Christ).

There is no place that we can build a house for the Lord, that He did not make is voice in Isaiah 66. This chapter concludes the book. We will look at the other books of prophecy and the stories that tell of the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem. Giving to God had become lip service. The worshipers did not follow Jehovah’s law.

Once again Isaiah prophesies that Israel will be restored with the remnant. Those that have disobeyed will suffer, but the faithful will be rewarded.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Jehovah knows how to express His desire to save both Israel and us and He tells us in Isaiah 59. He speaks of empty arguments and lies and likens those who do them to vipers and spiders. They are not close to justice, righteousness, or light.

Messianic prophecy begins in verse sixteen. Verse seventeen is like the whole armor of God that Paul wrote of. People in the west will respect the Lord and those in the east will revere Him. The redeemer will come to Israel. His spirit will be with them and their children forever.

Israel will regain the glory it once held according to Isaiah 60. The light of the Lord will come from Zion and spread through the entire world. Agriculture, traffic, trade, and worship will continue in the land, when it is restored by Yahweh. The nation that will not serve Him will perish. He will be the Savior. These will be accomplished quickly.

The Lord’s Spirit is on Israel in Isaiah 61. They will proclaim freedom and release for the prisoners and the year of the Lord and God’s vengeance on the evil ones. God’s vengeance and favor will be distributed according to our previous actions. Oaks of righteousness are planted by Jehovah. The oak tree is strong and withstands the wind and rain. Their righteousness comes from Jesus, just as ours does.

The first born in Israel was promised a double portion of the inheritance. The Israelites will receive the double portion. The new covenant will last forever. All nations will praise them.

Israel is called the Lord’s delight is in her and married in Isaiah 62. Just as Jesus taught His followers that they would become His bride, Israel will be the wife of Jehovah. This is prophetic scripture that speaks of the Savior, a renewed Jerusalem, and people who are holy. There are a lot of similarities to the Lord’s teaching in the New Testament.

Yahweh will have a Day of Vengeance as is written in Isaiah 63. Edom is listed. The example used is that of one treading the grapes to make wine. No one is there to help Him in His judgment. He had to accomplish salvation on His own. Their rebellion continues, much as Israel’s has. We are talking of the same God that led them through the Red Sea, guided them through the dessert, and through the Jordan River into the promised land.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Encouragement to barren women is given in Isaiah 54. Jehovah says He will be her husband. He is also the redeemer. After the destruction of Israel, He has promised not to punish the Israelites this way again. They will be established in righteousness. Any new attacks are not from God. Just as we should not blame our distress on Him.

Thirst is equated to spiritual need and desire in Isaiah 55. Food is related to our search for God. Yahweh will make a covenant with each of us as He has with David and the Israelites. His thoughts are not our thoughts. He outdistances us as the stars outdistance the Earth.

If you want to know what Jehovah expects of us, Isaiah 56 gives it to us straight. Maintain justice, do what is right, don’t desecrate the Sabbath, and keep your hands from evil are the first ones given. Verse seven is where Jesus quoted, “my house will be called a house of prayer. . .” when he cleared the Temple of those seeking to profit by worship of the Lord.

One of my complaints about our society today is that many people are into alcohol and don’t seem to be able to relax and have good times without some form of drunkenness. The chapter ends in verse twelve with “Come, each one cries, let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better.”

We ended the last chapter with a look at what the wicked will receive. In Isaiah 57 we begin with a look at the righteous. No one seems to care about them, but they will be spared evil, and find rest in death.

The sacrifice of children is mentioned in verse five. We are too civilized, to do that in our culture. Let’s look at abortion, crime, poverty, abuse, and admit that these are the ways we sacrifice our children. The Israelites had fallen into the trap our nation has by focusing on sexual impropriety.

Yahweh contrasts Himself to the wicked People of Judah and Israel. While He will give peace to the innocent and humble, He will continue to allow the evil to suffer the consequences of their sin.

Do you ask God to help you make decisions or bless certain areas of your life? In Isaiah 58 Jehovah tells Israel and Judah that they have no right to ask anything of Him, because they refuse to obey Him. Do we do the same when we ask the Lord to answer our prayers and neglect justice, oppression, hunger, nakedness, and shelter? We do some. How much is enough?

Verse ten says that we should spend ourselves on the hungry. Not just a little is enough. We are enough. Our best efforts are needed, not just lip service as the Israelites were guilty of. Yes, our salvation is free to us. It cost Christ His life. Yahweh died to save us. How can we say no to Him?

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Do you believe that Jehovah had a plan in mind for your life before you were born? In Isaiah 49 the prophet speaks of this in his life. Sometimes we may be like him and feel that our labor for him is in vain. We need to place ourselves in God’s hands like Isaiah did.

This prophecy turns to the Messiah in verse six. He will also be a light to the gentiles. The symbolism in these following verses speak of those things that Jesus accomplished. The Lord has not forgotten any of us. The Jews will return from all parts of the world where they have been scattered.

Slavery is often spoken of in the Bible and in Isaiah 50 God asks to whom we were sold. Our sin has caused us to be owned by someone other than Jehovah. Is it impossible for Him to save us from our sin? The way of salvation begins in verse four and following when the message is taken up by Jesus, the Messiah, again. He was beaten and spit on and mocked. His beard was pulled out. We are the ones that have condemned Him. His death is for our salvation.

Who do you love as much as Jehovah loves Israel in Isaiah 51? When you love someone, you want to restore the broken relationship. His righteousness, salvation, and justice are eternal. Those who have accepted His instruction know this. Satan wants us to forget what we know about Jehovah. He will treat those who reject Him as the wicked people they are.

In Isaiah 52 Jehovah calls for Israel to free itself from the trap they have slipped into. The price of our sin will be paid, but not with money. What is the good news that will be proclaimed in Israel? “Your God reigns!” The suffering servant will be raised and lifted. He was disfigured and did not resemble a human. These are again prophecies of the Christ, the Messiah, Jesus.

We continue with Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 53 and read that Christ had nothing about His appearance that would draw people to Him. If this is true, why is Jesus always handsome and portrayed as a charismatic figure in paintings and drawings by almost every artist who has illustrated Him? He took our pain and suffered for us. Have you ever contemplated this statement and what it means?

His punishment has brought us peace. Peace that we cannot describe. Remember in the book of Judges that it said that everyone did what was right in their eyes. That is what He came to redeem us from. He was the Lamb that was sacrificed for us. We never need another animal to die for us. The cross was the grave of the wicked and Joseph’s tomb was the place of the rich.

“The Lord makes His life an offering for sin.” How could God justify using a human being as a sacrifice like He did animals? Think for a moment who this man was. He was the Lord. Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” He also told His disciples “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” God himself took our sin to the cross.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Jehovah promises that He will bless the descendants of Jacob in Isaiah 44. He proclaims that He is the first and the last. There is no other God but Him. There is no other Rock. The foolishness of creating an idol is explained. Refusing to accept Jesus is like this idea from the Old Testament. Those who deny Him, do not understand this. It is our job to show compassion and help them to believe. Yahweh’s forgiveness has been seen in the reestablishment of the nation of Israel.

The Lord gives Isaiah a message to his anointed in chapter 45. Cyrus was chosen to conquer other nations like Babylon. Jehovah supports him in the same way He had treated Israel and Judah before they turned away. Once again, He states that He is the only true God. Don’t question the creator. Egypt will also be subdued by Cyrus.

God predicted all these events many years before. Isaiah also has prophesied the coming of the Lord himself. “Every knee will bow, and every tongue confess,” was used in the New Testament. Deliverance will come from Yahweh to Israel.

Idols are mentioned by their name in Isaiah 46. Jehovah again reminds us that nothing or no one compares to Him. This has been known for centuries and even millennia. Salvation and righteousness are near because the Lord is.

Babylon will fall according to Isaiah 47. Jehovah will take vengeance on them. The pride of the Babylonian King is one of the causes of this retribution. The failure to acknowledge the one true God and reject false gods also added to the situation. The Chaldean or Babylonian astrologers are discussed. Why is this important? Some of their descendants will visit Jerusalem and Bethlehem to see a new king of the Jews.

Now Isaiah speaks to the Jews in chapter 48. Yahweh reminds them of their arrogance. They did not listen to the warnings and the Lord had to bring the discipline that He had predicted. He is testing them for his own purpose, just as He tries us in the fires of temptation. He knows how we will react. We are the ones that have something to learn.

He identifies Himself as the creator of the universe. Babylon did not listen to the commands of God. Had they obeyed the children of Babylon would be known today. Babylon’s fall leads to the return of Judah to Jerusalem.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Israel’s sins have been paid for is declared in Isaiah 40. Verse three is the prophecy about John the Baptist. He was the one that was in the wilderness crying make a way for the Lord. God’s word is eternal and will come to fruition.

He is described as a shepherd who gathers His sheep in His arms. Has anyone taught Jehovah anything? He has and always will know everything. We learn from Him, not the other way around. He is incomparable. He is above all of us and everything on this Earth. This does not mean that He or Heaven is physically over our heads. He has authority and preeminence over us. That is how He is above us.

Look up and you see the stars in the sky. These are part of Yahweh’s creation just as we are. We all need His strength. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Who is the helper of Israel that is spoken of in Isaiah 41? The Lord is the first and the last. It is He that is the helper of Israel and all those who believe in Him. He strengthens us and holds us up with His right hand. Do not be afraid when He asks you to do anything. With Jehovah’s leadership, it can be accomplished.

Choosing the idols is a detestable thing. A conqueror from the north has been chosen to destroy Jerusalem and Judah. The decision has been made.

The servant of the Lord is the one that Jehovah has put His Spirit on according to Isaiah 42. He will establish justice all over the Earth. He is a light to the gentiles and opens the eyes of the blind. This again is prophecy about Jesus who was the Messiah or Christ.

We are all to sing a new song to Jehovah. His glory and praise should be sung. The blind and deaf will be healed. The one who handed them over to this disaster will rescue them. Despite God’s anger, He still gives forgiveness.

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you,” says Isaiah 43. The Lord says you are mine. “When you walk through the fire, you are not burned.” This phrase is a forewarning of what will happen to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel. Jehovah will trade other nations for Judah and Israel. Babylon itself will someday be taken captive just as they have others. He blots out our sins for His own sake. Israel and Judah’s transgressions have caused their own destruction.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Prophecy takes a turn for the positive in Isaiah 35. The time will come when the land of Israel that has been destroyed will return to the way it is remembered. In some ways, things will be even better. Verses four through six are some of the Messianic prophecy that Jesus fulfilled. Verse eight speaks of a Way of Holiness which also refers to the Lord but was thought to have referenced the refugees from Babylon.

Isaiah chapter 36 retells the story of the salvation of Jerusalem and Judah. How often has someone tried to convince you to trust them, when everything you know says not to? We have read this story three times now and the result hasn’t changed. We still must look at the fact that the Assyrians believe that Jehovah is no more powerful than any other gods. This all happens after Jonah had caused repentance in Nineveh. It seems that has been forgotten.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

We all have something that we depend on and Isaiah 31 warns us about where we place that dependence. Jehovah wants us to rely on Him. Our shield is what He calls Himself. The things that we place above God will perish someday. It is time to turn back to God through Jesus.

The Kingdom that has been prophesied for centuries is described in Isaiah 32. Rightness and judgment will reign there. All our senses will work perfectly. Everyone will be recognized for what they are. This is what will come, but today we must pursue these ideals as we strive to bring others into God’s kingdom.

Women are encouraged to be a significant part of this plan. When this was written, the woman was considered property. Life has changed greatly since then. Those who believe that the Lord views females as inferior are mistaken. They are a significant part of His creation.

The plea of Isaiah 33 is for the Lord to be gracious and be our strength and salvation. He lives above us and gives salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. What we produce on our own is worthless. Those who participate in the righteousness of God will be honored and supplied with their needs. Jehovah will rule over them as judge and lawgiver. 

Yahweh asks all nations and people groups to listen in Isaiah 34. He is angry with them and will destroy all the countries that fought against Israel. Even the stars will fall from the sky. Sounds very ominous doesn’t it? The Perseid Meteor shower would be an example of this. Edom and its capital of Bozrah are mentioned specifically. They are in the current land of Jordan.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Israel and Judah are prophesied in Isaiah 28. The Lord will be a glorious crown one day. That day is the coming of Jesus to reign forever. Justice has always been a desire that is rarely enjoyed by most. The Messiah must be the one spoken of here. For we Baptists, ministers that drink are bad enough without them being stumbling drunk.

Do you believe that following Yahweh is only rules and laws? There is a stone that we can rely on and not the Law. Our covenant with death will be annulled. God teaches us how to plant and harvest, and He will give us the wisdom for Life.

Jerusalem will be under siege and it is described in Isaiah 29. Why will this take place? The rules that Jehovah set have been replaced with human rules. The people believe all they had to do to please God is follow these rules. The proper attitudes and actions toward others are ignored. Life is meaningless because their worship has no meaning.

Life will take on new meaning when we see what Yahweh truly desires from us. Obedience and faith in Him will bring us back to where we should have been all along.

How do you feel when your children are being obstinate? Yahweh doesn’t like it either according to Isaiah 30. Your plans are not His plans. Do you check with him before you travel? Talk to Him about all the decisions you make, including what to have for breakfast. To avoid rebellion, all you must do is listen to the ideas that He has for your life. Don’t view obedience as a requirement, but as an opportunity. Avoid the condemnation that Israel dealt with. As your faith and dependence on Jehovah increases, you will desire to continue to grow in the Lord.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger