The maritime city of Tyre is foretold to be destroyed in Isaiah 23. The fortunes made in this port will be sacrificed to the conquerors. Sidon will also fall. The fame and fortune of those who do not follow Jehovah will not rescue them. The Lord’s promise of destruction is certain.

Will this planet one day be destroyed? According to Isaiah 24 the violation of Jehovah’s laws will cause the destruction of the Earth. Everything will be desolate. The evil people of the lands are treacherous and betray everyone. The foundations of the earth are shaken, and it is broken up, but it will be renewed.

Yahweh will punish the powers of Heaven and the nations from everywhere. The moon and the sun will also survive. One day Jesus will establish a new Heaven and Earth.

Yahweh’s plans were made years ago as stated in Isaiah 25. The destruction of those who violated His laws and the salvation of the righteous were established before the universe was created. He is a refuge for the poor and a shelter from the storm. Prophecy of a feast of rich foods is made. He will also destroy death. Our trust in Him has brought our salvation.

More prophecy of that future time is given in Isaiah 26. The city will be strong, and salvation, righteousness, and peace will be abundant. Jehovah is described as the rock eternal. Do you have a desire for God? His judgment will bring about a right attitude for the world. People alone cannot change the lives of others. The Earth will give birth to those buried in her.

Have you ever thought about the reference to Leviathan in Isaiah chapter 27? What is the fruitful vineyard that we should sing about? Jacob and Israel have filled the Earth with the fruit of the gospel of Christ. The destruction of Jerusalem and removal of Israel from the promised land have brought about their salvation. Israelites are different from those of the nations that Jehovah will annihilate.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Upper Egypt along the Nile river is cursed in Isaiah 18. The symbolic language continues to flow in this book of prophecy. Egypt’s failure to follow Jehovah is the cause of their punishment.

The rest of Egypt does not avoid the displeasure of Yahweh in Isaiah 19. Egypt and her Pharaohs have previously encountered His power and anger. Civil war and outside enemies will bring the worldwide rule of the Nile community to an end. The power of the river to create wealth in the nation will cease. Even the king and his counselors and wise men will be made foolish. A treaty between Egypt, Assyria, and Israel is also predicted.

Cush and Egypt are again mentioned in Isaiah 20 as being captured and crushed. Isaiah’s prophecy covers another three years before these things happen. Those who followed these nations will be brought to shame.

Once again, we are looking at the prophecy against Babylon in Isaiah 21. The vision that comes to the prophet is intense. He suffers personal discomfort because of what he sees and hears. Being the lookout currently is very stressful. The chapter ends with more of what will happen to Edom and Arabia. 

The prophecies of Isaiah 22 also are directed at Jerusalem. The leaders of the city will not die there. They will be captured outside the walls that had been built to protect them. Despite this the walls will be breached and torn apart. “Let us eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” comes from this chapter. The captivity of Judah in Babylonia is called for here. The death of the generations in this foreign land is also prophesied. Isaiah also tells us that Eliakim will occupy the throne in Jerusalem. His destruction is also foretold.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

As we read Isaiah 13 which was written before Assyria destroyed Israel, we see that Babylon will also suffer destruction because of her involvement in the captivity of the Jews from Judah. The time will come when all the nations that taken to Babylon will be allowed to return to their homelands. The Medes will be part of this as they conquer the Babylonians.

We continue in Isaiah 14 with more assurance that Israel will return to the promised land in Palestine. They are still living in their homes when Isaiah is prophesying. Many do not believe that. They think that these scriptures must have been written years after Judah and the Northern Kingdom have been destroyed.

When King Ahaz died, we have the prophecy of the Philistines. They will also suffer as their enemies the Jews will. No country that had a problem with God’s people will escape His vengeance.

Moab is prophesied about in Isaiah 15. The distress of the country as the cities are laid waste is reported. Moab is just one more of the nations that have caused problems for Israel throughout the years. It is time now for them to pay for it as the others have.

Isaiah 16 continues the prophecy against the Moabites. Remember Ruth and the book of the Bible named for her? She was from Moab. She became David’s Great Grandmother. Moab remained an enemy of Israel for many years.

This Moabite woman is an ancestor of the house of David that verse five says it will have a man on the throne who will judge with justice. No one will be in Moab because of their pride and arrogance. A time frame of three years is given for the humiliation of these enemies of Israel.

Another prophecy against Damascus is included in Isaiah 17. The lands around Israel and Judah will eventually suffer their fate. Jehovah does not promise a remnant for all of them. When the destruction comes to Judah, the people will reject the false gods of Canaan. While desolation surrounds them, they will seek His face and protection.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

Amos began his prophecy during the reigns of Uzziah of Judah and Jehoash of Israel. Chapter one begins his vision from Jehovah with condemnation of some of their enemies. Damascus, the Philistines, Tyre, Edom, and Ammon will all suffer His wrath because of the ways they have treated others. This should serve as an example for us. As Jesus has taught us, we are to be servants of others, not of ourselves.

Moab is condemned in Amos 2. Judah is also falling under the wrath of the Lord. Rejecting the law and serving other gods are two of the crimes. Israel will also be destroyed for their many sins. Sexual sin and idolatry are just two types of offenses of which they are guilty. The strength they think they have will not protect them from Jehovah’s punishment.

Israel was the chosen children of Yahweh as is repeated in Amos 3. He has been warning them through many prophets and messengers, and He will not change His mind. Another accusation is that they refuse to do right. Many people today fall into the same trap. They know what should be done for others and they will not follow what they know is the Lord’s will.

The country will be devastated as they destroyed the lives of the innocent. Time is running out and there will be no more forgiveness. We should learn from the children of Israel. Eventually we must be punished unless we accept the redemption of Jesus Christ.

Jehovah’s fury will fall on those that were once saved from Egyptian domination told in Amos chapter four. Even though they perform meaningless worship, it means nothing. Famine and drought are used to draw the attention of God’s people, without any result. All the evil that is present in our day is ignored. We have been told what to look for. It is happening, but most people see it as of no consequence. Others blame the corruption in their world on Yahweh. Our judgment will be on an individual basis.

Israel’s fall is prophesied in Amos 5. For this destruction to be avoided, Jehovah’s chosen people must turn from following other gods and choose to worship the true God. Justice and righteousness must be sought. The one who demands this is the creator of the universe.
Yahweh knows our sins and will punish us for them. The day of judgment will come, and the Jews will not receive what they believe they will. The only way to avoid this is to forsake sacrifices that mean nothing. Justice and righteousness must be sought. That is true today as it was in Israel.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger

The analogy of a vineyard is given in Isaiah 5. The vineyard is Jerusalem and her inhabitants. The one that produces bad fruit will be destroyed by the one who created them. Once again, the Lord calls for justice and righteousness. Drunkenness is condemned. So is calling evil good and good evil, and other cases of misrepresentation. Arrogance is also despised by Yahweh. These actions have brought the destruction of Israel and Judah.  

The call of Isaiah is a commonly read passage that is recorded in chapter 6. The time is recorded as “in the year King Uzziah died.” The Prophet was in the Temple when he saw the Lord. He volunteered to be Jehovah’s voice. Would you want a job where people won’t listen to you? Would you want to be told ahead of time that in the end the city will be destroyed? Neither would I.

We are still in the time of Ahaz, King of Judah and Pekah was King of Israel in Isaiah 7. The Aramaeans and Israel attacked Judah but was pushed back. The destruction of both countries is predicted within sixty-five years. The capitals of Samaria and Damascus will fall. Assyria is the nation that will conquer them.

This seems like an odd place for the prophet to predict the birth of a child to a virgin. This baby will be the actual presence of God himself. We are often confused by our triune God and His nature. He has chosen to show Himself as a father, a son, and a spirit. The amazing part of Jehovah is that He created us in His image and we, therefore, have a soul, a body, and a spirit.

Would you name your child “Quick to the spoil.” Isaiah does in chapter eight. Verse eight has another reference to Immanuel, “God who lives with us.” Jehovah is the Lord Almighty and is different from others, that is what is meant by being holy. The fear and the dread is better thought of as respect and admiration. We, modern westerners, view fear differently than the Hebrew thought.

Jesus quoted verse fourteen when He spoke of being a stumbling block to the Pharisees. We also see the difference between the darkness and the light. Being spiritual does not mean being Godly. Communicating with evil spirits is not the same as speaking with God. If you want to talk to your boss at work, why would you speak to a drug dealer that hangs out on the corner down the street?

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger