Isaiah 29 ✒️ Reading Your Bible?

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Isaiah 29 ✒️ Reading Your Bible?

April 21, 2024 • Dr. Dave Burnette

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1Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.

2Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel.

3And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.

4And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.

5Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.

6Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.

7And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.

8It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

9Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

10For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.

11And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

12And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

13Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

14Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.

15Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?

16Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

17Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?

18And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.

19The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

20For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:

21That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.

22Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.

23But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.

24They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

COMMENTARY by Dr. Dave Burnette

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Isaiah

Date Penned: (700-681 BC)

Overview: To Tell of God's Salvation through the Messiah (c 1-66)

Theme: Words of Judgment (c 1-39)

Message: Prophecy Against Jerusalem (v 1-24)

Isaiah 29 Commentary

(29:1) Ariel - Ariel is a name for Jerusalem, David's city. It may mean "lion of God" (suggesting that Jerusalem was as strong as a lion) or "altar hearth" (because Jerusalem was the place of the altar at the temple; see Ezekiel 43:15-16). There would be great sorrow because the temple altar would no longer be used for worship.

(29:13-14) Hypocrisy - The people claimed to be close to God, but they were disobedient and were merely going through the motions; therefore, God would bring judgment upon them. Religion had become lip service instead of real devotion from the heart. Jesus quoted Isaiah's condemnation of Israel's hypocrisy when he spoke to the Pharisees, the religious leaders of his day (Matthew 15:7-9; Mark 7:6-7). They exhibited righteous behavior publicly while living quite differently privately. We are all capable of hypocrisy. One example is when we make a show of worship but neglect to give God our love and devotion. If we want to be called God's people, we must be obedient and worship him honestly and sincerely.

(29:15) Hiding From the Lord - Thinking God couldn't see them and didn't know what was happening, the people of Jerusalem tried to hide their plans from him. How strange that people would think they could hide from God! In Psalm 139 we learn that God has examined us and knows everything about us. Would you be embarrassed if other people knew all your private thoughts? Remember that God knows all of them.

(29:17-24) The New World - The world described here, under Christ's rule, will be far different from the one we live in today. This new world will have no violence or gloom and will be filled with fresh joy, understanding, justice, and praise to God.

LIFE APPLICATION by Dr. Dave Burnette

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue in the Book of Isaiah with Chapter 29. In our text today, we see Prophesy against Jerusalem as their lips did serve the Lord, but their hearts were far from the Lord. The problem was found in verse 12, where they failed to learn His Words and were unlearned. In making the application, we see the importance of daily Bible reading. To know God is to understand the Lord, and faith cometh by hearing and hearing from the Word of God. How about you? Do you read the Bible Daily? Let us learn from our text today and the warning of Isaiah to read the Bible Daily and not follow the path of Jerusalem because faith cometh by hearing and hearing from the Word of the Lord.

Isaiah 56 ✒️ A House of Prayer

May 18, 2024 • Dr. Dave Burnette

Isaiah 55 ✒️ Seek the Lord

May 17, 2024 • Dr. Dave Burnette

1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 4Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. 5Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. 6Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 12For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. COMMENTARY by Dr. Dave Burnette Written By: God through Inspiration Penned By: Isaiah Date Penned: (700-681 BC) Overview: To Tell of God's Salvation through the Messiah (c 1-66) Theme: Words of Comfort (c 40-66) Message: Blessings for Those Who Seek Him (v 1-13) Isaiah 55 Commentary (55:1-6) Nourishment - Food costs money, lasts only a short time, and meets only physical needs. But God offers us free nourishment that feeds our souls. How do we get it? We come to him (55:1), listen to him (55:2), seek him, and call on him (55:6). God offers salvation freely, but to nourish our souls we must eagerly receive it. We will starve spiritually without this food as surely as we will starve physically without our daily bread. (55:1) The Coming of the Lord - The theme of coming to the Lord if you are thirsty runs throughout the Bible. The Lord gave water to the Israelites when they were walking through the desert to Mount Sinai (Exodus 17:1-6). The same offer is part of Jesus' discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:13-14). Jesus repeats the offer to the crowds in Jerusalem (John 7:37= 38). Later, John records it at the final stage of his revelation (Revelation 22:17). God wants us to come to him so his Spirit can satisfy us. (55:3) God's Covenant - God's covenant with David promised a permanent homeland for the Israelites, no threat from pagan nations, and no wars (2 Samuel 7:10-11). But the Israelites did not fulfill their part of the covenant to obey God and stay away from idols. Even so, God was ready to renew his covenant again. He is a forgiving God! (55:6) Call On the Lord - Isaiah tells us to call on the Lord while he is near. God will never move away from us, but we often move far from him or erect barriers of sin between ourselves and him. Don't wait until you have drifted far away from God to seek him. Later in life, turning to him may be far more difficult. Or God may come to judge the earth before you decide to turn to him. Accept God's generous forgiveness now, while you can, before it is too late. (55:8-9) Knowing God - The people of Israel were foolish to act as if they knew what God was thinking and planning. His knowledge and wisdom are far greater than any human's. We are foolish to try to fit God into our mold--to make his plans and purposes conform to ours. Instead, we must strive to fit into his plans. (55:11) A Living Word - Isaiah affirms that God's prophecies will be fulfilled and that his word will always be fruitful. We can count on that promise every time we read Scripture, truly desiring to be in God's presence and to listen to him. If you are just starting to read the Bible, (1) set aside at least 15 minutes alone in a quiet place each day; (2) pray for God to help you understand what you read; and (3) ask God to make his Word come alive for you. LIFE APPLICATION by Dr. Dave Burnette Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue in the Book of Isaiah with Chapter 55. In our text today, we see the Blessings for those who seek Him. I love verse 6, which says we are to seek the Lord while He may be found and to call on Him while He is near. In making an application, we see that in the day of Grace in which we live, we are to seek the Lord, for there is a day when God will shut the door. Just in the days of Noah before the flood, God extended a time for us to repent and be saved. We can seek the Lord for guidance in our lives, and he will listen and respond to our situations according to His Will. How about you? Have you sought the Lord? Let us learn from our text today and the reminder of Isaiah that we are to seek the Lord while He may be found and to call on Him while He is near.

Isaiah 54 ✒️ No Weapon Shall Prosper

May 16, 2024 • Dr. Dave Burnette

1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. 2Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; 3For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. 4Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. 5For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. 6For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. 7For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. 8In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. 9For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. 10For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. 11O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. 12And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. 13And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. 14In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. 15Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. 16Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. 17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. COMMENTARY by Dr. Dave Burnette Written By: God through Inspiration Penned By: Isaiah Date Penned: (700-681 BC) Overview: To Tell of God's Salvation through the Messiah (c 1-66) Theme: Words of Comfort (c 40-66) Message: Israel Will Be Rebuilt (v 1-17) Isaiah 54 Commentary (54:1) Childless - To be childless (barren) in the ancient world brought a woman great shame and disgrace and guaranteed a future of poverty for her. Families depended on children for survival, especially when the parents became elderly. Israel (represented by Jerusalem) was unfruitful, like a childless woman, but in the future restoration God would permit her to have many children and would change her mourning into singing. (54:6-8) Sins Separation - God said that he had abandoned Israel for a brief moment, so the nation was like a young wife rejected by her husband. But God still called Israel his own. The God we serve is holy, and he cannot tolerate sin. When his people blatantly sinned, God in his anger chose to punish them. Sin separates us from God and brings us pain and suffering. But if we confess our sin and repent, God will forgive us, showering us with love and compassion. Have you ever been separated from a loved one and then experienced joy when that person returned? That is like the joy God experiences when you repent and return to him. Heaven rejoices when a lost person returns to God (Luke 15:7). (54:9-13) A Covenant - God made a covenant with Noah that he has never broken (Genesis 9:8-17). Likewise, God made a covenant of peace with the people of Israel, promising that the time would come when he would stop pouring out his anger on them; he would restore their wealth, and he would personally teach their children. In Isaiah (54:11-12) The New Jerusalem - we see a picture of the future new Jerusalem (see also Revelation 21:10, 18-21). LIFE APPLICATION by Dr. Dave Burnette Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today, we continue in the Book of Isaiah with Chapter 54. In our text today, we see a promise of Israel to be fulfilled and rebuilt as the people of God are protected and restored by God. I love verse 17, which says that no weapon formed against thee shall prosper. In making an application, we see the promise of the Lord is still true today. We might face opposition and even lose a few battles, but the Lord reminds us that He will deliver us. How about you? Are you facing a battle? Let us learn from our text today and the promises of the Lord that no weapon formed against us shall prosper.