Daily Devotional

Sunday: Woe to Ephraim: Isaiah 28:1-13; Malachi 2:1-9

Isaiah 2:1-4 speak of the “crown of pride” on the heads of political leaders and nobility of the Northern Kingdom. Isaiah 2:7-8 reveal that the priests and prophets are no better. All of them are absorbed with trying to satisfy themselves. Drunkenness is a problem for them, but is only a symptom of a deeper problem, an unwillingness to surrender their needs and desires to the Lord. They rejected God, and will now learn His truth through the “stammering” or foreign lips of the Assyrians.

Monday: The Precious Corner Stone:

Scripture Text: Isaiah 28:1-31:9

Memory Verse: “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.” —Isaiah 28:16

Introduction:

The name “Jerusalem” means “city of peace.” However, throughout history, it has been associated more with conflict than with peace. This very day, Jerusalem is a main concern in the Middle East. The psalmist exhorted us to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). Why pray for Jerusalem? Because when peace reigns in Jerusalem, peace will

Daily Devotional

Sunday: The Destruction of the Earth: Isaiah 24:1-13; Romans 1:18-21

We’ve heard it said that “ignorance is bliss.” But God will judge the entire earth; regardless of gender, rank, or function, the wicked won’t escape what God is bringing on the earth. Isaiah insists that there are laws that God has burned into the human conscience. There are natural standards for human conduct. When these are violated, judgment is the result.

Monday: All Creation is Subject to God: Isaiah 24:14-23

A dramatic contrast appears in Isaiah 24:14-18a. Shouts of joy coming from the ends of the earth

Scripture Text: Isaiah 24:1-27:13

Memory Verse: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:” —Isaiah 26:3-4

Introduction:

Isaiah 24-27 gives the details of God’s worldwide judgment, ending with the destruction of His enemies and the restoring of God’s chosen people to their land. Warnings had been given to Israel concerning their destruction by Assyria, and to Judah concerning their destruction by Babylon; but these calamities were small-scale compared to the catastrophic wrath poured out

Daily Devotional

Sunday: The Oracles to Babylon & Assyria: Isaiah 13:1-14:27; 21:1-10

Even during the time of the Assyrian empire, Babylon was the center of culture and civilization in the entire Near East. It is thereby fitting that the series of proclaimed judgments against human power and glory begin with Babylon. The inclusion of Assyria is not given as a separate oracle, but uses their downfall as an example of Babylon’s own impending doom. The heights of equality with God that Babylon aspired to will never be achieved. It will end in the depths of the lowest pit. The oracle

Scripture Text: Isaiah 13:1-23:18

Memory Verse: “For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.” —Isaiah 14:1

Introduction:

Isaiah 13-35 can be viewed as three “tutoring sessions” to Judah. The first session is covered by the oracles of Isaiah 13:1-23:18. The primary lesson to be learned here is, “Why trust the nations when they are under judgment from God?” But this is exactly what Ahaz has already done, and what King

Daily Devotional

Sunday: Stand Firm or Fall: Isaiah 7:1-25

Isaiah approaches King Ahaz with the simple message to turn to God and trust Him for the protection of Judah from Syria and Israel. The challenge to either “stand firm in his faith, or fall,” is issued to the king, along with the offer to ask God for a sign of confirmation. The double reason for trusting God is that He alone is God, there is no other, and when we rebel against Him, we reap the devastating results. When the king refuses this offer using a pious excuse, Isaiah issues

Scripture Text: Isaiah 7:1-12:6

Memory Verse: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” —Isaiah 9:6

Introduction:

This portion of Isaiah opens with the prophet confronting Ahaz about the king’s lack of faith in God. The heartfelt appeal to the king is to stop fearing Samaria and Damascus to the north (Israel and Syria), and to realize that God was much more powerful than Assyria. God opens the

Daily Devotional

Sunday: God’s Wake-Up Call: Isaiah 1:1-20

The opening of Isaiah presents a courtroom drama. God is the plaintiff who states the charges of rebellion and corruption against Judah (Isaiah 1:2-4), then uses two graphic illustrations (a bruised and wounded body and an abandoned hut), to drive home the message. Two alternate ways of responding are given to the defendants: the wrong way of hypocritical ritual, and the right way of repentance and changed living.

Monday: Results of Unrepentance: Isaiah 1:21-31; Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Micah 6:8; James 1:27

The courtroom drama continues with Isaiah’s description of the present (Isaiah

Scripture Text: Isaiah 1:1-6:13

Memory Verse: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” —Isaiah 1:18

Introduction:

The book of Isaiah begins with an ominous accusation. After naming the author and the time of his writing, God cries out through the prophet’s voice that His people have committed high treason: “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have