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 1:21-24), and to what the consequences will be without repentance (Isaiah 1:25-31). Three main thoughts are portrayed here: (1) the nature of true religion in holy living, (2) God’s plan that even well-deserved judgment would have a positive effect, and (3) the danger of false security. If we will only turn and humble ourselves to God, He will exalt us in due time.
Tuesday: Why God Judges His People: Isaiah 2:1-22
The five opening verses of this passage come as a refreshing change to the close of Isaiah 1. All the nations will flow to Zion, not for power or mystical union, but in order to learn the ways of God, and there will be blessed peace. The rest of the chapter states the principle of how human arrogance and self-pride leads to utter humiliation. Any attempt on man’s part to claim any glory for himself is doomed to fail. God has abandoned Judah because they are full of human wisdom (Isaiah 2:6), human wealth and power (Isaiah 2:7), and human-made idols (Isaiah 2:8).
Wednesday: How God Judges His People: Isaiah 3:1-4:1
Isaiah now gives two graphic illustrations of Judah’s arrogance: the corrupt leadership of Judah, and Judah’s comparison to a beautiful and haughty woman whose primary emphasis is placed upon appearance and image. Instead of granting Judah capable, effective leadership, God will give them children for their leaders. Instead of the beauty and acclaim Judah craves, they will be revealed as disease-ridden and rejected. Such is the end result of human pride and arrogance.
Thursday: A Promise beyond Judgment: Isaiah 4:2-6
Isaiah shares the beautiful vision of God’s kingdom established on the earth. The “Branch of the Lord” is a messianic title for Jesus Christ, who grew from the seemingly dead tree of David’s lineage. God will cleanse His people, restore the land’s fruitfulness, and live with them as He did in the wilderness. Through His Son, God will have a holy people. (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6; 33:15-16)
Friday: Isaiah’s Judgment Song: Isaiah 5:1-30
Isaiah now sings a bitter song of judgment about God’s vineyard of “wild, bitter grapes.” Six woes are pronounced upon Judah’s behavior in the discordant refrains (Isaiah 5:7-24). In the closing verses, Isaiah sings of the vineyard’s walls being torn down, and “wild animals” (enemy nations) allowed to destroy it.
Saturday: Isaiah’s Own Experience: Isaiah 6:1-13
Isaiah’s ministry calling had four important parts: (1) he saw the Lord (Isaiah 6:1-4); (2) he saw himself (Isaiah 6:5-7); (3) he saw the need (Isaiah 6:8); and (4) he saw that the nation was blind. God calls the prophet to proclaim the Word no matter the result. Will we respond the same way? “Here am I, Lord; send me!”