Journal Through the Bible: Week 64 Monday

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The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a  man; that it may remain in the house. He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it. Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh a graven image, and falleth down thereto. He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied; yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire: And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god. . . . shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? (verses 13-17, 19b)

Isaiah chapter 44

Does God issue any commands?

• Once again, God commands Jacob (Israel), to listen and not to fear.
• He tells Jacob to remember that the heathen pray to trees and other works of their own hands but that Jacob's family are God's servants and they know the truth!
• The heavens and earth are commanded to sing praises to God because He redeemed Jacob!

Does God make any promises?

• God promised abundance of water for the thirsty and for the dry ground, and His Spirit upon Israel's descendants to make them prosperous. 
• God has blotted out Jacob's sins! God redeemed Israel.
• He frustrates evil doers and liars. He makes the so-called wise to look foolish but He confirms the word of those He sends.
• God promised to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple through a king named Cyrus. (verse 28) This prophecy was given many years before the time of the Babylonian captivity. At this point there was no man named Cyrus! During Isaiah's day the Assyrians and the Babylonians were the world powers, not the Medes and the Persians.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Jesus is the LORD, the King of Israel, the redeemer, the LORD of hosts, the first and the last. (verse 6) See Revelation 1:8,17 and 22:13
• Jesus is the ONLY God!
• Jesus is the creator. He formed each person in the womb.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• God specifically named Cyrus as the man through whom Jerusalem and the Temple would be rebuilt. This prophecy concerning Jerusalem was given many years prior to the event. If God's promises were fulfilled concerning Jerusalem and the Temple during now-ancient times we can be sure that the prophecies He has given us concerning the future of Jerusalem will also come to pass.