Isaiah 22

WEEK 21                                                Isaiah 22

SATURDAY  Reflections

Too often, prophets are seen as heartless preachers of damnation and judgment. This is not the reality we see in the Bible. More often than not we see the attitude that Isaiah shows in 22:4 "That's why I said, "Leave me alone to weep; do not try to comfort me. Let me cry for my people as I watch them being destroyed"(NLT). The prophets are portrayed as something they are not. I believe this is done because it is easy to ignore someone who doesn't like you. It is harder to ignore a person who cares about you.

 

This is part of the reason why, at times, Christians are also portrayed as heartless, judgmental people. Yes, some are, but they are not the majority. Some may present things badly, but most care deeply, and like Isaiah weep over the very people they are trying to warn. They want to see them saved but know that many will reject it.

 

To those who weep, don't feel ashamed. Ignore the condemnation and keep speaking the truth (and weep).

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Isa 22:1-25

(1)  The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?

(2)  Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.

(3)  All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far.

(4)  Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.

(5)  For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.

(6)  And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

(7)  And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.

(8)  And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest.

(9)  Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.

(10)  And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.

(11)  Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.

(12)  And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:

(13)  And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

(14)  And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

(15)  Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,

(16)  What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?

(17)  Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee.

(18)  He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord's house.

(19)  And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down.

(20)  And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:

(21)  And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.

(22)  And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

(23)  And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house.

(24)  And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.

(25)  In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

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Job 17

WEEK 21                                        Job 17  

FRIDAY  Reflections

Job here in chapter 17 says that he feels like God has made him a byword and object of scorn. Yet, he believes that the upright upon hearing this will be appalled and the innocent will be motivated to rise up against the ungodly. Job believes that his suffering will cause others to feel the right emotions and do the right things. 

 

The truth should be that when we see those who don’t deserve bad and are facing it, we should be concerned and we should rise up against it.  

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Job 17:2-16

(2)  Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

(3)  Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?

(4)  For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.

(5)  He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

(6)  He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.

(7)  Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.

(8)  Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.

(9)  The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

(10)  But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.

(11)  My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.

(12)  They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.

(13)  If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

(14)  I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.

(15)  And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?

(16)  They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.

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Luke 21

WEEK 21                                                     Luke 21  

THURSDAY  Reflections

Have you ever looked into your wallet or purse to see if you had any money to put into the offering and found nothing? Have you felt guilty? I know I have at times. The problem is the guilt isn't because I'm not giving it has been because others will see I'm not giving. Yes, it isn't very mature but it is still there at times. Why do we give and what do you give are two very big questions Christians have to deal with. Here is Luke 21:1-4, Jesus reminds his disciples that God sees both the motive and the resources. God measures not on the amount but on a different scale.

 

Society sings the praises of those that give large amounts and for many causes, if it wasn't for those donations some things wouldn't get done. God isn't concerned with the amount. He is concerned about the obedience and the sacrifice.

 

To tie this into tithing which is the gold standard for Christians, 10% is greater than 2%(the average for most givers). This is true for God even if the 2% is a million dollars. The faithful $150 of a person making $1500 a month is greater. I don't know what people give in my church, but from all I do know (experience and training), the little faithful givers are the people who keep everything going. The loss of those faithful are the ruin of any church. To say it another way, it's the widow's mite which keeps the doors open not the rich man's wealth.

 

Side note: If you want to send the church a large one-time gift, we'll take it, but unless you're faithful in your giving God won't be pleased. I would rather you be right with God.

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Luk 21:1-38

(1)  And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

(2)  And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

(3)  And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

(4)  For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

(5)  And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,

(6)  As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

(7)  And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

(8)  And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

(9)  But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

(10)  Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

(11)  And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

(12)  But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

(13)  And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

(14)  Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

(15)  For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

(16)  And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

(17)  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

(18)  But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

(19)  In your patience possess ye your souls.

(20)  And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

(21)  Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

(22)  For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

(23)  But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.

(24)  And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

(25)  And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

(26)  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

(27)  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

(28)  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

(29)  And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

(30)  When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

(31)  So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

(32)  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.

(33)  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

(34)  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

(35)  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

(36)  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

(37)  And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.

(38)  And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

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Psalm 17

WEEK 21                                            Psalm 17

WEDNESDAY Reflections

Who do we want to look righteous in front of? Who are we looking to make everything right with? The psalmist has it correct when he says that he wants God to vindicate him and to see the truth.

 

At the end of our lives, it isn’t what everyone else thinks or says about us but what God knows about us.

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Psa 17:1-15
(1)  A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
(2)  Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
(3)  Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
(4)  Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
(5)  Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
(6)  I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
(7)  Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
(8)  Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
(9)  From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
(10)  They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
(11)  They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
(12)  Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
(13)  Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
(14)  From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
(15)  As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

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Genesis 45

WEEK 21                                                Genesis 45  

TUESDAY  Reflections

Joseph shares his forgiveness with his brothers. I believe Joseph had forgiven his brothers, however up until this point he has not shared it with them. This could be used as an example that there are times when we can give forgiveness but not tell the person involved.

I forgave the person who killed my grandmother, but I never contacted him to tell him so. I did this because first, he would not have received it well, he, after all, was still denying he did anything. Second, it may have opened up the door for something bad to happen. You can forgive the person who tried to kill you but going down and telling them you forgive them may just give them the chance to finish the job. The reason isn’t just for your safety, though that is a factor, the reason is you don’t want to give them an opportunity to do wrong. To say it another way, you don’t want to as the Lord’s prayer says “lead them into temptation.”

There is often a time when you will need to face the person and tell them, but use God’s wisdom.

 

Side Note: Joseph tells his brothers not to quarrel on the way back to their father (verse 24). What do you make of that comment?

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Gen 45:1-28

(1)  Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

(2)  And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

(3)  And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.

(4)  And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

(5)  Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

(6)  For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

(7)  And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

(8)  So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

(9)  Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

(10)  And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:

(11)  And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.

(12)  And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.

(13)  And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.

(14)  And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.

(15)  Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

(16)  And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

(17)  And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;

(18)  And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.

(19)  Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.

(20)  Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.

(21)  And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.

(22)  To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.

(23)  And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.

(24)  So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

(25)  And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,

(26)  And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.

(27)  And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:

(28)  And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

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