Devotional Time with God

When my toddler got her first illustrated bible from the church, I thought it would make a good introduction for her.  I would read chapter by chapter each day (short ones), and she would get excited about looking at the pictures of Moses, Noah’s Ark, Jesus and His disciples.

When I get to the section called “The True King”, it illustrated a donkey and Jesus riding it during Passover Feast.  It’s outlined in the books of Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-42, and John 12:12-19.  The picture of the donkey is cute and we got a kick out of looking at it.  I said to myself, that’s odd why they would focus on this donkey.

As it turns out, the donkey (and the subsequent Jesus arrival to Jerusalem on it) was prophesied earlier in Isaiah 21:7.  Jesus had fulfilled that prophecy.

The Bible confirmed Jesus is the one true king, as shown by God’s vision.

The study of the book of Isaiah begins with Chapter 1.

1. Isaiah described his message as a “vision” or prophecy, a sight/word from God. It concerns Judah and Jerusalem. He was concerned about their moral condition.
2. During his time, it was reigned by King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, approximately 739-690 BC.
3. God called the heaven and earth as witnesses against Israel.
4. God brought charges to Israel for being rebellious children who don’t know their Father.
5. The nation was described as sinful and corrupt. It turned away from God.
6. God described the nation suffering wounds and sores, but still wanted more.
7. Jerusalem is besieged and the country side overthrown by strangers (The Asyrians).
8. God had left some survivors (remnant), otherwise it would have become like Sodom and Gomorrah.
9. God could not longer endure their “religious” activities: the hypocrisies and the meaningless offerings.
10. God would not answer their prayers, for their hands were full of blood.
11. The people must stop sinning and wash themselves clean from wrong doing. As well as do good, seek justice, reprove the oppressor, defend the fatherless and widow.
12. God still offer salvation even after the most wicked acts.
13. God offers blessings for those who obey, and dire consequences for those who are rebellious.
14. The corrupt condition of Jerusalem: was once a place for the faithful became a sinful place. Once full of justice became a place for murderers. A polluted city, corrupt officials, heartless, and not caring about its people.
15. God promised justice to the wicked and refuge for the righteous. He will purify Zion by getting rid of His enemies and restore Jerusalem back to a righteous and faithful city.
16. Those who forsake the Lord would be destroyed. God would make the people be ashamed of the idols (trees and gardens). They would be consumed like dry vegetation.

You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen. You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water. The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.

Isaiah 1:29-31

What I learned today:

• Isaiah was called The Messianic Prophet because he prophesied Jesus’ deeds and messages.
• Interesting note that a prophet does not necessarily mean foretelling the future. A prophet is someone God’s use to speak His words onto the people in the prophet’s day – God’s messenger, so to speak.
• Book of Isaiah is divided into two parts: his condemnation and warning for the people in the Kingdom of Judah, and the prophecies of Jesus.
• Judah gave advice to King Ahaz and Hezekiah.
• The blessings of God will only come to those who are obedient and faithful to God. Otherwise, the riches and victory will no longer be available.

How can I stay righteous? That word has been abused many times by secular people who want to point out the hypocritical ways of religious folks. Being righteous is a natural result when my center of the universe is God. In Deuteronomy 18:17-19 (Message):

And God said to me, “They’re right; they’ve spoken the truth. I’ll raise up for them a prophet like you from their kinsmen. I’ll tell him what to say and he will pass on to them everything I command him. And anyone who won’t listen to my words spoken by him, I will personally hold responsible.

Like the prophets, God will speak the right words through me and will make His words come true. It is important that I must follow God’s instructions: to love by forgiving and comforting others. The actions I do today will have repercussions in the future, so I must be careful with what I say (and do).  The motives of my heart must be right.  I must let God be the guiding star in the night.