Read: Isaiah 6:1-7:25; 2 Corinthians 11:16:33; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 23:1-3
Chapter 6 begins with King Uzziah’s death and Isaiah’s vision of the Lord on his throne in the temple. Uzziah had been a good king who followed the Lord and during his reign Judah prospered almost as much as during Solomon’s. However, in his later years, Uzziah became proud and decided he was important enough to offer incense on the altar of the Lord. When he entered into the holy place with incense the priests tried to stop him but he wouldn’t listen. God stopped him with leprosy which eventually killed him. When he died, God showed Isaiah what Uzziah was wanting to see - his presence. Instead of feeling entitled like Uzziah, Isaiah felt humbled and sinful. An angel cleansed him of his sins with a coal from the altar. He overheard God talking to his angels about sending a message to Judah and needing a messenger. Isaiah volunteered for the job.
He was to tell Judah that God was going to keep them from understanding what God was doing and how to find him. They would not be healed until God had completely ruined their land. (I’m sure that was not a very popular message.)
During Uzziah’s grandson’s reign, Ahaz, the Syrians, with the armies of Ephraim came down to fight against Jerusalem but they could not win. God told Isaiah and his son, Shear-Jashub to go and meet king Ahaz on his way to stop up the water system. Shear-Jashub means “a remnant will return”. Isaiah’s word to Ahaz was not to fear the threats of Syria and Ephraim but to trust in the Lord. Ahaz was not sure and asked for a sign. Isaiah said that the only sign he would see is that the virgin would have a child. Isaiah was referring to a virgin who was soon to become Isaiah’s second wife. This was a dual prophecy that would be repeated when Mary, the virgin would have Jesus who is Immanuel. This child would still be very young when Judah would be delivered from his two enemies.
This deliverance would be temporary because after that the Assyrians would fight Egypt, and Judah would be the battlefield. Judah would be devastated and the land left to thorns and bramble.
In Corinthians, Paul is defending his testimony of suffering over the boasts of the false apostles and prophets that had beguiled the Corinthians. The false teachers might boast in their great prosperity, but Paul boasts in his great persecutions. Wealth and prosperity is not always a sign of God’s favor. This world’s measuring stick is not what we use as our gauge. People can be tremendously wealthy and be a great blessing to the Lord and the church, or their riches can turn them away from the Lord. Whether we are rich or poor in this life is not the point, the point is what we are doing with what God has given us and where our heart is. Both Isaiah and Paul chose the Lord over popularity and ease.
Lord, help us to live up to our full potential whatever our circumstances. May our hearts be after you.
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