190 - The incomparable God

Kathleen's thoughts

Isaiah 3: 1-8, 38: 21-22... Hezekiah's illness and healing. Hezekiah prayers "Please Lord, remember how I have waked before You faithfully and wholeheartedly, and have done what is good in Your sight. And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah. "Go and tell Hezekiah that this is what the Lord God of your ancestors David says; I have heard your prayers; I have seen your tears. Look I am going to add 15 years to your life. And I Will deliver you and this city from the hand of King Assyria; I will defend this city.

Isaiah 38: 9-20 Hezekiah is thankful. 19. The living only the living can thank You, as I do today; a father will make Your faithfulness known to children
The Lord will save me; we will play stringed instruments all the days of our lives at the house of the Lord.

Isaiah 40: 1-9 Words of hope.A voice of one crying out; Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness: make straight highway for our God in the desert....9 Zion, herald of good news, go up on a high mountain. Jerusalem, herald of good news, raise your voice loudly. Raise it, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, Here is your God!.

Isaiah 40: 10-11 God's care and protection... See, the Lord God comes with strength, and His power establishes His rule. His reward is with Him, and His gifts accompany Him. He protects His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms. and carries them in the fold of His garment.

Isaiah 40: 12-26 Israel's incomparable God. 21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to you from the beginning? Have you not considered the foundations for the earth? God is enthroned above the circle of the earth.

Isaiah 40: 27-31 God reassures His people. King James version.


28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 41: 1-20 Good's promise to Israel. 13....For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand and say to you DO NOT FEAR.\,  I WILL HELP YOU!. Your Redeemer is the Holy one of Israel.

Isaiah 41; 21-29 The Lord's challenge.

Been to Church today and a gentleman sang at church  "On eagles wings" by Michael Joncas.
Is this a coincidence with today's readings or is it God's hand for today's teaching. I say the latter. It just shows you how God directs our paths and makes them straight when we let the word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

Blessings
Kathleen.

190 - You have cast all my sins behind Your back

Chareen's Thoughts

Stairway of Ahaz

• Hezekiah became terminally ill.  Isaiah instructed him to get his affairs in order for his time will be soon.  Hezekiah cries out to the Lord who hears him and heals him.  He also blesses Hezekiah with an extra 15 years of life.  As a sign the Lord makes the shadow of the sun go back 10 steps.
• Hezekiah is thankful. Isaiah 38:15 But what can I say? For He has both spoken to me and He Himself has done it. I must go softly [as in solemn procession] all my years and my sleep has fled because of the bitterness of my soul. This verse touched me.
• Isaiah brings words of hope and comfort. 
• We read the prophesies of John the Baptist and Jesus {Isaiah 40:3 & Mark 1:3, Isaiah 40:5 & Luke 3:5-6, Isaiah 40:8 & James 1:10, Isaiah 40:9 & Acts 10:36}
• Isaiah expounds on God's Care and Protection.
• He tells us of how Incomparable God is. Lift up your eyes on high and see! Who has created these? He Who brings out their host by number and calls them all by name; through the greatness of His might and because He is strong in power, not one is missing or lacks anything. Isaiah 40:26
• God reassures His people and makes a promise to Israel.
• Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding. Isaiah 40:28
• He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted; But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. Isaiah 40:29-31 
• Who has prepared and done this, calling forth and guiding the destinies of the generations [of the nations] from the beginning? I, the Lord—the first [existing before history began] and with the last [an ever-present, unchanging God]—I am He. Isaiah 41:4 
• For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you! Isaiah 41:13 
•  Isaiah finishes up today with the Lord's challenge to bring your case and your arguments.

I have really enjoyed reading today's word.
Blessings
Chareen

Behold, it was for my peace that I had intense bitterness; but You have loved back my life from the pit of corruption and nothingness, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back. Isaiah 38:17 The living, the living—they shall thank and praise You, as I do this day; the father shall make known to the children Your faithfulness and Your truth. Isaiah 38:19
 

On the www

•  Age of the Universe in Bible.
• Dial of Ahaz
• The Stairway of Adam
• Hezekiah Healed
• Just Give me a Little Time Lord
• Sunday in the South - Hezekiah

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. Isaiah 40:29

183 - Hezekiah's reforms

Kathleen's thoughts

Psalm 81: 1-16 The festival song. Sing for joy to God our strength; shout in triumph to the God of Jacob.

2 Chronicles 31:1, 2 Kings 18:4 Idols destroyed. He removed the high places and shattered the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into piece the bronze snake that Moses made, for Israelites burned incense to it up to that time. He called it Nehushtan. Below is a very interesting link to this word Nehushtan. For those who visit this blog do take the time to read the full link on this word and it's meaning through out the Bible.

Nehushtan (Download the PDF and read the full version)
“He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent
that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.”
II Kings 18:4
Introduction:
1. God told Moses to make a brazen serpent to protect the living from fiery serpents (Numbers 21:1-9).
2. Jesus referred His hearers to this historical event to describe His death of crucifixion (John 3:14-15).
3. While considering this comparison, it is important to remember a few facts that tell the whole story.
a. God had already made choice who would die by the serpents, and there were many (Num 21:6).
b. God told Moses to make a brasen for the repentant living, so they could stay alive (Num 21:7-9).
c. The brasen serpent did not do any good for those already dead and judged by God (Num 21:6).
d. Our Lord’s use showed (1) the means of death on a tree and (2) faith to lay hold of eternal life.
4. What happened to the brasen serpent after it was used to save the living? We are not told in Numbers.
a. We are told in II Kings 18:4. Hezekiah destroyed it after about 800 years for its use for idolatry!
b. In contempt of this idolatrous abuse and corruption of something good, he called it, “Nehushtan!”
c. This contemptuous name means, “A thing of brass.” He mocked those who thought it had power.
5. We want to identify any idols in our lives and break them in pieces (Genesis 35:2; Ezekiel 14:1-11).
6. We want to hate superstition in any form, where we exalt anything out of its proper place before God.
7. Walking with God and serving Him correctly, worshipping in truth, includes using things correctly.
a. We want to make sure that our use of each aspect of Jesus Christ’s religion is done appropriately.
b. We do not want to confuse priorities, miss the object or intent of a thing, or make sacred cows.
c. We do not want to put confidence in things, facts, or tradition, rather than the living God Himself.
d. We do not want to become out of balance, where we abuse any doctrine by exaltation or neglect.
e. We do not have a known problem, but we do not want one, and we want to know the lesson well.

2 Chronicles31: 2-21 Hezekiah's further reforms. Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah, He did what was good and upright and true before the Lord his God. He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God's temple, in the law and in the commandment, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.

Micah 3L 1-15 Israel's leaders denounced.

2 Kings 17: 3-4 Hoshea taken prisoner

Hosea 5: 11 &:2 Israel's wickedness

Hosea 7: 3-7 Conspiracy in the palace

Hosea 7: 8-16 Israel and the nations

Philipians 2: 12-13 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will and to act for His good purpose.

Blessings
Kathleen.

182 - Today we are half way through the Bible.

King Hezekiah

Kathleen's thoughts

The Passover renewed. What a wonderful way to celebrate the halfway mark of God's word. Celebrating the Passover being renewed.
The reading today has been a great blessing knowing that...
2 chronicles 30: 13-22.  But Hesekiah had interceded for them, saying, May the good Lord provide atonement on behalf of whoever sets his whole heart on seeking God, the Lord God of his ancestors, even though not according to the purification rules of the sanctuary. So the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. 27 Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven.

Isaiah 28: 1-6 A warning

Isaiah 28: 7-13 The drunken prophets of Judah

Isaiah 2: 14-22 A cornerstone for Zion.

Isaiah 28: 23-29 God's wisdom.

Hosea 5: 1-7 A warning against idolatry

Hosea 5: 8-15 Judgment on Judah and Israel.

Hosea 6: 1-11... The people's insincere repentance...Come let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, and He will heal us; He has wounded us, and He will bind up our wounds. He will revive us after two days, and on the third day He will raise us up so we can live in His presence. Let us strive to know the Lord His appearance is as sure as the dawn.

Blessings
Kathleen.

182 - God instructs him correctly and teaches him

King Hezekiah

Chareen's Thoughts

• Isaiah brings words of warning, speaks about drunk prophets, the cornerstone of Zion and God's wisdom.
• Hosea brings a word and warning against idolatry, the judgement of Judah and Israel, their insincere repentance.
• Come and let us return to the Lord, for He has torn so that He may heal us; He has stricken so that He may bind us up. 2 After two days He will revive us (quicken us, give us life); on the third day He will raise us up that we may live before Him Hosea 6:1-2 These words echo to me of Christs death and resurrection and His gift of life eternal to us.
• King Hezekiah decalares that the people must prepare for pass over.
• They wanted to celebrate the passover at a different time because they had missed out.  They did so and Hezekiah prayed: For a multitude of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than Moses directed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, May the good Lord pardon everyone Who sets his heart to seek and yearn for God—the Lord, the God of his fathers—even though not complying with the purification regulations of the sanctuary. 2 Chronicles30:18-19

 Therefore thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a Stone, a tested Stone, a precious Cornerstone of sure foundation; he who believes (trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone) will not be ashamed or give way or hasten away [in sudden panic]. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plummet; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the hiding place (the shelter). Isaiah 28:16-17
[And he trains each of them correctly] for his God instructs him correctly and teaches him. Isaiah 28:26
This also comes from the Lord of hosts, Who is wonderful in counsel [and] excellent in wisdom and effectual working. Isaiah 28:29

Wow Six months complete !  I really enjoyed the word today.
Blessings to you all
Chareen

181 - For it was done suddenly

Hezekiah King of Judah

Chareen's Thoughts

• Isaiah speaks about the sinful city and what she will become.
• We continue to read about Israel being plundered and the sin of her kings (Hoshea, Pekah, Ahaz, Hezekiah,
• Hezekiah trusted in, leaned on, and was confident in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that neither after him nor before him was any one of all the kings of Judah like him. For he clung and held fast to the Lord and ceased not to follow Him, but kept His commandments, as the Lord commanded Moses. 2 Kings 18:5-6
• In the first year of his reign he opened the doors of the temple cleansed and consecrated it. He then restored the worship of the Lord in the land.

Thus Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, because of what God had prepared for the people, for it was done suddenly. 2 Chronicles 29:36

I love how this verse points out it happened suddenly.  I get so tired of waiting that I forget that suddenly it will be.  So encouraged to read these words today.

Blessings
Chareen

181 - Hezekiah's godly reign.

Hezekiah King of Judah

Kathleen's thoughts

Isaiah 1: 21-31 The sinful city. God speaks through Isaiah and says He will restore Israel to what it once was, He will refine them and when it's done it will be called the Righteous City, a faithful City. Zion will be redeemed by justice, her repentant ones by righteousness. The sinners will be destroyed.

2 Kings 16: 10-18 2 Chronicles 2: 20 & 22-25 Jerusalem plundered. King Ahaz did what was not pleasing to God. He turned his back on the Lord and started to worship idols. He closed the Lords temple and made high places in the city of Jerusalem.

2 Kings 15:30-31 Pekah killed.

2 Kings 17: 1-2 Hoshea He reigned over Israel in Samaria for 9 years

2 Kings 16: 19-20, 2 Chronicles 268: 26-27 Death of Ahaz ( he was not buried in the tomb of the kings.his son Hezekiah became king in his place.

2 Kings 18: 1-3, 18: 5-6 2 Chronicles 29: 1-2  Hezekiah reigned for 29 years in Jerusalem. He did what was right in the Lords eye just as his ancestor David had done.

2 Chronicles 29: 3-19 Temple reconsecrated and cleansed

2 Chronicles 29: 20-36 Temple worship restored.
The King Hezekiah and the officials told the Levites to sing praise to the Lord in the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with rejoicing and bowed down and worshiped.

Psalm 20: 5 Let us shout for joy at your victory and lift the banner in the name of our God. May the Lord fulfill all your requests.

Blessings
Kathleen.