Pastor Joe's Blog

February
11 2020
Post

The Prophet Series: Isaiah part 26: Human faithlessness and the faithfulness of God; chapter 30.

Twenty-five extensive blogs and we’re still not at the half-way point of this monumental prophetic book.   Outline of part 1 of Isaiah: The Book of the King (Isa 1-37) The Preface (1-5) The Triumph of Grace (6-12) The Universal Kingdom (13-27) The Lord of History...
January
14 2020
Post

The Prophet Series: Isaiah part 25; Chapters 28-29, part 2

Chapter 28 revealed the destruction of Israel as well as the future deliverance of the remnant of believers. We will see why these themes of judgment and deliverance are so often side by side. At the end of 28, two parables are given - sowing and reaping - upon which opened the question, would Jerusalem go the same way as Israel, or would she be spared. Chapter 29 answers that...
January
14 2020
Post

The Prophet Series: Isaiah part 24; Chapters 28-29: When God's people reject His Word

28:1-8 Ephraim, the people and the land, were a beautiful gift from the Lord in a wonderful fertile valley. She had every opportunity to follow the Lord and live in beauty and be beautiful herself. Fine, wonderful families; working together, enjoying the produce of the Lord’s land; knowing that they are the kingdom of God, gracious, loving,...
November
28 2019
Post

Isaiah part 23: The Lord of History, chapters 28-37

As we have been doing, we will overview the section and then look at it more closely. In the last section (13-27) the prophet gave us an overview of divine purposes, and now Isaiah reveals the reality of divine power that moves and controls history and fulfills all promises. Buckle up - God is...
November
19 2019
Post

The Prophet Series: Isaiah part 22: Review of chapters 1-27

We will write an article in order to review our work in Isaiah thus far. It is important to keep a general understanding of the structure of this expansive work. Any of you who are doing the work of reading and understanding the Book of Isaiah will be rewarded with a deeper understanding of God’s work and purpose for all of human history.   Chapters 1-5:...
November
17 2019
Post

Isaiah part 21: The end to the third cycle, chapter 27.

Chapter 27 is not only the end to the third cycle but also to the section (13-27) devoted to the universal kingdom. In our next installment we will summarize what we have done so far in this great and vast book. Remember, Isaiah is like a Bible within the Bible, both having 66 parts. If we want to know the Bible, it is going to take some time, and so it is with the Book of Isaiah. If we are...
October
31 2019
Post

The Prophet Series: Isaiah part 20: the strong city waiting in hope - chapter 26

In Isaiah’s oracles we have seen Israel making an alliance with Syria, Judah making alliances with Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, and even Jerusalem rejoicing in a deliverance from invasion due to a water tunnel rather than to God. God’s city (meaning God’s people) abandoned the way of faith for collective strength and self-reliance, but here in chapter 26, at last, we see...
October
18 2019
Post

The Prophet Series: Isaiah part 19: Third Cycle Continued.

The King shall reign (24:21-23)   Isa 24:21-23 So it will happen in that day, That the Lord will punish the host of heaven, on high, And the kings of the earth, on earth. ...
October
08 2019
Post

Isaiah part 18: The Third Cycle (chap. 24-27)

It is not called the third cycle ‘of oracles’ because this section does not have the structure of an oracle. Its basic outline is:   A city of meaninglessness: world history planned around the people of God (24:1-20). The end of waiting: the King shall reign (24:21-23). The world rejoicing in salvation: the...
October
01 2019
Post

Isaiah part 17: The Second Cycle of Oracles - Tyre: Pride and Holiness (chapter 23)

Isaiah part 17: The Second Cycle of Oracles - Tyre: Pride and Holiness (chapter 23)   In this installment we conclude Isaiah’s second cycle of oracles. The first cycle (chapters 13-20) shows the world to be in the Lord’s hands and that nothing can stop His promises from being fulfilled. This second cycle is much darker. It began with a vision of...
Page 4 of 15142 posts