Isaiah 35 - 36 (24th July) - Sky

Isaiah 35 Joy of the Redeemed

The desert will be glad and blossom, the land once devastated would again become vibrant and beautiful, much as a desert bursts into life with plants and flowers. Not only the land would change but the people as well stated in V5-V8.

In chapters 1-34, Isaiah delivered a message of judgment on all nations, including Israel and Judah, for rejecting and disobeying God. Although there were glimpses of relief and restoration for the remnant of faithful believers, the climate of wrath, fury, judgment, and destruction prevailed. Now Isaiah breaks through with a vision of beauty and encouragement. God is just as complete in his mercy as he is severe in his judgment. God's complete moral perfection is revealed by his hatred of all sin, and this leads to judgment. This same moral perfection is revealed in his love for all he has created. This leads to mercy for those who have been less than perfect but who have sincerely loved and obeyed him.

Aren’t we all were like deserts in the past? Dried, not perfect and flaws. As we give our life to Christ. Our desert blossoms, joy and gladness overtook our lives.

Isaiah 36 Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem

From poems, Isaiah switches writing style and wrote this chapter in a manner of a prose (straight narration of history).

Propaganda was involved in this battle as it talks about how Sennacherib King of Assyria captured Judah and invading Jerusalem. The field commander encouraging rebellion within the city mention things like how the Lord told him to march against this country to destroy it and like not let King Hezekiah persuade you to trust the Lord.

Such claims would have struck terror into the hearts of the people of Judah to think that this enemy was following the Lord’s command. Although it’s true the Lord did use Assyria to punish the people of Israel and Judah but the commander didn’t realize Assyria itself was about to feel the heat and power of God’s judgment.

Even with so much blasphemy thrown to King Hezekiah his heart remains faithful to the Lord which the next chapter says he sought the Lord and prayed.

When a struggle or trouble comes, how will you be faithful to Christ? ^^