Two year Bible reading program.

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 22:12 Understanding to grow in The problem with the unfaithful in Israel, is that they weren’t prepared to humbly tremble at God’s word (66v2). And so, despite God holding out his hand to them through the prophets, they continued to provoke him. This remains true of so many within and outside the church. But there is much promise here for those who are faithful. They will enjoy a new creation in which all that stemmed from the curse will be no more, and a flourishing Jerusalem. (The reference to childbirth and death is most likely how those things in this age will seem when we look back on them from the perspective of being immortal). In what follows God summarises Israel’s entire future in a few...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 22:11 Understanding to grow in The unfaithfulness amongst God's people that shows itself in every generation raises the question why? We are told how God will bring wrath and justice against the evil of the nations, but Isaiah then asks why the people of Judah must bring down God's wrath in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. He recalls God's kindnesses to Israel, and her subsequent rebelliousness, but is quite clear that even that rebelliousness was the Lord's doing in some sense (63v17). And so he can only plead for him to return to his people and restore them simply because they are his - recognizing God is the potter and people his clay. It raises the age-old question of ...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 22:10 Understanding to grow in The famous words that begin Isaiah 61 are those Jesus declared were fulfilled in him (Lk 4v18-19). Today's two chapters picture the salvation his people enjoy. From darkness and oppression, they become stable oaks of righteousness, displaying God's splendour. From a ruined land, they inhabit restored cities. Instead of disgrace, they receive an inheritance. Rather than punishment, they receive reward. As you read, note all that can be looked forward to. Isaiah 61-62 Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself: 1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then  praise  him for this. 2) What’s the main thing it ...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 22:9 Understanding to grow in We cannot do it ourselves. We need the LORD's salvation. Isaiah affirms God's ability to do this. The problem is Israel's sin, seen in her injustice and persecution of those who do turn from evil. But seeing no-one is able to help, we are told of the LORD putting on salvation like armour, to bring destruction on his people's enemies and redemption to the repentant. Chapter 59 ends with a promise that the servant's words will be talked of through all generations as he then relates the most exalted picture of what God will do for his people. They will be lit up by God's glory rather than the sun or moon, as those from throughout the world come to th...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 22:8 Understanding to grow in Whilst there's time there's hope. Israel's sins here are extremely severe. Ignorant leaders, immorality, pagan child sacrifice, and with it, fasting to the Lord whilst shoing no concern for the justice or the poor. It sounds extreme. But within the church even today, there are leaders who go through their rituals, but know little of the Bible, practice sexual immorality and advocate abortion (a controversial subject, but one that has parallels in taking a child's life in order to benefit oneself). Within the wider culture of course, these things are even more pervasive. But the point Isaiah makes is that there is still time. God is slow to anger. And so h...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 22:7 Understanding to grow in Now we see the ultimate results of the servant's work: A massive expansion of the number of the people of God. A forgetting of the shame that comes with sin. Jersualem as a jewel-adorned city, portraying its splendour. And security against all who might come against it. One cannot but think of the new Jerusalem detailed in Revelation 21. It is in the light of this, that through Isaiah, God calls people to come and receive this all for free, by forsaking sin and seeking him. None who do this will be excluded. All will receive God's pardon. Indeed, he promises that this word (the gospel according to Isaiah) will fulfil its purpose, in gathering a people who will li...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 22:6 Understanding to grow in Again, the LORD promises restoration for Israel after experiencing exile because of his wrath at his people's sin. It comes with a promise that they will never have to drink the cup of his wrath again, and that their salvation will lead to the LORD being acknowledged as he goes before and behind them as they return. This is the context to the most famous servant song from 52v13. It hints that the servant may be the LORD himself as a man. What is more clear is that he is a king. Although despised and rejected, he is "a tender shoot," which refers to the beginnings of a new kingly tree (see 11v1). But this king will be marked out by suffering because he will ...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 22:5 Understanding to grow in The reason we can be so confident of salvation is because we can be so confident of God. That's the message here. God's people were not sent into exile for reasons outside of God, but by his hand, in punishment for sin. It follows then, that he is well able to restore his people - not least because he is the almighty creator. The logic is sound. If the problems of our world are due to his curse on humanity for its rejection of him, then he is more than able to rid the world of those problems through Christ. This is to our immense comfort. As you read note the various ways God affirms his ability ot save. Isaiah 50:1-51:16 Finish this reading by pausing to as...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 22:4 Understanding to grow in God addresses the unfaithful amongst his people. The fulment of what he has predicted shows he, rather than Israel's idols, is the true God. And he is holding back his judgment from his people so they are not wholly destroyed, and so that he is praised - no doubt for his mercy, and his continuing to keep his people. What follows is another "servant song" in which a servant called Israel is used to restore Israel, and with them those from the Gentiles. At first it seems Isaiah himself might be the servant, calling the people home with his words. But on reading what the servant will do, one far greater is in mind. The prophecy looks us to Christ, who perfectl...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 22:3 Understanding to grow in God's declares the destruction that will come on Babylon at Cyrus' hand. Key within it is that Babylon considers herself incomparable, whereas in truth only the Lord is. This is another form of idolatry - to consider ourselves or our society as somehow supreme. Such pride inevitably means judgment, for as Jesus said "those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Mat 23v12). As you read note what is said of Babylon. Isaiah 46-47 Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself: 1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then  praise  him for this. 2) What’s the main ...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 22:2 Understanding to grow in The LORD directs and governs absolutely everything. Everything. So he is in no way defensive in declaring "I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster" (45v7). He uses even evil for good. And we have no right to quarrel with him about what he does, for we are mere clay in the hands of him as the potter (45v9-11). But what he does here is good for his people. He promises to raise up a Persian King, Cyrus, who will defeat Babylon and decree that the exiled Jews can return and rebuild their temple (A stone on which this decree was made can be seen in the British Museum - the "Cyrus Cylinder"). Again, the LORD's intent...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 22:1 Understanding to grow in What grace. Despite Israel's continued rebellion, God promises judgment on Babylon, her oppressor, forgiveness of her sins, and renewal of her and her land. And he stresses he can do this as he is the true God as opposed to the idols of the nations. The section displaying the lunacy of idol worship may feel alien in our culture, where statues are rarely worshipped. But the shaping of gods with our minds according to the design we prefer, is just as ludicrous. As you read note the difference between God and idols. Isaiah 43:14-44:23 Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself: 1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Th...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 21:30 Understanding to grow in Israel was to be God's servant. But paid no attention to his will (42v18-25). Yet in this oracle, the LORD promises another servant whom he does delight in, and who will establish justice on the earth and be the light for the nations that Israel failed to be. And so at Jesus' baptism, the Father declares how pleased he is with him, and jesus himself alludes to Isaiah 42v7 (with 61v1, see Luk 4v18-19). As you read note what the Lord is going to do for Israel and for the nations that will be drawn to his servant.  Isaiah 42:1-43:13 Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself: 1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 21:29 Understanding to grow in Those who have the Lord need not fear. Here Isaiah speaks of the coming of Cyprus (see 44v28), a Persian conquer. The encouragement to the tiny Israel is that he is a tool in God's hand, doing his will by judging the nations. Because Israel is God's servant she therefore need not fear. As for the idols of the nations that God's people might be tempted to look to, God challenged them to predict what is going to happen - something they cannot do, proving them impotent. It's all intended to move Israel to trust God and know he keeps them safe, rather than look to idols. And so we should, remaining with Christ and not turning to other spiritualities, knowing...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 21:28 Understanding to grow in God never fails on his promises. Like grass, people and rulers whither. But his word endures forever. That's what Isaiah tells us. So, just as God promised his people would return from the exile in Babylon and be restored, so, Isaiah speaks of the way being made for God to come and fulfil his word in rescuing his people. When her time in Babylon is completed and the punishment due her for her sin paid, he will gather them like a shepherd gathers his flock. And it is this that proves him the one true and living God as opposed to the false idols of the nations. It finds ultimate fulfilment in God coming to his people in Christ, to rescue them from their exile from eve...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 21:27 Understanding to grow in How might we act when struck down with illness? Again, Hezekiah is an example. He turns to the Lord in prayer, and the Lord is merciful. He grants him fifteen more years, promises to rescue him and the city from Assyria, and proves it with an astonishing miracle. Hezekiah's subsequent thanksgiving shows the importance of expressing gratitude when we receive an answer to prayer. But it also displays something of the anguish felt in serious illness, and the godly heart's response. He sees his affliction as being for his benefit in driving him to the Lord. And he delights to have more time not for himself, but so he can praise God and pass his truth to the next gen...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 21:25-26 Understanding to grow in History records these events taking place in 701BC. Assyria had already destroyed the northern kingdom in 722BC, so what hope for the south? The king's confidence in God is mocked, and he is tempted by the commander offering him what the Lord had already promised (36v16). Just as the false gods of other nations had been shown to be powerless, so the Assyrian says Israel's God will be. They are words that could come straight from the mouth of Satan himself, tempting us away from Christ and undermining our confidence that he can save us. But Hezekiah is a godly king. And just as Christ would when facing his temptation in Gethsemane, he does what we can only do ...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 21:24 Understanding to grow in God's judgment is truly terrifying, which is why so much space is given to it by Isaiah. And who can stand? Those who through faith seek to act righteously (33v14-16). Because God is for them, beyond judgment they will be forgiven their sins (33v24) and enjoy blessing (ch. 35). Some of the particular blessings of chapter 35 were tasted in the miracles of Jesus to prove that he was the Lord finally come in judgment and salvation (35v4). As you read note the various things the faithful will enjoy and why. Isaiah 33-35 Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself: 1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then  praise...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 21:23 Understanding to grow in To reject God in order to side with mere men is utter foolishness - to choose Egypt and Assyria for security rather than the Lord. Likewise to trust in secular thinking or one's wealth or culture. There is no security there either, as ultimately the Lord will bring down all peoples. But there is security in God, for his purposes will be established and his king will reign in righteousness. This is Isaiah's message, and it is intended to knock us out of any complacency with regard to false security (32v11), so that we might trust wholly in Christ. As you read note teh security and hope God gives. Isaiah 31-32 Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself: ...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 21:22 Understanding to grow in More words of judgment against Jerusalem. The city will be beseiged and brought low, then the LORD will act against its beseigers. But the reason for the attack is that the people's worship is mere lip service. They act in darkness as if the LORD can't see it. Rather than trusting him, they ally themselves with ungodly nations. And rather than listen to his word and repent, they tell his prophets to speak only what is "pleasant." Yet again, we read, that after judgment the LORD will bring the wayward to acknowledge him as holy. he stands ready to act in mercy and blessing. There is much here to challenge us as individuals, as well as the contemporary c...