September 27, 2020, Isaiah cont...., Proverbs cont....

 Happy Sunday!

Isaiah is a very interesting book. Thus far God has revealed his disgust with injustice, murder, and the treatment of the fatherless, and widows. He has also filled the book with hope. Jesus Christ is that great hope. 

Isaiah chapter 13

A prophecy Against Babylon

A prophecy against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw: 

Raise a banner on a bare hilltop; shout to them; beckon to them to enter the gates of nobles. I have commanded those I prepared for battle; I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath--those who rejoice in my triumph. 

Listen, a noise on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations massing together! The Lord almighty is mustering an army for war. They come from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens---the Lord and the weapons of his wrath---to destroy the whole country. 

Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty, because of this, all hands will go limp. every heart will melt with fear. Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame. 

See, the day of the Lord is coming ---a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger--to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. 

These are not God's people; their prophecy is different. The babylonians were a group of people who served many gods. 

They served made up gods like: 

Ishtar: goddess of love

Ea: god of wisdom

Enurta: god of war

Anshar: father of heaven

Shamash: god of the sun and of justice

Ashur: national god of the Assyrians

"According to the article,  "Some of these were Sumerian, some Akkadian and other later groups and some imported from the mountainous regions to the north and east of Mesopotamia. These gods reflected the various needs and fears of the different peoples. The Sumerians would have had city gods and gods of the harvest. The desert nomads who invaded Mesopotamia at various times would have had water gods and sand gods. The people of the high mountains may have had gods of thunder and lighting." 

Works Cited

(https://www.bible history.com/babylonia/babyloniababylonian_gods00000027.htm)

They also had many kings that established laws very different from the ones God gives and he does not want his people following after them. 

Take note of how God deals with his people and how he deals with the ungodly. Remember God keeps us from being hurt by wicked people. He holds them back and only allows them to go so far. If God did not hold them back they would destroy his people because its what's inside of them. Some people live life to conquer other people. It's a  natural way they think but God holds them back and gives his people their own land to keep them from a hardcore enemy who wants them destroyed. But there are moments when God breaks down the walls of Jerusalem and lets the enemy in; but it never excuses their behavior. They might be ignorant of God but they are still committing wicked actions. He is going to punish them too. 

David does not win against goliath because he is stronger; he wins against Goliath because God is with him. God gives his people the victory but when the people go astray he turns his back. Its not so much God is making the enemy get us. The enemy was sitting at the door and the minute he sees the walls down he enters in. It is always in time when sin has separated someone from God and what happens if you lose your strength, defense, protector, and provider. 

The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins.

He promises his people that the darkness will turn to light. He even invites them to be changed by learning righteousness on his holy mountain. 

I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.

• He punished his people first
• They had murder, injustice, as well as pride and arrogance
• At the same time the enemy is doing just as bad as his people and maybe worser than God's people.
• But God deals with his first/and he uses their enemies to serve his purpose
• Then he goes and deals with the ungodly, the babylonians, the assyrians and so forth. 

I will make people scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir. Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the Almighty, in the day of his burning anger. Like a hunted gazelle, like sheep without a shepherd, they will return to their own people, they will flee to their native land. Whoever is captured will be thrust through: all who are caught will fall by the sword, their infants will be dashed to pieces before their very eyes; their houses will be looted and their wives violated. 

• This punishment is more severe
• He takes away the buildings in Israel
• He takes away the false prophets
• He allows an ungodly king to reign over them
• But babylon experiences worst than what God's people will suffer
• Sadly they don't believe so there is no hope for them. 

"See, I will stir up against them the Medes, who do not care for silver and have no delight in gold, their bows will strike down the young men; they will have no mercy on infants, nor will they look with compassion on children. Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the pride  

and glory of the Babylonians, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. She will never be inhabited or lived in through all generations; there no nomades will pitch their tents, there no shepherds will rest their flocks. But desert creatures  will lie there , jackals, will fill her houses; there the owls will dwell, and there the wild goats will leap about. Hyenas will inhabit her strongholds, jackals her luxurious palaces. Her time is at hand, and her days will not be prolonged. 

Proverbs 

Saying 14

My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.