Israel and Roller Coasters - Chapter 29

"And in an instant, suddenly you will be visited by the Lord of hosts with thunder and with earthquake and great noise with whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of a devouring fire."

Isaiah 29:5

"Because this people draw near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me a commandment taught by men."

Isaiah 29:13

"In the day the deaf shall hear the words of a book and out of their gloom of darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy from the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult the Holy One of Israel. For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off..."

Isaiah 29:16-20

"For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel."

Isaiah 29:23

Isaiah 29 is such an intriguing chapter. The first word is "Ah", signifying great grief and suffering, then "Ariel, Ariel". Honestly, my mind jumped to The Little Mermaid :-) but that's not what we're talking about. Scholars don't actually know. It's Hebrew ('Ari'el). Some think it means "altar hearth" while others lean towards "lion of God" or "hero". How you read the rest of the chapter is significant based on which meaning you choose. I chose "Israel". It's not one of the options scholars give, but I think there were times when God was ready to sacrifice Israel (altar hearth) and find a new people. However, there were also times when He was actually proud ('lion of God' or 'hero') of Israel. So, I just stuck with the people.

Like Israel, i have my up and down moments with God. It's kind of like a roller coaster. You're always strapped in and sage because of God's love, but there are times when you feel as though that seatbelt is loose, usually when we're flying downhill towards the bottom. Those are the times I disappoint God. Then there are times when I'm pinned down, going no where, and braving the loops, twists and turns.

Just like the seatbelt on a roller coaster, God is always with Israel; He stuck with them no matter how hard times got. Even when there words didn't match their actions, "Because this people draw near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me a commandment taught by men." (v. 13). He protected them, "For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off..." (v. 20). And eventually, at the end of the chapter, God even seems to be proud of Israel, "For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel." (v. 23).

It doesn't mean Israel didn't go through terrifying moments, "And in an instant, suddenly you will be visited by the Lord of hosts with thunder and with earthquake and great noise with whirlwind and tempest, and the flame of a devouring fire." (v. 5) But God never gave up, never let them out of their protective seatbelt.

Mass Destruction - 34

"Draw near, O nations to hear,
and give attention, O peoples!
Let the earth hear, and all that fills it;
the world and all that comes from it.
For the LORD is enraged against all the nations,
and furious against all their host;
he has devoted them to destruction,
has given them over for slaughter."
Isaiah 34:1-2

WOW!! We're way past Assyria and the trouble that nation caused. Now we're onto all nations, all people and everything that fills the earth.

I have to admit, this passage depressed me. So much so that I needed to take a break from Isaiah and talk of destruction, it was too much for me. I had to spend a little time in the New Testament (1 John 4 to be exact) and remind myself of God's love so I could balance out His wrath.

Coming back to Isaiah 34 didn't seem as bad them, But it's still bad.

Four times in the first 8 verses the phrase "The LORD has" is repeated, The first is in verse 2, "The LORD is enraged". The comments in my footnotes say the Hebrew idiom could be translated "The Lord has rage". That verse alone is enough to terrify me, but it goes on. Verse 6a, "The LORD has a sword", verse 6b, "The LORD has a sacrifice", and verse 8, "The LORD has a day of vengeance". So, to summarize, we have an enraged LORD, who's picked out a day of vengeance, has a sword, and knows what he's going to sacrifice. In that day (to borrow the phrase from Isaiah) all hell will break lose, literally.

If you oppose Zion or its cause you will be destroyed. There are no loop holes to jump through, no clauses or exceptions, just the fact that if you're not with God, then you're against Him which means you're going down.

The scene described is a living hell, the detail is so distinct:

"land shall become a burning pitch...

it shall not be quenched...

it shall lie waste...

thorns shall grow over its strongholds...

it shall be the haunt of jackals..." 

(selection of verses 9-13). 

And in case you have any question as to whether that can happen, when then read,

"Seek and read from the book of the LORD; 

not one of these shall be missing;

...for the mouth of the LORD has commanded, 

and his Spirit has gathered them." 

(verse 16)

In simpler terms: what God says, God does. There are several other horrible things described in verses 9-15 and He says everything mentioned will happen. 

I moments like this, you have to decide if the Bible is all truth or all lies. It can't be part way, it's all or nothing. What are you going to believe?

Still re-learning the SAME lessons - 30

"'Ah, stubborn children'" declares the LORD,

'who carry out a plan,

but not mine, and who make an alliance,

but not of my Spirit, that they add sin to sin;

who set to go down to Egypt without asking my direction...'"

Isaiah 30:1-2a

"Egypt's help is worthless and empty;

therefore I have called her Rahab who sits still."

Isaiah 30:7

"And now, go write it before them on a tablet

and inscribe it in a book,

that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever.

For they are a rebellious people...

children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord..."

Isaiah 30:8-9

"In returning and rest you shall be saved;

in quietness and in trust shall be your strength..."

Isaiah 30:15a

Why do we so readily run to solutions of the world rather than look to our creator? We turn to the powers of our time before we seek God. We're no different than the Israelites. We all, it seems, have to learn the same lessons. And I'm sure, just like the Israelites, we sadden God's heart.

We can read Isaiah 30 and think, "the Israelites WANT to go back to the people who made them salves?! Are they crazy?!" But how often do we turn to (or are at least tempted) devices of the world? We all have our weaknesses.

Personally, when I'm down I like to shop Rather than turning to God, I go blow some dough on clothes, jewelry, bags, etc. I know it doesn't really help, yet I want to do it anyhow. Just like the Israelites I'm "unwilling to hear the instruction of the LORD."

I wish it could stop there. I wish that's as bad as it gets, but it's not. The Israelites resorted to telling their prophets they didn't want to hear how upset God was, they only wanted the good news. How often do we have selective hearing? Listening only to what we WANT to hear; or just wanting the good news without the bad.

Thousands of years later humanity is still learning the same lessons, still pulled towards the same distractions and evils.

We don't know how to REST in God. And it's often hard for us to return to Him. But that's what He desires of us. To "return and rest" in Him; to lean towards "quietness and trust". All we have to do is call to Him, because God ALWAYS hears the cries of His people.

6 powerful verses - Isaiah 12

"You will say in that day:
I will give thanks to you O LORD,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me.
Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid;
for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation."
Isaiah 12:1-2


"You will say in that day,
Give thanks to the LORD,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing praises to the LORD for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known in all the earth.
Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitants of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
Isaiah 12:4-6


God's name is proclaimed among his people. They are not looking to anyone or anything else except God. What an incredible picture. How much would God delight if we did that all the time. It rather than depending on things of this world, we relied solely on him? That day would be an amazing day!

"Let this be made known among all the earth"...God doesn't want just his people to know of his gloriousness, he wants the words spread among all the earth. Too often, I'm guilty of keeping His gloriousness to myself. I'm overly conscious of what people think of me. The few times I due sing songs of praise to him as I walk down the street, I'm often silenced by the stares of people. Oh to be bold for Christ the way He was bold.

The promised One - 11

"And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,

the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and might,

the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD."

Isaiah 11:2

The promised Messiah will come. The prophesy gives details. Six traits are mentioned: wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the LORD.

I found those six traits to be fascinating! Most of them occur in our thoughts: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and I would lump counsel in with these as well. Interesting that 4 out of 6 happen inside our bodies with our hearts and mind.

That leaves might and fear of the LORD. I think of these as "stances". For might, I picture a warrior taking his "stance"- preparing for battle, solid, unmoving, etc. For fear of the Lord, the picture that comes to mind is a person on their knees - showing reverence and submission.

"And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. 

He shall not judge by what his eyes see,

or decide disputes by what his ears hear,

but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,

and decide with equity for the meek of the earth..."

Isaiah 11:3-4a

I found these verses truly convicting. I'm the type of person who's quick to come to an opinion and unfortunately, I often decide based on what my eyes see. It's a complete contrast to the 6 traits mentioned in the previous verses. This was a good reminder for me.

"They shall not hurt or destroy

in all my holy mountain;

for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD

as the waters covers the sea."

Isaiah 11:9

I love that picture, the EARTH FULL OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD. How amazing will it be when that day occurs, when our completely imperfect earth, suddenly has an awareness of the perfect, holy one.

"In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples - of him shall the peoples inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people...He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."

Isaiah 11:10-12

Learning Curves - 10

"Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, 

and the writers who keep writing oppression 

to turn aside the needy from justice 

and to rob the poor of my people of their right 

that widows may be their spoil, 

and that they may make the fatherless their prey!"

Isaiah 10:1-2

God declares hardship on the unjust; on those who cause in justice, who turn a blind eye to the needy and prevent them from obtaining justice. To those who prey on widows and the fatherless - they have no one to protect them -  those who are meant to protect and defend them, attack them instead.

"What will you do on the day of punishment, 

in the ruin that will come from afar? 

To whom will you flee for help, 

and where will you leave your wealth? 

Nothing remains but to crouch among the prisoners 

or fall among the slain."

Isaiah 10:3-4a

God asks, "What will you do in the day of visitation?" God's anger will pour out on them and they will have to answer for their sins. the friends they made their their competition are now their enemies. They have no where to run and hide; nowhere to seek refuge. 


God asks "where will they leave their wealth?" - All they have accumulated while causing destruction and unjustice is now stripped from them. They have two options,  1) to be taken captive (along with those they took advantage of), or 2) die. And it seems God wants nothing to do with them.

"Oh my people who dwell in Zion, 

be not afraid of the Assyrians when they strike with the rod 

and lift up their staff as the Egyptians did. 

For in a very little while my fury will come to an end, 

and my anger will be directed at their destruction."

Isaiah 10:24-25

God allows the Assyrians to take control. He allows the Israelites to go through that terror in order to draw them closer to Him. He breaks them down to build them up.


I went through one of these "learning curves" 2 years ago. For months I endured a kind of pain I never knew existed. Yes, there were moments of laughter and joy, but in some ways I think during any kind of trial, you God provides a moment of respite. I still bear scars from that trial to this day; marks that will be with me for the rest of my life.  Yet through it all, I learned how to lean on God in a new way. I cherished time with Him, because He was my confidant, the only one I could turn to for comfort. God's anger didn't destroy those who caused my pain, but He destroyed the lies from Satan that I took as truth. I was allowed to walk down a life path that wasn't pleasant, but I'm a better woman and daughter of King because of it.

God the Parent: Chapter 9

"The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shined.
You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad for when they divide the spoil."
Isaiah 9:2-3

"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6

"For all this his anger has not turned away.
and his hand is stretched out still."
Isaiah 9:12b, 17b, 21b

The people of Israel saw much trial and heartache in their history. Chapter 9 acknowledge this, but also speaks of the great joy that is to come because of a Savior. Though they once walked in darkness, they will now be in the light. I just love that promise: the darkness won't last forever. Too many times, I'm caught thinking it will. Too many times I've decided God let me get in over my head, but that's simply not the case. The light will come in all it's glory.

I love that Jesus' names are capitalized. You know it's a big deal when four names for you are capitalized! And how true those four names are: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

First in chapter 9 we get the good news, then comes the bad news: "The Lord has sent a word against Jacob, and it will fall on Israel; and all the people will know, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and arrogance of heart: 'The bricks have fallen, be we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.'" In other words, we don't need God, WE CAN DO IT!

I've had that attitude many a time. I make "exceptions" thinking God didn't get it quite right so I'll make do with something else, not realizing that by doing that rather than seeking His counsel, I'm rebelling against Him. Jacob - Israel - Ephraim - Samaria, they all rebelled against the the worship of the Lord. So, they get attacked.

You see a side of God here that we don't like to think about because it's not the "sunshine and rainbows" God we'd rather see. We see a God who's upset with His people. A God who knows there are consequences to His people's actions, no matter how much He loves them. It reminds me of my younger day when my parent's spanked me for disobeying. They would say it hurt them too, but I never understood that being the one who was getting swatted. But I have a MUCH better grasp now. God didn't enjoy seeing His people suffer, but He knew they HAD too. "For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still."

That phrase is repeated 3 times in 13 verses. God still loves His people and He's still there for them, but He also has to let them suffer.