Blog Archives - Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church

August 3, 2017

7/31/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

2 Chronicles 32 - Even though Hezekiah was faithful to God he still faced an enemy invasion. But, Hezekiah knew and would learn more that God doesn't leave His own. Hezekiah wisely removed access to a good water supply from the enemy. He also encouraged his people to trust the Lord for the enemy only had "an arm of flesh" but Judah had the presence of the Lord God on their side! God defeated the enemy. After Hezekiah's illness and recover we sadly read that "Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him..." verse 25.

2 Chronicles 33 - In this chapter which describes Manasseh's incredible wickedness against the Lord we read of God humbling Manasseh and then the king humbling himself before God, verse 12. God healed Manasseh and gave him another chance! Though Manasseh showed genuine repentance, he could not undo all the evil influence he had over the nation of Judah. His son Amon only followed his father's sin, not his father's humility.

August 2, 2017

7/31/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

2 Kings 20 - This chapter describes Hezekiah's sickness and the prediction that he would die from this illness. He prayed for God to spare his life and God did give him fifteen more years to live. Hezekiah needed a sign from God that He would fulfill His promise and God gave him the sign of the sun going backwards by 10 degrees! Hezekiah was visited by men from Babylon who showed concern about him. He showed them all his riches. Later, Isaiah would warn Hezekiah that the army of Babylon would eventually conquer Judah. (A note is often made here. If Hezekiah had died when God first said he would, then Manasseh would never have been born. Note 2 Kings 21:1: Manasseh was twelve years old when Hezekiah died, and he would be one of the worst kings ever to reign over Judah).

2 Kings 21 - Manasseh's reign is shown and the vile and corrupt things he did! He encouraged the people of Judah to do worse than all the sins of the nations that were destroyed in the days of Joshua! Manasseh was rebuked and it might be noted that his humbling himself that is recorded in 2 Chronicles 33 is not noted here in 2 Kings. After his death his son Amon would rule for a short and wicked two years. He would be killed by his own servants.

August 1, 2017

7/29/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Isaiah 64 - A prayer is prayed that God would show Himself and make His name known among His adversaries. A familiar New Testament passage, 1 Corinthians 2:9, is quoted from verse 4. God does work on behalf of His own! But, people need to see that their own righteousness is never acceptable to God, verse 6. Isaiah says that no one "stirs himself up to take hold of You." That is a challenge to all who claim to know the Lord: take hold of Him!

Isaiah 65 - God still has an issue with those He has reached out to for centuries. People have found Him who weren't even seeking Him, but those who should have sought after Him have turned against Him, verse 2,3. But God will one day create new heavens and earth, verse 17, and His own will rejoice in what He creates, verse 18. The Millennial conditions are spoken of in verses 19 through 25.

Isaiah 66 - God speaks of Heaven as His throne, but He does take notice of those who are contrite and tremble at His word, verse 2, 5. All who love Jerusalem are called to rejoice with her, verse 10. God gives a final word of promise to all who follow Him, verses 22-24. "All flesh shall come to worship before Me" is God's promise!

As you have come to the end of your reading of Isaiah, I hope you have found it rich in devotional thoughts and will come back to this book again and again. Not only does it speak of our God in a grand and majestic manner, it also points God's people to look to their God as a loving and gracious Savior.

July 31, 2017

7/26/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Isaiah 59 - No place in the Bible is it as clearly stated as verse 2 when God says that sin separates humanity from God. Though sinful people pray, God is aware of their prayer but He sill does not listen to them, until, of course, they call to Him for salvation. People without the Lord don't know what it is like to have peace, verse 8. When God looked for a redeemer, He did not find that person among humanity. God Himself had to come and save, verses 16-21.

Isaiah 60 - Once again the Lord describes the glories during the Kingdom Age yet to come. Both Jews and Gentiles will rejoice in His light, verse 2,3. God will bring joy and glory to Jerusalem, verses 15, 19, 20.

Isaiah 61 - The opening verses of this chapter speak of Christ's ministry in both His first and second coming. Jesus read from this passage as recorded in Luke 4:16-21 and He only read up to the opening line of verse 2, "to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." That described His work during His first advent. The rest of verse 2 and then verse 3 speak of the work He will do upon His 2nd coming. Note the words of verse 10 which can refer to the Lord, Himself, but also to those He redeems. He will clothe His own with "robes of righteousness" which speak of the believer's acceptance before the Lord.

Isaiah 62 - God promises to continue to work on behalf of His people. He refers to their land being called "Hephzibah," which means, "My delight is in her," and "Beulah," which means marriage, verse 4. These are encouraging words for His people, but they are encouraged also to cry out to Him and "do not keep silent, and give Him no rest," verses 6,7, until He brings these things to pass.

Isaiah 63 - The Lord speaks about treading on the winepress of His anger, verses 2 and 6. He will bring vengeance against those who have rejected Him. Isaiah cries out for Israel and speaks of God's affliction as He observes the affliction of His people, verse 9.

July 30, 2017

7/26/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Isaiah 54 - It is fitting that after a great chapter on the Messiah's sacrifice that God would speak of the restoration of Israel as the restored wife of the Lord, verses 5-7. The Lord gives her a great challenge and privilege in verse 2 that she is welcome to enlarge her territory, but even more, her privileges as one who belongs to the Lord. These thoughts are worthy of all believers who want to trust God for greater opportunities to be used of Him! There is also a promise of protection from the Lord as His people trust Him, verse 17.

Isaiah 55 - A cry is given by God to all who would seek Him. He is approachable and more than willing to give that which no one can buy! He also reminds humanity that His thoughts and His ways are infinitely higher than man's, verses 8,9. And He gives the assurance that the word that comes from Him will accomplish its purposes, verse 11

Isaiah 56 - God calls for righteous behavior because that is His nature and what He will bring in His reign on earth. God gives special blessings to all who would follow Him including eunuchs, verses 4,5 and foreigners who desire to join themselves to the Lord, verse 8. The Lord's house is a "house of prayer" verse 7.

Isaiah 57 - Verses 1 and 2 speak of God's mercy in allowing His righteous ones to die without having to see the evil around them. The New Living Translation has a great way of wording these two verses. I've also found that verse 15 speaks of God's pleasure to inhabit eternity in a high and holy place but also with those who have a broken and humble spirit.

Isaiah 58 - This chapter deals with the right and wrong ways of fasting. People think that God is impressed with their "religious appearances" when, in reality, He is looking for their kindness and compassion to a needy world around them. God also looks with favor on the Old Testament Jew who would honor and observe the Sabbath as God had commanded.

July 29, 2017

7/26/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

From chapter 49 to 57 you will read what some Bible teachers refer to as the Suffering Servant of the Lord chapters. This deals with the foretelling of the ministry of Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Keeping this in mind will help you understand the content of these chapters.

Isaiah 49 - The picture here is the coming of the Messiah, formed in the womb, verse 5, with the purpose of bringing Israel (Jacob) back to God and to be a light to Gentile nations also, verse 6. The words of verse 8 are quoted by Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:2 and speak of Messiah's salvation offered to the world. There were times when God's people thought God had forgotten them, verse 14, but God reminds them, and us, as well, that He would never forget His own.

Isaiah 50 - These words give a good picture of Jesus' life on earth. He speaks words to uplift, verse 4. He faced abuse and humiliation, verse 6. But He always knew that the Lord would give Him help to do His will, verse 7-11.

Isaiah 51 - God speaks to His people who seek to follow Him. A good thought is mentioned in verse 1 about being reminded of the awful situation they were in and how God took Abraham and Sarah to produce a great people for Himself. The Lord gives encouragement to His people to not fear the reproach of unbelievers, verse 7. God would comfort them, verse 12. All of Israel's enemies will one day be defeated.

Isaiah 52 - This chapter speaks of the glories of the Jerusalem during the Kingdom Age. God will reign one day in that great city, verse 7. Truly that will be great news to share with everyone! The Lord would fight Israel's enemies and this would happen by the One who faced abuse that brought about the description in verse 14.

Isaiah 53 - This chapter has often been referred to as "The John 3 Chapter" of the Old Testament. This is by far the clearest prophecy predicting the exact work Jesus Christ would accomplish on the cross. He would bear our sins and would be chastised and punished on our behalf. He would die a criminal's death and even be buried in a borrowed tomb. Thank the Lord for the great salvation Christ provided for the world!

July 28, 2017

7/26/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

2 Kings 18:9-37 - This portion of this chapter speaks first of the deportation of the northern tribes of Israel. Then the king of Assyria threatens Judah and Hezekiah gives him a bribe of gold and silver which didn't do him any good. The Assyrian king adds to his intimidation of Hezekiah along with blasphemy against God.

2 Kings 19 - Hezekiah asks for Isaiah's help and also goes to the Temple to spread out the threatening letter he got from the Assyrian king before the Lord. Hezekiah knew that he wasn't only going to ask for the prophet's help, but he would approach God himself. Isaiah sent God's response to Hezekiah and the angel of the Lord destroyed Assyria's army causing the king to return to his own country where his two sons assassinate him.

Psalm 46 - As you think of the many threats Israel had to face they were grateful that God was "a very present help in trouble" verse 1. He removed any cause for fear and He reminded Israel to take time and "be still, and know" that God is God, verse 10.

Psalm 80 - Three times over in this Psalm the cry is made, "Restore us, O God of hosts; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!" verses 3, 7, 19. The Psalmist Asaph, knew that Israel had sinned again and again against the Lord and he called on the Lord to revive and restore His people to bring them to a place of favor with God.

Psalm 135 - In the first fourteen verses God is praised for His goodness and His sovereign control over His creation. He saved His people many times. The latter verses speak of the foolishness of idolatry and then a call is given to Israel and all God's people to bless Him and give Him fear and praise.

July 27, 2017

7/26/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Isaiah 44 - This chapter gives us one of the clear evidences of God's prophets being aware of the Holy Spirit. In verse 3 God promises to "...pour My Spirit on your descendants..." We know that prophecy came true on the Day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. Later in this chapter God speaks of the uselessness of idols and asks, "Who would form a god or mold an image that profits him nothing?" verse 10. In verse 21 God assures His faithful ones that He will never forget them because He "...paid the price to set you free." Verse 22 (NLT)

Isaiah 45 - The Lord promises to raise up a king, named Cyrus, who would subdue nations. God speaks of Himself as the only God and He has the power to "...make peace and create calamity..." verse 7. The KJV uses the word "evil" and people have wondered if this is teaching that God created evil. The answer is clearly "NO!" The word "calamity" speaks of the chaos God will cause when people reject HIs rule and then live in wickedness.

Isaiah 46 - When you read of "Bel bows down, Nebo stoops..." in verse 1 think of the tremendous weight of these manmade idols and then note verse two that speaks of the oxen that have to strain with all their might to pull the carts holding these images! What an awful picture of the people having to carry their own gods around! But note how God responds in verses 3,4 where He says He is the One who carries His people! Then He asks the question in verse 5, "To whom will you like Me, and make My equal and compare Me that we should be alike?"

Isaiah 47 - God promises judgment on Babylon and will bring about widowhood and loss of children in one day, verse 8,9. They had relied upon their astrologers and stargazers to predict their future. God show them what will really happen.

Isaiah 48 - One of the clearest presentations of the Trinity is mentioned in verses 12 and 16. God is the One speaking in verse 12 and continues speaking in verse 16 where He speaks of "the Lord and His Spirit." Note how God speaks of His ministry to His people to help them be profitable and show them the way they should go, verse 17. But God warns the wicked that they will never have peace, verse 22.

July 26, 2017

7/24/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Isaiah 40* - This is a chapter of God's comfort for His people knowing that one day He will redeem them and rescue them from all their sin and their enemies. It is a chapter announcing the coming of the Messiah and a chapter exclaiming how great our God really is! Not only is He great but His word is eternal, vs. 8. (A great verse to memorize). God is wise and He is strong. Who knows what He knows? How would someone compare God to anyone?! Isaiah ends this chapter with a word of encouragement to all God's people: wait on the Lord and receive strength from Him.

Isaiah 41 - God is greater than any and all idols that men have made and worshiped! God gives His people good reason for not having to be afraid. God holds His own in His hands and He cares for the poor and needy.

Isaiah 42 - This is one of the great chapters of Isaiah that point towards Christ. Verses 3 & 4 are quoted in Matthew 12 showing Christ's gentleness and strength. God also declares that He will not give His glory to any other, verse 8. The Lord is righteous but His people turn a deaf ear to Him.

Isaiah 43 - God will redeem and restore His people. Many have found great comfort in verse 2 and have experienced God's presence in the midst of their troubles. He reminds His people that He is with them, verse 5 and that He has created them for His glory, verse 7. He calls for His people to be His witnesses that He, alone, is God and there is no other Savior, verses 10,11. God promises to blot out the transgressions of His people and not bring them back to memory again, verse 25.

*Chapter 40 has been a "bone of contention" for liberal scholars. They can't see Isaiah having the ability to see into the future and know that Israel would be comforted. They obviously don't believe in the total inspiration of the Word of God and that God can reveal His prophetic plan to His prophets. These liberals have taught that two separate "Isaiah's" wrote this prophecy at two different times and then "someone" joined them together. The Dead Sea Scrolls, found in 1947, show that the Isaiah scroll is one continuous book just as we have it in our Bibles.

July 25, 2017

7/21/2017

Insights on Today's Reading

Isaiah 37 - This is Isaiah's account of Hezekiah's response to the threatening message from the king of Assyria. Sure, he was upset, but he had his servants go to Isaiah and seek a message from God through him. While they were going another letter came to Hezekiah with further threats from his enemy. Hezekiah went to the Temple and "spread the letter out before the Lord." It was Hezekiah's way of saying to God, "Look! See what this is saying against You!" Meanwhile, Isaiah responds to Hezekiah by first addressing his remarks to the Assyrian leaders rebuking them for their blasphemy against the Lord God and then he speaks to Hezekiah and gives him assurance that Assyria will never attack Jerusalem. By the end of this chapter you will read how the angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian troops causing the king of Assyria to go back home only to face assassination from his own sons!

Isaiah 38 - Isaiah tells Hezekiah that he is sick and will soon die. Hezekiah weeps before the Lord and reminds Him of all that he did for Israel. God promises Hezekiah 15 more years of life. Hezekiah offers a prayer of praise to God for His healing.

Isaiah 39 - The king of Babylon sends messengers to Jerusalem to convey his best wishes for Hezekiah's healing. Hezekiah allows these Babylonians to see all his wealth. After they left, Isaiah warns Hezekiah that the Babylonians will come some day soon and taken the wealth of Jerusalem as well as Hezekiah's sons to Babylon. Hezekiah recognizes God's authority and requests that he won't be alive on earth to see that day when it comes.

Psalm 76 - This is a Psalm possibly speaking of God's defeat of the Assyrian army. He destroyed their weapons, verse 3; the enemy died without fighting, verse 5. God is to be feared by the world's armies and they should offer God sacrifices and presents to show their fear of Him, verse 11.