Read Isaiah 15
Highlights:
Moab's devastation foretold; Syria and Israel threatened; God's judgments; Israel's conversion; captivity of Egypt foretold.
Where are thy wise men? . . . the princes of Noph (Memphis, capital of Egypt) are deceived . . . The Lord hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err (Is. 19:12-14).
Isaiah foretold that all the ancient glory of the pharaohs would soon vanish. He warned his people not to depend on Egypt for help against the invading Assyrians. Sadly, instead of repenting, praying to God, and turning from their evil ways, they turned to Egypt for security. It seems amazing that when given the choice between turning to God or turning to the world that we would choose the world. It seemed impossible to Israel that the prophecy against the great and powerful Egypt could actually come to pass, but true to God's Word, it was fulfilled in every detail.
They have rejected the Word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them? (Jer. 8:9). We must understand the Word of God is the complete Truth from cover-to-cover. Every prophecy in the Bible has already or will in the future come true. The words on the pages of the Bible are not penned by some psychic or soothsayer, who might guess correctly on one or two predictions. These words are inspired by God Himself and written down by God-fearing men and women. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in Truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe (I Thess. 2:13).
The nation of God that had once followed after righteousness became ensnared with the wisdom of the world. When the Israelites turned to Egypt for help, they lost their source of guidance and spiritual values.
Most of the Bible deals with human problems — every conceivable problem anyone will ever face. It is remarkably true that the answers become unmistakably clear as we meditate upon His Word.
It is of little importance that we excel in the wisdom of the world, but it is of utmost importance that we study the Bible — the life-giving Book that illuminates our understanding of life's complicated problems.
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the Word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one (I John 2:14).
Thought for Today:
The Word hidden in the heart provides wisdom for daily living.
Christ Revealed:
As the One who will sit on the throne of David (Is. 16:5). The angel Gabriel told the virgin Mary that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David (Luke 1:32-33). Christ also is revealed as the Saviour (Is. 19:20; comp. Matt. 1:21; Luke 2:11).
Word Studies:
16:3 bewray, betray; 16:11 my bowels, my inner being, heart; 17:11 a heap, a failure; 19:8 angle, hooks; 21:14 prevented with their bread him that fled, gave food and water to the fugitives.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Pres. Barack Obama (USA), Rep. Keith Ellison (MN), and Rep. Robert E. Andrews (NJ) • Country: Norway (4.45 million) in northern Europe • Major language: Norwegian • Religious freedom • 87.8% Evangelical Lutheran; 3.8% Other Protestant and Catholic; 3.2% None; 5.2% Other (Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Jehovah's Witness) • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for a greater desire to serve the Lord (Ps. 42:1-2).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 12
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 6:10