Old Testament reading: Isaiah 46-48
Isaiah 46 continues by contrasting the futility of idols with the true love and power of God. Verses 1-2 speak of the great burdens borne by beasts as they carried Israel’s idols into captivity. Again, Israel was so blind so as not to see her own foolishness and disgrace. Israel’s gods were unable to prevent her from going into captivity, but rather than abandon them and turn to the true God of heaven, she chose to carry her idols into captivity! Through Isaiah, Jehovah pleads with His people to remember that it was He who had brought them forth and upheld them through the years, from the womb until old age. Jehovah now pleads, ‘I have made you; I will lift you up! Let me carry you and deliver you!’ He calls on Israel to forsake the gods of their own hands who must be carried on their shoulders and set in place, gods who cannot hear the desperate cries of their devotees, gods who cannot deliver Israel from her enemies. We must be reminded that no matter how far we may wander or run from God, He still loves us and desires our love and devotion. He wants to carry our burdens and deliver us from our enemies. Why should I ever fail to seek such a One who loves me so?
New Testament reading: Revelation 19-22
After today’s reading, you will have read the New Testament three times! Well done! Twice today we find John trying to worship an angel, and twice we see the angel rebuke John saying, “Worship God.” I also love Revelation 19:10, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” This may be understood in two senses. First, it may be considered that Jesus was the driving force behind the work of the prophets. Second, it may be understood that Jesus is the primary subject of the prophets’ work. I tend toward the view of the latter. Consider the words of Peter in Acts 3, as he identified Jesus to be the subject of all of God’s holy prophets “since the world began” (v 21). Peter also identified Jesus as the prophet like Moses who would come in God’s name (Deut 18:15-19). Finally, Peter concluded with, “Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days” (Acts 3:24). Biblical history and much of man’s secular history are truly “His story.”
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