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July 24th
The bible reading for today is in Isaiah chapters 35 & 36.
I was taught in my early years as a Christian to read and study the bible with first an eye toward how the passage related to the direct audience of the prophet or apostle speaking and writing. Then I could better apply it to myself and the church. That is what I am doing today.
Isaiah’s audience was Judah during the reign of Godly King Hezekiah. The big bully on the block was Assyria. They had already defeated and captured Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel as well as the countryside and fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin. Wherever they conquered, towns, cities, camps, fields, and orchards were burned and laid waste. It was truly a wasteland. Now Assyria was going in for the kill by surrounding Jerusalem.
Isaiah ‘s message was hard on some but full of hope for the believing. Great Egypt would not help. But God’s grace and mercy would save them.
There was death and great destruction already at the hands of the Assyrians. Judeans in Jerusalem were afraid and panicking. But Isaiah’s picture of the near future for the promised land people, for the faithful and the unfaithful, had to encourage them.
Let us listen...“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.”
