Isaiah

As I've mentioned repeatedly with regard to prophecy, it typically has two parts:

1. Sin and be punished, or

2. Repent and be forgiven

Isaiah is split between the first (chapters 1-39) and the second (chapters 40-66). We'll spend this week reading as the Lord lays out the case to Judah of their shortcomings and what will occur, and next week on how God will comfort a people after utter destruction and exile into Babylonian captivity.

Nothing in Isaiah is hidden or difficult to understand. Most is straightforward and understandable, even if we don't fully comprehend the manner or the timing of events. For instance, in today's reading, we can break it down fairly easily:

Chapter 1--Repent

Chapter 2--Or else

Chapter 3--It's coming

What we need to remember is that much of what Isaiah wrote is still applicable to us today. We're still being called to repent, we're still being warned that there will be severe punishment if we don't, and we're still being told that if we come to our senses and submit to the Lord, he'll have compassion and mercy on us.

My last point is a minor one, and I'll probably return to it when we reach Revelation, but as we read the warnings throughout the entire section of Biblical prophecy, does anything suggest to you that Christians won't be around to live through it? Certain segments of Christianity believe that we won't be around when this judgment is handed down--perhaps they're right, but speaking ONLY FOR MYSELF, I'll choose to be prepared for when the Lord reaps the whirlwind as opposed to hope that I'll somehow be exempt from it.

Scott