The BOOK – Royal Prophet

Prophet Isaiah was brought up in the court and had high standing with the people of Jerusalem. He not only was a prophet, but he also married a prophetess (Isaiah 8:3,118). Isaiah was the prophet during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah (Isaiah 1:1). He received his real commission in the year King Uzziah died. He preached God was about to abandon Judah, showing that God wants his people to be holy more than prosperity. 

God called Isaiah just as he called Moses, Joshua, Gideon or Paul. Isaiah’s commission came at the tragic death of the grand old King Uzziah (Isaiah 6 :!). For years he preached and told of doom and deliverance. Hardship and tough times awaited him, but God gave him a victorious strength. He was the man of the hour.

The secret of all Isaiah’s power lay in a vision in the Temple. This vision should be every disciple’s experience.

·         Conviction – a sense of sinfulness before God’s holiness (Isaiah 6:5)

·         Confession – a broken heart and a contrite heard is precious to the Lord (Isaiah 6:5)

·         Cleansing – guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for (Isaiah 6:7)

·         Consecration – here I am, send me attitude (Isaiah 6:8)

·         Commission – Gods command to Go (Isaiah 6:9)

From Isaiah 7 to 24 we see the days of King Ahaz. He was utterly bad and an idolater. For this reason, God gave the kingdom to other kings. Isaiah was silent, but this invasion brings him to the front in his ministry (Isaiah 7:3). God sent him to encourage Ahaz. Besides predicting the Assyrian invasion in Isaiah 8, the prophet saw an end to all of Israel’s troubles through the birth of Jesus Christ who shall rule over the kingdom of David in righteousness forever and forever. He gave Ahaz a sign that Judah was not to perish – the prophecy of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 7:14). But Ahaz pursued his own idea with Assyria, and that nation on which they now leaned was to become the means of their punishment (Isaiah 7:17-20). 

In Isaiah 13, we see prophecy about Babylon’s destruction. God often allows nations to punish Israel for her national sins, but retribution is inevitable. In Isaiah 14, we see the death of king Ahaz. But Isaiah warns the people that his death must not be hailed as the end of their burdens. Even worse oppressors than Ahaz were yet to come (Isaiah 14:28-32). 

From Isiah 15 to 39, it talks about the period under Hezekiah, which was an important period in all of Israel’s history. He was a godly king. The critical year in Hezekiah’s reign was the 14^th year (Isaiah 36:1). It was then we have the Assyrian invasion, the king’s mortal sickness and his recovery, and the withdrawal of Assyrians from the land. 

Chapters 40 to 66 are called the Book of Consolation because Isaiah tells in glowing terms not only of the restoration of Judah, but also of the coming of Jehovah’s servant to be the Messiah king. Isaiah 53 gives us a perfect picture of our suffering redeemer. Isaiah 60 to 66 tells of the coming kingdom – the future glory of Israel. God’s goodness to redeemed Israel is seen in chapter 61 and 62. He promises an era of prosperity in chapters 63 to 65.

Isaiah spent his life trying to get Judah to become acquainted with God and his word. He wanted them to trust wholly in God’s guidance. This book not only speaks of Israel, but of Jesus Christ who came to take away the sins of whole world. It shows us how Christ suffered for the sins which we have done. 

When you pray fully read this book, you will understand the real grace which God showed upon the humanity to get saved. I pray that everyone understand this grace of Christ that he died for our sins to make us free, and accordingly live a life pleasing and testifying Jesus Christ.

The BOOK - Educate from Job

The book of Job is one of the old, if not the oldest, books in the Bible. Trials and suffering are for our education and training. The athlete is not put under strict discipline for punishment, but merely to make him ready for the race. Christ is ever preparing us for the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1-2). The theme of the book is “why do Godly people suffer?”  

The disciples of Christ thought that suffering was the result of sin in a life (John 9:2). The book of Job was being honoured by God. It was the truth that God could trust Job to remain faithful to God in spite of everything. 

The story of Job is a simple one. It opens with a scene in heaven and then tells of job’s fall from prosperity to poverty. This is followed by the great discussion between Job and his 4 friends: Eliphaz, the religious dogmatist, much like an ancient Pharisee; Bildad, who sought to comfort Job with worn-out platitudes; and Zophar, who thought he had a corner on all religious wisdom. Then comes Elihu, the impetuous youth. Finally, the climax is reached when God speaks. Job answers, at last in a humble spirit, and the problem are solved. 

God has a wise purpose in all of our suffering. God wants to show his manifold wisdom (Ephesians 3:10). He wants the trial of our faith to work patience. He wants to bring out the gold as by fire. He wants to reveal real character. This book tells us much about human suffering. Job’s friends, as thousands do today, made the mistake of thinking that all suffering was God’s way of punishing sin. They asked, “Who, being innocent, has ever perished?” (Job 4:7). God allowed Stephen to be stoned (Acts 7:59) and Paul to have a thorn in his flesh to buffet him (2 Corinthians). Even Jesus knew suffering. Job’s friends concluded that Job must have sinned greatly to account for such exceptional suffering.

Job had a conscience right toward God. He knew his heart was true and so he could accept the accusations of his friends. He finally could show them that their conclusion was wrong and that the wicked often prosper in this world (Job 24:6). When Job was in the midst of his anguish, he realized it is only the gold that is worth putting the fire.

God kept dealing with Job till he came to the very end of himself. Hear him speak again, “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. My ears had heard of you but my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:3-6). We find Job a chastened, softened servant. God turned the tide and his prosperity was given back to him doubled – twice as many sheep and oxen, asses and camels. He rejoiced again in his son’s and daughters, just the same number as before. 

Job was right with man and with God, and remember it was God who said this. God added, “There is no one on earth like him” (Job1:8). What an honour God gave to Job to use these words to describe him. Job honoured God and obeyed God. I pray for everyone who reads this book of Job, live a life as Job and get the credit from God himself, Amen.