Purity Part 2

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the people of Israel that they put out of the camp everyone who is leprous or has a discharge and everyone who is unclean through contact with the dead. You shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp, that they may not defile theirContinue reading “Purity Part 2”

Proper Focus

“They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side.” (Numbers 2:2, ESV) I learned a long time ago that I needed to keep my eyes focused on where I was headed. I was driving one day in the Chicago area. I was trying to get to the library to do some research. Unfortunately,Continue reading “Proper Focus”

Proper Clothing

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (IsaiahContinue reading “Proper Clothing”

Complete Victory

4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we likeContinue reading “Complete Victory”

The Day of Righteous Governance

“Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice.” (Isaiah 32:1, ESV) Some years ago, a Gallup poll rated various professions concerning honesty and ethics. The results should come as no surprise. People rated our elected officials at the bottom of the list in the area of honesty and ethics. Governors,Continue reading “The Day of Righteous Governance”

Observe, Discern, and Teach

“For thus the Lord said to me: “Go, set a watchman; let him announce what he sees.” (Isaiah 21:6, ESV) One of the great practices of elementary school days was that of the “Show and Tell.” The student would bring something from home and tell the story about it. Similar to this is the nextContinue reading “Observe, Discern, and Teach”

A Day Is Coming

“Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come!” (Isaiah 13:6, ESV) We see the phrase, “the day of the Lord,” frequently in the Scriptures. Many see this as pointing to one specific day when the Lord will return victoriously to bring judgment on the unbelieving. However,Continue reading “A Day Is Coming”

Thy Kingdom Come (Isaiah 11:1-10)

“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” (Isaiah 11:1, ESV) When we speak of the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of heaven, we think of many things. In fact, these terms carry with them a broad spectrum of present and futureContinue reading “Thy Kingdom Come (Isaiah 11:1-10)”

Perfect Governance (Isaiah 9:1-7)

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of DavidContinue reading “Perfect Governance (Isaiah 9:1-7)”

What fruit are we yielding?

“. . . he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.” (Isaiah 5:2, ESV) This section of Isaiah records a metaphor that pertains to house of Israel (v1-7). Israel was God’s chosen and beloved people. He did everything to make them fruitful and productive. Yet they chose to go the wayContinue reading “What fruit are we yielding?”