Today’s Reading: Isaiah 21:11-17; 23; 34:5-17; 2 Kings 16:7-18,20; 18:1-7; 2 Chronicles 28:22-27

Today’s reading continues with God’s plans of judgment on the surrounding nations (Edom, Arabia, Tyre). To catch the original impact of these statements, imagine these same prophesies being made about Toronto (e.g. “Within a year, Toronto will be deserted and destroyed, left as the domain of foxes, owls, and weeds”).

I think a key summary is the statement in Is 23:9, “The Lord Almighty planned it, to bring low the pride of all glory and to humble all who are renowned on the earth.” It is a reminder that God is working in both big and small events with the goal of humbling (i.e. “restoring a realistic perspective to”) those who feel proud and self-confident. Isn’t this still what God does through time and death to all our strengths and achievements? Ideally the emptiness that results draws us to him!

By the way, this was also our “key verse” for the day to practice the “Pronounce it” method of Bible study – and so what did you learn? If you missed Sunday and want to know what I’m talking about, feel free to drop me an email.

One last thought about Ahaz … It is interesting to see how Ahaz, an evil king after two good kings, introduced evil by keeping enough of the good (e.g. regular sacrifices) but always with some sort of distortion/addition/”improvement” (e.g. different alter, changes to the temple, …). I think that is still how we drift into error today!