Lessons from Isaiah

I recently did a study of the book of Isaiah. (Yes, I know it's Old Testament Prophecy. Yes, I know it's 66 chapters long. No, it wasn't boring in the least. :) ) I was pleasantly surprised and humbled to find that my skepticism about the modern-day relevance of this book was completely misguided.

Below is a list of some of the truths I learned and/or was reminded of through my study of Isaiah.


1. God is offended by religious ritual, however impressive, if it conceals an empty heart and a careless life (1:10-17; 58:1-12; 66:1-4).

2. God despises all manifestations of human pride (2:10-17; 10:33-34; 13:11; 16:6; 23:9; 28:1-4).

3. The idols that man creates are destined for destruction (2:20-21; 19:1; 31:6-7; 44:9-20; 46:1-7).

4. Though God's judgment will reduce His people to a remnant, His final purpose is the joyful triumph of His grace (1:9; 6:1-12; 35:1-10; 40:1-2; 49:13-16; 51:3; 54:7-8; 55:12-13).

5. God is able to judge people by rendering them deaf and blind to His word (6:9-10; 28:11-13; 29:9-14; 42:18-25).

6. The world's only hope is bound up in one man - the promised Davidic king, the servant of the Lord, the anointed preacher of the Gospel, and the lone victor over evil (4:2; 7:14; 9:2-7; 11:1-10; 42:1-9; 49:1-13; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12; 63:1-6).

7. God is actively using creation and history, even the wrongdoings of man, for His own glory (10:5-19; 13:1-27:13; 36:1-39:8; 40:12-26; 44:24-45:13).

8. With a great and holy God ruling all things, man's duty is a repentant trust in Him alone (7:9; 10:20; 12:2; 26:3-4; 28:12, 16; 30:15-18; 31:1; 32:17-18; 36:1-37:38; 40:31; 42:17; 50:10; 55:1-7; 57:13, 15; 66:2).

9. When God's people feel abandoned by God, they often (foolishly) put their trust in worldly powers (7:1-8:22; 28:14-22; 30:1-17; 31:1-3; 39:1-8; 40:27; 49:14; 51:12-13).

10. God will uphold His own cause with a world-transforming display of His glory (4:2-6; 11:10; 35:1-12; 40:3-5; 52:10; 59:19; 60:1-3; 66:18).

11. God uses predictive prophecy to prove that His hand is guiding human history (41:1-4, 21-29; 44:6-8; 44:24-45:13; 46:8-11; 48:3-11).

12. The wrath of God is to be feared above all else (5:25; 9:12, 17, 19, 21; 10:4-6; 13:9, 13; 30:27; 34:2; 59:18; 63:1-6; 66:15-16, 24).


Do you have any thoughts to add to this? Don't be shy!

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Depth of Mercy

Depth of mercy! Can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?


I have long withstood His grace,
Long provoked Him to His face,
Would not hearken to His calls,
Grieved Him by a thousand falls.


I have spilt His precious blood,
Trampled on the Son of God,

Filled with pangs unspeakable,

I, who yet am not in hell!

I my Master have denied,

I afresh have crucified,

And profaned His hallowed Name,

Put Him to an open shame.

Whence to me this waste of love?

Ask my Advocate above!

See the cause in Jesus' face,

Now before the throne of grace.

Jesus, answer from above,

Is not all Thy nature love?

Wilt Thou not the wrong forget,

Permit me to kiss Thy feet?

If I rightly read Thy heart,

If Thou all compassion art,

Bow Thine ear, in mercy bow,

Pardon and accept me now.

Jesus speaks, and pleads His blood!

He disarms the wrath of God;

Now my Father's mercies move,

Justice lingers into love.

Kindled His relentings are,

Me He now delights to spare,

Cries, 'How shall I give thee up?'

Lets the lifted thunder drop.

Lo! I still walk on the ground:

Lo! an Advocate is found:

'Hasten not to cut Him down,

Let this barren soul alone.'

There for me the Savior stands,

Shows His wounds and spreads His hands.

God is love! I know, I feel;

Jesus weeps and loves me still.

Pity from Thine eye let fall,

By a look my soul recall;

Now the stone to flesh convert,

Cast a look, and break my heart.

Now incline me to repent,

Let me now my sins lament,

Now my foul revolt deplore,

Weep, believe, and sin no more. 

{Depth of Mercy by Charles Wesley}


Among the attributes of God, although they are all equal, mercy shines with even more brilliancy than justice. Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

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