fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397 
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Post by fearnot on Aug 7, 2023 14:49:54 GMT -5
Then your choicest valleys were full of chariots,
And the horsemen took up fixed positions at the gate.
Isaiah 22:7
The Jews rich productive and most valuable land will be filled with enemy troops.
The enemy shall be in battle formation.
Sadly, because of their hardened hearts and stubbornness,
God has abandoned these Jews.
And He removed the defense of Judah.
In that day you depended on the weapons of the house of the forest,
Isaiah 22:8
The house of the forest ( armory) was built by Solomon.
In this vast storage house there were large quantities of weapons of war.
And you saw that the breaches
In the wall of the city of David were many;
And you collected the waters of the lower pool.
Isaiah 22:9
The city of David was Jerusalem.
The waters of the lower pool was constructed by Hezekiah.
Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and all his might,
and how he made the pool and the conduit
and brought water into the city,
are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?
2 Kings 20:20
Seeing all the damage to the wall,
this is what they did:
Then you counted the houses of Jerusalem
And tore down houses to fortify the wall.
Isaiah 22:10
They counted the houses to see just how many might be spared to repair the wall.
This reminded me, that it is not so much that man does not have some reasoned ideas,
but if God is not in it,
no matter how genius they are in figuring out solutions,
it will not work.
but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them;
or you may even be found fighting against God.
Acts 5:39
Oh well, this next verse, pretty much states that principle also.
And you made a reservoir between the two walls For the waters of the old pool.
'But' you did not depend on Him who made it,
Nor did you take into consideration Him who planned it long ago.
Isaiah 22:11
Hezekiah did everything, by trusting in God,
these people did not
( they were trusting in themselves).
However, God should have been their highest defense.
This too reminds me of people today.
Anyone who believes in God is mocked as being:
ignorant, unenlightened, uneducated, having a low IQ, etc. etc.
In fact, many people are of the opinion,
'if' there is anything 'like' a god,
it is they themselves.
This is a silly and dangerous idea.
Done for Today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 9, 2023 11:38:36 GMT -5
Therefore in that day the Lord God of hosts called you
to weeping, to wailing,
To shaving the head
and to wearing sackcloth.
Isaiah 22:12
Such a catastrophe, for what is basically a death sentence,
for Jerusalem,
calls for great sorrow and repentance.
But that is not what happened.
God will not spare these arrogant,haughty,rebellious,
obstinate,hedonistic, unrepentant, people.
Instead this is what they did in this crisis:
Instead, there is gaiety and gladness,
Killing of cattle and slaughtering of sheep,
Eating of meat and drinking of wine: "Let us eat and drink,
for tomorrow we may die."
Isaiah 22:13
There is nothing wrong with gladness, gaiety or joy,
eating and drinking...
but there is a proper time and place....
When it is time for repentance,
then.... is not the time for frivolity,
or worse, indulgence in sensual pleasure,
and even licentiousness.
Instead of people repenting,
there is contempt for God, which is a slap in His face.
How does God react to being slapped in the face with contempt?
But the Lord of hosts revealed Himself to me,
"Surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you Until you die,"
says the Lord God of hosts.
Isaiah 22:14
Their sin is not pardoned,
because,
for one thing,
they never asked!
They disregarded God,
and became more depraved the closer they got to death.
In fact, they even treated their approaching death,
with a cavalier and disdainfully
dismissal type of attitude.
Therefore:
because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart
you are storing up wrath for yourself
in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God,
Romans 2:5
This reminds me a lot of our day,
when going to rock concerts,
doing drugs,
choosing what sex you want to be,
stealing, lying,
rioting, partying, etc. etc.
with nary a thought about God...
is much of the mainstay of our country's culture,
and that of many other nations.
People think they are 'woke',
but instead they are asleep,
blind, and deaf to the truth.
Done for today.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 10, 2023 16:03:50 GMT -5
Thus says the Lord God of hosts,
"Come, go to this steward, To Shebna,
who is in charge of the royal household
Isaiah 22:15
Isaiah is saying this scornfully and with contempt!
Isaiah goes on to say:
What right do you have here, And whom do you have here,
That you have hewn a tomb for yourself here,
You who hew a tomb on the height,
You who carve a resting place for yourself in the rock?
Isaiah 22:16
Isaiah condemns the vanity, pride,and pretentious ostentation of Shebna,
for counting himself, of such high ranking, and worthy of such honor.
Instead, this is what the Lord will do:
‘Behold, the Lord is about to hurl you headlong, O man.
And He is about to grasp you firmly
Isaiah 22:17
Rather than having a luxurious resting place, he will die
shamefully,with dishonor and ignominious, as a complete failure.
Now, when I read about how God hates pride, it reminds me,
of how our culture is demanding that people should be proud!!!
And roll you tightly like a ball, To be cast into a vast country;
There you will die And there your splendid chariots will be,
You shame of your master's house.'
Isaiah 22:18
He died a shameful death in a foreign country.
"I will depose you from your office,
And I will pull you down from your station.
Isaiah 22:19
Shebna's arrogance cause his demotion.
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Aug 11, 2023 10:21:41 GMT -5
That's so good, thank you! What amazes me is that Isaiah gave a precise and detailed account of the coming Babylonian siege. He even notes that the warriors of Kir and Elam are coming as mercenaries of the Babylonians, prepared for war with quivers opened and shields uncovered. So the choicest valleys, which had known the blessing of prosperity, will now be full of chariots of the invading army. I love how the Lord proves over and over that He's the only one that controls everything and everyone and the only one that knows the future!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 11, 2023 11:28:50 GMT -5
Thank you as always for the needed extra info and encouragement about God being in control!! :)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 14, 2023 14:40:14 GMT -5
"Then it will come about in that day, That I will summon My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah,
Isaiah 22:20
It does not seem as though much has changed over the millenniums!
People in power, often are puffed up with self importance,
and corruption.
Then, at some point,
they may have a great fall from power,
and will be replaced....
and so Shebna, is to be replaced by Eliakim.
And I will clothe him with your tunic
And tie your sash securely about him.
I will entrust him with your authority,
And he will become a father to the inhabitants
of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.
Isaiah 22:21
Eliakim will be clothed in the garments,
as an honorable distinction,
and
that showed his authority...
the authority, that Shebna once had.
People have often been convinced,
that it is they,
that rule the world,
and what happens in it.
People still believe,
they are in control to this very day,
and thus, they have 'plans'!!
But, it is God,
whose plans will not fail ( and not man's plans)
Every person is to be in subjection
to the governing authorities.
For there is no authority except from God,
and those which exist have been appointed by God.
Romans 13:1
"....he will become a father to the inhabitants...."
A good and godly father should be a symbol,
as to how a king or someone in power,
ought to treat the people he rules over.
It is also better to be a 'servant',
than using your position,
to edify yourself.
"Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, When he opens no one will shut,
When he shuts no one will open.
Isaiah 22:22
Having the keys, meant that you would make the determination,
as to who could enter and who could not.
Done for today.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 15, 2023 12:22:22 GMT -5
I will drive him like a peg in a firm place,
And he will become a throne of glory to his father's house.
Isaiah 22:23
Eliakim's position will bring honor to his family.
They will receive honor and prosperity;
and also they will depend upon him,
and be supported by him....
which can end up being a bad thing.
Even today, some political figures and people who are in high places,and enrich their family and relatives, end up being,
more and more corrupt.
They are not putting God first, but worldly endeavors, status,finances etc.
But for a time, in the beginning,
their honor also extends to their family.
So they will hang on him
all the glory of his father's house, offspring and issue,
all the least of vessels,
from bowls to all the jars.
Isaiah 22:24
And so indeed, his family will in fact flourish from his position.
In that day," declares the Lord of hosts,
"the peg driven in a firm place will give way;
it will even break off and fall,
and the load hanging on it will be cut off,
for the Lord has spoken."
Isaiah 22:25
Eliakim was to be 'fastened'
but Shebna was to be removed.
However, in the end Eliakim would also fall.
Done for today
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Post by Cindy on Aug 17, 2023 4:02:46 GMT -5
Good ones! You know what you said about people thinking they're in control? It reminded me of something I was talking to the Lord about in prayer recently. I had started to say something like, I'd put my son in His hands. I've heard many people say something like that when they pray. But as I was about to say that, I realized how ridiculous it was! I mean, everyone and everything is always in God's hands, all the time! So telling Him that we're releasing someone or something to Him is laughable. Sadly, I've prayed something like that any number of times over the years. Not anymore though, now that I've thought it through. I've also realized lately that the more I come to really understand God's sovereignty, the more I trust Him. Somehow that seems strange to me, but in another way it seems quite natural too. Anyway, thanks for sharing what you learned from your study of Isaiah!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 18, 2023 12:39:21 GMT -5
Wow! Excellent point! I have said the same for our son, but for a different reason. I have said it more because he and his wife are atheists.
They told us years ago, they did not want to hear anything about Jesus, God's word, Christianity, salvation etc.
And so....thus the prayer to put them in God's hand....
but you are absolutely right....it is silly.....everything is in God's hand.
Well, I have prayed other aspects,
to that type of prayer...
like asking God to send someone to them
( at the right time,
that could speak to them...
and be able to relate to them,
since I do not)?
Is that also kind of silly?
I have to admit, that once or twice, in a kind of frustration, I have even said:
'If' it has to come to their going thru the tribulation,
could you please send someone to them then?
I suppose that is filled with waaaay too much discouragement etc.?
and 'maybe'
it is also ridiculous?
sigh!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 18, 2023 13:15:28 GMT -5
The oracle concerning Tyre.
Wail, O ships of Tarshish,
For Tyre is destroyed,
without house or harbor;
It is reported to them from the land of Cyprus.
Isaiah 23:1
A prophecy of destruction of Tyre, a great commercial city.
The people of Tyre were known as Phoenicians.
The city of Tyre, was under siege 5 times,
during this prophecy
and
332 BC
( when completely destroyed by Alexander the Great).
The first was Nebuchadnezzar who came against Tyre.
The ships of Spain:
AKA ships of Tarshish,
upon reaching Cyprus,
hear of the disaster,
and therefore won't find a harbor there.
Be silent, you inhabitants of the coastland,
You merchants of Sidon;
Your messengers crossed the sea
Isaiah 23:2
Sidon was another important trade city.
Be silent: No more proud revelry!
Instead, be stunned by the grievous calamity!
And were on many waters.
The grain of the Nile,
the harvest of the River was her revenue;
And she was the market of nations.
Isaiah 23:3
This will greatly and adversely,
affect Egypt's grain commodity!
Done for today
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Post by Cindy on Aug 19, 2023 12:13:57 GMT -5
Well, I have prayed other aspects,
to that type of prayer...
like asking God to send someone to them
( at the right time,
that could speak to them...
and be able to relate to them,
since I do not)?
Is that also kind of silly?
I have to admit, that once or twice, in a kind of frustration, I have even said:
'If' it has to come to their going thru the tribulation,
could you please send someone to them then?
I suppose that is filled with waaaay too much discouragement etc.?
and 'maybe'
it is also ridiculous?
sigh!
As far as praying those other things, why would you think they were wrong or had to much discouragement? Only God knows the future, we don't. BUT we do know what God is like, because we know Jesus and He said the Father was just like Him. We know He loves us so much that He went through all kinds of physical torture for us and mental torture as well. We also know what He teaches us in His Word, such as: ““Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:9–11) and “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4) as well as what He teaches us about prayer. I always either ask the Lord to send a good, godly, born again Christian, who's mature and strong in their faith, to each of my loved ones to be their very best friend, or I'll thank Him for sending someone like that (regardless of whether or not I'm aware that He has done so. In other words, I thank Him because I know He will answer my prayer. Think about it. What kinds of things would God rejoice to hear in our prayers if they were coming from our hearts?
For guide us in His His Word,
To give us understanding of His Word,
For applying his word to our lives,
To reveal the things in our life that need to be changed
To give us the grace needed to make those changes
To bring others to salvation - remember it's His will that all would be saved, and that includes every one of our loved ones!
Etc. Anything that we know is His will, such as all the ones I've listed and hundreds more, are guaranteed to be answered with Yes!
Love you! |
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 21, 2023 13:52:47 GMT -5
Be ashamed, O Sidon; For the sea speaks,
the stronghold of the sea, saying,
"I have neither travailed nor given birth,
I have neither brought up young men nor reared virgins."
Isaiah 23:4
Sidon, the other important Phoenician seaport.
Tyre is spoken of as the stronghold of the sea...
And spoken to,
as if she were the 'mother'...
in a Barren; lifeless, desolate condition...
bewailing her bereavement,
as if she had never brought up any children.
When the report reaches Egypt,
They will be in anguish at the report of Tyre.
Isaiah 23:5
Egypt will panic on hearing the news,
because her important, invaluable, grain trade is now ruined.
Pass over to Tarshish;
Wail, O inhabitants of the coastland.
Isaiah 23:6
Tyre's refugees had fled,
some of them, to Tarshish,
and they too,
lamented the undoing and downfall, of Tyre.
Done for today.
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Post by Cindy on Aug 22, 2023 11:01:25 GMT -5
Interesting Barbara! May I add to what you said? Here are the 3 verses you spoke about:
“Be ashamed, O Sidon, and you, O fortress of the sea, for the sea has spoken: “I have neither been in labor nor given birth; I have neither reared sons nor brought up daughters.” When word comes to Egypt, they will be in anguish at the report from Tyre. Cross over to Tarshish; wail, you people of the island.” (Isaiah 23:4–6)
It's interesting to compare what else is said about Tyre by other prophets. Let me first say though that because Tyre was an important center of commerce, many other nations would be affected by her fall.
““This is what the Sovereign LORD says to Tyre: Will not the coastlands tremble at the sound of your fall, when the wounded groan and the slaughter takes place in you? Then all the princes of the coast will step down from their thrones and lay aside their robes and take off their embroidered garments. Clothed with terror, they will sit on the ground, trembling every moment, appalled at you. Then they will take up a lament concerning you and say to you: “ ‘How you are destroyed, O city of renown, peopled by men of the sea! You were a power on the seas, you and your citizens; you put your terror on all who lived there. Now the coastlands tremble on the day of your fall; the islands in the sea are terrified at your collapse.’ “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When I make you a desolate city, like cities no longer inhabited, and when I bring the ocean depths over you and its vast waters cover you, then I will bring you down with those who go down to the pit, to the people of long ago. I will make you dwell in the earth below, as in ancient ruins, with those who go down to the pit, and you will not return or take your place in the land of the living. I will bring you to a horrible end and you will be no more. You will be sought, but you will never again be found, declares the Sovereign LORD.”” (Ezekiel 26:15–21)
This next one pictures Tyre's fall as a shipwreck on the seas. The "east wind" refers to powerful Babylon coming from the east:
“Your oarsmen take you out to the high seas. But the east wind will break you to pieces in the heart of the sea. Your wealth, merchandise and wares, your mariners, seamen and shipwrights, your merchants and all your soldiers, and everyone else on board will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your shipwreck. The shorelands will quake when your seamen cry out. All who handle the oars will abandon their ships; the mariners and all the seamen will stand on the shore. They will raise their voice and cry bitterly over you; they will sprinkle dust on their heads and roll in ashes. They will shave their heads because of you and will put on sackcloth. They will weep over you with anguish of soul and with bitter mourning. As they wail and mourn over you, they will take up a lament concerning you: “Who was ever silenced like Tyre, surrounded by the sea?” When your merchandise went out on the seas, you satisfied many nations; with your great wealth and your wares you enriched the kings of the earth. Now you are shattered by the sea in the depths of the waters; your wares and all your company have gone down with you. All who live in the coastlands are appalled at you; their kings shudder with horror and their faces are distorted with fear. The merchants among the nations hiss at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.’ ”” (Ezekiel 27:26–36)
“All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.’ ”” (Ezekiel 28:19)
I find it interesting that the above destruction of Tyre by Babylon, sounds very similar to the coming destruction of Babylon during the Tribulation.
With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup. Give her as much torture and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow, and I will never mourn.’ Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “ ‘Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!’ “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more— cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men. “They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn and cry out: “ ‘Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’ “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “ ‘Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!” (Revelation 18:2–19) There's even more verses after this, but I didn't want to post the entire chapter. Other prophets also have a lot to say about Babylon's downfall. I'm only going to post a couple though.
“Babylon will be a heap of ruins, a haunt of jackals, an object of horror and scorn, a place where no one lives.” (Jeremiah 51:37)
““Announce and proclaim among the nations, lift up a banner and proclaim it; keep nothing back, but say, ‘Babylon will be captured; Bel will be put to shame, Marduk filled with terror. Her images will be put to shame and her idols filled with terror.’ A nation from the north will attack her and lay waste her land. No one will live in it; both men and animals will flee away.” (Jeremiah 50:2–3)
Another interesting fact is that God is going to save some of the descendants of Tyre and Babylon as well as some of Israel's other enemies! Rahab is another name of Egypt.
““I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush— and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’ ”” (Psalm 87:4)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 22, 2023 11:58:44 GMT -5
Yes, that was interesting...between Tyre's downfall and Babylon's!
Also, when I re-read this:
"O Babylon, city of power!
In one hour
your doom has come!
The phrase...'in one hour'....reminded me
of how fast, Israel became a nation ( again)
"Who has heard such a thing?
Who has seen such things?
Can a land be brought forth through labor pains in one day?
Can a nation be born all at once?......
Isaiah 66:8
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 22, 2023 19:02:36 GMT -5
Is this your jubilant city, Whose origin is from antiquity,
Whose feet used to carry her to colonize distant places?
Isaiah 23:7
The prophet Isaiah seems to potentially be mocking the pride
of the city based on it's long history ( approx. 2000 years before Christ).
And he asks
Who has planned this against Tyre,
the bestower of crowns,
Whose merchants were princes,
whose traders were the honored of the earth?
Isaiah 23:8
The merchants were so enriched as to be esteemed, as kings and princes.
The answer to the question is:
The Lord of hosts has planned it,
to defile the pride of all beauty,
To despise all the honored of the earth.
Isaiah 23:9
The answer, not surprisingly, is God.
It was because of their pride.
But also they were lewd, self-serving, etc.
Honored by men, but not by God.
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Aug 23, 2023 10:02:33 GMT -5
![]() What you wrote reminds me that what the world, (or you could say society) thinks is good, wonderful, beautiful, great, etc, are all things that God hates. Any time I see or hear or read about how everyone just loves something, that throws up a big red flag and lets me know it's something that God hates. It's also true when people get all worked up loving a certain politician - republican or democrat, because the only person we are to love that intensely is God.
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)
“the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” (Romans 8:7)
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15–17)
““If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:18–19)
I'd like to add what MacArthur says about this last verse to make it's meaning clear:
“World” is the English translation of kosmos, a common word in Greek. It appears often in John’s writings and changes its meaning with the context. Here it means the evil, sinful system begun by Satan and acted out by men. The kosmos (usually simply transliterated cosmos in English) is the result and expression of human depravity. It is set against Christ, His people, and His kingdom, and Satan and his evil minions control it.
This evil world system is incapable of genuine love. When Jesus said the world loves its own, He was not saying that worldly beings love each other. “Its own” is not a masculine plural, which would indicate a love directed toward other people. The word in the Greek text is neuter plural, meaning that the people caught up in the world love their own things. A worldly individual loves himself and his own things. He loves others only if it is to his advantage. The world’s love is always selfish, superficial, and interested only in its own advantage. How to survive in a world of unbelievers: Jesus’ words of encouragement on the night before his death.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 24, 2023 17:21:20 GMT -5
Excellent as always!! :) Thank you!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 24, 2023 17:48:23 GMT -5
Overflow your land like the Nile,
O daughter of Tarshish,
There is no more restraint.
Isaiah 23:10
Tyre is in such a state of ruin, and collapse,
that the colonies are being invited,
to take advantage of the city's fall.
He has stretched His hand out over the sea,
He has made the kingdoms tremble;
The Lord has given a command concerning Canaan to demolish its strongholds.
Isaiah 23:11
It was God who caused the downfall, as a punishment.
We are not to think of this as a strange thing.
Tho, Tyre was wealthy and powerful,
God is infinitely more so!
He has said, "You shall exult no more,
O crushed virgin daughter of Sidon.
Arise, pass over to Cyprus;
even there you will find no rest."
Isaiah 23:12
What a sad state of affairs, in a way.
A city that once was so powerful,
and full of revelry and gaiety,
had sunk so low.
This makes me think of America, and where we are at, today...
from what we once were.
I am kind of surprised, in a way,
that so many people who came to the USA,
based on our reputation...
are not leaving in droves,
because of what lows we are sinking to, so quickly.
The citizens of Tyre, will not find rest among foreigners in foreign lands.
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Aug 25, 2023 10:24:53 GMT -5
I know what you mean... I think the same way!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 26, 2023 17:58:32 GMT -5
Behold, the land of the Chaldeans—this is the people which was not; Assyria appointed it for desert creatures—they erected their siege towers, they stripped its palaces, they made it a ruin.
Isaiah 23:13
Behold....this word, is always something to pay attention to.
The Chaldeans also known as the people of Babylonians.
The inhabitants of Tyre thought that they were safe from ruin...
but no,
Tyre will also feel the hand of God's judgement.
This is a reminder of their hopelessness against Assyria.
Indeed they should:
Wail, O ships of Tarshish,
For your stronghold is destroyed.
Isaiah 23:14
Their harbor is destroyed.
Tyre had been the commercial capital of the world,
as far as goods and the wide variety of goods,
in that day and age.
God is not pleased with men exploiting other men,
for their own profit...
sooner or later this is the result.
Perhaps, this is what is already happening to our country, in our present day and age.
Now in that day, Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years,
like the days of one king.
At the end of seventy years
it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the harlot.
Isaiah 23:15
Apparently harlots would sing to draw attention to themselves.
It seems like after 70 years, Tyre will get a second chance from God.
It was not so much the 'merchandise', after people do need things...
(food, clothing and the like)...
it was the dishonesty and fraud that went along with it.
( maybe,not unlike a harlot who pretends to be enraptured with whatever man pays).
Done for Today
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 28, 2023 9:16:26 GMT -5
Take your harp, walk about the city, O forgotten harlot;
Pluck the strings skillfully, sing many songs,
That you may be remembered.
Isaiah 23:16
Isaiah compares Tyre to a harlot.
She will entertain, with pleasant melodies,
to get attention and be remembered.
It will come about at the end of seventy years
that the Lord will visit Tyre.
Then she will go back to her harlot's wages
and will play the harlot with all the kingdoms
on the face of the earth.
Isaiah 23:17
At the end of 70 years God will allow Tyre to be restored,
to her former wealth and magnificence.
God can give severe consequences,
but also, God often, out of His mercy, gives second chances.
However, instead of making good use out of this mercy,
Tyre goes back to her old corrupt and crooked ways of doing business,
and deceiving men for profit.
She does not turn over a new leaf of honesty.
Her gain and her harlot's wages will be set apart to the Lord;
it will not be stored up or hoarded,
but her gain will become sufficient food
and choice attire for those who dwell in the presence of the Lord.
Isaiah 23:18
In spite of her sinful gains by dishonest practices,
nevertheless, it will benefit God's people.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 30, 2023 11:01:48 GMT -5
Behold, the Lord lays the earth waste,
devastates it,
distorts its surface
and scatters its inhabitants.
Isaiah 24:1
Even worse judgement is coming upon the earth.
There are some people in our day and age, who believe
there are too many people on earth and they want to depopulate
earth greatly...
Well, for a different reason
( sin and it's pride, and it's evil),
God will in fact do the same.
( perhaps worse than at the tower of Babel or Noah's flood even?)
In any case, all people will be affected,
regardless of how much money, power, fame,rank etc,
a person has, or does not have.
And the people will be like the priest,
the servant like his master,
the maid like her mistress,
the buyer like the seller,
the lender like the borrower,
the creditor like the debtor.
Isaiah 24:2
There are no favored groups, or classes, or cultures etc.
The earth will be completely laid waste
and completely despoiled,
for the Lord has spoken this word.
Isaiah 24:3
Isaiah says God has said so...
and it will be so!
The earth mourns and withers,
the world fades and withers,
the exalted of the people of the earth fade away.
Isaiah 24:4
Exalted people
( another word might be haughty),
are almost to the last one,
filled with pride.
They are guilty.
And in a more explicit manner:
The earth is also polluted
by its inhabitants,
for they transgressed laws,
violated statutes,
broke the everlasting covenant.
Isaiah 24:5
Now it is listed in more detail, their wickedness.
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Aug 31, 2023 10:26:24 GMT -5
Good ones, thank you Barbara! Yes, the earth is going to be almost totally destroyed by the end of the Tribulation. So much so that it would be completely uninhabitable if the Lord didn't return in time, but of course, we know He will come back in time to restore it so humans can continue to live here for His 1000 year Kingdom.
That reminds me, have you heard MacArthur's new series called Heaven on Earth? It's a fantastic series! I've seen parts 1-4 so far, and in part 4 he said there'd be more so I'm waiting on the next one. I'll post them in Christian chat for you.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 31, 2023 12:05:22 GMT -5
No, I did not hear them. I would love to hear/see them!!!!!!
So thank you so much.
That is a very uplifting gift! :) :) :)   |
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Aug 31, 2023 13:20:57 GMT -5
Therefore, a curse devours the earth,
and those who live in it are held guilty.
Therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned,
and few men are left.
Isaiah 24:6
I am thinking, this might be one of those near and far prophecies.
But what stands out to me, is it seems to me to be more towards,
the end of the world’s history.
In any case, the curse comes on guilty unsaved sinners.
The earth is burned up because the people acted wickedly,
adding sin upon sin, and thus few men are left.
The new wine mourns, The vine decays,
All the merry-hearted sigh.
Isaiah 24:7
All merriment will end, as natural sources dry up and die.
Wine is often used to escape the effects of sin,
one can laugh and giggle, and be merry for a time,
while under the influence...
but even that escape will be gone.
Many people in our day do the same.
But also, they often combine it with 'music',
to further their escape...
as they did in the past.
The gaiety of tambourines ceases,
The noise of revelers stops,
The gaiety of the harp ceases.
Isaiah 24:8
And this:
They do not drink wine with song;
Strong drink is bitter to those who drink it.
Isaiah 24:9
There is no relief.
It is not that drinking wine is an absolute sin and evil,
but rather, it's getting drunk and conducting sexual immorality etc.
Does any of this sound familiar for this day and age?
I think so.
Done for Today
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Post by Cindy on Sept 2, 2023 11:50:56 GMT -5
It sure does sound like our day! Wait till you get to Jeremiah, It really sounds like he's been reading our newspapers!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Sept 4, 2023 16:20:48 GMT -5
The city of chaos is broken down;
Every house is shut up so that none may enter.
Isaiah 24:10
a city of anarchy,confusion, full of calamities and chaos.
( we are having some of this, in our days)
Houses can provide a bit of protection, but now they cannot even enter.
( Many people and businesses today,
are moving out of the cities, if they can).
There is an outcry in the streets concerning the wine;
All joy turns to gloom.
The gaiety of the earth is banished.
Isaiah 24:11
Well, like many homeless people,
if they cannot live in a house,
they, at least, want wine,
to help alleviate their sorrows, pains, distress,and suffering.
Without at least wine, they are going to complain and wail loudly!!
And so all their pleasures, and delights are gone and all has turned to gloom, there is no more laughter or gaiety.
Furthermore:
Desolation is left in the city
And the gate is battered to ruins.
Isaiah 24:12
So as a home may give some security,
one would look to the city gate to do the same,
but that is no longer the case.
However, our true security is not in such material things,
but rather in God.
Even IF we were to some day find ourselves in such dire straits,
we know it is only for a temporary amount of time,
and we have the Creator for all eternity.
Done for today
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Post by Cindy on Sept 5, 2023 10:34:46 GMT -5
very true!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on Sept 5, 2023 12:17:50 GMT -5
For thus it will be in the midst of the earth among the peoples,
As the shaking of an olive tree,
As the gleanings when the grape harvest is over.
Isaiah 24:13
A few are left after the gleaning.
A small number of God's people are left.
What do they do?
This:
They raise their voices, they shout for joy;
They cry out from the west concerning the majesty of the Lord .
Isaiah 24:14
Instead of the drunken music, the few remaining godly,
celebrate and praise, the majesty of God.
Therefore glorify the Lord in the east,
The name of the Lord , the God of Israel,
In the coastlands of the sea.
Isaiah 24:15
This is a call to all the people in the world....
They are called to join in worship out of gratitude,
which is God's due.
Done for today
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!!
