Tag: Isaiah

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 13  Read: Isaiah 42 Listen: (4:11) Read: Psalm 107 Listen: (4:12)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 42.1-4

Reflection: Being God’s Servant

By John Tillman

Who is God’s servant? 

In Isaiah, God’s “servant” is not a bowing, scraping, subservient, underling. The servant Isaiah sings about is the type of servant who stands as a representative of his master, speaking in his name, acting in accordance with his will, and representing his presence and person. This was common in Isaiah’s time. Isaiah described a human example of this in Sennacherib’s commander who spoke in his king’s name during the siege of Jerusalem (Is 36). Joseph, speaking for Pharaoh (Gen 41.41-44), is another example.

God’s servant in Isaiah is an image of God, representing God’s will, presence, and person.

God’s servant in Isaiah is a leader, but also a laborer. Isaiah emphasizes the effort, strain, and passion of the servant. He stirs up his zeal to face his enemies and cries out like a woman in childbirth, gasping and panting with exertion. This is not just an Old Testament idea. Paul described the “incomparably great power” and “mighty strength” God “exerted” when raising Jesus from the dead (Eph 1.19-20). And many writers describe the extreme anguish, both physical and spiritual, of Jesus, beginning in Gethsemane and continuing to his last cries on the cross.

God’s servant works with effort, exerting God’s power, granted for God’s purposes.

God’s servant in Isaiah is tough and tender, but these aren’t opposites or contradictions. His tenderness motivates his toughness. Because he will not break a bruised reed, he levels mountains to rescue the injured. Because he will not snuff out a smoldering wick, he dispels darkness, igniting a blazing torch of justice.

God’s servant is driven by mercy, love, and compassion, not vengeance, hatred, or violence.

Isaiah’s servant songs looked forward to multiple realities. One was the post-exile restoration of Israel when, one by one, God would overcome all obstacles, political and spiritual, to his people returning to live again with him in Jerusalem. Another was a cosmic picture of God’s work of salvation for all humanity, when God, through Jesus, destroys obstacles or enemies keeping his children from living with him in eternity.

Ultimately, Isaiah’s servant is Jesus. But in your world, through the Holy Spirit, you represent Jesus’ presence and person. Be more and more conformed into a better image of him (Rom 8.29; 12.2). Work in his name, with his mighty power, toward his merciful purpose. Gasp and pant to birth the gospel into your world.

Be God’s servant. In Jesus’ name.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. — Psalm 19.14

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Dependent Hope

Extraordinarily committed and fortunate individuals…might shake off a human tyrant…But from the tyrants that really matter, sin and death, we cannot break free.

Read more: Stories of the Redeemed

Why should we care for stories of the vagrants, the vagabonds, and the vanquished? We are listening for the turnaround point.

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 10  Read: Isaiah 39 Listen: (1:35) Read: Acts 26 Listen: (5:17)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Jul 11  Read: Isaiah 40 Listen: (5:09) Read: Acts 27 Listen: (6:09)
Jul 12  Read: Isaiah 41 Listen: (5:00) Read: Acts 28 Listen: (4:56)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 39

1 At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of his illness and recovery. 2 Hezekiah received the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses—the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine olive oil—his entire armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. 3 Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked, “What did those men say, and where did they come from?” “From a distant land,” Hezekiah replied. “They came to me from Babylon.” 4 The prophet asked, “What did they see in your palace?” “They saw everything in my palace,” Hezekiah said. “There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.” 5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord Almighty: 6 The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. 7 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 8 “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.”

Reflection: You’re No Hezekiah

By John Tillman

There was no king like Hezekiah (2 Kings 18.5). Hezekiah’s faith held firm in crises that would have crumbled other kings.

He eliminated idolatry that had plagued Judah for generations (2 Kings 18.4). He faced down the undefeatable invading army of the world’s first empire, Assyria (2 Chron 32.6-8, 22-23). He faced terminal illness, appealing to God, who healed him (2 Kings 20.1-6). This miraculous healing, however, came with a test. And Hezekiah failed it.

Babylon heard of Hezekiah’s healing and sent envoys with gifts, inquiring about the miracle. Even though the text says Hezekiah showed them “everything,” Hezekiah somehow never introduced them to Isaiah, the prophet who healed him and nothing from the Temple is listed in what was shown to the visitors. Hezekiah’s tour seems to have focused on signs of his wealth, power, and strength.

Chronicles’ account clarifies that God tested Hezekiah to expose what was in his heart (2 Chron 32.31). Hezekiah looked great on the outside. If there was a “Mount Rushmore” of good kings of Judah, Hezekiah would be on it (2 Kings 18.5). But in his heart, the cracks of pride and greed widened, destroying everything.

In literature, film, and television, we love tragic heroes that have one flaw or one tragic mistake that dooms everything. It makes a good story, but also plays into how we see ourselves. We think we are “mostly good,” maybe even heroic at times. However, if we think being faithful will mean avoiding one tragic error, we are badly mistaken.

It is good to learn from Hezekiah’s failure. We need to keep our focus on God, not our wealth, power, or strength. Most of us won’t be tested like Hezekiah was. Hezekiah passed tests we might fail and failed ones we might pass. We don’t need to learn how to avoid the specific sins of Hezekiah or any other biblical character. We need to learn to discern the sins we are tempted with today. 

If we say we are without sin, we deceive ourselves (1 John 1.8). But if anyone does sin, Jesus is our advocate and the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the whole world (1 John 2.1-2). Instead of hiding sins or hiding from them, drag them out into the light through confession and Jesus will purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1.9).

You’re no Hezekiah and neither am I. Our culture, strengths, and weaknesses differ. We will be tested in different ways. When, not if, we fail, be quick to confess and faithful to repent.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

For your name’s sake, O Lord, forgive my sin, for it is great. — Psalm 25.10

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Victory In Loss

Christ and his first followers in Scripture steadfastly refuse to fulfill the types of hero-journeys that we are accustomed to.

Read more: Ozymandias & Hezekiah

Isaiah rebuked the king and foretold of destruction. Like the statue in the desert, everything he 

boasted in would be gone.

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 8  Read: Isaiah 37 Listen: (6:47) Read: Acts 24 Listen: (4:11)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 37:1

When King Hezekiah heard this, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the Lord.

Reflection: Leadership and the Can’t-Do Attitude

By Erin Newton

Not long ago, my day started like any other. I prepared breakfast for our four kids but heard a shriek from the bathroom. The toilet (freshly used) was overflowing! The biohazardous, soupy mess was flooding the room. At this point, I was in my late 30s. I had multiple degrees. I had renovated two houses on my own. This wasn’t my first rodeo, but I lost it. My first instinct was to call my dad. Because let’s be honest, sometimes you need parental help.

Hezekiah, king of Judah, has ruled a nation since childhood. He’s reformed the temple. He is, by all means, capable and experienced. So what shakes him up in Isaiah 37?

The previous chapter reveals how Sennacherib’s army began to taunt Judah. The messengers tear their robes and relay the threats to Hezekiah.

Hezekiah responds by tearing his clothes as well. Robe-tearing was a frequent practice in the Old Testament. The practice often signals lament or a distressed emotional state. The king assumes this posture and then runs to the Lord.

I appreciate this show of weakness, humility, and emotional vulnerability from Judah’s highest citizen. Not only does he seek the Lord but he asks for the wisdom of God’s prophet, Isaiah.

The message from God (and Isaiah) is that Hezekiah has no need to fear Sennacherib’s threats. Salvation will come; it’s all going according to plan.

When strong and powerful people are met with threats, our modern culture expects resilience, confidence, unflinching and unwavering strength, and often, an “I can do it on my own” attitude. It’s quite the opposite of what we see in Isaiah 37.

Hezekiah could have trusted his own power, military, authority, strength, or status. But he chooses to openly and publicly admit he’s scared and that he doesn’t have all the answers.

How different would it be if our leaders showed such vulnerability? How much better would it be for us to openly reveal when we are overwhelmed?

Contemporary culture likes to promote independence and self-made confidence. We overlook how the positive examples of faith were often examples of public humility and vulnerability.

We know that we should seek God for help. We herald,  “Rend your heart and not your garments” (Joel 2.13) as if that’s an excuse to never show our own hurt. Let us rend our clothes and our hearts, run to the Lord, and seek his people for wisdom. That is how we lead.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

O Lord my God, I cried out to you, and you restored me to health.

You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; you restored my life as I was going down to the grave. — Psalm 30.2-3

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Winning People > Winning Arguments

Paul’s trial was a platform for him to find common ground with all people and to explain the gospel publicly.

Read more: The Way of the Remnant

If we suffer, let it be for doing good, not evil. Let us suffer for generosity not selfishness. Let us suffer for kindness not violence.

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 6  Read: Isaiah 35 Listen: (1:43) Read: Acts 22 Listen: (4:26)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 35

Reflection: Superblooms in Death’s Valley

By John Tillman

Death Valley’s name is accurate. The heat and lack of water are deadly.

Death Valley recorded the planet’s highest temperature of 134 degrees. It is the driest place in North America, averaging around two inches of rain per year but frequently getting much less for long periods.

Yet, even Death Valley isn’t lifeless. In 2026, Death Valley had a rare “superbloom” of wildflowers. A “superbloom” is a sudden blooming of wildflowers in otherwise barren and desert environments. Superblooms are triggered by just the right amount of rain at just the right time. When this happens, seeds dormant for up to ten years can burst into life. During a superbloom, new life blankets barren and brown desert landscapes with colorful waves of quickly fading flowers. Even in Death Valley, life finds a way.

Isaiah’s prophetic poem depicts a barren desert, a valley of death. God’s judgments had passed through. Cities had been flattened to dust, covered up in thorns and inhabited by wild desert animals. Streams dried up, turning to pitch. Dust was superheated, turning to burning sulphur.

But that was not the end. Isaiah spoke tenderly to the faithful, redeemed remnant. “Your God will come.” (Isaiah 35.4) Even in deserts of desolation, God’s presence changes everything.

Isaiah declared that God’s presence would bring a superbloom of life. “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.” (Isaiah 35.1-2)

A superbloom can teach us about faithfulness and evangelism.

Faithful believers will, at times, experience drought and feel spiritually dried out, or even deserted. In dry times, you are the dormant seed, protected in a hardened husk of faith. However long the wait, God will come and you will bloom in ways you can’t now imagine.

Faithful witnesses will, at times, see nothing but barren fields, rocky ground, and wilderness thorns. The gospel seeds you spread may seem dormant and unheeded. Carry on sowing. The seed of the gospel is never hopeless. Though it lies dormant, God will bring others to water it and make it grow.

Superblooms in climes like Death Valley are ephemeral. And in this life, we may experience blooms of God’s presence that fade. But God’s ultimate superbloom is eternal and unfading. That day’s blessings will never dry up and the new life that blooms will never wilt or fade.

Photo Credit: National Park Service, Alan Van Valkenburg. View more Death Valley wildflower pictures on the National Park Service website.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Show us the light of your countenance, O God, and come to us. — Psalm 67.1

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Two Roads Diverged in Barren Land

One path is deadly; there is nothing to sustain life. The Way turns death into life; it has everything needed to thrive…

Read more: The Ever-Patient Agriculturalist

We can participate in this process of sanctification now…enabling a rebirth of fruitfulness.

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 2  Read: Isaiah 31 Listen: (1:49) Read: Acts 18 Listen: (4:06)

Reflection: Horses of Flesh or Spirit

By John Tillman

Egypt is the longest-lasting national superpower in the Bible.

Other nations rose and fell, but Egypt was always there, even if they waxed and waned in power. Egypt was the “arms dealer” of the ancient Near East, producing the finest war horses and chariots. Wealthy nations bought from them and no wise nation wanted to face them in battle. In addition to military aid, many nations found Egypt a reliable source of shelter, food, wisdom, and political support.

When David wrote, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God,” he almost certainly referred to chariots and horses from Egypt. He had faced chariot-outfitted armies and seen that “The Lord gives victory.” (Psalm 20.6-7)

But Israel failed to live up to the lofty, poetic principle David penned. Principles are often sacrificed to practicality in times of crisis or undermined in times of comfort.

For Israel, a recurring temptation popped up in crisis after crisis. They wanted to go back to Egypt. Egypt was often an enemy, but Israel had a long history of trusting them for help. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob sought help and shelter there. The instant Moses led the Israelites out, they wanted to go back. When Solomon secured his throne, he furnished his army with Egyptian horses and chariots. Practicality won out over his father’s poetic wisdom. And multiple times, throughout the history of kings and prophets, the nation wanted to ask Egypt for help while the prophets cried out for God’s people to trust him.

Crises expose what we truly rely on. They turn up the volume on temptations and drown out trusted voices. Comfort dulls our hold on principles and the strength of our convictions. In times of plenty, it’s not that we actively choose not to trust God, we just don’t sense our need for him. Comfort weighs us down, weakens our muscles and joints, and slows our reflexes and capacities. When it comes time to stand or fight, we are slow to respond and hesitant to do so.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm — The Lord Beholds All People 

Yahweh looks down from heaven, he sees the whole human race; From where he sits he watches all who live on the earth, He who molds every heart and takes note of all that men do. A large army will not keep a king safe, nor does the hero escape by his great strength; It is delusion to rely on the horse for safety, for all its power, it cannot save. But see how the eye of Yahweh is on those who fear him, on those who rely on his love, to rescue their souls from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul awaits Yahweh, he is our help and shield; Our hearts rejoice in him, we trust in his holy name. Yahweh, let your love rest on us as our hope has rested in you. — Psalm 33:13-22

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Portrait Shaped by Scripture

Modern people don’t know or trust the scriptures…many have negative experiences with scripture…

Read more: Default Settings for Scripture

The “default settings” of our mindsets about scripture have a big effect on our ability to make use of them in the ways Paul and Peter intend.