Isaiah 28 (résumé): Woe to Ephraim

Initially in chapter 28 judgement is predicted for the proud wreath of "drunkards of Ephraim" (northern kingdom) with the impending destruction at the hands of the Assyrians. "That wreath, the pride of Ephraim's drunkards, will be trampled underfoot." So too, Isaiah continues, the southern kingdom of Judah's priests and prophets, who "stagger from wine and reel from beer", will also be judged by God. For "with foreign lips and strange (Assyrian) tongues God will speak to this people." So they would "fall backward, be injured and snared and captured." For the rulers in Jerusalem have made "a covenant with death" (political godless alliances) so "an overwhelming scourge will sweep them", and when this scourge sweeps by "you will be beaten down by it." God promises, however, to "lay a stone in Zion, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; and who trusts will never be dismayed," and these will survive the impending judgement. Then concluding Isaiah compares God with a wise farmer who knows when to plant and reap. "All this comes from the Lord Almighty, wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom."

Preaching the Gospel

 Last night I went to lead the monthly Communion Service at Green Pastures and I preached on 'He that is without sin throw the first stone' from John 8 as I continue through John's Gospel week by week. The service was excellent with a good number present.

I saw 2 Burrowing Owls there together with many young toads and a tree frog. 

Extremely heavy rain has been falling on the coast in João Pessoa and Recife causing havoc. 6 people have been killed as a result in Recife and the main water supplies have been interrupted in João Pessoa as the pumping system has been inundated. 

Green Pastures

I went to Green Pastures yesterday and saw Cattle Egrets, Picui Ground Doves and Blue-black Grassquits. I will be back there preaching the Gospel later on.

Sadly QPR ended the season with another defeat away to Ipswich 3 x 0. This means we ended the season in 15th place out of 24 which is the same as last season. This season we won 16 games, drew 10 and lost 20.

Isaiah 27 (résumé): Deliverance of Israel

Isaiah 27 concludes the Apocalypse section of chapters 24 to 27 pointing to God's victory over evil represented by the Leviathan: "He will slay the monster of the sea." Then comes the vineyard, representing Israel, which is "fruitful... I the Lord watch over it... I water it continually... guard it day and night... Israel will bud, blossom and fill all the world with fruit." However reference is then made to Israel's suffering for its sin resulting in the removal of their pagan altars: "No Asherah Poles or incense altars will be left standing". Then Israel will be regathered for worship in Jerusalem: "Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain."

Isaiah 26 (résumé): A song of praise

 Isaiah 26 is a song of praise to God because in God believers are safe in "a strong city; God makes salvation his walls and ramparts." "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast , because he trusts in you." Isaiah goes on to talk about how "my soul yearns for you in the night," and he believes in God's righteous judgement. Then Isaiah does on to affirm life after death in God which is rare in the old testament. He says: "Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead." Then Isaiah concludes the chapter encouraging the faithful to wait for God's judgement to pass "until his wrath has passed by". 

Isaiah 25 (résumé): Praise to the Lord!

Isaiah 25 is a prophetic celebration of God's victory over death: "He will swallow up death forever and wipe away the tears from all faces". The chapter starts exalting God for his faithfulness and for God having been a refuge for the poor and needy... a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. It then goes on to foretell a messianic banquet: "A feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine... and God will swallow up death forever." And those who trust in God will be glad and rejoice in his salvation... "surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us."

Isaiah 24 (résumé): The Lord's devastation of the earth

 Isaiah 24 is often described as Isaiah's apocalypse! For it describes a future devastation of the earth by God: "The Lord is going to lay waste the earth... and the devastation will affect all groups and classes equally... the earth will be totally plundered... a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt... cities lie desolate... terror and pit and snare await you O people of the earth... the earth reels like a drunkard... so heavy is the guilt of its rebellion... in that day the Lord will punish... kings will be herded like prisoners bound in a dungeon."