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."  

Isaiah 23 (résumé): A prophecy about Tyre

Isaiah 23 is a prophecy of the destruction of Tyre which was a commercial giant: "Wail, O ships of Tarshish! For Tyre is destroyed and left without house or harbour." This destruction of Tyre is God's work in response to their arrogant pride: "Who planned this against Tyre?... The Lord Almighty planned it, to bring low the pride of all glory and to humble all who are renowned on the earth." Isaiah then says that Tyre will be silenced for 70 years prior to returning to trading: "Tyre will be forgotten for 70 years... at the end of 70 years she will return to her hire as a prostitute and will ply her trade... yet her profit and earnings will be set apart for the Lord". 

General Conference

This month of May we will be holding our annual General Conference, as we do every May, when our pastors and leaders gather together to discuss the work of the Lord, to give new ministers probationary status etc. Please pray for this Conference on the 22nd and 23rd of May in João Pessoa on the coast. Please pray for all decision making. We have some delicate issues to handle.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible Study and lawyer Murilo brought an excellent study on 1 John 5:1-12. Granddaughter Beatriz (Bia) led the worship accompanied by Davi.

Last month this blog was read 42,345 times. This is the largest monthly readership ever. Our thanks and greetings to one and all. Please add your comments with your name.

InTouch #105

The bi-annual EAB magazine "InTouch" #edition 105 for May 2026 has just been published online on the EAB website at www.eabrazil.org. The hard copies will soon be with everyone by regular post. Our thanks go to editor Marian Rashleigh and graphic  designer Dave Flowers.

Our daughter Lynn, her husband Hutan and their children John David and Amanda have gone to São Paulo for an English language conference from their Cultura Inglesa language school. 

I have finished one third of the Book of Isaiah. That is 22 of the 66 chapters. This is part of my project to write a résumé of the whole Bible. This means I have now completed 59% of the chapters of the Bible.

The Life Squad (Pastor Rafael and Iara) evangelized the Patos Men's Prison yesterday and 2 decisions were made for Christ.

I have started reading a new book again given to me by my granddaughter Louisa. It is called 'One Day' written by David Nicholls.