Isaiah 47 (résumé): The fall of Babylon

 Isaiah 47 predicts that Babylon will be reduced to dust: "Go down, sit in the dust, virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne... no more will you be called queen of kingdoms". The text goes on to say that God had allowed Babylon to castigate Israel to fulfill his will, but they had exaggerated and acted cruelly "and showed no mercy... you have trusted in your wickedness... a catastrophe you cannot foresee will suddenly come upon you". The text goes on to condemn Babylon's use of magic spells, sorceries, astrologers and stargazers who will be unable to do anything for them.

Isaiah 46 (résumé): God of Babylon

Isaiah 46 compares the gods of Babylon, that are carried around everywhere, with the almighty sovereign Lord that "has carried the house of Jacob since their birth". "Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he who sustains you... I have made you and will carry you". "To whom will you compare me?... I am God and there is no other... my purpose will stand and I will do all that I please... what I have said I will bring to pass... listen to me you stubborn hearted... my salvation will not be delayed".

Isaiah 45 (résumé): The anointing of Cyrus the Great

Isaiah 45 is a prophecy concerning God's choice of Cyrus the Great of Persia to conquer Babylon and release the Jewish exiles. Initially God calls Cyrus "his anointed... to subdue nations before him... so that you may know that I am the Lord... I am the Lord and there is no other". The text goes on to reaffirm God's sovereignty who cannot be questioned but does what he wants and chooses who he wants to do his will like Cyrus who will rebuild Jerusalem. God then distinguishes himself from idols as "all the makers of idols will be put to shame... but Israel will be saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation... by the creator God of which there is no other". The text then closes calling the nations to God: "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God and there is no other... and before me every knee will bow and by me every tongue will swear". 

Two-thirds

I have now completed two-thirds of my résumé of the Book of Isaiah with 44 of the 66 chapters done.

Yesterday we went to the wake of Brother Neto's mother from the Patos church who died aged 70. As I always explain wakes here are before the burial and not after it as in the UK. 

Last night we held a special Mother's Day service at Green Pastures which I both led and preached at. Liz and deaconess Josinete gave short words too, and the children made a special presentation for their mums. It was a wonderful evening. Mother's Day is on the second Sunday in May in Brazil and Father's Day is on the second Sunday in August. 

Troubles

I am feeling much better today after a week of tummy troubles which left be feeling off-colour. Thanks for your prayers. 

A couple from our Patos church have just had a new daughter born, Priscila, to join their 5-year-old son Moisés. Mum is Rebeca and Dad is Caetano who drills wells for a living. I see that a 35-year-old woman in Ethiopia has just given birth to quintuplets - 4 boys and a girl!

Yesterday was 'World Donkey Day'! Our 3 donkeys at Green Pastures: King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba and Merrylegs II had a lovely day! 😀

Brazil's President Lula had a meeting in Washington this week with Donald Trump and explained to him, amongst other things, how the Brazilian PIX instant bank payment system works, without using credit cards, and which has attracted interest from the Americans.

Isaiah 44 (résumé): Israel the chosen

Isaiah 44 is a chapter of comfort and promise. God starts telling Israel not to be afraid because he will "pour water on the thirsty land... and pour out my spirit on your offspring". Then God declares: "I am the first and I am the last... the incomparable Rock"! God then goes on to ridicule the stupidity of idolatry saying: "All who make idols are nothing... he makes an idol and bows down to it... but they know nothing, understand nothing... and the same wood they use to cook with is what they use to make their god!" The chapter closes with God saying: "I have swept away your offences like a cloud... return to me, for I have redeemed you... burst into song, you mountains... for the Lord has redeemed Jacob... Jerusalem shall be inhabited and the towns of Judah shall be built... let Jerusalem be rebuilt and the temple's foundations laid".

Happy Birthday!

I send my warmest congratulations to David Attenborough on this his 100th birthday! Thank you for all your amazing nature films including the one we recently watched called 'A Gorilla Story'. I hope the brother who wrote to me complaining about my previous comments about this man will forgive my enthusiasm but it is a ton!

Our granddaughter Alice is 18 and at university studying psychology. At the moment she is in Campina Grande taking part in a Conference on Neuroscience, Autism and its Disorders. Alice already has qualifications as an ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) technician in the field of Autism. Please pray for Alice who does a great work with children! 

Last night's mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study was taken by Pastor Rafael who gave a further study in Zephaniah.