Isaiah 61 (résumé): The Year of the Lord's favour

Isaiah 61 is a messianic prophecy about preaching good news and freedom "in the year of the Lord's favour". This text was applied to himself by Jesus in Luke 4:17-21. The Messiah is anointed by the Spirit to preach good news to the poor and to comfort all who mourn. Then the rebuilding of ancient ruins is predicted renewing ruined cities and you will be called ministers of God enjoying everlasting joy. God then declares his love for justice and promises an everlasting covenant and their descendants will be known among the nations. The chapter concludes rejoicing for being clothed with righteousness, like bride and bridegroom, making righteousness and praise spring up before the nations.

Fire Drill

Last night we had a special session of training for volunteers who could act in the event of a fire in church or any other calamitous problem. Liz has long been saying that we have lots of fire extinguishers in church, but nobody knows how to use them! So last night our fireman Romildo trained a team of about 20 whom of course we hope we will never need to use. 

I have nearly finished my résumé of book number 23 of the Bible, Isaiah, having completed 60 of its 66 chapters.

Isaiah 60 (résumé): The Glory of Zion

Isaiah 60 is a prophetic message of hope declaring Jerusalem's dark days over saying that God's light had come. So it starts: "Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you... Nations will come to your light... you will look and be radiant... and the riches of the nations will come... herds of camels will cover your land... and I will adorn my glorious temple... foreigners will rebuild your walls... the glory of Lebanon will come to you... all who despise you will bow at your feet... and will call you the city of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel... then you will know that I the Lord am your saviour... I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler... and the Lord will be your everlasting light... and they will possess the land forever... I am the Lord and I will do this swiftly!"

Isaiah 59 (résumé): Sin, Confession and Redemption

Isaiah 59 says "surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save... but the problem is your iniquities which have separated you from God... the way of peace they do not know... they are swift to shed innocent blood." The people then admit that "justice is far from us... like the blind we grope in the dark... we all growl like bears and moan mournfully like doves... for our offences are many... rebellion and treachery against the Lord... turning our backs on God... so truth has stumbled in the streets." Then the text says that God intervenes because there was no-one to solve the problem so he did it himself... He put on the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation and repaid wrath to his enemies... and the Redeemer will come to Zion for those who repent of their sins.... and God's spirit and word will be with his people for ever.

Isaiah 58 (résumé): True fasting

Isaiah 58 criticizes fasting and religiosity when it is just a façade for true spirituality. True sincere religion has to be inside and outside and not fasting and exploiting workers at the same time! Not fasting amidst quarrelling and strife. To fast with sincerity one has to loose the chains of injustice... you need to share your food with the hungry... provide the poor with shelter and the naked with clothes. Then, and only then will your righteousness go before you... then you will call and the Lord will answer. If you satisfy the needs of the oppressed then your night will become like noonday and you will be like a well-watered garden... and if you honour the sabbath then you will find your joy in the Lord.

Isaiah 57 (résumé): The righteous perish

Isaiah 57 condemns Israel's repeated idolatry, pagan practices and spiritual adultery. At the start the premature deaths of righteous people are mentioned as they go unnoticed by the wicked. Then Israel is condemned for spiritual adultery and rebellion, even sacrificing their children in pagan rituals! They have even put pagan signs on their doors. "You have been false to me and not remembered me... when you cry out for help let your collection of idols save you!... but the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land. Then God declares: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit... peace, peace to those far and near... and I will heal them... but there is no peace for the wicked."

Isaiah 56 (résumé): Salvation for others

Isaiah 56 points to a more inclusive message of salvation which includes foreigners and eunuchs and which encourages one and all keep the sabbath. "These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer... which will be a house of prayer for all nations". The chapter closes warning against corrupt leaders. These "watchmen" and "shepherds" are condemned for being lazy ("they lie around and dream") and are selfish ("each seeks his own gain").

Isaiah 55 (résumé): Invitation to the Thirsty

Isaiah 55 is a messianic prophecy pointing to the salvation and grace available in the Messiah. It is a wonderful invitation to receive spiritual blessings from God. "Come, all who are thirsty... come buy wine and milk without money." It goes on to call people not to spend money on worthless things... "listen to me and eat what is good... so your soul might live... seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him whilst he is near... turn to the Lord and he will have mercy on you... my ways are higher than your ways... my word will not return to me void... you will go out in joy and be led forth in peace... and instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree"!

Isaiah 54 (résumé): The future glory of Zion

Isaiah 54's prophetic message holds Israel as a "barren woman" symbolizing the nation after the Babylonian exile. She is told to "burst into song and shout for joy" because things are about to change! For "you will spread out to the right and to the left... and dispossess nations!" God therefore says he is Israel's "husband" and "redeemer". He says: "For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back." God then promises not to be angry with Israel again in a similar promise that he made to Noah, and says that even if the mountains shake his unfailing love will not be shaken! God then promises to rebuild Jerusalem using precious stones and he promises that "all your sons will be taught by the Lord." He then concludes saying that "no weapon forged against you will prevail!

There's no peace for the wicked!

How many of us use the expression: 'There's no peace for the wicked'? Do you realize that this is a direct quote from the Bible in Isaiah 48:22?

Last night Liz went to the ladies' prayer meeting and was blessed. I have been working on the agenda for our general conference next week, with a preparatory online board meeting this Saturday. Please pray.

Isaiah 53 (résumé): Who has believed our report?

Isaiah 53 is one of the most extraordinary prophetic and messianic texts of the Bible foretelling by about 700 years the amazing vicarious suffering of Christ the Messiah. I remember memorizing this chapter as a boy at Sunday School in London. The Messiah, opposite to what many might have expected, would be "despised and rejected... has no beauty or majesty to attract us to him... one from whom men hide their faces". The Messiah suffers not for anything he did but for our transgressions... for our iniquities... for the iniquity of us all. However the servant messiah was led to his death like a lamb led to its slaughter, yet he never contested it at all. Yet all was God's plan to redeem us and the suffering servant was exalted after his sacrificial atonement.

Isaiah 52 (résumé):Awake, awake, O Zion!

 Isaiah 52 brings a message of hope and restoration exhorting Jerusalem to awake and prepare for release from Babylonian captivity. "Awake, O Zion... free yourself from the chains round your neck, O captive daughter of Zion"! The text then proclaims: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news... of salvation... who say to Zion your God reigns... when the Lord returns to Zion they will see it with their own eyes". Then the people are told to depart from Babylon purifying themselves from it. And the Lord will go before his people and be their rearguard. Then the chapter concludes presenting the servant of the Lord who would suffer extraordinarily prior to being "raised and lifted up and highly exalted".

Isaiah 51 (résumé): Everlasting salvation for Zion

 Isaiah 51 brings a message of comfort to Judah: "The Lord will surely comfort Zion... and make her deserts like Eden... my salvation is on the way... my arm will bring justice to the nations... my salvation will last forever... my righteousness will last through all generations". Then comes a cry for God to reveal his power like at the Red Sea so that his people enter Zion with singing. God then exhorts people not to fear men because he is the Lord their God and says to Zion "You are my people". Finally Jerusalem is exhorted to awake from the effects of God's judgement... and from the goblet of my wrath you will never drink again.

Isaiah 50 (résumé): Israel's sin and the Servant's obedience

Isaiah 50 shows that Israel's exile is not due to lack of strength on God's behalf or of God's lack of care, but it was due to Israel's sin. The messianic servant is attentive to God's teaching: "He wakens me morning by morning wakening my ear to listen like one being taught". The servant is submissive: "I offered by back to those who beat me... I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting". However the servant has set his face like flint and feels sure he will not be shamed. "It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me". The chapter concludes challenging people to trust the Lord even if they walk in darkness, but warns that those who create their own light will be judged.

Isaiah 49 (résumé): The Servant of the Lord

Isaiah 49 is a triumphant all-embracing servant song prophesying restoration of Israel and the taking of salvation to the gentiles. The servant's messianic mission was based on preexistent calling "to bring back Jacob to him and gather Israel to himself... I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth... the Holy One of Israel has chosen you." God promises to restore Israel:  "in the day of salvation I will help you... be free!... I will turn all my mountains into roads... they will come from afar... and shout for joy!" God goes on to assure Israel that he will not forget them... as he has tattooed them on the palm of his hand... and will restore them... and God says he will also beckon to the Gentiles and lift up his banner to the peoples... "then all mankind will know that I, the Lord, am your Saviour, your Redeemer".

Isaiah 48 (résumé): Stubborn Israel

Isaiah 48 rebukes Israel for its stubbornness: "I knew how stubborn you were with sinews of your neck like iron and your forehead of bronze". Hence God tested Israel in the Babylonian furnace of affliction and "have refined you though not as silver". God says that he predicted things far ahead of time so that it couldn't be claimed that idols had brought them to pass! God goes on to say that "for my own name's sake I delay my wrath... for my own sake I do this... I will not yield my glory to another.. I am the first and the last... I am the Lord God who teaches what is best for you... Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! Announce this with shouts of joy!"

Flown the nest

A pair of Ruddy Ground-Doves made a nest in our Moringa Tree in our back garden and we have observed them rearing their 2 offspring which have finally flown from the nest. They come inside our house where we have a small clay bowl of food and another of water for them. House Sparrows feed there too. 

I preached last night at the Mother's Day special service and Sacha led. The children, teens and adults had special participations, and then all the mums received a little gift. It was a lovely service.

Yesterday it snowed in the extreme south of Brazil! Meanwhile here in the north-east it was 32 degrees.

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. 

Isaiah 43 (résumé): Israel's only Saviour

 Isaias 43 is a wonderful declaration of God's redeeming love: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine". When you pass by waters, rivers and fire I will be with you. God goes on to ridicule powerless idols and refers to the Israelites as "my witnesses". Then God goes on to promise to deliver his people from Babylon and for this he says "I am making a way in the desert". Then the Lord says: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" Finally God says: "I am he who blots out your transgressions... and remember your sins no more". God's mercy is supreme.

Isaiah 42 (résumé): The Servant of the Lord

Isaiah 42 brings us the first of 4 'servant songs' presenting us with a chosen and gentle servant Messiah (Jesus) filled with the Holy Spirit. Initially the "chosen" one is presented as a gentle bringer of "justice to the nations". The servant is to be "a covenant for the people and a light for the gentiles", opening blind eyes and freeing "captives from prison". "I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols". The text then calls all to "sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth... give glory to the Lord". It goes on to address "blind and deaf" Israel because "you have seen many things yet paid no attention; your ears are open, but you hear nothing".

Isaiah 41 (résumé): The Helper of Israel

Isaiah 41 is a chapter of comfort encouraging Israel saying: "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God". Initially God summons everyone to witness his power through the calling up of a leader from the east (Cyrus the Great?) to deliver his people: "Who has stirred up one from the east, calling him in righteousness to his service?" God then goes on to tell Israel to trust him saying: "I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand". God then encourages "worm Israel, O little Jacob... I will make you into a threshing-sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth". God goes on to promise water where there is none for the poor and needy. Finally God stresses the futility of useless idolatry incapable of predicting the future or of doing anything! "They are all false! Their deeds amount to nothing".

Counselling

Our ministry has various aspects and angles, but one of them we often do together is counselling which has been the case this week. God has used and blessed us this week and we value your prayers for each person we minister in this way. No names no pack drill.

We ask for prayer for the difficult situation we face concerning the pound sterling which is at an all time low as a result of the Iran war. It is making things very difficult for us and the work. 

Isaiah 40 (résumé): Comfort for God's people

Isaiah 40 brings a total shift in emphasis, from now on to the end of the book, focusing on comfort and blessing rather than judgement and difficulties. "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God", says Isaiah at the start. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem". (This chapter again reminds me of Handel's Messiah) "Every valley shall be raised up... the glory of the Lord will be revealed... the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever... the Sovereign Lord comes with power... he tends his flock like a shepherd... the nations are like a drop in a bucket... to whom will you compare God?... He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth... lift your eyes and look to the heavens: who created all these?... do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God... he gives strength to the weary... those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength... they will walk and not faint"!

Isaiah 39 (résumé): Envoys from Babylon

 Isaiah 39 and 2 Kings 20:12-19 are virtually identical telling the story of Hezekiah receiving envoys from Babylon to whom he unwisely showed off all his treasures in his storehouses. Isaiah rebuked this telling him that one day everything he had showed off would be "carried off to Babylon"! Hezekiah was relieved that this would not occur during his lifetime.

Isaiah 38 (résumé): Hezekiah's illness

Isaiah 38 has parallels in 2 Kings 20 and 2 Chronicles 32. Some people incorrectly presume that the Book of Isaiah is situated on a timescale after 2 Kings/2 Chronicles owing to its position in the Bible, but this is not the case. The chapter tells the same story seen in Kings/Chronicles of King Hezekiah's terminal illness with a divine extension of 15 years given in answer to his prayer. This 15 year healing is confirmed by the solar sign: "The sunlight went back the ten steps it had gone". Hezekiah's response to his illness and recovery was: "In the prime of my life must I die?... like a weaver I have rolled up my life... my eyes grew weak... I am troubled Lord so please come to my aid... You restored me to health and let me live... for death cannot sing your praise... the living they praise you".

One decision

Last night's Men's Fellowship street service in São Mamede was led by school teacher Claudivan with Pastor Rafael preaching. At the end one man made a commitment to Christ. PTL!

Isaiah 37 (résumé): Jerusalem's deliverance foretold

 Isaiah 37 tells us about how King Hezekiah seeking God's help through the prophet Isaiah after the King of Assyria had lashed out "to ridicule the living God". Isaiah told Hezekiah not to fear the blasphemy because God had things under control and that the king of Assyria would go home and there be killed. Hezekiah placed Sennacherib's insulting letter before God and prayed: "O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God"! Then Isaiah spoke the words of the Lord: "You have lifted your eyes in pride against the Holy One of Israel... you have heaped insults on the Lord... you rage against me but I will put my hook in your nose... for out of Jerusalem will come a remnant... he (Sennacherib) will not enter this city... then the angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrians... and when Sennacherib was in the temple of his god his sons came and killed him".

Isaiah 36 (résumé): Sennacherib threatens Jerusalem

 Isaiah 36 registers the invasion of Judah by king Sennacherib of Assyria in 701 BC. Sennacherib "attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them", and his field commander challenges King Hezekiah of Judah questioning his and Jerusalem's "strategy and military strength" as well as questioning Jerusalem's dependance on Egyptian support which he ridicules as being like a "splintered reed of a staff" which you certainly can't lean on! Then the field commander jests that Sennacherib's army is on a divine mission to defeat Judah and that Judah's god doesn't stand a chance! Then in a clear scare mongering tactic the commander speaks loudly in the language of the people banding about the Assyrian threats and humiliation. "Do not let Hezekiah deceive you. He cannot deliver you!... don't listen to Hezekiah... make peace with me... how can the Lord deliver Jerusalem from my hand?" And Hezekiah's leaders despaired! 

Half-way there!

I have completed the first half of the Book of Isaiah covering the first 33 chapters of its 66 total. This means I have now written the résumé of 60% of the Bible. The Book of Isaiah, the largest prophetic book in the Bible, is a collection of prophetic sayings about a variety of topics such as divine judgement, messianic hope and the holiness of God.

Isaiah 35 (résumé): Joy of the Redeemed

Isaiah 35 is an extremely joyful chapter of restoration and healing! A barren desert is transformed into a lush productive paradise! "The wilderness will rejoice and blossom... it will burst into bloom... they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of our God... strengthen the feeble... be strong and do not fear... the eyes of the blind will be opened and the deaf will hear... water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert... there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness... no lion will be there or any ferocious beast.... but only the redeemed will walk there and the ransomed of the Lord will return and enter Zion with singing!"

Isaiah 34 (résumé): Judgement against the Nations

Isaiah 34 decrees God's apocalyptic judgement on all nations focusing on Edom as a symbolic representative of these nations. For God is to ruthlessly and aggressively devastate the nations. "The Lord is angry with all nations... he will destroy them... their dead bodies will send up a stench... all the stars will be dissolved... it will be a great slaughter in Edom... the land will be drenched with blood... it is a day of God's vengeance and retribution... the desert owl and the screech owl will possess it... she will become a haunt for jackals... the falcons will gather each with its mate... they will possess the land for ever and dwell there from generation to generation".

Isaiah 33 (résumé): Distress & Help

Isaiah 33 is a declaration of God's judgement on the destroyer Assyria: "Woe to you, O destroyer... you will be destroyed!" Then God's people are encouraged to cry to God for his grace: "Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress". God then promises "to fill Zion with justice and righteousness... He will be the sure foundation for your times... Now will I arise, says the Lord. Now will I be exalted... your eyes will see the king in his beauty... Look upon Zion... a peaceful abode... its stakes will never be pulled up... the Lord is our judge, lawgiver and king!"

Isaiah 32 (résumé): The Kingdom of Righteousness

Isaiah 32 promises a future king and kingdom: "a king will reign in righteousness... a shelter from the wind... like streams in the desert... no longer will the fool be called noble... the scoundrel's methods are wicked... but the noble man makes noble plans". Then Isaiah warns against complacency because coming disaster will change the women's easy lives... because the grape harvest will fail... citadel and watchtower will become a wasteland for ever... till the Spirit is poured out from on high... justice will dwell in the desert... the fruit of righteousness will be peace... my people will live in peaceful dwelling-places... how blessed you will be!"

Isaiah 31 (résumé): Woe to those who rely on Egypt

Isaiah 31 warns Judah against trusting Egypt's power as a solution to its defence against Assyria. "Woe to those who go down to Egypt... who trust in their multitude of chariots... Egyptians are men not God!... the Lord will protect Judah like a lion and like hovering birds God will shield Jerusalem... so return to God... because Assyria will fall by the sword... declares the Lord whose fire is in Zion". 

Isaiah 30 (résumé): Woe to the obstinate nation

Isaiah 30 rebukes Judah for seeking an alliance with Egypt which God says will be futile. The result will be that "everyone will be put to shame... because Egypt is an unprofitable nation... which is utterly useless". Isaiah goes on to say that the people are rebellious "unwilling to listen to the Lord's instruction... and their rejection of God's message is like a high wall which is cracked and bulging". So God points to the solution which is "repentance and rest in salvation... because in quietness and trust is your strength". For "the Lord longs to be gracious... when you cry for help... and throw away your images like a menstrual cloth... then your cattle will graze in broad meadows... and the Lord will bind up the bruises of his people". The chapter concludes prophesying that "the Lord will shatter Assyria... with his sceptre he will strike them down... with raging anger and consuming fire".

Isaiah 29 (résumé): Woe to David's City

Isaiah 29 prophecies God's judgement on Jerusalem which is called "Ariel" which means 'Lion of God' - i.e. as the capital of the tribe of Judah. God communicates through Isaiah that Jerusalem/Ariel with be besieged and "brought low, you will speak from the ground". However God says that he will deliver Judah from this enemy and "your enemies will become like fine dust". But God goes on to call the Judeans spiritually blind and drunk unable to understand divine revelation because "he has sealed your eyes and covered your heads". He goes on to say that the people are hypocrites who "come near me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me". Then the chapter concludes predicting future restoration when "in that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll... and the eyes of the blind will see... no longer will Jacob be ashamed... and they will keep my name holy".

St John's Festival

They have started getting things ready early for the St John's Festival this year on June 24th and there are streamers all over the central main streets of Patos. This is the main Patos festival of the year with 5 nights of all night music and dancing in the town centre.

Did you know that the vast majority of people in Brazil call Liz 'Betinha' (pronounced Beteenya)?

Sacha led last night's communion service and Pastor Rafael preached. We received Sister Analice into fellowship and a young woman called Bianca gave a word of testimony. It was a lovely service.

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."  

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.

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