Today's Reading:

Isaiah 31
Isaiah 32
Isaiah 33
Isaiah 34
Isaiah 35

Look in the scroll of the Lord. What humans lose through pride, the wild animals will gain. Edom had cheered on Babylon’s destruction of Judah/Jerusalem. The entire book of Obadiah in the Old Testament is on Edom and their pride in blocking the refugees. Edom lost everything due to pride. God’s book confirms the creation switch: the wilderness for the disobedience, and the highway home for the humble.

Right in the middle of the vision of thorns and hyenas, God said, “Look in the scroll of the LORD and read: None of these will be missing, not one will lack her mate. For it is his mouth that has given the order, and his Spirit will gather them together” (Isaiah 34:16). There is power in the invitation and judgment! God is not hiding His judgment or laws. He points us to His word where all of the details are laid out. The same God who tells the animals to take over the land is the One we can trust today.

God’s book tells both sides of the story: the pride taken down, and the restoration with a road leading home. We do not need a special scroll. At your fingertips is God’s Holy Word- just open your Bible! Like Isaiah said, seek and read the “Book of the Lord.” When you have a tendency to lean on your own “Egyptian horses” (plans, worries, self-effort), open the Book and find the Lion of Judah who defends His own. Grace is not earned by avoiding the thorns; it meets us in the desert and leads us home.

What promise in God’s Book do you seek? What are you trading in today to travel the Highway of Holiness home?

Judah was facing invasion from Assyria. Isaiah continued his woes to those who relied on Egypt instead of the Lord. Yesterday, in Isaiah 30, the rebellious children were piling up sins and making secret plans without talking to God, sending Egypt gifts for protection. Today, Isaiah 31 was a shorter version. It contrasted human flesh (Egyptians and horses) with God’s wisdom and power. A positive flip: the Lord is like a lion who will defend Jerusalem; the shield is like a mother bird spreading her wings in protection. Return to God and Israel, because Assyria’s army will fall. Assyria’s “rock,” their capital Nineveh, will eventually crumble. The angel of the Lord, not the human sword, would take them down.

A king will realign the righteous (this first comes through King Hezekiah, and ultimately through Jesus). Spiritual renewal under Hezekiah brought the cleansing of the temple of idols and the revival of Passover. The schemers will no longer be the leaders, and the truth will become clear. To the complacent women, Assyria will bring destruction as luxuries will be mourned. This was an economic wake-up call. Human efforts fail, but the Spirit revives. Peace will not come from alliances but poured out of the Spirit.

Woe to the destroyer/traitor. The Lord is exalted, with justice and fear of the Lord is treasured. The sinners will be terrified and the righteous can dwell on the security of God. He is the judge, lawyer, and king who saves. Chapter 34 foreshadows the end times, the Day of Lord’s judgment. The Lord was angry with all nations. “Their slain will be thrown out, their dead bodies will stink; the mountains will be soaked with their blood” (Isaiah 34:3). This is the aftermath of God’s judgment.

Edom was singled out as a prime example. God will hold the weapon of justice. In the ancient Near East, gods were often pictured with swords. Here the true God uses the sword against His enemies. The sword was covered in fat, from overindulgence, and being stuffed. The actual sacrifice was the people, not the animals as was normally done. Bozrah was Edom’s capital, and the enemies are the livestock being sacrificed. The kidneys and fat were the choice part of the sacrifice (Leviticus 3:4-5); the best of the leaders and warriors and the common people would all fall. No one can escape. God’s vengeance comes, and there is emptiness after the bloody sacrifice. God is uncreating His creation. The permanent unclean animals (according to Israelite laws) like the hawk, porcupine, hedgehog, owl, and raven will be a picture of defilement. No more nobility or royalty as the kingdom is gone.

In chapter 35, the Highway of Holiness brings hope and restoration for the redeemed who walk in holiness. The wilderness will rejoice to see God’s glory go from judgment to joy. Be strong as God comes to save. With hope and restoration, the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap, and the mute will sing. Waters will burst in the desert. A road is set apart even for the foolish who do not stray. This is a visible, protected road where no one is excluded if they follow God.

Today's Discussion question:

What promise in God’s Book do you seek? What are you trading in today to travel the Highway of Holiness home?

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