Isaiah’s massive Prophecy is organized a lot “tighter” than I ever realized. Much more orderly. (Yes, I realized that the first 39 chapters were “different” than the last 27 chapters! As in “Law” preceding “Grace,” the Old Testament laying the foundation for the New.)
But (for example) … I never knew about the six “Woes” between chapters 28 and 35! I have preached Isaiah’s “six woes” encapsulated in his magisterial fifth chapter, what a Biblical Sermon! But I was ignorant of the additional “six woes” scattered (placed) mid-Book.
Let me show you what I mean. Then tomorrow, the Lord willing, we will pursue the specific “Woe” of chapter 30.
These lead up to Isaiah chapters 36-37, where (Assyrian) King Sennacherib’s army is defeated as they siege Jerusalem. The miracle of the slaying of 185,00 enemy combatants in a single night … by the Angel of the Lord!
Isaiah’s Six Woes …
Isaiah 28:1 … “WOE to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!” Directed toward Israel, the Northern Kingdom, drenched in sin!
Isaiah 29:1 … “WOE to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.” Now Jerusalem is warned! And her sins specified.
Isaiah 29:15 … “WOE unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?” Deliberately self-deceived hypocrites! Hiding from God?
Isaiah 30:1-2 … “WOE to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: that walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!” God is jealous, and rightly so! Trusting Egypt! Spurning the God Who loves them so deeply! “Adding sin to sin!”
Isaiah 31:1 … “WOE to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!” When God says something twice, in quick succession, we’d better pay close attention! (God demands our loyalty!)
Isaiah 33:1 … “WOE to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.” Reversal! “Reaping what one has sown!” Reserved for a Day yet ahead!
Serious preaching!
Unlike the Prophets of Zephaniah’s time … who were “light and treacherous persons!” (Zephaniah 3:4, “frothy, filled with levity, comedians!”)
Yes, as I stated earlier … there is much (and lovely ) order in Isaiah’s Compendium! Holy Spirit inspired, too!
More tomorrow, the Lord willing.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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