In Isaiah 35, the prophet tells about the wilderness and desert being gflad in those days, about the wasteland rejoicing and blossoming with spring crocuses. He tells of the Lord coming to destroy their enemies and coming to save them. It is here that we learn of the Holy Highway, only for those who walk in God’s ways. Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return and enter Jerusalem singing. Sorrow and mourning will disappear.
Isaiah 36 recounts how King Sennacherib of Assyria attacks the fortified towns of Judah and conquers them. Through his chief of staff, he issues an ultimatum to a number of officials: Eliakim of Hilkiah, the palace administrator; Shebna, the court secretary; and Joah son of Asaph, the royal historian. He basically wanted them to surrender, to not trust in the Lord their God.
The officials try to get the Assyrian chief of staff to speak in Aramaic rather than Hebrew because they don’t want the people to know what’s happening. The Assyrian refuses and the people hear what’s being said but don’t say anything. At the end of chapter 36, we see the officials tearing their clothes in despair and telling Hezekiah (Judah) what the Assyrians want.
Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Isaiah 37 – 39 and Psalm 78.
Until next time…
No comments:
Post a Comment