The Book of Isaiah

Chapter 1 V.2-3

Isa 1:2  Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

Is there a difference between “hear,” and “give ear?” First of all, one instruction is directed to the heavens, and one to the earth.

Hear in the Greek is shama. It means to hear (perceive by ear), be heard (of voice or sound), to hear of or concerning, to have power to hear; to hear with attention or interest, listen to, to understand (language), to hear (of judicial cases); to listen, give heed, to consent, agree; to grant request, to listen to, yield to, to obey, be obedient; to be regarded, to summon, to tell, proclaim, utter a sound, to sound aloud (musical term), to make proclamation.

Give ear in the Greek is azan, and means to hear, listen, to be obedient, hearken, to hear or listen to prayers (of God).

This sounds like he is saying listen O heavens, and hearken, O earth: for the Lord, Jehovah: “the existing One,” has spoken. It’s like he’s making sure there are witnesses.

Has spoken in Hebrew is dabar. It means to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing, to lead away, put to flight.

I have nourished in the Greek is gadal, and means to grow, become great or important, promote, make powerful, praise, magnify, do great things.

And brought up in the Greek is ruwm. It means to rise, rise up, be high, be lofty, be exalted, be set on high, to be raised, be uplifted, be exalted, to raise or rear (children), cause to grow up, take up, set up, erect, exalt, set on high, remove, to lift off and present, contribute, offer, contribute, to be taken off, be abolished, to exalt oneself, magnify oneself, to be rotten, be wormy.

What I hear God saying here is that He has invested in these people, and they have turned against Him.

Isa 1:3  The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: [but] Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

Note the differences in the words “owner” and “master.”

The Greek word for owner is qanah, which means to get, acquire, create, buy, possess, obtain, of God originating, creating, redeeming His people; possessor, of Eve acquiring, of acquiring knowledge, wisdom, to buy, to be bought, to cause to possess.

The Greek word of master is ba`al, which means owner, husband, lord, citizens, inhabitants, rulers, lords, (noun of relationship used to characterize – i.e., master of dreams), lord (used of foreign gods).

A crib refers to a crib, manger, feeding trough. I’ve also noticed another two similar terms.

The first is doth not know which means to know or learn to know, to perceive and see, find out and discern, to discriminate, distinguish, to know by experience, to recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess, to consider, be acquainted with, to know (a person carnally), to know how, be skillful in, to have knowledge, be wise, to be made known, be or become known, be revealed, to make oneself known, to be instructed, to cause to know, declare, reveal oneself.

Doth not consider means to discern, understand, consider, to perceive, discern, to understand, know (with the mind), to observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, have insight, to be intelligent, discreet, to teach, instruct, have understanding, to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently; prudent, regard.

Isa 1:3  The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: [but] Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

This is an interesting analogy, because the ox knows who has redeemed it or bought it, as well as who feeds it. The ass also, alleged to be one of the dumbest creatures, also knows where its food trough is, and will return there.

However, Israel, a people with a name that means “God prevails,” does not know their redeemer; the One who empowers them to prevail. They don’t even consider this, nor God.

This is interesting because by comparison, if we were to look at believers, and the class of people most often walking with God, we’d find that it is the “beasts of burden,” the working class who knows their owner, and at the very least, the poor know where to get fed. Those who prevail economically in the world are the ones who fail to consider the One who has set up systems and wisdom and understanding that enables these people to acquire the access that they have that empowers them.

The Book of Isaiah

Chapter 1 V.1 Part 5.14

Isa 37:33  Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it.

Isa 37:34  By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.

Isa 37:35  For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

Isa 37:36  Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.

Isa 37:37  So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.

If this wasn’t a sign to Sennacherib of the power of God, I don’t know what could have been. It was enough to make him leave. And note where he dwelt…Nineveh. This was a capital city of the Assyrians.  I did not know that this was an Assyrian city. This gives me an understanding of the attitude of Jonah that we see in later books.

 Isa 37:38  And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

Nisroch = “the great eagle”

1) an idol of Nineveh worshipped by Sennacherib; symbolised by the eagle-headed human figure

Adrammelech = “honour of the king”
           or “Adar is prince”
           or “Adar is Counsellor, Decider”

1) an idol or god of the Sepharvites, introduced to Israel by Shalmaneser the fifth

2) the son and murderer of Sennacherib

Sharezer or Sherezer = “prince of fire”

1) son of king Sennacherib of Assyria and murderer of his father

Armenia: Ararat = “the curse reversed: precipitation of curse”

1) a mountainous region of eastern Armenia, between the river Araxes and the lakes Van and Oroomiah, the site where Noah’s ark came to rest

2) (TWOT) the mountain where Noah’s ark came to rest

Esarhaddon = “Ashur has given a brother”

1) king of Assyria in the seventh-century BC

It’s funny to me how this same king Sennacherib could say to Hezekiah that the Lord had told him to come against them; how he could acknowledge God, then return to worship a man-made idol resembling an eagle. Perhaps this eagle represented this king’s desire to ascend above the Lord.

It’s also interesting that he was murdered by his own sons in “the curse reversed” or Armenia.

The Book of Isaiah

Chapter 1 V.1 Recap

Isa 1:1 

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Remember the meanings of these names?

Isaiah: salvation of the Lord, Jehovah has saved or God is salvation.

Amoz = “strong”

Judah = “praised”

Jerusalem = “teaching of peace”

Uzziah: A contracted form of Azari’ah the Lord is my strength.

Jotham: Jehovah is perfect.

Ahaz: possessor. The son and successor of Jotham, king of Judah

Hezekiah: “Jehovah is my strength;” son of Ahaz, king of Judah.

Isa 1:1 

THE vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

The vision of “salvation of the Lord,” the son of “strong,” which he saw concerning “praised” and “teaching of peace” in the days of “the Lord is my strength,” “Jehovah is perfect,” “possessor,” and “Jehovah is my strength,” kings of “praised.”

It appears that this is a vision for one family. This family operated in a spirit of pride and arrogance and it was generational. So this vision was for this family of kings who failed to not only walk in faith, but most of whom refused to tear down the idols, and instead tried to compromise with things and people that are not of God.

So at last we get to the next section is the start of what that vision was.

Yeah…I was a bit incensed on that last post. Yall will have to forgive me. It happens once in a while. But you know….I’m so sick and tired of being told that I’m a second class citizen because I’m a woman. I’ve heard that from the church all my life, and I’m just tired of it. We are constantly told that God made the man first. Well…He formed the man first, so that’s a reference to his earthly body, not his spirit, which definitely supports why I have to keep hearing this nonsense from men in the church.

And for the record, there’s a distinct difference between “formed” and “created.” Look it up. We were made between 2 different days. Yeah, I know…it will blow the theology of some, but again, look it up. It’s right there in scripture. I’m currently writing about it in my second book, while I’m trying to get the first one published.

Meanwhile, a guy from http://yes2marriage.org/ came to our church last night. He only confirmed my thoughts on this. He said that marriage was the first institution that God ordained. If that is the case, and I know this is true, how could women be discluded? How could we be second class citizens? Only via the fall, but prior to it, no. Now the church, instead of teaching the complete restoration as it was in the beginning, is teaching post fall theology, which makes Christ’s sacrifice in vain. I wish I could explain it all to you, but this is why I’m writing the book…because it is too much for this forum.

However, I want to address a few comments and feedback I got from the previous post.

“We are all supposed to be equals in Christ (like you said), then how come men are the only ones who can lead? But now I see it is one of those things specific to the time. Paul was writing as Paul, and therefore as he believed from the mentality of the day, right? Or did I miss understand that. Because I have always felt, when people say there are things women shouldn’t do because the bible says so, that it wasn’t right. We are supposed to treat everyone as equals, not in a tiered system like men then a bit lower women then a bit lower a different race.”

This is my issue. I’m sorry but I don’t believe that God divides, and this issue has caused division in the church. Some people including pastors say that Paul was speaking as the Lord, but I have to question that, like I said previously, because the Lord does not struggle with sin, and Paul did. Aside from that, I can see clearly in scripture God’s plan to restore us…not to the fallen condition with the disciplinary action intact, such as was after the fall, but to pre-fall conditions.

In those conditions, there was no one higher than the other. They were equal. They had different responsibilities and their authority came from that difference, but one was not higher than the other, and they were equally submissive to each other. Why? Because that is part of the marriage covenant God introduced to the world. He patterns us after Himself. Why would He set it up like that in the beginning, with equality, then turn around later and contradict Himself? That is not the pattern of God.

There is no one who can convince me that God would contradict Himself in that manner. Jesus did not say anything like that. He did not come to restore only one sex and leave the other subjegated. No, grace is not about that, but what I keep getting told is that although we are under grace, we are still subject to the law. Not so. The law is only fulfilled by walking in His grace, therefore we cannot be subject to it, but must be willing to submit by grace. There’s a difference between telling me I am required to do something, mandated; versus allowing me to make the decision to do it myself.

Ok…so let me address this:

“Quote: “When we walk in His grace, we would automatically have a tendency towards civil obedience as well as spiritual.”

You asked so please see what I’m about to say as voicing my opinion and not as an attack.

I think the above quote is one of the biggest liess of Satan there is. Just because we are walking in with the Father does not mean our tendencies have changed, Now our actions should show a change because we are “forcing” our selves to do that which is not natural… to be that which is Holy.

Our natural tendency is to always be sinful- we are fallen creatures and the only thing new about us is we now have the Holy Spirit in us to help us desire to change that.

There is always a verse that is misused to create this idea and this one comes from 2nd Corinthians 5:17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

The whole “New Creature” theory-sounds so simple… but if you read the Whole passage, it is talking about a mind set- a way of viewing the world around us and that part has changed.”

First of all, I did not see this as an attack. I agree that it is not natural for us to walk with grace, which is why I said “His grace,” not ours. If we are walking in our own strength, no matter how self-righteous we may believe ourselves to be, we are not, and we will fall short.

The “New Creature” theory that you brought up, to me reflects a newness in thought, thus a newness in being and action. In other words, it’s not a magic trick, and certainly, doesn’t happen overnight, but for me, that newness dirives from having and continually obtaining greater amounts of His faith. Therefore, I would become a new or different person. Is it easy? By no means. Are we completely changed in that moment? Only in the light of a new developing walk with Him, which, if we persist in it, it will become an outward reflection as well as an inward one.

In order to achieve this, we have to learn to take His faith. We cannot do anything in our own faith, and trust me…I’m coming to an even newer understanding of this ideology as we speak.

What you quoted here:

“Romans 7:18-19″ 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”
 

This is what I was saying concerning Paul. How can this man be speaking “as God,” and having a struggle like this? Then he cannot be speaking “as God,” because God doesn’t have these issues, but the church would have us believe that this is so. And why is it that the church puts Paul in the position as speaking “as God,” and no one else?

Is anyone going to tell me that Paul was more ordained, or special than any other prophet or apostle? What about John the revelator, who told us of what is to come? How come he doesn’t get this distinction? How come the prophets don’t get it? Did Moses, the bringer of the law speak “as God?” No. The only person who actually spoke “as God,” is Jesus, because He is God. Therefore, why should I hold Paul’s writings up on any higher pedestal than Jesus, Himself? This is why I don’t. I see men in the church supporting Paul’s teachings more highly than Christ’s, and it looks agenda-oriented.

When I can’t see where some things Paul said line up with the plan of God as illustrated throughout scripture, then I must question it. Am I saying that I don’t think Paul was inspired by God? No. What I am saying, is that Paul was a man with sin issues just as much as the rest of us…apostle or not. I am saying that Paul was not speaking “as God,” but was inspired by God in much of what he said. I don’t, however, believe that scriptures like you quoted in Romans supports the ideology that Paul spoke as God, because then that would mean that God is not only divided, but is flesh, and I know that is not the truth.

“So why am I making such a deal out of this point?
This is the whole bases of the what your friend was talking about- we have the law to teach us what sin is- if we did not have it, we’d have no clue we were doing it.

Because of what God has done in the lives of those in the past with the Law we see that there is no way that we can live up to that standard perfectly on our own.

Thus we have Christ – he came to do what we could not do on our own. BUT>>>Our freedom in Jesus is NOT  freedom to forget the law- it is freedom from having to suffer because would could not keep the law perfectly on our own.”

Let me take this on another track. Without darkness, would we know light exists? When people ask why evil exists in the world…this is why. How would we know we were in light, if we had nothing to compare it with? And would we freely choose God in that scenario, when there is no other choice? This is why the fall had too occur.

It’s just like a tree. I explained this to my son the other day. How does a tree grow? The seed is planted and then what happens? The roots start to grow first. The roots must struggle…must push down against the earth. There must be a negative in order for us to see the positive. The roots grow down, and grab hold in the earth, and then we see the tree springing up. That is how it is here in this dimension. Even buildings must have a foundation that goes down first, before the building can go up, otherwise, the slightest wind would bowl it over.

Am I saying that we don’t need the law? Heck no. There are people out there that want to be lawless, and without law…there is total anarchy, because everyone will do what they perceive in themselves to be right…for themselves, without concern nor consideration for others. That is the nature of fallen man. What I am saying, is that the church focuses on, and teaches law above grace. If the ideology of grace and the concept of it were truly understood and taught in the church, then they would not have to preach the law at people the way they do.

If we walk in His faith, and by His grace, then we will conform to what His requirements of us are, and live with consideration of others before ourselves. This is the principle of grace, which does not require anyone to be forced, manipulated or told to submit. It is a process of free will, just like God wants us to love Him. It was so in the beginning, before the fall. It is this, that God sent Jesus to restore. When we live in Him, walking in His faith, and His grace, then and only then, do we usher in the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. But we can never even strive to achieve that, when all we are taught is law. Even if we move from teaching “Old” law, to teaching “New” law, it is still teaching law and not grace. That was my point.

“It’s like if you ran a red light – got stopped and got ticketed but you had no money to pay for it and Jesus comes along a pays for it for you. Should we forget about all red lights now just because He paid for ticket? “Oh, I can run as many red lights as I want now because Jesus will always be there to pay for my ticket”  Now there’s a sinful, not to mention dangerous attitude!  Rush hour would become night- mere! Should we forget God’s law just because Jesus paid the “Ticket” for that too? No! our lives would become a night-mere. That is also  a sinful, not to mention dangerous attitude!

We don’t need to kill sheep anymore – that ticket was all paid for- Jesus paid the whole ticket not just part- but as for “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as your self” that is the sum of the law and that we should do – if for no other reason then out of respect for the one who paid your “Ticket.”

What you are referring to with this ticket scenario, is a person walking outside of His faith, and in their own. I also know this for a fact because I have upon occassion, taken God for granted in this manner, and had to repent for it. But again, I’m speaking of walking in His faith and His grace, not our own. We only fall into this attitude and/or scenario when we forget God, even for a moment. Whenever we think so much of ourselves that we can do or handle whatever a situation may bring…we take Him for granted. So rest assured, I am not speaking of that. I absolutely agree that we must respect Him. I also agree that there must be a standard to follow, but what I disagree with, is the total focus on law and forced submission, versus teaching about grace and having a willing heart to submit…for all, not just one class of people, or race of people, but all. 

“As for women not speaking in church- if men lived by the Lord’s ways and not abuse their positions then women would not feel the need to do it for them. But we live in a wicked world and the Lord will use what ever means He deems necessary to get His will accomplished.

 AND…
 By the same token if women did what was respectful, Paul would not have had to say to some blabber mouths to pipe done or not go on & on while sharing, when he was trying to teach. How many times has that same thing came up in a Bible study or Sunday school class today?”

Agreed. This is also my point. You don’t put down or step on another to lift yourself up. So not cool. If men lived by the Lord’s ways and did not abuse their positions, they would not need to constantly subjegate women, because no one would be rising to challenge the abuse. If men lived and walked by His faith and His grace…this conversation wouldn’t even be necessary. This is what I’m saying needs to be changed in the church. It must start with teaching men to truly walk in grace, and to submit to the women…their wives also, because scripture calls for husbands to love their wives like Christ loved the church. Christ submitted unto death, and died for the church. What’s up with the men of God, and why can’t they comprehend this matter? 

God set up this beautiful love story in the garden. Satan came in there and caused division with the husband and wife. Here we are, saved and believing yet none of the men can walk by His faith and His grace? And we are supposed to follow them? Surely you can see why I have issue with that. I’m not opposed to following my husband. As a matter of fact…I’d follow him to the ends of the earth (hopefully I won’t have to prove that statement), but my point is, I’m more than willing to follow my husband when the time comes. But is he willing to truly follow Christ? Are the men in the church really willing to walk in His faith and His grace, because if not…why should I or any woman be willing to submit and follow them? Peace.

Lately, some questions have been going through my mind. So let me jump right into it.

Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but when we hear a minister or pastor or even a prophet speaking the word of God…when they say, “Thus saith the Lord…” we tend to believe that this is definitely what the good book says. But if someone says, “I want, or I prefer, or I will, or I would that you…” even standing in the position of a man of God, expounding upon “church” or even “biblical” principles; do we still say or believe that what they are espousing is actually “the” word, or their word?

Someone I know and love, a friend who knows my position on this particular issue, showed me this last night:

1Ti 2:8  I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

1Ti 2:9  In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

1Ti 2:10  But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

1Ti 2:11  Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

1Ti 2:12  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

1Ti 2:13  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

1Ti 2:14  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

1Ti 2:15  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

He tried to say that Paul was speaking “as God.” Really? Cause I don’t even see Christ doing that. What did Christ constantly say? I don’t do my will, but the will of Him who sent me. Not one time can I recall that Christ told the people do His will. Yet several times, we see evidence of Paul saying exactly that; “I will that…”or “I would that…” and so on. Is this not subjective? Is this not Paul telling what he prefers, not what thus saith the Lord.

Paul is setting up church doctrine. When I looked up the word “doctrine,” this is what I found: “a particular principle, position, or policy taught or advocated, as of a religion or government.”

A doctrine then, is not “the word” of God, but is a principle, position or policy advocated by a governing body. Any institution has to set up a doctrine, or rules and procedures of operation. However, it’s one thing to say thus saith the Lord concerning a principle, and quite another to say, “I will.”

I also noticed that that word “I” came up alot in the book of the 2 Corinthians, where Paul is so busy boasting. For instance, look at this:

2Cr 2:1  But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.

Is Paul writing as God here? No. Clearly, he is writing as Paul, and speaking as Paul. So when I get told that certain things Paul says in the first person is “the word of God,” I have to question it, particularly when it espouses a pride based issue against any group or people.

Christ was not about that. Christ did not segregate. He did not oppress. He came to give us all freedom through Him. He came to restore what was in the beginning before the fall, and that was total unity. There was no greater than or lesser than because just like God Himself, the Spirit and the Father worked in one accord…a complete unit.

Do I believe that Paul was God’s man? Yes. Do I believe he was perfect? No. Paul came from a highly religious background. He was all about law, so it is not illogical or surprising that he was the one to set up the church doctrine. Even he spoke about his own failings and the war of his flesh and his spirit. Was that also the word of God as written in Romans? No. It was the word of Paul, because God cannot war in Himself between flesh and spirit. He is not flesh. Was Paul’s words there a guide point, a principle for us, yes, but God’s words…no.

This is why God gave Paul the thorn…because Paul walked in a spirit of pride. He was always boasting…he claimed on the Lord, but it was obvious that it was more about himself, because the word “I” came up quite often and a lot of it appeared to be about Paul’s embarrassment if the he found the church “not as he would.” He was clearly stealing a bit of God’s glory, thus the reason for the thorn. And, aren’t we responsible to distinguish between grace and law, and walk in grace?

Do I say all this to discredit Paul? No, however, aren’t we also called to discern and walk in wisdom as well as with grace? Paul was writing letters to the church. In those letters, he spoke of his trials, tribulations, and how well the ministry was going. He also advised the body of believers (the church) on certain principles of conduct because of the issues that were coming up and being brought to his attention.

Did he give this advice by God’s word? Most of the time, yes. However, I clarify this statement by pointing out that when the prophets came to speak the word of God to a given leader or person in the Old Testament, they never used the word “I” or “I will.” They always said, “Thus saith the Lord.” The only prophet that I personally know of that started to incorporate his own will into what God told him, was Balack, and was almost killed for that reason.

Let me also say, that part of our responsibility as believers, is to study to show ourselves approved, and to discern the spirit of any given thing. Thus, I’m not going to take the word of any pastor, just because they hold a title; especially when a title is clearly only applicable in importance to a chosen few in the echelon of those in positions of power.

Ok…you’re probably questioning that last statement, so let me clear it up. What happened to the woman who gave the two mites? She gave her all for the Lord, and what happened to her? Jesus gave her a title. Jesus said that she would forever be remembered for her sacrifice. However, she’s a woman…so that title is meaningless, because a title would give her (a woman) position and authority over men, and in accordance to the book of Timothy, that’s not supposed to be.

1Cr 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Look at the reference point in this verse. Paul is beseeching the brethren, in the name of Jesus. So clearly Paul is speaking as representing God here. But look at this:

Act 5:36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. 

This guy started boasting…got full of himself and was destroyed. Below, Paul is both discussing boasting, and doing the boasting, so he was given a thorn.

Rom 3:27 Where [is] boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 

2Cr 7:14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which [I made] before Titus, is found a truth. 

2Cr 8:24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf. 

2Cr 9:3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: 

2Cr 9:4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting. 

2Cr 10:15 Not boasting of things without [our] measure, [that is], of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 

2Cr 11:10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 

2Cr 11:17 That which I speak, I speak [it] not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. 

There’s a lot of “I” in there among all that boasting. But even Paul himself stated this:

Rom 3:28   For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

My friend, the same one who showed me those verses in Timothy, told me that I still have to obey the law, despite Christ’s sacrifice. He says that I have to obey the governing law of the land. I don’t have issue with that, if it is not violating a biblical principle. However, my point to him was that through Christ, we are to walk by grace, not by law. When we walk in His grace, we would automatically have a tendency towards civil obedience as well as spiritual. The difference then, is that the obedience is not forced upon us as a matter of law, but a willing choice as a matter of grace. This, imo is where the church is falling short in its teachings. It is too focused on forcing an issue of obedience for the purposes of control, and not really teaching people to walk in God’s grace by faith. Am I wrong? What is your opinion on this matter?

The Book of Isaiah

Chapter 1 V.1 Part 5.13

Isa 37:21  Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:

Isa 37:22  This [is] the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, [and] laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.

Isa 37:23  Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted [thy] voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? [even] against the Holy One of Israel.

This first part of the Lord’s response to Hezekiah confirms that he is in right standing with God, and that it was God that Sennacherib was coming against.

Isa 37:24  By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, [and] the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, [and] the forest of his Carmel.

Some similar words to reproached are to taunt, blaspheme, defy, jeopardise, rail, and upbraid. By the multitude of my chariots….this strikes a blazing similarity to the theology America has held to for so long; “Might makes right.” And there’s that phrase that Lucifer used so many times to his undoing… “I will…”

Lebanon = “whiteness”

Carmel = “garden-land”

Isa 37:25  I have digged, and drunk water; and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of the besieged places.

This is indicative of the king of Assyria destroying hope. This is the reason why Hezekiah said he would not allow him to take the water.

Isa 37:26  Hast thou not heard long ago, [how] I have done it; [and] of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities [into] ruinous heaps.

Isa 37:27  Therefore their inhabitants [were] of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were [as] the grass of the field, and [as] the green herb, [as] the grass on the housetops, and [as corn] blasted before it be grown up.

Here, God says that he gave them the power they had, which they used to destroy these smaller nations.

Isa 37:28  But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.

Isa 37:29  Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

Tumult: 1) at ease, quiet, secure

a) at ease, secure

b) at ease, careless, wanton, arrogant

   2) security, pride, arrogance

a) one at ease

b) arrogance

Isa 37:30  And this [shall be] a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat [this] year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.

Isa 37:31  And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:

Isa 37:32  For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.

This sign was for Hezekiah. At this point, God had allowed these Assyrian kings to defeat many fortified cities. Many of the tribes had been taken captive. Here, prophesy is given, and it is sealed in the number 3, as in the number of years for the sign God would give and that there would be a remnant in the future of survivors.

The captivity of the people of Israel was forthcoming because of their sins and disobedience prior to Hezekiah’s time, therefore a prophesy is given towards that fact. However, it would not happen at that moment because of the faithfulness of Hezekiah.

The Book of Isaiah

Chapter 1 V.1 Part 5.12

Isa 37:6  And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.

Isa 37:7  Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.

Right here we see God’s protective nature towards His own becoming visible. He says that the king of Assyria did not speak against Hezekiah, but instead against God, and has blasphemed Him. Therefore, the fight has become God’s and He will address it. Clearly Hezekiah understood this, and his own position here, because he did not attempt to do anything other than what Isaiah instructed him, per the Lord.

Isa 37:8  So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.

Isa 37:9  And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He is come forth to make war with thee. And when he heard [it], he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

Isa 37:10  Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God, in whom thou trustest, deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.

Isa 37:11  Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly; and shalt thou be delivered?

Isa 37:12  Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed, [as] Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which [were] in Telassar?

Gozan = “a cutting off”

1) the Mesopotamian city on or near the middle of the Euphrates where exiled Israelites were settled

Haran = “mountaineer”

2) the city to which Abraham migrated when he left Ur of the Chaldees and where he stayed until his father died before leaving for the promised land; located in Mesopotamia in Padan-aram at the foot of Mount Masius between the Khabour and the Euphrates

Rezeph = “a hot stone”

Eden = “pleasure”

Telassar or Thelasar = “Assyrian hill”

Isa 37:13  Where [is] the king of Hamath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?

Hamath = “fortress”

1) the principle city of upper Syria in the valley of the Orontes

Arpad or Arphad = “I shall be spread out (or supported)”

Sepharvaim = “the two Sipparas”

1) a city in Syria conquered by the king of Assyria

a) perhaps near the modern ‘Mosaib’ and on the Euphrates above Babylon

Hena = “troubling”

1) a city in Mesopotamia which the Assyrian kings reduced shortly before the time of Sennacherib; site unknown

Ava or Ivah = “ruin”

Isa 37:14  And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.

What I like here is the fact that Hezekiah took the offensive letter, went to the house of the Lord, and spread it before Him. That’s the act of placing something upon the altar, or giving it to God.

Isa 37:15  And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD, saying,

Isa 37:16  O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest [between] the cherubims, thou [art] the God, [even] thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.

Isa 37:17  Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God.

Isa 37:18  Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries,

Isa 37:19  And have cast their gods into the fire: for they [were] no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.

Isa 37:20  Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD, [even] thou only.

Now I’m looking at this prayer and I see a few things that may be indicative of a pattern of victorious prayer.

1. He identifies God; speaks of His reign and power and position as Lord over all – He praises God.
2. He requests that God listens to and hears as well as opens His eyes to see what this pagan king has said against God. So he’s not praying about his own shame or embarrassment here, but is saying that this king had the nerve to speak thus against the living God.
3. Then he mentions what the kings of Assyria have done against the works of man.
4. Lastly he requests that the Lord rescue them so that His name would be glorified in all the earth.

What I see is a totally unselfish prayer. He never once mentioned any of the works that he himself had done, in tearing down the high places and re-establishing worship at the temple unto God as a justification for why God should rescue them. It is also obvious that he was in right standing with God, because he did not have to ask for God’s protection despite the failing of the people to give God proper respect and honor and to serve Him alone.

His entire focus was on the fact that by attacking them, this king was, in fact, rising up against, and attacking God, and therefore, he must be put down, because of God’s glory, which must be evident throughout the earth. It doesn’t matter the number of times these kings rose up against other nations, but when they rise up against God’s own, they rise up against God, and therefore, they must be destroyed.

The Book of Isaiah

Chapter 1 V.1 Part 5.11

I’m back in 2 Ki 18, as this story is recorded there as well as Chr. 32: 1-15, 30; and Isa 36:2-10.  So let’s look at it here in 2 Ki 18.

2Ki 18:19  And Rabshakeh said unto them, Speak ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence [is] this wherein thou trustest?

2Ki 18:20  Thou sayest, (but [they are but] vain words,) [I have] counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?

2Ki 18:21  Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, [even] upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so [is] Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.

2Ki 18:22  But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: [is] not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?

2Ki 18:23  Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.

2Ki 18:24  How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?

What got my attention was the next verse.

2Ki 18:25  Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.

Now, I gotta say, that if I was one of the people…one of the Jews in Hezekiah’s kingdom, that statement might make me question things or rethink, particularly if Hezekiah had not already been standing for the Lord. If not for the fact that Hezekiah had prepared the people, and had strengthened them…they would have been shaken. Since I put most of what the king of Assyria’s message was already, I’m just jumping to the people’s reaction.

2Ki 18:36  But the people held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.

2Ki 18:37  Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder, to Hezekiah with [their] clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.

This story continues in chpt 19, but also in Isaiah 37, so I’m going to go there. Here is Hezekiah’s reaction.

Isa 37:1  And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard [it], that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

Isa 37:2  And he sent Eliakim, who [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

Eliakim = “God raises” or “God sets up”

Shebna = “vigour”

Isaiah or Jesaiah or Jeshaiah = “Jehovah has saved”

Amoz = “strong”

Isa 37:3  And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day [is] a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and [there is] not strength to bring forth.

Isa 37:4  It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up [thy] prayer for the remnant that is left.

Isa 37:5  So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.

Now, not only did Hezekiah build up the people and exhibit faith, but sometimes we can burn out giving or feeding faith into others and we need to be refreshed and built back up ourselves.

The Book of Isaiah

Chapter 1 V.1 Part 5.10

So now, the test kicks into high gear. Here comes the attack…a “second” invasion. Be mindful that the first attack came after the watch tower was captured, despite the city being fortified. This second attack is after a transition or change of mindset, and a building up and strengthening has occurred.

2Ch 32:9  After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he [himself laid siege] against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that [were] at Jerusalem, saying,

Notice that he himself laid siege against “invincible.”

2Ch 32:10  Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?

2Ch 32:11  Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

2Ch 32:12  Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?

2Ch 32:13  Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of [other] lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?

2Ch 32:14  Who [was there] among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?

2Ch 32:15  Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?

This sounds like the typical fear attack of the enemy. First, he’s got to attack our foundation and our faith, just like Satan did against Job. He went after his herds and flocks. He couldn’t strike him or his family until the hedge was removed, and the herds and flocks were destroyed.

2Ch 32:16  And his servants spake yet [more] against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah.

2Ch 32:17  He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of [other] lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.

2Ch 32:18  Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ speech unto the people of Jerusalem that [were] on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.

2Ch 32:19  And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, [which were] the work of the hands of man.

Then they attack with the terrible threesome of fear against…Vision: lust of the eyes: v 11; faith: lust of the flesh: v 12; spirit: pride of life: v 15-19. This is the standard of all of the enemy’s attacks.

And note how much talking was going on. Why? “Let him who hath an ear hear…” And what are you going to listen to? Is it what thus saith the Lord, or whatever anyone else says? Are you shored up? Are you built up in the word? Cause see, when the attack comes…you have to be prepared, because they didn’t stop talking after the first bit of discouragement. They continued their talk, they wrote letters; they even spoke and screeched in the Jews language.

This is a determined enemy, and they will do their utmost to discourage you, because once they can break your will, the rest is easy. They will overrun you without bars because your defenses will be down and you will be broken. This attack will work if you haven’t built up and repaired the broken places/walls…if you haven’t cut off the water/stopped listening to everyone but God and encourage yourself in Him and (the water of) His word. It will work if you haven’t strengthened yourself and build up weapons in abundance. We have to be prepared.