Isaiah

  This is a slightly edited repost of an article originally published in January 2011 Upon his final pilgrimage to Jerusalem Jesus denounced the Pharisees with a scathing series of “woes.” Ultimately, on that same occasion, Jesus condemned the holy city of Jerusalem itself, saying to the Jews: “Look! Your house is abandoned to you.” Jerusalem had fulfilled its purpose. It had received its promised messianic [...]

______________________   This article was originally posted in January 2011 The overlaying theme of Isaiah; indeed, of virtually all the prophets, is the unfaithfulness, subsequent destruction of the faithless and punishment for the erring; then, the restoration and ultimate salvation of a chastened remnant. When it comes to salvation, people generally think in terms of their own salvation. But from God’s standpoint, his purpose has [...]

This is a repost from 2010 When the Israelites were set free from their hard slavery in Egypt, in accord with God’s solemn promise to his friend, Abraham, Jehovah then established his covenant with them. No other people were in such a blessed relationship with Jehovah God. But the blessing was conditional. Only as long as the people listened to God would they [...]

This article is a repost from 2010 Jerusalem was not considered a great city such as ancient Babylon or Rome. It was not an important commercial center like Tyre once was. Jerusalem, though, had a long and rich history as the administrative capital of Israel and Judah and the religious center for all the Jews, no matter where on [...]

This article was originally written in 2010. The Watchtower is commonly accused of being a false prophet because of several failed predictions and raised expectations related to specific years, such as 1914 and 1925 and more recently 1975. In actuality, though, only a very small percentage of the Watchtower Society’s eschatology has to do with the things to come. That is because Jehovah’s Witnesses have [...]

__________________________ This material was originally posted in 2010. Beginning with this article I will be editing, revising, and perhaps expanding upon previously posted articles with added video commentary. The Watchtower rightly points out that Isaiah is an ancient prophet with a modern message. Indeed, the message contained in the ancient prophecy of Isaiah is of the utmost relevance for the Watchtower Society and [...]

There is such a thing as judgment day. And it is nearer than most people think. Some five centuries before Christ there was a judgment day, at least in a pictorial way. Isaiah, the third chapter, reveals that Jehovah stood up to accuse and condemn the wicked ones among his people. Verse 13 states: “Jehovah is taking his position to accuse; He is standing up to [...]

This article renews the Isaiah commentary series. The history of Israel and Judah during the days of the kings is a saddening chronicle of the back and forth struggle between unfaithful, apostate, baal worshipping kings and the reformers. No sooner would the righteous kings have cleared out the idolators the next generation of regents would apostatize again. Back and forth it went for nearly four centuries. [...]

A common thread that runs through most of the books known as the prophets is the exile and repatriation of the Israelites and the Jews. Through Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, the so-called major prophets, to Micah, Amos, Hosea, Zephaniah and Joel, the theme is the same. God used both the Assyrian and Babylonian empires as his punishing agents. And then he brought judgment upon those [...]