You have to question the intelligence of someone who worships a
god he made in shop class. Put away your idols, show God some
respect! (MR, 98) 1. Ancient Israels spiritual reality
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They are surrounded by three superpowers. Assyria to the north,
Babylon to the east, Egypt to the south. They are always a small
nation. Then they divide into two even smaller nations! How to
survive??? 2. Ancient Israels political reality:
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Assyria Israel Egypt Babylon There is a chicken named Judah.
This unlucky chicken happens to live in a cul de sac where its
neighbors are an alligator, a lion and a coyote.
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Judah the chicken would like to go on living. Who should he
trust to save him? A)the lion; B)the alligator; C)the coyote OR
D)Almighty God?
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As nave as it may sound to you, the answer is actually D. The
chicken should trust God. And do you know why? Because God is the
only choice WHO DOESNT EAT CHICKEN! Mark Russell, God is
Disappointed, p. 97-8
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Israel and Judah routinely ignore this advice, and make unwise
alliances with their powerful neighbors. Eventually the northern
kingdom is eaten by the alligator/Assyria. The southern kingdom is
consumed by the lion/Babylon. The prophets of Isaiah speak into
this mess.
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(The book of Isaiah is) a large and comprehensive gathering of
messages that were preached to the ancient people of Judah and
Israel. Poetry, watercolors, melodies, a symphony! (Eugene
Peterson, The Message)
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This Salvation Symphony has three movements: 1.Messages of
Judgment 1 39 2.Messages of Comfort 40 55 3.Messages of Hope56 -
66
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These movements roughly correspond to three time periods in
Israel/Judahs history: 1. Messages of Judgment 1 39 Given in the
time period surrounding 722 BCE when the northern kingdom was
conquered by the Assyrians and the people carried into captivity.
The prophet(s) warned of coming judgment. Most of these messages
are attributed to the prophet called Isaiah, and are known as First
Isaiah.
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2.Messages of Comfort 40 55 Given in the time period
surrounding 586 BCE when the southern kingdom was conquered by
Babylon and the people were carried into captivity. (722 586 = 136
years later) The prophets promised redemption. These messages are
attributed to various authors, and are known as Second Isaiah, or
Deutero-Isaiah. They tend to be our favorites (!) and are the best
known of chapters.
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3.Messages of Hope56 66 Given in the time period surrounding
515 BCE, when Persia conquered Babylon and allowed the Jews to
return to their homeland. (586 515 = 70 years later) The prophets
place Israels suffering in a much greater context. Known as Third
Isaiah, they offer hope for the present and point far into the
future as well, to the coming Messiah.
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Any place in your life where you are feeling like a chicken?
Who are your alligators, lions, or coyotes? Read the spectacularly
beautiful words of the prophets in Isaiah to give you courage!
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Isaiah 43:1-3 But now thus says the L ORD, he who created you,
O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have
redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you
pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the
rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire
you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I
am the L ORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.