Chapter 13
1 A prophecy against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:2 Raise a banner
on a bare hilltop, shout to them; beckon to them to enter the gates of
the nobles.3 I have commanded those I prepared for battle; I have summoned
my warriors to carry out my wrath — those who rejoice in my
triumph.4 Listen, a noise on the mountains, like that of a great multitude!
Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations massing together!
The LORD Almighty is mustering an army for war.5 They come from faraway
lands, from the ends of the heavens —the LORD and the weapons of
his wrath — to destroy the whole country.6 Wail, for the day of the LORD
is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.7 Because of this,
all hands will go limp, every heart will melt with fear. 8 Terror will seize
them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in
labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame.9 See, the
day of the LORD is coming — a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger
— to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.10 The stars
of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun
will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. 11 I will punish the
world for its evil, the wicked for their sins.I will put an end to the arrogance
of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. 12 I will
make people scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir.
13 Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake
from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning
anger.
1 A prophecy against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw:2 Raise a banner
on a bare hilltop, shout to them; beckon to them to enter the gates of
the nobles.3 I have commanded those I prepared for battle; I have summoned
my warriors to carry out my wrath — those who rejoice in my
triumph.4 Listen, a noise on the mountains, like that of a great multitude!
Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations massing together!
The LORD Almighty is mustering an army for war.5 They come from faraway
lands, from the ends of the heavens —the LORD and the weapons of
his wrath — to destroy the whole country.6 Wail, for the day of the LORD
is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.7 Because of this,
all hands will go limp, every heart will melt with fear. 8 Terror will seize
them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in
labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame.9 See, the
day of the LORD is coming — a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger
— to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.10 The stars
of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun
will be darkened and the moon will not give its light. 11 I will punish the
world for its evil, the wicked for their sins.I will put an end to the arrogance
of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. 12 I will
make people scarcer than pure gold, more rare than the gold of Ophir.
13 Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake
from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning
anger.
Meditation
1.Read slowly this passage a couple of times and let the language and
imagery sink in.
1.Read slowly this passage a couple of times and let the language and
imagery sink in.
2.What was your emotion as you read this passage? How would “the
day of the Lord” in this passage compare with your notion of the
day when Jesus comes back? Are they different? How so? And
why?
day of the Lord” in this passage compare with your notion of the
day when Jesus comes back? Are they different? How so? And
why?
3.How would reading this passage alert you of the immensity of God’s
power and his judgment when Jesus comes back?
power and his judgment when Jesus comes back?
Personal Note:
As I reflect upon the news that is going on locally and around the world, I feel the amount of wickedness and depravity in every part of the world, from politicians, corporations, violent crimes, indifference from the middle and upper classes, etc The Lord will one day punish the wicked for their evil. I feel fear and trembling. I know that I am cleansed and saved because of faith in God's gift of salvation. I feel fearful because I belonged to the wicked and I believe everyone one earth is capable of horrific sins. It is only by God's grace that sinful humans are able to see the truth of God's power and judgement.
This is a tough message. What is my response? Do I act with compassion and urgency with my friends and family who do not know Christ? Do I ignore it and just think that everything is OK?
This is a tough message. What is my response? Do I act with compassion and urgency with my friends and family who do not know Christ? Do I ignore it and just think that everything is OK?
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