I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Isaiah 32-35.

    The prophet warns those who are complacent and do not care about the actions of the wicked. It is wrong to be complacent about the evil we see around us. God wants us to beat our breasts in sorrow, to call out the actions of the wicked who deprive the hungry of food. In the face of wickedness, let us plan to do what is generous and stand firm in our generosity. A time of hardship and suffering is coming (or perhaps is already started). It will end when God pours out His Spirit over the land. In the meantime, let us humble ourselves in prayer and stand firm in generosity to those whose suffering is greater than our own. God’s judgment is coming like a devouring fire, such that no one can stand against it. Except that the prophet tells us that there will be those who can thrive on the day of God’s judgment. Those who are honest and fair have nothing to fear when God brings His judgment against the evildoers of this world.

    The prophet goes on to tell us about the day when God will turn certain lands over to wild animals. Over the last several months I have noticed that there are multiple places in the Bible where it speaks of God making a place for wild animals to live. As I have read these passages I have come to believe that our stewardship of this earth extends to doing what is in our power to care for our natural surroundings. Here the prophet tells us that not one of “these” animals will be missing. While he gives a list of animals, I do not believe that he intended his list to be comprehensive. God will hold mankind to account for the animals which have gone extinct due to our actions. Some of those animals went extinct because they had served their purpose and God intended for them to be gone from the earth. However, many others are now extinct because of mankind’s greed and lack of foresight. I want to be clear, I am not calling for government action. I am calling for each and every one of us to behave responsibly and think about the consequences of our actions.