Tag Archives: Isaiah 22-25

Daily Bible Study

July 26, 2024 Bible Study — “Eat Drink and Be Merry, for Tomorrow We Die” Is the Wrong Response to Pending Disaster

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Isaiah 22-25.

Isaiah begins today’s passage by talking about how when Jerusalem was threatened with attack the people put a lot of effort into building up its defenses, but they did not take time to turn to God and ask for His aid in their defense.  In the face of trouble brought about by their sin, they did not mourn and seek the Lord.  Instead, they partied.  In a way what’s going on in the world around us is similar.  Too many people are reacting to the judgement they see coming by saying “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”  When they should be crying out to God for forgiveness and help.  Instead of facing the fact that God is trying to get them (and maybe us) to change their ways (our ways?), they spend their time having fun.  Do we mourn for the suffering?  Do we mourn for those who do not know the Lord?

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

Daily Bible Study

July 26, 2023 Bible Study — The Lord Has Spoken

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Isaiah 22-25.

Isaiah prophesies the fall of Jerusalem to start today’s passage.  He may be referring to the actual fall, or perhaps to a more figurative one before that.   In either case, he calls the people out for making preparations against that attack without calling on God.  However, not only did they fail to regard God in their preparations for the coming disaster, they ignored the warning God gave them.  Knowing that disaster was coming the people feasted and partied, rather than approaching God with fasting and mourning.  As a result, God determined that the earth would be laid waste.  Except that is not quite right.  Isaiah tells us that the people brought about that destruction by defiling the earth.  Destruction happens because we fail to listen to God’s laws and commands.   Yet Isaiah tells us that, even in the face of this destruction, God will be a refuge for those who recognize that they are poor and needy.  He has a feast made ready for all peoples to partake and is prepared to wipe away the tears from everyone.  All we need to do is trust in Him and declare Him our God.

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

Daily Bible Study

July 26, 2022 Bible Study — Do Not Neglect The Call Out To God Portion Of Your Disaster Preparation

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Isaiah 22-25.

In today’s prophecy, Isaiah condemned those who saw the coming disaster, but did not turn to the Lord in response.  He condemns those who did what they could by gathering resources and building defenses, but who did not cry out to God for aid, who never even thought about God in the face of the coming disaster.  Isaiah goes on to condemn those who, instead of weeping and wailing in remorse over the coming disaster which was coming because of their sins, chose to party and live it up one last time before the end.  Those who. instead of turning from their wickedness in the face of disaster, decided to double down on the wickedness they had practiced up to that point.  Isaiah goes on to give an example of a government official who saw what was coming and decided to build a monument to be his grave rather than using his position to offset the misery some were already feeling.  From there Isaiah proceeds to describe the coming devastation God is bringing on the world and upon those who refuse to turn from their sins to Him.  In that description Isaiah warns that both the rich and powerful, the poor and needy, and the common person will all face the same fates.  The rich will not escape the suffering because of their riches.  The politically connected will not be able to use their connections to escape the coming disaster.   And yet, Isaiah also promises that God will provide for those who turn to Him in sorrow.

 

 

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

Daily Bible Study

July 26, 2021 Bible Study — God Calls Us To Reject The “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, For Tomorrow We Die” Lifestyle

Today, I am reading and commenting on  Isaiah 22-25.

There are two separate sections of today’s passage I want to focus on.  I do not see them as connected, but we will see how it comes out as I write my thoughts.  In chapter 24 Isaiah describes how the people of Jerusalem prepared to defend against invasion by strengthening the walls of the city and securing their water supply.  Yet they did not call out to God.  Further, instead of mourning for the sins they had committed which led them into this position, they partied; taking the attitude that they should take what pleasure they could today because their death was coming.  I see the attitude which Isaiah condemns in this passage taken by many in our society, to the point where they approvingly quote, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”  It has been a long time since I have heard anyone quote that phrase who understood that the attitude it represents was being condemned.  There is a time and place for having a good time, but let us be sure we only do so after we have turned to God and made ourselves right with Him, that we are not having a good time at the expense of those in need.

Then in chapter 25, after having discussed the coming devastation upon the whole earth which will come from God’s judgement, Isaiah tells us that the time will come when God will do away with death.  He will completely get rid of death and suffering.  He will do away with our sorrows and the things which cause them.  We will rejoice in His power and praise His name.  No matter what suffering you face in this life, God offers joy to those who put their faith in Him and allow Him to transform them.

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

Daily Bible Study

July 26, 2020 Bible Study Feast and Drink, Or Fast and Pray

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 22-25.

I was struck by how the passage seems appropriate for now when I came to where Isaiah wrote

You say, “Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

That is so close to what I have heard many people say.  They often think they are quoting the Bible to support their actions, when in fact every time the Bible says something which can be paraphrased that way it is condemning those who say it.  Here, Isaiah tells us that God had called those to whom he was speaking to weep and mourn, to show remorse for their sins.  With that thought I went back over what came before.  Isaiah wrote that the leaders had fled, or surrendered without resistance.  How close this seems to reflect the cities where rioters and looters are allowed to run wild with no interference from those who sought out the job of maintaining order in those cities.  However, it is worth noting that Isaiah also condemns those who “stood in the breach”, who attempted to restore order with weapons and fortifications.  Isaiah condemns them because they do not consult the One who planned all of this long ago and set it in motion now.

In the face of what is happening let us ask the One who rules all for help.  Instead of feasting and drinking, let us fast and pray to God, repenting of our sins.  Our lives have been turned upside down, but instead of turning to God, we seek to return to our lives as they were.

Daily Bible Study

June 26, 2019 Bible Study — Should We Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, or Should We Fast and Pray?

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 22-25.

I am not sure how the prophecy about Jerusalem fits into the prophecies which precede it.  However, Isaiah expands on his theme warning against trusting in material protection instead of trusting in God.  He condemns the people of Jerusalem for building up their physical defenses without asking for God’s help.  When disaster loomed over them and they anticipated dying, instead of praying and fasting they feasted and drank.  Isaiah 22:13 is one of the most misused passages in Scripture.  People quote it, “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die,” as if it was the prophet’s advice.  In fact he was condemning people for taking that attitude.  When disaster looms and it looks as if we will die on the morrow, Isaiah tells us that we should fast, pray, and confess our sins, turning to God for salvation.

I am not quite sure what Isaiah is prophesying in chapters 24 and 25.  Is it a prophecy regarding the end times?  Is it a prophecy regarding what happens when mankind’s sins reach epic proportions and God brings judgement on the entire world?  Or does it refer to a specific time in history?  I am going to look at the second option.  Perhaps, Isaiah is referring to times like World War I, which was followed up by the flu pandemic, and when the Black Plague swept through the world.  I am sure there are a few other times throughout history when the population of the world was decimated.  In any case, Isaiah refers to a time of great devastation, when it seems like everyone has been killed, but a few survive.  While the devastation is happening, all joy is lost and celebrations are cancelled.  But those who survive praise the Lord when it is over and sing with joy that the troubles are behind them.

When the destruction is over it will be clear that God had planned it.  Those who survive will be those who turned to God.  They will see how He sheltered them and provides for their needs.  While I believe that Chapter 25 refers to the time after the end times (I am unsure about Chapter 24), it contains elements which remind me of Europe after the Black Death.  There was a renewal in faith in God and the powerful were less able to oppress the weak.  Economic opportunities opened up for those who previously would have been relegated to servitude.  However, I also want to highlight the parts which refer to a time which has not yet happened.  God will put an end to death and wipe away all tears.  The time will come when those who fear and worship God will never again experience sorrow or death.  What a great hope we have!

Daily Bible Study

July 26, 2018 Bible Study — Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, For Tomorrow We Die

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 22-25.

    In today’s passage Isaiah writes “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” This is often used by people to justify a party lifestyle by people who don’t actually know the Bible. As you can see from this passage, Isaiah is actually doing exactly the opposite of encouraging a party lifestyle. He is condemning it. He puts these words in the mouth of people who, rather than mourn and turn to God, chose to party it up in the face of disaster.

    One could easily read this passage as a condemnation of preparing for disaster. In condemning the people of Jerusalem, Isaiah cites the preparations they made for a coming siege, I am not sure if this is a description of something which actually happened, or if Isaiah was speaking figuratively. In either case, Isaiah’s condemnation is not for those preparations. Isaiah condemned them for making those preparations but not spending any time seeking God. Even his condemnation of their attitude of “eat, drink, and be merry” is more about what they did not do than what they did do. God had sent troubles their way to call them back to Himself, but He never crossed their minds, not even in the face of death. This passage should be considered in light of what I wrote about yesterday. When we face apparent doom, if we turn from our sins and call on God, He may make that doom disappear overnight.

    The city of Tyre was confident that they could withstand invaders because of their geographic location. Tyre was situated on an island and the city took up all of the island. In addition, they had a powerful fleet of ships and a good harbor, which made it hard for other nations to blockade them. Isaiah prophesied that despite their geographical security they would fall when God chose for that to happen. Indeed Tyre fell to Alexander the Great some years later. Both nations and individuals should heed this lesson. No matter what natural advantages we may have, God is the ruler of history and can destroy us when He chooses.

    Chapter 24 describes devastation which falls on the entire earth as a result of man’s sinfulness. As I read it, I imagined an ecological disaster, which is certainly consistent with what I have seen of societies where evil dominates. This passage does not call those who serve God to be “concerned for the environment”, not that caring for the environment is a bad thing in and of itself. However, my observation is that, in general, those who have no concern for doing God’s will have little understanding of the impact of their actions on others or on the world around them. Often times, they do not even understand the impact of their actions on themselves. When I started this I intended to write more about the connection between evil and environmental destruction, but I realized that my thoughts on this require their own entry. The last point I want to make is to point out that the philosophy of “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die” leads one towards actions which are environmentally destructive.

Daily Bible Study

July 26, 2017 Bible Study — God Calls Us To Mourn the Coming Disaster

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 22-25.

    I am not able to fully extract the message of this passage. However, part of that message is a warning to those who see the invaders coming and plan their defense without calling on God. I see it all around me, people who see how the degradation of our culture is leading to the collapse of our civilization, but fail to turn to God. Instead, they seek to implement their own defenses against the disaster they see coming. I, also, know people who see the oncoming collapse of our civilization and, rather than mourn the suffering which will follow, party while times are good.

    And this is where I am missing something. The prophet tells us that those who mourn the suffering that is coming for those who do not follow the Lord will rejoice when that judgment comes (or perhaps at some time after that). In chapter 24, verse 11 the prophet tells us that gladness will be banished from the land as a result of God’s curse. Yet in chapter 24, verse 14 he tells us that all who are left will shout and sing for joy while they praise the Lord’s majesty. The prophet tells us that God is going to be bringing a disaster upon the entire earth, suffering for all. And yet, He will, at the same time, provide refuge for the needy.
    Let us mourn now for the suffering those who reject God will experience. Perhaps by doing so we can convince others to turn to Him, so that when that disaster strikes, they too will be able to say:

“Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

Daily Bible Study

July 26, 2016 Bible Study — Eat, Drink, and Be Merry?

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

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Today, I am reading and commenting on Isaiah 22-25.

    I am having trouble putting into words what the beginning of this passage means to me. The prophet is warning those whose first response in times of trouble is to prepare their defenses and gather their resources. They prepare to take their stand, believing that if only they make the proper preparations they can deal with whatever comes their way. They do not turn to God and call on Him for aid. Rather than mourn for the sins which brought them to this place and express remorse, they say “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” Every time I hear that phrase used I wonder if the person using it realizes that it originates from this passage telling us that is the wrong response? Isaiah even follows that up with a specific example of someone who was more caught up in their “legacy” than in doing the job from which that legacy would come. The message here is that if we spend our time building our legacy rather than doing the job which God has given us, God will throw us down and give someone else the opportunity.

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    I am not sure what the message is here from the prophecy against Tyre, but I will tell you what I read from it. Earlier the prophet had spoken of the fall of military powers. Here he tells us that economic power will not stand against God’s judgment either. Neither strength nor wealth will protect us when God brings judgment against our sins. Those who oppress the poor, either with their military might or their economic power, will face God’s judgment. There is more to this than just God’ vengeance against those who do not obey His laws. There is a message which the environmentalists will love. One result of disobeying God’s command is that the entire earth suffers. However those who survive God’s judgment will praise Him. These things do not happen by accident and God has planned them long in advance. If we trust in God He will save us.