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Isaiah 1,2,3 ISAIAH 1 COMMENTARY

Billy Ray Ford

The book consists of two parts. The first part consists of 39 chapters and the last 27 chapters. It is easy to remember because the Old Testament has 39 books, the New Testament 27 books. In other words the book has the same number of chapters as there are books in the Bible. Thus 66 chapters and it is quoted in the New Testament 66 times. Isaiah was killed aproximately 692 BC, he worked about 63 years. He did not prophesy in chronological order. His work took place during four kings in Judah. Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Some claim Isaiah lived a short time after his son-in-law, wicked king Manasseh (694-639)[who sawed Isaiah in half a hollow log] began to reign in 694 BC. This was 28 years after Sargon king of Assyria carried Israel into captivity in 722 BC. Manasseh reigned 55 years in Judah. During his wicked reign, God determined Judah was going into Babylonian captivity for 70 years so the land might celebrate it’s Sabbaths. II Kings 24:3 “…commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them [Judah] out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did.” When Jehoshaphat died in 892 BC, Judah entered a long period of decline in religion and morality until 606 BC, the start of the captivity. Isaiah prophesied during this period; however, neither he nor the good kings Hezekiah (726-693) and Josiah (637-606) could avert the captivity. Judah was ripe for punishment. God was forced to teach them a lesson they would never forget. Thank God for “tough love”, “longsuffering”, “mercy”, and willing to

follow-through with His promises in relationship to the “coming of the Messiah, and the Scheme of Redemption”. 1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. 2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.( have intelligence, perceive, be prudent) It took people who loved God to be willing to do many things they did. Such was the case of Isaiah from the time he was a young man. The good kings Hezekiah (726-693) and Josiah (637-606) could preserve a remnant, but the captivity came about any way. I do not know the extent of emotion God experienced; however, in human terms the things happening at the time of Isaiah would have placed extreme emotion on any righteous person. 4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are

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corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. 5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. 7 Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. John the Baptist used similar language to describe haters of God in his day. Matthew 3:7-8 “…when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:” NOTICE:--Verse 4 A sinful nation. A people laden with iniquity. A seed of evildoer.

Children that are corrupters. Have forsaken the LORD. Have provoked the Holy One of Israel. They are gone away backward. Isaiah asks, “Why should ye be stricken (beat, cast forth) any more”? In other words why OH! why will ye not learn a lesson from punishment designed to teach you? Thank God some did! NOTICE:--Verse 5 Why should ye be stricken any more? Why will revolt more and more? Your whole head is sick. (calamity,

disease, grief) The whole heart (feelings, will,

intellect) faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head—same type language used to describe Job’s plight, 2:7 “…the sole of his foot unto his crown.” NOTICE:--Verses 6 & 7 There is no soundness. Wounds, and bruises, and putrifying

sores. They have not been closed. They have not been bound up. They have not been mollified with

ointment. Your country is desolate, Your cities are burned with fire. Your land, strangers devour it in your

presence. Your land it is desolate. Your land is overthrown by

strangers. 8 And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage (booth) in a vineyard, as a lodge (a hammock) in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

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Think of the splendor of the nation under Solomon, and what it had become, a “booth & hammock”, because of sin. I Kings 10:7-9 The Queen of Sheba summed it up. “…I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. 8 Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. 9 Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.” 9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Lot and his 2 daughters were the only survivors of Sodom and Gomorrah. Both his sons Ammon & Moab are described by two words, “both bad”. When Isaiah speaks of, “the LORD of hosts and small remnant” he is referring to a few who loved and obeyed God. Thank God there has always been at least one righteous person on the earth at any given time. In considering Sodom & Gomorrah, there was only one righteous survivor and he [Lot became evil]. 10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. 12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? 13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. 15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 Learn to do well; seek

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judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: The prophet wants to get their attention, “Hear the word of the LORD”. The thoughts presented are of utmost importance. The lesson Isaiah teaches is, God does not have a delight nor does He approve of attempted worship from evil persons. He did not then, neither will He now! I Timothy 2:8 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy (purity from defilement), hands, without wrath and doubting. I Peter 3:8-12 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

NOTICE: 1. To what purpose is the multitude of

your sacrifices? 2. I am full of the burnt offerings of

rams. 3. I am full of the fat of fed beasts. 4. I delight not in the blood of bullocks 5. I delight not in the blood of lambs. 6. I delight not in the blood of he goats. 7. Bring no more vain oblations. 8. Incense is an abomination unto me. 9. New moons and sabbaths are an

abomination unto me. 10. The calling of assemblies I cannot

away with. 11. It is iniquity, even the solemn

meeting. 12. Your new moons and your

appointed feasts my soul hateth. 13. Your new moons and your

appointed feasts are a trouble unto me.

14. I am weary (disgusted, grieve, loathe) [fed-up, offended] to bear them.

15 When ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you.

16 When ye make many prayers, I will not hear.

17 Your hands are full of blood. Most, if not all these 17 things, God had commanded. Why would he criticize his people when they were making an effort to obey Him? The reason is simple when one is honest and willing to believe and follow the “rest of the story. God has not, and will not approve of worship of EVIL persons. NOTICE: 1. Wash you, make you clean. 2. Put away the evil of your doings. 3. Cease to do evil. 4. Learn to do well.

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5. Seek judgment. 6. Relieve the oppressed. 7. Judge the fatherless. 8. Plead for the widow. 9. Come now, and let us reason

together. 10. Though your sins be as scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow. 11. Though they be red like crimson,

they shall be as wool. 12. If ye be willing and obedient. 13. Ye shall eat the good of the land. Are we able to comprehend why God refused their worship when evil was practiced? Each time they turned to God, with a pure heart God responded favorably. 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers 22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water: 23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them. Each time they returned to evil, they were chastised. 1. But if ye refuse and rebel.

2. Ye shall be devoured with the sword. 3. How is the faithful city become an

harlot! 4. It was full of judgment. 5. Righteousness lodged in it. 6. But now murderers. 7. Thy silver is become dross. 8. Thy wine mixed with water. 9. Thy princes are rebellious. 10. Thy companions are thieves. 11. Every one loveth gifts. 12. And followeth after rewards. 13. They judge not the fatherless. 14. Neither doth the cause of the

widow come unto them. Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 24 Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: 25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin: 26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city. 27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness. 28 And the destruction of the

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transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed. God knew how to discipline and how to bless. He knew when to discipline and when to bless. He knew who to discipline and who to bless. Thank God for an all righteous judge and an all knowing Sovereign. Isaiah could be speaking of the situation as it will be after the return from captivity. Remember his work was before the 70 year captivity. In the beginning of Jewish history the government was ruled by judges, for 350 to 400 years. When they returned from captivity they were again ruled by judges. Both Israel and Judah were one again and God was their king. They never had a king after the return, both were one stick. Ezekiel spent his entire prophetic life in Babylon. He prophesied in Ezekiel 37: 16-23 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: 17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. 18 And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not show us what thou meanest by these? 19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. 20

And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. 21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: 22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: 23 Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. 29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks (strength, hence anything strong) which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded (brought to confusion, shame, bring reproach) for the gardens that ye have chosen. 30 For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water. 31 And the strong shall be as tow, (refuse of flax) and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench (extinguish) them.

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ISAIAH I COMMENTARY QUESTIONS

1. How long did Isaiah prophesy? _______

2. How did he die? ________.

3. Name 2 good kings of Judah during this period.

_____________________________________.

4. Name two examples showing they forgot God.

____________________________________.

____________________________________.

5. Your ______ is ______,your____ ____ ____ ____fire:

6. Who said, “therefore made he thee king” __________.

7. Who was she talking about? ________________.

8. Had Sodom & Gomorrah been destroyed? ________.

9. How were they destroyed? _____________________.

10. How many righteous survived Sodom? _______.

11. Why did God refuse their worship? _______________.

12. What will God do when they spread forth their hands?

__________________________________________.

13. What will God do when they make many prayers?

__________________________________________.

14. He said, “your hands are ______ ___ _______.”

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15. The face of the Lord ___ ______ _____ _____ evil.

16. How ___ the ________ _____ become ___ ________!

17 ____ city ___ _____ ______________, the _______ city.

18. What is represented by “oaks” ___________________.

19. What is represented by “tow” __________________.

20. Does God solicit worship from evil people? _______.

21. Trick question: Did Israel have a king at first? _____.

22. Some help with question 20. Did Israel have a king

when they returned from captivity? ______.

Has Ezekiel 37 been fulfilled? ____. If so when? ___.

__________________________________________________

ISAIAH 2 COMMENTARY Billy Ray Ford

1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us

go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law,[gospel] and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. This prophesy gives the time, [last days] the event, [Lord’s house established] where [Jerusalem]. Jesus told the Apostles, recorded in Luke 24:49 “…tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” We are living in the last days now. When these days come to an end time will be

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no more. The “mountain of the Lord’s house” is speaking of the church the Kingdom of God established (fashion, perfect) on the day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2 the fulfillment of many prophesies, one of which is Joel. Acts 2:16-17 “…this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh” Joel 2:28 “…And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh” Daniel 2:44 “…in the days of these kings [Roman] shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, (to reign, to ascend the throne) which shall never be destroyed”. The language used by Daniel, “set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed”, would of necessity be Spiritual, no physical, earthly, political kingdom has ever existed and not be destroyed eventually. The prophesy of Daniel states, “God of heaven set up a kingdom” (to reign, to ascend the throne) I Corinthians 15:25 “…he [Christ] must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.” Acts 2:30-31 ”… Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ.” Luke 24:46-48 “…Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD. The time had come once again, hopefully for the last time, for God to rebuke (convict, chasten, convince, correct, judge, reprove) many people. How long did it take God, working with man He created free moral agents who became rebellious, greedy, presumptuous, not only guilty of all kinds of sin, but inventors of evil never heard of or thought about. The answer to the question of how long did it take, is approximately 4,000 years. The plan, scheme, system, gospel age or what ever name it may be called, mountain of the Lord’s house, church, kingdom, or system of faith is prefect, completely capable of doing the things designed to accomplish. Ephesians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to

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himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Colossians 1:12-14 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, (trustworthy, sure, true)who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Micah [730 BC] 4:1-3 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Evidently the prophesy is Spiritual in nature, in keeping with the statement Jesus made to Pilot, John 18:36 “…My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight,”

6 Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers (practice magic, enchanter, observe times, soothsayer, sorcerer) like the Philistines, (migratory) [passing periodically, roving, transient] and they please themselves in the children of strangers. (adulterous, different, wonderful, [amazing, startling] foreigner, outlandish, strange woman). 7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots: 8 Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made: Nehemiah 13:26 God made him [Solomon] king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish (adulterous, different, wonderful, foreigner, outlandish, strange) women cause to sin. They replenished (over-flow, fulness) [fill-up] from the East

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[Philistines]. In modern times migratory people and illegal aliens are three times more likely to commit crimes and be incarcerated than stationary citizens. All cities and nations that are filled with idols are wicked. They have loose morals, engage in sinful activity, possess insatiable appetites as they engage in and invent wickedness. Many are idle as they are not gainfully employed, neither do they have an interest in working to earn a living. They were prosperous, prosperity invariably brings sin of various kinds. The rich have a tendency to trust in their riches and forget about God. 9 And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not. The mean (hypocrite, common sort, low man, person of low degree) man is bowed, probably because of his arrogance. The great man humbleth (to humiliate) himself, probably because of his attitude and the way he conducts himself. Very seldom do you see the word humbleth use in a bad sense; however, it also mean humiliate, certainly it is not a good thing for us to humiliate ourselves, most especially while involved in sin. They had certain things to do, or not do for God to forgive them. The prophet said, “forgive them not.” Hebrews 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. John 6:63 “…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Jesus is God’s final spokesman, He tells us in

several places that it is possible to allow certain beliefs and actions that the same thing can be said about us, “forgive them not”. 10 Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty. 11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness (elevation, elation) [exaltation] of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. 12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud (arrogant) and lofty, (haughty, presumptuously) and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: “The day of the LORD” is used several times (20) in the Old Testament to instruct all that God is going to bring judgment upon the wicked. Matthew 23:12 “…And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; (cast down, to humiliate in condition or heart, bring low) Proverbs 15:33 “…before honour is humility.” James 4:6 “…God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” I Peter 5:5 “…God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” 13 And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all

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the oaks of Bashan, 14 And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, 15 And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall, 16 And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. I do not know exactly how the “day of the Lord” [judgment] will come on the cedars, oaks, mountains, hills, high towers, fenced walls. ships of Tarshish, and pleasant pictures. I do believe these judgments are brought because of man’s pride and disobedience. I do know Isaiah said in chapter 37:23-24 God said he cut down their cedars because they exalted their voice, and lifted up their eyes, probably speaking of idolatry. Ezekiel 31:3 “…Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches” Zechariah 11:1-3 “…11:1 Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars. 2 Howl, fir tree; for the cedar is fallen; because the mighty are spoiled: howl, O ye oaks of Bashan; for the forest of the vintage is come down…for the pride of Jordan.” 17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. 18 And the idols he shall utterly abolish. Pride and haughtiness (elevation, elation, height) [contempt, disdainfulness] is the sin along with idolatry the prophet is zeroing in on at this point. We do know idolatry was wiped out the activity of the Jew in the captivity in Babylon. Thus, “And the idols he “God” shall utterly abolish.”

19 And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. Hebrews 12:20-29 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire. This same type language in used in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 in describing the destruction of

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Jerusalem, by the Romans, which occurred in AD 70 20 In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; We mentioned the captivity burned idolatry out of the Jews. When we are converted we detest even the garments spotted by the flesh. Likewise, the Jews hated their idols when they realized the grievous sin involved and the punishment caused by their actions. Jude 21-25 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen. 21 To go into the clefts of the

rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? Evidently the prophet is discussing fear exhibited because of impending judgment because of sin. He also seems to allude to the fact of physical death coming, and their accountability to God for the way they have conducted themselves. May we be admonishing to turn away from man and turn to God. It is certainly a good idea to turn away from man and turn to God. Proverbs 3:5-7 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

ISAIAH 2 QUESTIONS

1. What was the “mountain of the Lord’s house? _______.

2. When was it going to be established? ______________.

3. Where was the law to first be known? _____________.

4. Hard question: Who are the “all flesh”? ____&_______.

5. Who was to rule on David’s throne? ______ ________.

6. When was the king to reign on the throne? __________.

7. How long was this reign to last? __________________.

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8. Who was the “house of Jacob then”?_______________.

9. Who are the “house of Jacob now? ________________.

10. Was the kingdom of Jacob physical then? __________.

11. Is the kingdom of Jacob physical now? ____________.

12. When are the last days? ________.

13. What is a “soothsayer” _________________________.

14. What did it mean to “please themselves in the children”?

____________________________________________.

15. Who is God’s final spokesman? _______ ________.

16. Does God forgive us on our terms/ __________.

17. Why did some hide in the rocks and caves? __________.

18. What two things seemed to be their main sins?

_____________ & ________________.

19. Hard question: Why did God bring judgment on cedars?

____________________________________________.

20. What is the “kingdom which cannot be moved”? ______.

21. For ___ _____ is __ _____________ fire.

__________________________________________________

ISAIAH 3 COMMENTARY Billy Ray Ford

1 For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take

away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the

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staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water. Judah and Jerusalem are names God claimed. He had put his name in Jerusalem. I Kings 9:1-9 And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do, 2 That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon. 3 And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. 4 And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: 5 Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel. 6 But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: 7 Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people: 8 And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this

house? 9 And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil. Isaiah told the people God was taking away their stay (support, protector or sustenance) [livelihood, provision, defender, guardian angel, food]. It seemed this would be enough to get their attention; however, He [God] did not stop there, he also said he would take away their staff (walking-stick). All the devastation could have been averted by repentance and obedience to the Law. 2 The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, 3 The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. 4 And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. 5 And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.

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Notice the punishment God pronounced: THESE TO BE TAKEN AWAY: 1. The mighty man. (valiant man) 2. The man of war. [soldier] 3. The judge. (pronounce sentence) 4. The prophet. (inspired man) 5. The prudent. (to distribute) 6. The ancient. (aged man) 7. The captain of fifty. 8. The honourable man. 9. The counsellor. (to advise) 10. The cunning artifice. (skilful, worker) 11. The eloquent orator. 12. Children to be their princes. (master) 13. Babes shall rule over them. 14. The people shall be oppressed. 15. The child shall behave himself

proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.

We could study the havoc and damage caused by a number of these 15 things taken away. I want to look at number 9, The counsellor. (to advise): I Kings 12:1-19 975 BC And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. 2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) 3 That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, 4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. 5 And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. 6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood

before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? 7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. 8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: 9 And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? 10 And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. 11 And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. 13 And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; 14 And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 15 Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD

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spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 16 So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. 17 But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. 19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. Rehoboam took the advice [counsel] of the young men and had one of the most devastating, far reaching effects on God’s people of any I know about. Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, is mentioned 25 times in the KJV. Almost every time his name is mentioned attention is called to his sins. Israel never had a good king from 975 BC to 722 BC, even though there were 18 different kings who reigned during the 253 years. All were evil. They became so wicked God allowed Assyria to take them captive in 722 BC. 6 When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin (stumbling-block) be under thy hand: 7 In that day shall he swear,

saying, I will not be an healer; (to wrap firmly, a turban) for in my house is neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people. They were in desperate [hopeless] circumstances because of sin. Pray tell me what the qualification to rule had to do with whether a person had clothing. I understand a man who wants to be our president wears $7,000 suits. Does that qualify him? I DON’T THINK SO! They could not find one willing to take the responsibility of a healer (to wrap firmly, a turban) [ruler] because circumstances were horrible, [a state of extreme depression or apprehension] there was no bread nor clothing. Remember this condition was necessary in order for God to preserve a remnant. 8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory. God had warned over and over if they disobeyed they would have hardship and pestilence. He also promised if they obeyed they would receive blessings and joy. Jerusalem is ruined (cast down, overthrown) and Judah is fallen (overwhelm, perish) because their speech and actions were against the LORD. The language also implies they did these things on purpose knowing it was evil. 9 The show of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide

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it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves. Isaiah continued to imply the sin was open, and there was no effort to hide or practice in secret. The idea of rebellious, presumptuous sin had always initiated the anger of God. The prophet brings out the unmistakable thought that they had rewarded evil unto themselves. God had always considered willful sin serious, in most cases unforgivable. Hebrews 6:4-6 4 For it is impossible for those who were 1once enlightened, and have 2tasted of the heavenly gift, and were 3made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have 4tasted the good word of God, and the 5powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Hebrews 10:26-27 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. 11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward (treatment, deserving, recompense) of his hands shall be given him. The prophet explained the actions of God as He worked with an ongoing, hands on operation to bring about a remnant. (a remainder, residue) The word remnant in used 92 times in the King James Version. The Idea is presented several other times. Jesus

used the idea in His teaching, Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few (small, number) there be that find it. God set up a principle concerning sowing and reaping. We are going to reap what we sow. The righteous shall eat the fruit of their doings. The wicked, it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. God dwelt physically and spiritually with them, He deals primarily spiritual with us. 12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. The prophet explained other problems. They were oppressed by children, ruled by women, caused to err, and instruction in righteousness was destroyed. 13 The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people. 14 The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil (plunder, robbery) of the poor is in your houses. 15 What mean ye that ye beat my

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people to pieces, and grind (to be a concubine) [harlot] the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts. The LORD pleads and stands as our judge. He walked a thin line as he disciplined just enough to get the job done with total destruction. They had eaten up the vineyard, and the loot [prize, plunder] taken from the poor was in their houses. The evil had to be dealt with. Matthew 21:33-46 There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: 34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. 35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. 37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? 41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. 42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The

stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet. The scripture is plain, concise, intelligible, clear, direct, honest, and manifest. We are going to be held accountable for the way we conduct ourselves. We need to be determined, resolute, bold, adamant, firm, persistent, resolved, and insistent as we obey God. 16 Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton (to ogle, blink coquettishly) [bashful] eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: Isaiah names a few sins and then gives the punishment. They are haughty. (lift up, mount up, be proud) They walk with stretched forth necks. (spread out), stretch forth)

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They walk with wanton eyes. (to ogle) [stare flirtatiously, gaze] Walking and mincing as they go. (short steps) [coy, shy] Making a tinkling with their feet. (make a tinkling ornament) Most of the five things mentioned are acted out for seduction. In my opinion it is a learned behaviour and leads to sin. 17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. 18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, (hair nets) and their round tires like the moon, 19 The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, 20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, 21 The rings, and nose jewels, 22 The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, 23 The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the veils. 24 And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; (rope) and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher (a figured mantle) a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty. 25 Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war. 26 And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground. The Lord brought devastation because of sin. He was striving to teach righteousness in order to preserve a remnant. Lord will smite with a scab the crown of

the head.

The LORD will discover their secret parts. [private parts]

The Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments.

Will take away their cauls. (hair net) He will take away the chains, bracelets,

mufflers, and bonnet. He will take away their round tires like

the moon. (a pendant for the neck) He will take away their ornaments of the

legs. The headbands, tablets, and the

earrings. The rings, and nose jewels. The changeable suits of apparel. The mantles, and crisping pins, wimples.

(a wide cloak for a woman, Vail) The glasses, and the fine linen, and the

hoods, and the veils. It shall come to pass, that instead of

sweet smell there shall be stink. Instead of a girdle a rent. (a rope) Instead of well set hair baldness. Instead of a stomacher (a figured mantle

for holidays) a girding of sackcloth. A burning instead of beauty. Thy men shall fall by the sword. Thy mighty in the war shall fall by the

sword. Her gates shall lament and mourn. She being desolate shall sit upon the

ground. Sin caused confusion to the people, oppression and covetousness of the rulers and judgment on women because of their pride. Galatians 3:19 “…Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions,” Romans 9:27 “…Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:” GOD BROUGHT THE SEVERE DEVASTATION, “ALMOST UNSPEAKABLE”, IN ORDER

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TO PRESERVE A REMNANT THROUGH WHOM JESUS COULD COME, TO SAVE

THE WORLD.

ISAIAH 3 QUESTIONS

1. What does “doth take away the stay” mean? ___________________________________. 2. What does “doth take away the staff” mean? ___________________________________. 3. Who was Solomon’s father? ________. 4. Name two sins Israel committed? 1.___________________________________. 2.___________________________________. 5. Name two punishments they received? 1.___________________________________. 2.___________________________________. 6. Who would rule over them because of sin? ___________________________________. 7. Which counsel was best? “old” or “young” men? ___________________________________. 8. What king followed the counsel of young men? ___________________________________. 9. What was this counsel? _________________ _____________________________________. 10. Why was Jerusalem ruined and Judah fallen? ___________________________________. 11. Did they try to hide their sin? ____ 12. Is Jesus to offer another sacrifice for sin? ___. 13. Hard question: Who caused them to err? ____________________________________. 14. What is the “spoil” of the poor? _____________. 15. What does it mean to “grind” the faces of the poor? _____________________________________.

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16. What is “wanton” eyes? __________________ _____________________________________. 17. Hard question: Why did God cause such devastation? ______________________________________. Name _____________________________________ Please fill out questions mail them to me and I plan to grade and send them back to you. Billy Ray Ford 145 Lynwood Marion AR 72364 amoore9447@aol.com