Day 194—We are in the SEVENTH month of Bible reading, continuing in Israel’s history and Isaiah.

    Day 194 – 2 Chronicles 27, Isaiah 9 – 12 (A good king in Judah, and Isaiah’s prophesies against the northern kingdom plus many that are about the messianic)

2 Chronicles 27 tells about the reign of King Jotham, Uzziah’s son, in Judah. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. He “became mighty because he ordered his ways before the LORD his God.” 

He built cities, repaired walls, and fought and won a war with the Ammonites, who then paid him tribute.

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Isaiah 9 continues as a prophecy against the Northern kingdom, but interspersed are beloved Messianic portions. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them the light shined.”

Isaiah’s prophecy goes on to tell us about “Immanuel.”

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of HIS government and of peace 

there would be on end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom

to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Chapter 10.   But along with this hope come dire prophecies about the fall of Israel. “The Syrians on the east and the Philistines on the west devour Israel with open mouths.” 

FOUR times, Isaiah proclaims: “For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still.”

And Isaiah predicts the country who will overpower Israel and take them captive… all at the quest and direction of the LORD.

“Ah, Assyria, the rod of MY anger; the staff in their hands is MY fury! Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of MY wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, ad to tread them down like the mire of the streets.”

Afterward, the LORD will punish the Assyrians for their arrogant heart and boastful look in his eyes because he believed that HIS HAND and HIS WISDOM defeated Israel.  “Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it?” says the LORD. Isaiah 10:12, 15.

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Chapter 11. Another Messianic prophecy. “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him.”

This chapter goes on to tell of the righteous reign of this “Branch” who is the Lord Jesus. And, in that day, the Branch will extend his hand to recover ALL the “remnant” of His people from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush Elam Shinar (Babylon & Persia), Hamath, and “the coastlands of the sea.”

“He will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”

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Chapter 12 is a beautiful song about the LORD GOD for the promise of that time.

“Behold, God is my salvation;

I will trust and will not be afraid;

for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song,

and He has become my salvation.

With joy you will draw water from the well of salvation

And you will say, in that day

“Give thanks to the LORD,

call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples,

proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing praises to the Lord for He has done gloriously;

let this be made known in all the earth.

Shout and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,

for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”