Isaiah 34-39: Fifteen Bonus Years

Transcript Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 34-35 NLT; Ch. 36-37 NIV; Ch. 38-39 CEV Podcast Introduction This is Prophecy Friday. We’ll read Isaiah 34-39. I’m calling today’s episode “Fifteen Bonus Years.” Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Raquel Pedrotti on Unsplash Comments on Isaiah 37 and 38 Thoughts on Isaiah 37  You know that there’s no such thing as a self made man, right? Whatever heights a person ascends to, God enabled. Nothing comes into our lives but that He either allows them or causes them. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not saying that God causes every calamity that happens to people. We do live in a world cursed by the effects of sin. But when an apparently evil person accumulates great wealth or power, it is because God allowed it. He would be a pretty weak God if that were not so.  In the case of Sennacherib, who boasted that he had routed every other king, God said, ““Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it. In days of old I planned it; now I have brought it to pass, that you have turned fortified cities into piles of stone.” Sometimes those who seem to have the most power really have the least. This Assyrian king thought there was no one who could stop him. He thought he was in control of all he touched. But in reality, he was God’s pawn.  As we look at the people clamoring for wealth and power, let us remember that God has a plan, and He uses the proud and arrogant to bring it about.  It is up to those of us in the trenches to do as Hezekiah did and pray to God, acknowledging Him for who He is. “Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.” And when the world attacks us, let us remember what God said to Sennacherib, “Who is it you have ridiculed and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! By your messengers you have ridiculed the Lord.” So beloved, It’s not you and me they attack. It is God. And He will deal with them justly. Your thoughts? Thoughts on Isaiah 38  I am so happy that God saw fit to include the contents of chapter 38 in the Bible. Here is this good king Hezekiah, whom God had given a victory over the proud and arrogant king Sennacherib. He’s in the prime of a well lived life, and he falls deathly sick. And the Lord sent Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that he would not get well. Now, I don’t know about you, but if a prophet came to me with that message, I would probably just resign myself to preparing myself to meet God. I mean, come on. God sends a prophet to tell me that I’m not going to r