THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.

Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.

Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&handling) for each page to:

Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418

We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik

HERE

Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.

Isaiah

CHAPTER 21

1 The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land. 2 A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. 3 Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it. 4 My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me. 5 Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield. 6 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. 7 And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed: 8 And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights: 9 And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground. 10 O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.

This prophecy is about Babylon and how it will be destroyed by the Medes (Media) and Persians (Elam) (verse 2). Babylon was situated in an open desert ("desert of the sea" - verse 1).

Even though Babylon was responsible for ruining Judah and taking them captive for 70 years, the prophecy about its destruction was a "burden" to Isaiah. It was "grievous" (verse 2). He describes it as very painful (verse 3), and fearful (verse 4).

The army which approached was vast with chariots, horsemen and camel riders (verse 7). Yet the "princes" (rulers) of Babylon were of a nonchalant attitude and became drunk (verse 5). Details of Babylon's destruction are found in Daniel 5.

The "watchmen" cried loudly like a lion at what he saw approaching (verse 8). God was about to thresh Babylon as a man threshed the wheat (verse 10).

Babylon stood for worldliness. The people were idolatrous, corrupt in every way, and lived only for themselves. This symbol of worldliness is used often in the Bible to represent people without God (Jeremiah 25:12, 51:47, Acts 7:43, Revelation 14:8, 18:21, & others).

Whatever is done WITHOUT God is worthless and will be destroyed. Only that which is done FOR God will endure.

11 The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? 12 The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: return, come.

"Dumah" was a son of Ishmael and was head of the tribe of Arabians. The name also represents the Edomites who lived in Seir (the mountainous territory South of the Dead Sea and East of the Valley of Arabah).

Someone from that area inquired of "the watchman" - the prophet - "What of the night?" The "watchman" of course, in that day, was the sentry posted to watch for any invasion. The watchman, figuratively, is the prophet, and is called of God to look and see the end of life and beyond, then tell it to the people. Ezekiel said that he was called to be a "watchman" (Ezekiel 3:17).

The "night" might represent the time of life given to each person. And the "morning" might represent the forgiveness and salvation of God offered to all men.

The "morning" will surely come. Christ HAS come! Salvation was, of course, offered to all men BEFORE Christ physically came and accomplished redemption. But salvation is more readily seen and receivable since Christ died on the cross and arose from the grave.

The "night" also comes. The time we have on this earth is given, and as Job said, it is "full of trouble" (Job 14:1). See also Jacob's statement in Genesis 47:9.

The question posed to the watchman deserves an answer. His answer is, "If you truly would inquire, then ask repentantly of God." God will grant salvation to any who call upon Him in genuine repentance (Romans 10:13).

13 The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim. 14 The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled. 15 For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war. 16 For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail: 17 And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it.

Within one year of his answer (verse 16), Isaiah prophesies that the Edomites will all "fail." The Assyrians did come and ruin their country, killing thousands, and taking more captive.

God PROMISED this destruction upon them (verse 17). When Isaiah spoke, he was God's messenger for the offer of redemption before destruction.

As Christians, we are given God's WORD of reconciliation to a lost world (2Corinthians 5:18) and we are called "ambassadors for Christ" (2Corinthians 5:20). It is our DUTY to tell people that God has promised destruction (eternal hell) for those who do not surrender to Christ. Perhaps when they hear God's WORD and His final judgment, they will repent and be saved.

PLEASE CONTINUE IN BIBLE STUDY WITH US TOMORROW.