At the beginning of the chapter, we learn Isaiah receives a vision from the Lord "concerning Judah and Jerusalem during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah." Wait a minute. Hold the phone! Who are we talking about at this point? The reference to Judah and Jerusalem seems to indicate two locations at the very least, or two groups of people more likely. What's going on? This is a period in Israel's history during which there existed two separate kingdoms, a northern and southern split. There are some intricacies to this time period, but we'll soon see there is much that God has to say about His relationship with His people, and it is not all good.

Verses one through three begin to paint of picture of the relationship between God and His people. The strong language in this brief passage really isn't mincing words. We begin with a picture of a father rearing his children, and that is paired with the picture of those same children rebelling from their father. A snapshot of an ox knowing its master and a donkey knowing its manger is very interesting. Here are simple-minded animals completely able to discern the one who owns them and commands them. The donkey, as stubborn as it is known to be, knows where the food and shelter is found. There is a picture of dependence and loyalty in the relationship between the animals and their masters. In contrast, the people of Israel are painted with a different brush: "but Israel does not know, my people do not understand." God's people, the very people who have a known historic relationship with the God who made them, are described as not knowing and not understanding.

Are we very different a few thousand years later? As a culture, have we progressed in the direction of a stronger relationship with the God who made us, or have the ties weakened? Individually, how do you see yourself in relationship to the One who made you? Which adjectives best describe the relationship with the Lord? Loyal? Dependant? Familiar? Intimately known? Are there other adjectives that are a bit more common? Independent? Unknown? Estranged?

These are some things to think about!

On a different note, I thought I would take each chapter of Isaiah in a large bite. I even wrote an entry for all of chapter one. Either God spoke through my computer, or it was the result of my foolishness in not saving, but the entire entry for chapter one has vanished. At this point in time, I might be glad it did. Interaction with smaller portions just may be a very good thing. Of course, at this rate, Jesus may return before I complete the book in its entirety! 

Many times I have heard from wiser ones than I that Isaiah is "the key book" to all of Scripture. I don't know that I qualify to make such an evaluative statement, but I'm willing to think it through for a moment or longer.

I suppose the main support for the earlier statement has much to do with the richness of the Isaiah's text in regard to its strong connection to the history, plight, and preservation of God's people. If we consider the book from a 20,000 foot perspective, we see some key elements. God addresses the sin of His people, first and foremost. God speaks directly to those whom He has trusted with His message to the people of Israel: His prophets. I believe it's safe to say the Lord hopes to use prophets in the lives of His people to convict them, to lead them into relationship with Him again. Isaiah then comes on the scene in chapter six in the well-known passage describing a very personal encounter with the Lord. The Lord continues to fill Isaiah with visions and messages to the people of Israel. Best of all, Isaiah is given the privilege of heralding the good news of Immanuel, the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ!

So much prophecy in the book of Isaiah centers upon the Messiah! God foretells His great plan of salvation of all the people through a young man who had never dreamed of serving His God in such a significant way. Can any of us hope to be so used? Yes. Yes! YES!

God desires that we should all be impacting players! Isn't that great news? Now, He never intended that we should do all of this without His leading and inspiration, and He never sends anyone out of his depth. Wait a minute! I think I meant to say He's never sent anyone out of His depth! Well, we'll see what He has to say about that.

I would like to consider Isaiah for a time. Let's see what the Lord does with this book. . .