The rod used to maintain strength and get rid of evil ones, and will come from the family of Jesse.

Verses 1-4

1. “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2. And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
3. And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
4. But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.”

In this chapter we see several strands of prophecy. Possibly some of it was prediction based on readily observable facts, but it all came from God. Some of what Isaiah spoke about was already happening. In the same way we can talk about how the West is obeying Satan and leading itself to a very dark end. Many Christians follow the same destructive path, as if they want to reproduce these awful days in the life of Israel and Judah. Yet, we can predict what will happen, given plentiful signs in history and present day errors.

It is worth remembering, and praying about – God will not spare His own people if they refuse to obey. Do we obey today? Are we truly faithful? Then why is our nation struggling and bringing together such evil ways and laws?

Verses 1-4

1. “Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.
2. And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.
3. And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.
4. For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.”

srael went its own way, leaving just two tribes to live under Judah. That was a big mistake, for God chose all 12 tribes to be united. As a result of this basic error, Israel and Judah, their unity broken, were prone to attacks by other nations. Sometimes, this disunity even went so far as to join forces with enemies, such as Syria, so that they could defeat Judah. Both Syria and Israel conspired to beat Judah and then to put a puppet king to rule on behalf of the enemy. But, God had other plans, leading to the demise of the tribe of Ephraim. The chapter closes with the remarkable prophecy about the coming of the Messiah.

Here we have the call of Isaiah made sure. All who are thus called to serve in roles referred to in scripture, have this kind of calling – definite, and often unable to be resisted, and, sometimes, with special import.

Verses 1-4

1. “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
2. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
3. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
4. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.”

Very clearly, God is angry with Israel and Judah. I suggest He has the same anger towards us today, for Christians have neglected so great a salvation by allowing sin to proliferate, especially amongst the brethren, and in daily life of the nation. Our silence is tantamount to acceptance of evil, and our refusal to speak out against the very real invasion of Islam not just into the country, but in every level of government, justice system and policing, will bring our speedy downfall – and that will happen very soon. Some will argue that if God intervenes all will be well. Yes, that is true, but WHY should God intervene, when Christians have not bothered to cry for help until they have allowed paganism to take over the land, without so much as a weak cry?

1. “And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
2. In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.”

As we read in chapter 3, many men fell in battle, leaving women socially stranded, to live as single females, which was thought to be unacceptable. Normally, in ordinary times, there are roughly a large number of men to choose from, but this text tell us that the men would be killed off, and so women were desperate to marry. Isaiah predicts what will happen – seven women will approach a single man, and ask him to marry all seven. They will not make demands, but will provide their own clothing and make their own food… all they want is the security and socially acceptable status of marriage. (We know this is in the future, because Isaiah says “in that day”).

One of my pet loathings is the ‘selfie’ photograph, the pathetic placing of the face in a suitably attractive pose. Even young men do it! This chapter is about similar ways women use to attract men (or to boast before other women). God also speaks of the death of many men for their allowance of paganism into society. Because mighty men die, leaving men who are less than able, and rule is given to useless youngsters who forget God, the whole nation falls into selfishness and hardship. When God’s path is covered and people do what they like, the nation fails and falls into ruin. Today, too, men are losing their might and ability to be men, as godless ideologists try to stamp out masculinity, with its created aggressiveness when needed. It seems even women want their modern men to be effeminate and ‘soft’!

The opening verse in chapter 2 almost replicates the opening verse in chapter 1. Usually, when a text is repeated, it is to emphasise its importance. It is also because the contents of chapter 2 are a separate vision given at a slightly later time… remembering that Isaiah wrote over (roughly) a 64 year span. Instead of ‘vision’ Isaiah uses ‘word’. Both can reasonably be used as the same thing.

You will remember how Luther pinned his 95 Theses to the door of the local cathedral. It was the normal way for priests to conduct discussions. Apparently, this was also the custom of the early prophets, such as Isaiah. At least this was the understanding of John Calvin. Isaiah, then (it is supposed) pinned his entire book (in sections) to the door of the Temple. The testimony of Isaiah began (about) 739 BC, when he complained about the corruption of Zion... a current concern about Christian churches, too. He is seen as a ‘heavyweight’ prophet, who worked particularly in Judah. In his day, few wanted to hear his message, nor did they give him much credit.

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:.”