Posts by Josh Moody

Isaiah 62-64,  Proverbs 30,  Luke 24:36-44,  Hebrews 13:1-8  Isaiah 62-64:   Beautiful words, but what do they mean?   We start by hearing of God’s care for his people. “For Zion’s sake,” “For Jerusalem’s sake” (62:1); God gives himself for the sake of his people. This atoning, substitutionary, redemptive focus goes throughout these chapters. We are told…

Isaiah 59-61,  Proverbs 29:15-27,  Luke 24:28-35,  Hebrews 12:14-39  Isaiah 59-61: It begins with a great promise: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;” (Isaiah 59:1) But then goes on to explain that their sin had led to a breach: “The way of peace they…

Isaiah 56-58,  Proverbs 29:1-14,  Luke 24:13-27,  Hebrews 12:1-13   Isaiah 56-58:   There is blessing on offer in Isaiah 56, along with command, “keep justice” (56:1), and promise for “an everlasting name that shall not be cut off” (56:5). But Israel’s leaders are irresponsible—they are “blind” and “without knowledge” (56:10). They are drunkards, “let us fill ourselves…

Isaiah 54-55,  Proverbs 28:15-28,  Luke 24:1-12,  Hebrews 11:32-40   Isaiah 54-55:   In these chapters there is given a multitude of reasons to sing for joy. Throughout all is the conviction that God will restore the fortunes of his people through the promised salvation—ultimately through the Christ. Listen to some of these promises:  For the children of…

Isaiah 51-53, Proverbs 28:1-14, Luke 23:50-56, Hebrews 11:17-31   Isaiah 51-53:   More ground breaking, astonishing prophecies from Isaiah! First, God’s people, in Isaiah 51, are told to be comforted, to look to the “rock” from which they were hewn (51:1). Remember Abraham. Remember Sarah (51:2). Remember how God rescued them from Egypt. If God can do all that, can…

Isaiah 49-50,  Proverbs 27:15-27,  Luke 23:44-49,  Hebrews 11:1-16 Isaiah 49-50: I have often thought when looking at these momentous chapters of Isaiah, “Who is equal to these things?” Well is Isaiah often said to be the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Chapter 49 deals with the disappointment of God’s people, their fear that he…

Isaiah 46-48,  Proverbs 27:1-14,  Luke 23-38-43,  Hebrews 10:19-39  Isaiah 46-48: Throughout these chapters, the fortunes of those who trust in idols are compared with the blessing of those who trust in God. The idols of Bel and Nebo are carried on beasts of burden—and even the beast cannot reliably carry them (46:1-2). In contrast, God’s…

Isaiah 44-45,  Proverbs 26:17-28,  Luke 23:32-37,  Hebrews 10:1-18 Isaiah 44-45: This section begins with wonderful promises for God’s people—“I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring” (44:3)—in the context of which the instruction to “Fear not” (44:2, 8) makes sense. How often it is that we fear because we do not focus! We fear the…

Isaiah 42-43,  Proverbs 26:1-16,  Luke 23:26-31,  Hebrews 9:11-28   Isaiah 42-43:   Again, stupendous chapters, filled with hope and promise. One way of looking at the “LORD’s chosen servant” (42:1) is through what he will do and what he will not do. He will “bring forth justice to the nations” (42:1). He will “faithfully bring forth justice” (42:3). The mission of…

Isaiah 40-41,  Proverbs 25:15-28,  Luke 23:13-25,  Hebrews 9:1-10   Isaiah 40-41:   At last! Isaiah 40 arrives like a glass of chilled, cool water after a long, hot journey in a desert! “Comfort, Comfort, my people” (40:1). Words made famous by Handel’s Messiah, filled with hope, joy and meaning. Isaiah proclaims forgiveness: “her iniquity is pardoned” (40:2). He…