S – On that day the Lord will punish the army of the heights in the heights and the kings of the ground on the ground. ²² They will be gathered together like prisoners in a pit. They will be confined to dungeon; after many days they will be punished. ²³ The moon will be put to shame 

and the sun disgraced, because the Lord of Armies will reign as king on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, 

and he will display his glory in the presence of his elders. 

Is 24:21–23.CSB

O – Commentary:

Isaiah again (cf. v. 1) stated that the coming judgment will be God’s direct intervention: the Lord will punish. Natural disasters will occur only because the Lord will cause them to happen. The powers in the heavens may refer to spiritual forces opposed to God (cf. Rev. 19:20; 20:2). The kings on the earth below undoubtedly refer to political forces that will be banished. Those powers in the heavens and on the earth will become like cattle when the Lord herds them together and places them like prisoners … in a dungeon. Their punishment after many days refers to the great white throne judgment after the Millennium when all the unrighteous will have to stand before God and be judged for their evil deeds and lack of faith in Him (Rev. 20:11–15). When this judgment takes place the Lord, the Messiah, will be reigning on Mount Zion (Isa. 24:23; see comments on 1:8) and in Jerusalem. He will reign gloriously, that is, His glory will be manifest (cf. 24:15–16). In the 1,000-year kingdom the Messiah will reign as King over the earth (Zech. 14:9) from Jerusalem, God’s “centerpiece

 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1072–1073.

A – Truly remarkable that Isaiah spoke 700 years before Christ and his words align perfectly with the book of Revelation.  There is a day of judgement coming.  I encourage all of us to live today in a solid relationship with Christ.  We shouldn’t focus on when the day of judgement is.  Instead, how can I maximize today to make that a day of victory for ourselves and those in our lives.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the ultimate Judge. We thank you for the relationship we can have with you that transforms judgement into relationship. Help us to maximize that today in our lives.

S – The Lord of Armies has directly revealed to me: “This iniquity will not be wiped out for you people as long as you live.”^, The Lord God of Armies has spoken.

Isaiah 22:14 CSB

O – Commentary:

They did not believe God was powerful enough to save them and to follow through on His promises. Therefore a pronouncement of woe came to the people through Isaiah: this sin of lack of trust in the Lord would not be atoned for. 

 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1070.

A – Just like the Israelites, we either believe God and his abilities to lead us or don’t.  They could have called on God to help them but instead they “lived up” knowing they would be defeated.  How often to do we “resign” ourselves to life’s challenges instead of inviting God to show his love and power?  Do we trust in God’s power to fulfill his promises?

R – Heavenly Father, you are all powerful and always present.  Empower our faith and trust in you in all situations.  We invite your presence and unlimited abilities to intervene in all that we face today.  We put our faith and trust in you.

S – It will be a sign and witness to the Lord of Armies in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and leader, and he will rescue them. ²¹ The Lord will make himself known to Egypt, and Egypt will know the Lord on that day. They will offer sacrifices and offerings; they will make vows to the Lord and fulfill them.

Isaiah 19:20–21 CSB

O – Commentary:

Egypt will be in the same position as Israel, God’s covenant people, for when the Egyptians will ask God for help He will give it to them (v. 20). They will also be involved in the sacrificial worship system (v. 21; cf. Zech. 14:16–19; Mal. 1:11), and God will heal them after they repent and ask for help. This situation was almost unbelievable for the people of Judah in Isaiah’s day. But it will occur. It will take place after the Messiah has returned and established His millennial kingdom.

 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1067.

A – God desires that all men will be saved and know him.  Even as these people will come together in agreement, God will gather all men to him.  The things we deem as “impossible” will be proven in that time.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Lord of All.  Thank you for loving us and wanting relationship will all mankind.  Empower us to interact with each other in the same way where we value and love each other as you do.  We are better and stronger in community that is diverse and unified.

S – In that day man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will look on the Holy One of Israel. ⁸ He will not look to the altars, the work of his hands, and he will not look on what his own fingers have made, either the Asherim or the altars of incense. 

 Isaiah 17:7–8 ESV

O – Commentary:

When Israel would be invaded by the Assyrians, God’s people would look to their Maker to see the Holy One of Israel (cf. comments on 1:4). When faced with the terror and distress of warfare they would realize the inadequacy of worshiping idols. The altars were those set up to idolatrous gods, not to the true God. The Asherah poles were wooden symbols of Asherah, Canaanite fertility goddess and consort of Baal. In the Northern Kingdom of Israel, widely influenced by Baalism, were many Asherah-worshipers. But when under Assyrian attack, Israel would realize that only the Lord could deliver them.

 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1064.

A – Like the book of Revelation, cities of Israel are being told what awaits their future.  They are called out for trusting these other “gods” instead of the true God.  In that day, they will look to God himself.  Great reminder for us to keep our eyes fixed on the one, true God.  Life has many distractions but there is only one God who deserves our faith, trust and love.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, True God.  Empower us today to see past the distractions to keep our focus on you. We can be confident in what you are doing in our lives.  Give us the strength and tenacity to remain strong in our relationship with you.

S – then a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness.

Isaiah 16:5 ESV

O – Commentary:

 God in His love (ḥeseḏ, “loyalty”) will see that the One from the house of David, the Messiah, will sit on David’s throne (2 Sam. 7:16) and judge the world fairly (in justice and righteousness

 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1063.

A – God’s loyalty is expressed in love.  God is loyal to us – putting up with our wayward thoughts and actions that draw us away from Him.  He never leaves us.  Great reminder and challenge to take step towards him today.  He is worthy of our loyalty and faith.

R – Heavenly Father, you are loyal and faithful.  Empower us to reciprocate your loyalty and love by our thoughts, words and actions. Help us to remain loyal when other things draw us away from you.  We choose to take a step towards you today.

S – I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ a But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit

Isaiah 14:14–15 CSB

O – Commentary:

By ascending the mountain above … the clouds, he was seeking to make himself like God, the Most High. (The language used here, of course, is hyperbolical.) Yet he would be brought low to the grave (pit is a synonym for grave). Nothing could save him from death and from decay in the grave.

 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1062.

A – There are parallels between the earthly King of Babylon and us today.  We can make ourselves bigger than God in certain areas of our lives by not letting him in or retaining control.  Others may say, “I will be my own God” and live to please themselves, while never recognizing God.  We have a choice – I choose God.

R – Heavenly Father, your are God and I worship and surrender to you.  Help me to see the areas where I still struggle to yield control over to you.  You are the one, true God and I surrender my life to you today.

S – 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 the fear of the Lord. 

Isaiah 11:2 CSB

O – Commentary:

In these verses the character and work of the “Branch” are described. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, that is, the Holy Spirit would empower Him (at Jesus’ baptism, Matt. 3:16–17) for His work which would be characterized by wisdom … understanding … counsel … power … knowledge, and the fear of the Lord. The attributes of the Holy Spirit would characterize the Messiah. Because of His wisdom, understanding, counsel, and knowledge He is the Wonderful Counselor (Isa. 9:6). Isaiah referred to the Holy Spirit more than did any other Old Testament prophet 

 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1056.

A – Jesus was filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  These are the seven attributes that Isaiah gave the Holy Spirit – His presence, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might (courage), knowledge and fear of the Lord.  We can have all of those attributes daily.  I encourage all of us to invite the Holy Spirit into our lives daily and ask him to manifest all these attributes as we go through our day.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  We invite your Holy Spirit into our day.  We ask for the same manifestations as Jesus did – we ask for the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of Counsel, Spirit of might and courage, the Spirit of knowledge and the Spirit of the fear of the Lord.  Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

S – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, 

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

O – Commentary:

1. He was to be born a Child. The implication, given in parallel style, is that this Child, a Son, was to be born into the nation of Israel (to us) as one of the covenant people.

2. He will rule over God’s people (cf. Micah 5:2) and the world (Zech. 14:9). The government will be on His shoulders figuratively refers to the kingly robe to be worn by the Messiah. As King, He will be responsible to govern the nation. In Isaiah’s day Judah’s leaders were incompetent in governing the people. But the Messiah will govern properly.

3. He will have four descriptive names that will reveal His character. He will be the nation’s Wonderful (this could be trans. “exceptional” or “distinguished”) Counselor, and the people will gladly listen to Him as the authoritative One. In the kingdom many people will be anxious to hear the Messiah teach God’s ways (2:3). He is also the Mighty God (cf. 10:21). Some have suggested that this simply means “a godlike person” or hero. But Isaiah meant more than that, for he had already spoken of the Messiah doing what no other person had been able to do (e.g., 9:2–5). Isaiah understood that the Messiah was to be God in some sense of the term.

This Deliverer will also be called the Everlasting Father. Many people are puzzled by this title because the Messiah, God’s Son, is distinguished in the Trinity from God the Father. How can the Son be the Father? Several things must be noted in this regard. First, the Messiah, being the second Person of the Trinity, is in His essence, God. Therefore He has all the attributes of God including eternality. Since God is One (even though He exists in three Persons), the Messiah is God. Second, the title “Everlasting Father” is an idiom used to describe the Messiah’s relationship to time, not His relationship to the other Members of the Trinity. He is said to be everlasting, just as God (the Father) is called “the Ancient of Days” (Dan. 7:9). The Messiah will be a “fatherly” Ruler. Third, perhaps Isaiah had in mind the promise to David (2 Sam. 7:16) about the “foreverness” of the kingdom which God promised would come through David’s line. The Messiah, a Descendant of David, will fulfill this promise for which the nation had been waiting.

The Messiah is also called the Prince of Peace, the One who will bring in and maintain the time of millennial peace when the nation will be properly related to the Lord. Together, these four titles give a beautiful picture of the coming Messiah’s character (Isa. 9:6 includes the first of Isaiah’s 25 references to peace.)

 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1053.

A – As Christmas is approaching, it is astounding that 700 hundred years before, Isaiah is describing with such accuracy the Messiah.  It is also amazing that it took that long for that prophecy to be fulfilled.  The belief that the Messiah was coming had to wane as time went on but the word never died.  We should endure in our trust and faith when God’s timing doesn’t move as timely as we desire.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Christ and promised one.  Thank you for sending our Savior to set us free from the bonds of sin.  Empower us to grow our faith and trust even when the timing is challenging.  

S – You are to regard only the Lord of Armies as holy. Only he should be feared; only he should be held in awe. ¹⁴ He will be a sanctuary; but for the two houses of Israel, he will be a stone to stumble over and a rock to trip over, and a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Isaiah 8:13–14 CSB

O – Commentary:

To make the Lord… holy meant giving him first place in life and acknowledging that nothing is greater than he is. • Fear of God means reverencing him as God (Prov 1:7). The people of Judah were not to fear Israel and Syria or the Assyrians (7:9; 10:24).

8:14 He will keep you safe (literally he will be a sanctuary): God is a place of refuge. • stone … stumble … rock … fall: By trusting Assyria rather than God, the people of Jerusalem would find themselves in a trap and a snare as the Assyrians turned against them. For those who trust in the Lord, however, he is faithful and strong

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Is 8:13–14.

A – This scripture was almost 2,800 years ago and the challenge is still the same.  What do we fear or reverence that is more important that God?  Will we allow ourselves to stumble, trip or be entrapped or snared by people, things or situations?  We can go out of way to avoid God or we can surrender to the fact that He is Lord over it all. 

R – Heavenly Father, you are Lord of all. We surrender our hearts, minds and lives to you today.  We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us in all situations.  Empower us with your presence, power and peace.

S – Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light 

and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! ²¹  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! 

Isaiah 5:20–21 ESV

O – Commentary:

Some people lead others astray by their perverted values. Evil-for example, adultery, idolatry, materialism, murder, and many other sins forbidden in the Scriptures-is often held up as being good. Those who say such things are under the threat (woe) of God’s judgment.  Thinking themselves wise and clever, some people were not relying on God’s power to deliver the nation. They thought they could protect themselves

 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1043.

A – It is dangerous to who elevate themselves in God’s eyes.  Whether our values, wisdom and intellect, we can easily slip into the belief that we are source of our success.  We must keep God in the highest level.  That keeps us in a “surrender” mindset and recognition of who is our source.

R – Heavenly Father, you are our source.  Thank you for all of the blessings you give us each day.  Empower us to surrender it all to you. We honor you for all do in our lives.