Bible Reading Plan

Isaiah prophesied of the birth of Christ and the burden He would bear. God’s judgement was pronounced on His people because they became arrogant and apathetic toward Him. They refused to turn to Him. He will give them over to their evil ways and will not show compassion toward them. His judgement will appear to continue without end. God’s judgement was pronounced on Assyria because of their arrogance. They believe more of themselves than of God. He will remind them that the created have no command over the creator. His judgement will lead to their destruction and waste. In that day a portion of Israel will turn to God and the enemies of the Lord will be destroyed.

Isaiah saw a vision of God’s power and majesty. The vision pictured the destruction of the Jews and the call of the prophet. He received encouragement in the vision with a message promising a portion of the Jews be spared. Isaiah was sent to give a message of hope to Judah against its enemies. The Lord told of the coming Messiah to be named Immanuel (meaning God with us). Prophesy is given concerning the destruction of Syria and Israel. A prophesy is given that the Messiah would be rejected by His own people. Those who reject Him being like one passing through a land finding no food and only seeing darkness and misery.

Isaiah prophesied judgement against Jerusalem and Judah. The people sinned and were not ashamed. The Lord withheld blessings from them. They were a proud and uncaring people. They were to experience judgement from the Lord, and they would mourn. The righteous would be protected and led by the Lord. The vision in chapter five continued with a vineyard that was cared for, but it produced wild fruit. The Lord’s people were the vineyard that produced bad grapes and were laid to waste. They were threatened with utter destruction because of sin. God’s people would be humbled because of His judgement against them.

Isaiah prophesied in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. The people of Judah turned from God and were not obedient to His word. Their sacrifices were not given with right intentions, so God rejected them. God used Isaiah to confront His people and to reason with them. God desired that they become obedient, then He would bless them and forgive their sin. Isaiah prophesied of the mountain of God; the mountain known as Zion. He confronted the evil deeds and the turning of God’s people to idols and fortune-tellers. He warned of a day when God would judge His people and they would be humbled before Him.

Chapter five through chapter seven verse ten describes a marriage of struggles. Chapter five, verse 6 describes a husband who is seeking lost sheep while his bride was home resting. A similar picture of the shepherd seeking lost sheep was described by Jesus in Matthew 18 and Luke 15. Chapter seven and eight describe a couple who is growing in their love and faithfulness toward one another. Their love and determination are evident in their speech and in their detailed and positive descriptions of each other. Their compliments of each other should be an encouragement to husbands and wives today.

Song of Solomon, or Song of Songs, is a book of writings of the professing love between Solomon and his bride. The first two chapters focus on the courtship and the falling in love of Solomon and his bride. Chapter three verse six begins to describe the wedding, or the uniting of Solomon and his bride. This book is often overlooked. This writing reminds us of the beauty of the gift of love between a man and his wife.

The wise man is led by a pure heart. He is careful with his words, and he is secure in his walk. A little folly will pollute the way of the wise. The fool continually puts himself in the path of trouble, and he lacks wisdom. It is wise to give to those in need because the days are short. Generosity brings inward peace. Man should remember his creator while he is young and while his strength is great. There are many words of man, but the Word of God is truth. The wise fear God and follow His commands.

Solomon explained differences between the wise and the foolish. He described the desires and relationships of each with rulers, wealth, and women. Man would do well to honor and obey rulers and to fear the Lord. God’s ways are high and are not fully known by man. Death is common to all men. Solomon counseled the wise to enjoy the gift of a wife so long as life endures. Wisdom, even when taken for granted by man, is greater than strength.

The one who fears God will be mindful of his words and not make oaths to God that he cannot honor. Do not allow your excitement and imagination to lead you to make promises you cannot keep. Do not fall into the temptation of seeking riches and power as a means of joy because they will not bring you joy. Giving a good day’s work and sleeping well will bring joy. God may choose to give you riches. If he does, enjoy them as a gift from Him.

God has given a time for all things under heaven. Solomon reasoned man’s vanity concerning his own work and acknowledged the foolishness of seeking happiness through human effort. Some covet and are unsocial, while others are slothful. Others seek happiness in power over others. They seek happiness but do not find it. The one who seeks power over others finds that their followers soon turn from them and pursue another to follow.