Commuter Bible OT

We completed the book of Isaiah in our last episode and now we’re back in the narrative histories of 2 Chronicles and 2 Kings. Hezekiah’s son Manasseh takes the throne and turns the good of his father’s kingdom upside down by participating in every kind of spiritual evil imaginable. As such is the case, God says through his prophets that he will clean Jerusalem out like a bowl, turning it upside down. 2 Chronicles records that Manasseh is taken captive by Assyria later in life, at which point he repents and turns to the Lord for help. Before his death, he turns Judah back to the Lord, but only in partial obedience. His son Amon will take the throne after him, but will only reign for two years, repeating his father’s mistakes.

2 Chronicles 33 - 1:04 . 

2 Kings 21 - 6:15 . 

Proverbs 3 - 12:13 . 

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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We have reached the final chapters of the book of Isaiah, in which Isaiah continues to prophesy about things yet to come. You’ll recall that in our chronological reading of the Old Testament, so far the nation of Israel has fallen to the Babylonians, but Jerusalem and the nation of Judah have not yet been conquered. Even so, Isaiah prophesies in the past tense as he speaks of the desolation of Jerusalem in the future, for any many ways the focus is not on the future desolation as much as it is on the future restoration of God’s people. A time is coming when the Lord will gather his people back to Jerusalem, but when he does, he will also gather all nations and languages to himself and they will come and see His glory.

Isaiah 64 - 1:05 . 

Isaiah 65 - 3:37 . 

Isaiah 66 - 10:31 . 

Proverbs 2 - 17:18 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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The Lord calls his people to fast, but to fast while doing as one pleases, oppressing others, or causing strife and violence, is not true fasting. True fasting involves humility and submission to God, freeing those who are unjustly bound and oppressed, feeding those who are hungry, and caring for those who are in need. The sins of God’s people separate them from a holy God, and He hides His face from them. As representatives of God’s holiness, Israel had failed to act justly. Even so, the Redeemer will come to Zion and to those in Jacob who turn from transgression. A day is coming when the Lord will be the light of his people and their days of sorrow will be over.

Isaiah  59 - 1:02 . 

Isaiah 60 - 6:11 . 

Isaiah 61 - 10:50 . 

Isaiah 62 - 14:17 . 

Isaiah 63 - 16:59 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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The Lord invites Israel into his presence, and in our opening verses, this is depicted symbolically with a lavish feast, provided free of charge by God Almighty himself. This happens when the wicked one abandons his way and the sinful one his thoughts, returning to the Lord who has compassion. Even foreigners who are not from the nation of Israel will be blessed by the Lord who brings them into his house which will be called a house of prayer for all nations. By contrast, Israel’s evil and lazy watchmen will be judged. Idols will not be able to save wicked men from God’s wrath.

Isaiah 55 - 1:04 . 

Isaiah 56 - 3:55 . 

Isaiah 57 - 7:35 . 

Isaiah 58 - 12:09 . 

Proverbs 1 - 16:01 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Throughout the book of Isaiah, we’ll hear references to one called the Servant. Though there is immediate application to be found by naming Israel as this Servant, the New Testament authors, who were filled with God’s Holy Spirit like Isaiah, saw another connection. You’ll probably see it, too. The ultimate Servant, the ultimate son of David, is the promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53 in particular, which is covered in today’s reading, is such a clear prediction of Christ’s work on the cross. He is the one who was pierced because of our rebellion and crushed because of our iniquities. Yet the Lord was pleased to crush him, and by his hand the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished.

Isaiah 50 - 1:02 . 

Isaiah 51 - 3:40 . 

Isaiah 52 - 10:06 . 

Isaiah 53 - 13:17 . 

Isaiah 54 - 16:52 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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As Isaiah continues to prophesy about future events, remember that Babylon has not yet come to power and has not yet brought Israel into captivity. You’ll hear statements like, “I will announce new things to you, hidden things that you have not yet known.” Our reading opens with a call to remember that no god or idol can compare with the living God. This is followed by a prediction of assurance that Babylon will one day fall, which would have been a great comfort to God’s people as they waited in captivity to be released. Though Israel is a rebellious and stubborn people prone to follow other gods, the Lord will not forget his people in Babylon, but will release them back into the land God had given them.

Isaiah 46 - 1:02 . 

Isaiah 47 - 3:33 . 

Isaiah 48 - 7:33 . 

Isaiah 49 - 12:55 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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God’s people are precious in his sight, so much so that has given up other nations in order to ransom them from destruction. Though a time of judgment is coming upon them, the Lord assures them that he will protect his faithful ones in their time of distress. Time and again, God’s people have forsaken him for other gods, but there is no Savior besides him, and no other god has proven his power, might, and foreknowledge like the God of Israel. Idols and those who fashion them are put to shame, for the one whom makes them and bows down to them also uses the same wood to cook his dinner. Later, Isaiah prophesies of a king not yet born, King Cyrus of Persia. This king does not know the Lord, and yet God will call him by name to be used as an instrument of redemption for his people.

Isaiah 43 - 1:07 . 

Isaiah 44 - 7:23 . 

Isaiah 45 - 14:56 . 

Psalm 150 - 21:07 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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You’ll recall in our last episode that Hezekiah flaunted his wealth to Babylonian messengers, and although the exile will not take place for another 80-100 years, it is at this point in time that Isaiah begins predicting the future exile of Israel with great clarity. Even so, today’s reading begins with a proclamation of comfort for those who trust in the Lord, He who sits enthroned above the circle of the earth. There is no other god from any other nation who compares with the God of Israel. He not only has strength and power to do as he pleases, but he also gives strength to the faint and to the powerless. Israel need not fear, for God is with them and will hold on to them with his righteous right hand.

Isaiah 40 - 1:07 . 

Isaiah 41 - 8:04 . 

Isaiah 42 - 14:54 . 

Psalm 149 - 20:16 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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In our last episode, the Lord God turned away the messengers of King Sennacherib of Assyria and his armies, sending his angel to strike down 185,000 in their camp. Sometime during those days of the Assyrian threat, Hezekiah became terminally ill. After Isaiah prophesies that his illness will end in death, Hezekiah prays to the Lord and the Lord hears, granting him another 15 years of life. It’s not long, however, before Hezekiah gets cocky and shows off his sweet digs to his neighbors, the Babylonians. Of course, we know that won’t end well. Isaiah tells Hezekiah that some of his descendants will be taken captive to Babylon, but that matter much to Hezekiah; he’s just glad it won’t happen during his lifetime.

Isaiah 38 - 1:10 . 

Isaiah 39 - 6:29 . 

2 Kings 20 - 8:52 . 

2 Chronicles 32:20 - 13:59 . 

Psalm 148 - 17:24 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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The readings from today’s chapters are near perfect parallels, with only minor differentiations between them. After hearing the report about the royal messenger who insulted the Lord God and the people of Judah, Hezekiah immediately expresses a sense of mourning and loss by covering himself in sackcloth and ashes. He sends directly for Isaiah, who reports that the Lord will soon turn them around. After a second threat spoken from the Assyrian spokesman, Hezekiah heads to the temple and prays to God. Isaiah, who apparently is elsewhere, sends a message of hope from the Lord to Hezekiah, promising that Assyria will go back the way they came.

Isaiah 37 - 1:07 . 

2 Kings 19 - 10:44 . 

Psalm 147 - 19:27 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

facebook.com/commuterbible

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twitter.com/CommuterPod

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[email protected]