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 . 

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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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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.

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Over the next few days we’ll be reading regularly from three books, 2 Chronicles, 2 Kings, and Isaiah, as we continue pursuing a fairly linear chronological reading of the Old Testament. At the point in the history of God’s people, Hezekiah is on the throne in Jerusalem and Isaiah is simultaneously prophesying in Judah. The kings of Assyria are knocking on the front door, taunting those in power. This not only includes the king and his officials, but God himself, whom they mock and equate to the gods of other nations. Today, you’ll hear the account of Sennacherib’s royal spokesman who seeks to insult, discourage and dishearten the men of Judah before their impending military confrontation.

2 Chronicles 32:1-19 - 1:09 . 

2 Kings 18 - 5:29 . 

Isaiah 36 - 14:50 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Recall that in our timeline of Judah’s kings the most recent king was Ahaz, who proved to be the most evil in king in Judah’s history up until that time. He not only worshipped other gods, but sacrificed his children to them as an act of pagan worship. When his son Hezekiah comes to power, he literally cleans house, restoring the temple of the Lord so that all Israel could be called back to worship the God of their ancestors. The priests and the Levites are called upon to consecrate themselves for worship, and they do everything by the book. When the temple has been made ready, they celebrate the Passover early because the people had not done so in a long time. Scripture records that nothing like this has happened since the days of King Solomon.

2 Chronicles 29 - 1:06 . 

2 Chronicles 30 - 9:49 . 

2 Chronicles 31 - 16:08 . 

Psalm 146 - 21:09 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Israel has sought out the men of Egypt for help against their foes, but they have not sought the Lord their God. When God’s people turn back to him, Assyria will fall by the sword of the Lord. A righteous kingdom is announced where rulers will rule justly, the fool will no longer be called a noble, and the Spirit will be poured out on the people. Next, woe is pronounced on the destroyer who is never destroyed, which is likely a reference to Sennacherib. In an upcoming episode we’ll hear the account of his messengers mocking the God of Israel and taunting King Hezekiah. Finally, we’ll read a poetic prophecy that envisions Bozrah, the capital city of Edom, as a ghost town, totally abandoned by people and home only to wild animals. We’ll end with a prophecy about a Holy Way.

Isaiah 31 -  1:07 . 

Isaiah 32 - 3:31 . 

Isaiah 33 - 7:06 . 

Isaiah 34 - 12:55 . 

Isaiah 35 - 16:39 . 

Psalm 144 - 18:57 . 

Psalm 145 - 21:09 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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After a brief excursion in the book of the prophet Hosea, we are back in the book of Isaiah. This episode begins with a proclamation of woe against Samaria, called Ephraim in this prophecy. Specifically, they are chastised for being drunk all the time, having no vision, clarity, or wisdom to give to others on behalf of the Lord. Shifting away from the northern kingdom of Israel, he then chastises Judah for making deals with Assyria, or “Death” as they are called poetically here. Jerusalem, referred to as “Ariel”, will be burned and destroyed, for they have refused to open their eyes to the Lord’s commands. Finally, Isaiah condemns Jerusalem’s alliance with Egypt, most likely a reference to King Hezekiah’s reign.

Isaiah 28 - 1:03 . 

Isaiah 29 - 8:18 . 

Isaiah 30 - 13:33 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Israel has taken the lavish blessings of their God and given those gifts to the calf idols of Baal, turning away from the covenant love of the God who redeemed them in order to love other gods. Therefore, in accordance with curses of the covenant he made with them at Sinai and for the sake of His holy name, the Lord will discipline his people for their rebellion. Through Hosea, God remarks that he raised Israel like a father raises children and laments the calamity that will come upon them. With this love in mind, He promises that He will not release His full wrath upon them. The book of Hosea ends with a call to repentance. If God’s people will turn back to Him, they will flourish once again.

Hosea 10 - 1:04 . 

Hosea 11 - 4:37 . 

Hosea 12 - 8:13 . 

Hosea 13 - 10:32 . 

Hosea 14 - 13:42 . 

Psalm 143 - 15:57 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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