We begin with a pronouncement against Tyre, an island city that served as profitable port which traded in luxurious goods. Tyre established a trading colony called Tarshish (thought to be in modern-day Spain) which boasted impressive ships. Assyria attempted to take Tyre a number of times, but it was Nebuchadnezzar who first infiltrated the island city, followed by Alexander the Great who destroyed it. The following chapters in this episode concern God’s judgment of the whole earth, a judgment brought about by the sin of mankind. Though celebration will come to an end for a time, God will eventually prepare a feast for the peoples of earth and death will be destroyed forever. Keep your ears open for messages of resurrection as we read.

Isaiah 23 - 1:03 . 

Isaiah 24 - 4:30 . 

Isaiah 25 - 9:16 . 

Isaiah 26 - 11:58 . 

Isaiah 27 - 16:00 . 

Psalm 140 - 19:08 . 

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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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Today’s reading includes pronouncements against the nations of Cush (which we now call Ethiopia) and Egypt. The Cushites will be judged by the Lord and left for dead, but after this judgment they will bring tribute to the Lord of Armies at Mount Zion. Egypt will be judged by God through a civil war, and neither idols, nor spiritists, nor wise men will save them from the Lord’s hand. One day in the future, however, some Egyptians would worship the God of Israel, a dramatic turn of events given that Egypt had always been superior in military might with deep cultural ties to it’s own gods. Pronouncements on other cities and nations follow, including Babylon, Dumah, Arabia, Jerusalem (called the Valley of Vision, here) and Shebna.

Isaiah 18 - 1:03 . 

Isaiah 19 - 2:53 . 

Isaiah 20 - 7:50 . 

Isaiah 21 - 10:03 . 

Isaiah 22 - 13:17 . 

Psalm 139 - 18:18 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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We are back in the book of Isaiah, and as you’ll hear the prophet himself mention, we are in the time period surrounding the death of Ahaz, that wicked king of Judah who not only created an idolatrous altar and set it up adjacent to the altar of God, but who sacrificed his own children to the gods of foreign nations. We begin with a pronouncement against Babylon, which contains assertions that they are God’s chosen weapon of wrath against his disobedient people, AND that they will become desolate for their actions. Israel will return to the land and the king of Babylon will fall. Pronouncements against Philistia, Moab, and Damascus follow, and we’ll conclude with a prophecy of judgment against Israel.

:::

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 completed the prophet Micah and we’re moving back into the historical narrative to cover Judah’s King Ahaz, a notably evil and idolatrous king who went so far as to even sacrifice his own children to foreign gods. After seeing an impressive altar in another nation, he has Uriah (one the priests of the Lord) build a replica of it. Rather than doing everything that the Lord has commanded Uriah to do, Scripture notes that “Uriah did everything King Ahaz commanded.” Finally, 2 Kings records the fall of Israel when King Shalmaneser of Assyria captures the capital city of Samaria. Why would God allow that to happen? Our reading from chapter 17 gives us a lengthy explanation.

2 Chronicles 28 - 1:05 . 

2 Kings 16 - 7:10 . 

2 Kings 17 - 12:44 . 

:::

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 we finish out the second half of the book of Micah, we’ll immediately see another crystal clear prophecy; this one predicts that the coming Messiah will be born in Bethlehem, a small town that was unlikely to have anything significant take place within it. God promises that one day he will remove those earthly and idolatrous occupations which keep his people from worshipping him rightly, asserting that nations who have not obeyed him will receive his anger and wrath. Finally, Micah looks past the coming destruction of Israel to declare the future hope of redemption for those who repent from their sin and serve the Lord.

Micah 5 - 1:06 . 

Micah 6 - 4:11 . 

Micah 7 - 8:46 . 

Psalm 135 - 13:50 . 

Psalm 136 - 16:29 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Given the time frame established by the prophet himself, Micah’s prophecies are astoundingly clear and accurate, as he clearly pronounces the fall of Samaria, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the coming captivity in Babylon. The people had grown comfortable in religious activity but they were excusing sin and denying the possibility of judgment. He urges God’s people to consider the nature and character of God Himself, and in so doing, they ought to repent in light of his justice and holiness. 

Micah 1 - 1:06 . 

Micah 2 - 4:27 . 

Micah 3 - 8:20 . 

Micah 4 - 10:58 . 

Psalm 134 - 14:35 . 

Psalm 135 - 15:01 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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We begin today’s reading with a brief historical account from the book of 2 Chronicles covering the reign of Uzziah’s son, King Jotham of Judah, before jumping back into Isaiah. Isaiah chapter 9 begins a prophecy about the birth of the Prince of Peace, a passage that many of us read in our church services during Advent or Christmas. In stark contrast, Isaiah moves on to consider the coming of Assyria, the instrument of God’s wrath against his people. Remember that earlier in our reading plan, God’s covenant at Mount Sinai with the people of Israel came with abundant blessings through obedience, or with dreadful curses for ignoring God’s statutes. In chapter 11, Isaiah prophesies of a shoot that will grow from the stump of Jesse, pointing both to the judgment of God against Israel and a Messianic promise. 

2 Chronicles 27 - 1:06 . 

Isaiah 9 - 2:55 . 

Isaiah 10 - 7:44 . 

Isaiah 11 - 15:05 . 

Isaiah 12 - 18:34 . 

Psalm 133 - 19:58 . 

:::

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 from our last episode that Amos is a blue collar guy who was sent from Judah to prophesy against Israel. During a time of wealth, the rich had grown greedy, proud, and complacent, assuming that no harm could befall them. In their pride, they failed to consider the Lord, righteous conduct, or just dealings, opting instead to oppress those of lower status and lounge in luxury. Through Amos, the Lord calls Israel to live a life of justice and righteousness, but because they are hard of heart, the Lord’s justice will pour out from upon those who have profaned God’s holy name.

Amos 6 - 1:06 . 

Amos 7 - 3:58 . 

Amos 8 - 8:19 . 

Amos 9 - 11:08 . 

Psalm 131 - 14:51 . 

Psalm 132 - 15:32 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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Amos was a prophet from Judah who travelled away from his homeland to prophesy against Israel. As his introduction states, Amos was a shepherd by trade, but he received instruction from the Lord to go north to Samaria around 760 BC. It was a time of great prosperity for Israel, but many farmers had been reduced to poverty. The wealthy gave them loans that they could not repay, forcing these debtors into slavery whereby the aristocrats seized their lands. They felt that their city walls and citadels would keep them safe and secure from danger, but the God of Israel sees all and will exact justice on those who have neglected his statutes.

Amos 1 - 1:03 . 

Amos 2 - 4:11 . 

Amos 3 - 7:21 . 

Amos 4 - 11:09 . 

Amos 5 - 14:07 . 

Psalm 130 - 19:13 . 

:::

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 signs, visions, and prophecies included into today’s reading span from the death of King Uzziah into the beginning of Ahaz’s reign, who continues the lineage of Davidic kings. In chapter 6 we get an awe-inspiring sneak peek into the throne room of God. Isaiah senses that he is unfit to be in God’s presence, but an angel approaches to cleanse him in a unique way. After this, the Lord God commissions Isaiah to be his messenger. In chapter 7, Isaiah prophesies to King Ahaz of a virgin who conceive and give birth to a son and name him Immanuel. This prophecy had an immediate fulfillment, as a statement about the amount of time which would pass between then and the invasion of the Assyrian king, but it has it’s ultimate fulfillment in the birth of Christ.

Isaiah 6 - 1:06 . 

Isaiah 7 - 4:16 . 

Isaiah 8 - 9:44 . 

Psalm 128 - 14:10 . 

Psalm 129 - 15:00 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by the Christian Standard Bible.

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