The beginning of Elisha's office as successor to Elijah. This session contains the Moabite rebellion and the raising of the Shunamite woman's son.

Jezebel conspires to steal a vineyard by murdering its owner. Idol worship eventually leads to murder and Jezebel is not above murder to obtain what she wants. Elijah passes on his mantle to Elisha.

Jezebel, having co-opted her husband, the king, imported prophets of her own god, Baal. Elijah set up a confrontation with those prophets at Mount Carmel.

Elijah, distressed by the behavior of Israel, turns off the rain. The resulting drought sets up the remainder of his ministry.

When this creation has served its purpose, there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth. There peace will flow to Jerusalem like a river.

Writing over a century prior to the Babylonian exile, Isaiah writes of Israel's plea from exile. There they will acknowledge that God is the potter and they are clay in His hands. This expression of sincere contrition will be the catalyst that begins the process of restoration.

Upon His return, the Messiah will lead His army and will extract vengeance upon His enemies. Throughout Scripture, a winepress is associated with God's judgment upon the wicked. At the end of the chapter, there is a prayer for mercy and the return of the exiles.

Writing of the future restoration of Israel, Isaiah invokes images of the priests and Levites in the Wilderness camp. They were supported by the rest of the nation so that they could devote their time and energy to maintaining and serving in the Tabernacle. When Israel assumes its proper role as a nation of priests, they will be supported by the nations.

God rebukes Israel for not using the legal system to promote justice. Rather they are using the courts as simply another venue for social competition. In doing this they have woven a web of laws and regulations designed to ensnare the innocent. The same charge could be leveled against us today.

The prophet rhetorically asks who or what was so intimidating that Israel turned to idols rather than fearing God. Part of the answer is that God seemed remote and uncaring whereas idols offered immediate gratification.