Micah 1:13 Harness your chariot horses and flee, you people of Lachish. You were the first city in Judah to follow Israel in her rebellion, and you led Jerusalem into sin.
My Life Application Bible says: The people of Lachish had influenced many to follow their evil example. They "led Jerusalem into sin." We often do the same when we sin. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a leader, your actions and words are observed by others who may choose to follow your example, whether you know it or not.
Clearly, we need to recognize that our actions affect more than just ourselves. We also need to remember though, not to put on a false front of perfection, but rather to also model repentance and the grace of God to forgive us when we fail.
2 Chronicles 28:3 [Ahaz] offered sacrifices in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, even sacrificing his own sons in the fire. In this way, he followed the detestable practices of the pagan nations the Lord had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites.
There should be no doubt how God views the detestable practice of abortion that is literally commonplace in our society today, in number that would likely astound Ahaz. How's that for perspective.
Our Isaiah passage has several messianic prophecies. Most of these prophecies had two fulfillments, an immediate one and one filled with the birth of the Jesus (or His Second Coming still to come).
Isaiah 7:14-16 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means 'God is with us'). By the time this child is old enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong, he will be eating yogurt and honey. For before the child is that old, the lands of the two kings you fear so much will both be deserted.
This is a messianic prophecy in that Mary, a virgin, would bear a son named Immanuel.
It was also a timeline prophecy with a three year fulfillment - a young woman from the house of Ahaz who was not married yet, would marry and have a son. Before 3 years passed (one for pregnancy and two for the child to be old enough to talk) the two invading kings would be destroyed.
Biblical prophecy can often be confusing, but it sure is interesting!
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Isaiah 10-12, Isaiah 17
1 comment:
"Biblical prophecy can often be confusing, but it sure is interesting!"
Yes, and true. I have found most of these last few readings hard to understand at times, and sum up in a sentence or two when wanting to comment. I do have faith these portions of scripture are true, and want to remember them the best I can.
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