Ray of Sunshine. art

As we end July, we once again were all over the place with our readings in the Bible. But it seems that Isaiah was the one that took most of our attention. Jumping around in the readings is one of the reasons I love following a chronological plan because how else would you have known to align the things happening in 2 Kings with Isaiah and his vasts prophecies?

Isaiah

Isaiah is derived from, “The Lord is Salvation.” This is a fitting title as the book of Isaiah is a call to repentance for the people and ends with the prophecy that Jesus will come to redeem the people. Isaiah gladly accepted the job of being a prophet, even though he knew his message would be of warnings and far from glamorous. Just like all major prophets, Isaiah lived in separation as he was set apart to do the Lord’s work and would not partake in the worldly things, such as idolatry, that much of Judah had fallen to. Isaiah was able to see that God was not with the people due to their fall into worldly ideals. Isaiah gives us a lot to look forward to when discussing the second coming of Jesus, however he does not give us an exact date. We know that it will happen and that Isaiah’s words are true as everything else he prophesied has come true thus far.

Jonah

There are two major themes in the book of Jonah.

1. Even God’s chosen people can be blatantly disobedient to God and uncaring for their fellow man.
   • Jonah does this when he disobeys God’s direct orders to go to Nineveh and flees instead. He shows a lack of concern for the people of Nineveh to turn from their wicked ways and follow God.
2. God is by nature compassionate and wants all people to repent and turn from their ways to avoid facing judgement.
   • God gives all people chances! This is evident in 4:10-11 when God illustrates how plants and people depend on others to help them know the right ways.

The book of Jonah is read on Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) in remembrance of fasting and repenting.

I hope you are enjoying reading through the Bible this year chronologically! Comment below your thoughts on this months readings.