day 341 - Isaiah 7-8 & Proverbs 4

 Julie

Do not follow the ways of the world, do not fear what they fear. Fear the Lord and he will become a place of comfort. Does this speak to what we are experiencing now: "For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me,and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying; 'Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, no be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and be taken." Are those that are in fear of COVID the ones we should be staying away from and remember to trust and be fearful of God and not what is happening right now?

This one is telling us about how important wisdom is and I think serves as a reminder or a calling for us to remember to ask for wisdom and then realize when we have received it.

 

Michelle

This could be related to what we are seeing in life right now.  It makes sense that as with anything we are not to follow people, but instead follow the Lord Almighty.  The other part that stood out was in chapter 7 verse 14, there is a prophesy from Isaiah about Jesus being born, or I think that is what it is anyway as it talks of a virgin giving birth to a son.  In 16 it says before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid to waste.   It seems he is speaking of future events and what is to come of the kings of their time.

This proverb tells us to get wisdom at any cost.  No matter the cost get wisdom and hang on to it always, cherish the knowledge and understanding.

Day 340 - Isaiah 6 & Proverb 3

 Julie

Isaiah repents and asks for forgiveness and the Lord grants it through angels. Isaiah gives himself to the Lord and the Lord uses him to warn people of what is coming. 

Trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and not lean on our own understanding. Ask for wisdom and follow God's way and not our own. We owe tithes to God and should give the first fruits of our labor to receive an abundance. Having the wisdom of the Lord will make us blessed and we are told not to fall and not to treat others poorly. We are to love others and treat them with kindness. 

 

Michelle

I recognize verse 8 as being a very popular one.  "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I.  Send me!'."  I didn't see him as warning the people but that makes sense.  

Your words are exactly what I got from this as well.  The main one that stands out is the verses 5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight".  This really is all we need to do.  I mean he does want other things as well, but this is the main one that is called for throughout the bible.  If only people would do this. 

Day 339 - Isaiah 4:2 - 5 & Proverbs 2

 Julie

So it starts out talking about how the Lord will be glorified and everyone will be cleansed. Then it moves into the vineyard being destroyed...I am not sure if this is an analogy for something bigger or they really mean a vineyard. It seems that since they are talking about the vineyard of the Lord that it might be the people are destroyed for their wickedness. 

This one talks about the value of wisdom and what we can gain by asking God for wisdom. Again, we have to remember that it is not freely given we must ask him for it. Once granted we are then led in the right direction if we choose to follow.

 

Michelle

I think you got that right about the vineyard of the Lord.  I think it's an analogy for the people and the Lord being the vintner.  It sounds like those that remain in the Lord will be covered by his cloud and those that continue sinning will be destroyed like the vineyard.  That we all stem from God and when we don't stay connected, we dry up and become something else.  

In my bible this is titled "Moral Benefits of Wisdom".  I understand it to say that if we ask for wisdom and keep to it then it will protect us and save us from wicked ways.   

Day 338 - Isaiah 2.6 - 4.1 & Proverbs 1.8 - 33

 Michelle

I am playing catch-up this morning.

I agree with your interpretation.  It starts by speaking of what they have and then what they will lose by not following the Lord.  This is a revolving theme throughout the bible so far.  As a people, we can't seem to keep our focus and are easily swayed by others.  Probably because we aren't really focusing on God and instead on what we have or have been given or what we want and the fact that we don't always get what we want.  It does seem like they are being taught a lesson once again and you are right, material things aren't necessary.  

The psalm speaks of warning to stay away from sinners so you don't get caught up in their sins.  Also, wisdom's rebuke for not seeking wisdom in all things.

Julie

Me too...although it is the 6th. :)

I think what I am getting from this is that God is trying to humble people as they have gotten too haughty. This still talks about how people are sinning so they explain the judgement that God is placing on the people of Judah and Jerusalem for what they are doing. In humbling them he is taking away all of their riches and showing them that material things are not necessary.

We have to be careful not to be enticed by sinners into sinning. We should ask for wisdom as God is offering it to us, but will not give it unless we ask. We should ask him for wisdom every day in all that we do.

Day 337 - Isaiah 1 - 2:5 & Proverbs 1:1-7

 Julie

I found it a bit amusing that people are being compared to ox and donkeys and showing that the people don't seem to be as smart as the animals. The animals understand their place in the pecking order, but people don't seem to. This reading brings up every way that people are sinning and the evil that they are a part of. What I found most interesting that God seems to be tired of people sacrificing in vain, at least that is what I am getting from that. Almost as if he is saying that is their way of trying to release the guilt of what they have done and that they continue to do wrong and sacrifice in hopes of forgiveness, but God is tired of them using that as an excuse for sinning.

We should ask for wisdom, listen, and do as instructed. I had previously underlined verse 7, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." 

 

Michelle

I mean he is not wrong in using that comparison.  I feel like that is relevant for some even today.  There are many people who do not seem as smart as the animals.  I read the same in that God seems to be tired of the ritual sacrificing as it is no longer being used as intended but as a way for them to be "cleansed" in their minds and not really cleansed in God's eyes.   

We should use these proverbs as a way to gain wisdom and instruction, for this is what we should be seeking.  I remember that last verse standing out as well. 

Day 336 - Psalm 150

 Julie

Praise the Lord with all of our hearts!!

 

Michelle

Praise the Lord everywhere and with all types of music and instruments and dancing.  Praise the Lord with every breath. 

Day 335 - Psalm 149

Julie

We are still in a theme of Praising the Lord within these Psalms. I did not really didn't see anything that stands out and separates it too much from the others that we have read recently.

 

Michelle

Yes, still Praising the Lord.  The only part that stood out to me was vs 6 says "May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands" and then goes on in the following verses to be inflicting vengeance and carrying out sentences.  This caught me off guard a little for some reason, like it didn't fit.