Tag Archives: Encouragement

In Matthew 13, Jesus gives a discourse to the crowds using seven parables to illustrate the coming of the kingdom of heaven.  In fact, the process of its coming had already begun with Jesus’ arrival on earth – the king over all the universe was being introduced to His people. Jesus explained to His disciplesContinue reading “The Parable Puzzle – Matthew 13”

After he was given an additional fifteen years to live by the Lord, Hezekiah did something that proved to be quite harmful to Judah, although its consequences would not happen until after Hezekiah was gone. 1 At that time (the) king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had beenContinue reading “Showing the Treasures – Isaiah 39”

Shortly after the Lord delivered Judah from the attack of Sennacherib, Hezekiah became gravely ill to the point of death.  The Lord sent Isaiah the prophet to warn him that he would not recover from this illness, and to get his affairs in order to prepare for his death. Hezekiah was not at all readyContinue reading “God Sees Our Tears – 2 Kings 20”

King Hezekiah of Judah was in a desperate situation.  Sennacherib of Assyria was at his gates, threatening to overthrow the city of Jerusalem.  And Assyria had a perfect record in defeating and demolishing all the opponents they had previously come up against. Hezekiah took his problem to the Lord, laying out Sennacherib’s letter before HimContinue reading “God Hears – 2 Kings 19”

From the genealogy of Jesus, found in Matthew chapter one, we read about a succession of four kings descended from King David in the Southern Kingdom of Judah.  9 Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah.  Matthew 1:9 (NKJV) Upon the passing of King Ahaz, Hezekiah became King of Judah.  On balance, he wasContinue reading “Spreading Out the Letter – 2 Kings 19”

Many of the religious leaders who joined the crowds to see Jesus teach were not coming there in good faith.  Rather than earnestly trying to learn, they were actually there to try to trip Him up and to dissuade potential believers from following Him.  On one occasion, having heard testimony of the many miracles HeContinue reading “Three Days – Jonah 3”

Feasts are times of joyful celebration.  Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord has promised a great one for all believers when Jesus Christ returns to reign on His eternal throne on Mount Zion, in Jerusalem.  6 And in this mountainThe Lord of hosts will make for all peopleA feast of choice pieces,A feast of wines on the lees,Of fat things full ofContinue reading “The Great Banquet – Isaiah 25”

Isaiah and other prophets sometimes refer to the coming Messiah as the “Branch”. For instance, in one prophecy found in chapter 11, Isaiah writes: 1 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,The Spirit of counsel and might,The Spirit ofContinue reading “The Branch – Isaiah 11”

One day, after quoting from the prophet Isaiah to teach His disciples, Jesus told them: 17 For assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. Matthew 13:17 (NKJV) Isaiah had written down many prophetic words describing theContinue reading “Longing for God’s Kingdom – Isaiah 9”

Isaiah prophesied that a Great Light that would come to visit the people of Zebulun and Naphtali near the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  This area was singled out over all others as the future home for the coming Messiah. The area of Zebulun likely contained the city of Nazareth, where Jesus would beContinue reading “A Child Is Born – Isaiah 9”