Isaiah 48 - Prayer Tents

Tested in the Furnace of Affliction

48"And now listen to this, family of Jacob, you who are called by the name Israel: Who got you started in the loins of Judah, you who use GOD's name to back up your promises and pray to the God of Israel? But do you mean it? Do you live like it?H8085H1004H3290H7121H8034H3478H3318H4325H3063H7650H8034H3068H2142H430H3478H571H66662You claim to be citizens of the Holy City; you act as though you lean on the God of Israel, named GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.H7121H6944H5892H5564H430H3478H3068H6635H80343For a long time now, I've let you in on the way I work: I told you what I was going to do beforehand, then I did it and it was done, and that's that.H5046H7223H227H3318H6310H8085H6213H6597H9354I know you're a bunch of hardheads, obstinate and flint-faced,H1847H7186H6203H1270H1517H4696H51545So I got a running start and began telling you what was going on before it even happened. That is why you can't say, 'My god-idol did this.' 'My favorite god-carving commanded this.'H227H5046H935H8085H559H6090H6213H6459H5262H66806You have all this evidence confirmed by your own eyes and ears. Shouldn't you be talking about it? And that was just the beginning. I have a lot more to tell you, things you never knew existed.H8085H2372H5046H8085H2319H6258H5341H30457This isn't a variation on the same old thing. This is new, brand-new, something you'd never guess or dream up. When you hear this you won't be able to say, 'I knew that all along.'H1254H6440H3117H8085H559H30458You've never been good listeners to me. You have a history of ignoring me, A sorry track record of fickle attachments— rebels from the womb.H8085H3045H241H6605H3045H898H898H7121H6586H9909But out of the sheer goodness of my heart, because of who I am, I keep a tight rein on my anger and hold my temper. I don't wash my hands of you.H8034H748H639H8416H2413H377210Do you see what I've done? I've refined you, but not without fire. I've tested you like silver in the furnace of affliction.H6884H3701H977H3564H604011Out of myself, simply because of who I am, I do what I do. I have my reputation to keep up. I'm not playing second fiddle to either gods or people.H6213H2490H5414H3519H31212"Listen, Jacob. Listen, Israel— I'm the One who named you! I'm the One. I got things started and, yes, I'll wrap them up.H8085H3290H3478H7121H7223H31413Earth is my work, handmade. And the skies—I made them too, horizon to horizon. When I speak, they're on their feet, at attention.H3027H3245H776H3225H2946H8064H7121H5975H316214"Come everybody, gather around, listen: Who among the gods has delivered the news? I, GOD, love this man Cyrus, and I'm using him to do what I want with Babylon.H6908H8085H5046H3068H157H6213H2656H894H2220H377815I, yes I, have spoken. I've called him. I've brought him here. He'll be successful.H1696H7121H935H1870H6743

Your Progeny, Like Grains of Sand

16Come close, listen carefully: I've never kept secrets from you. I've always been present with you." And now, the Master, GOD, sends me and his SpiritH7126H7126H8085H1696H5643H7218H6256H136H3069H7307H797117with this Message from GOD, your Redeemer, The Holy of Israel: "I am GOD, your God, who teaches you how to live right and well. I show you what to do, where to go.H559H3068H1350H6918H3478H3068H430H3925H3276H1869H1870H321218If you had listened all along to what I told you, your life would have flowed full like a river, blessings rolling in like waves from the sea.H3863H7181H4687H7965H5104H6666H1530H322019Children and grandchildren are like sand, your progeny like grains of sand. There would be no end of them, no danger of losing touch with me."H2233H2344H6631H4578H4579H8034H3772H8045H644020Get out of Babylon! Run from the Babylonians! Shout the news. Broadcast it. Let the world know, the whole world. Tell them, "GOD redeemed his dear servant Jacob!"H3318H894H1272H3778H6963H7440H5046H8085H3318H7097H776H559H3068H1350H5650H329021They weren't thirsty when he led them through the deserts. He made water pour out of the rock; he split the rock and the water gushed.H6770H3212H2723H4325H5140H6697H1234H6697H4325H210022"There is no peace," says GOD, "for the wicked."H7965H559H3068H7563