Let's try an experiment together and use the blog as a discussion area for our extra homework assignments. Post your comments regarding the following questions:
- Read Isaiah 31:1 and answer the question, “What (or who) represents Egypt in my life?”
- Read Isaiah 2:5-12. Paraphrase into your own words.
- Read Amos 5:4-8. Paraphrase into your own words.
- What truths do you glean from these verses? How can you apply them to your life in practical ways?
Email me if you have any problems using the blog (kmaberry@centurytel.net). I can hardly wait to read your posts!
4 comments:
To me, these scriptures show how easy you can measure your success as a human by what you have (homes, cars, money, etc.) and leave God out of the equation. Ultimately, he is the one who provided, i.e. blessed us, with all that we have. We need to realize that all this "stuff" is temporary and nothing compared to what God wants to do for us and what he can do to get our attention.
God, Creator of the Universe is sufficient for all my needs. Nothing gives life and light but Him. Material goods are worthless & will be burned up in the end. Only the Lord God can rescue me, save me, be everything to me.
This is easy for me to say, but the practical application is not always easy for me to remember. Which is - Time in the Word, time in prayer & time in fellowship with the Lord. I want to run to other people & things 1st. When they don't fulfill my need, then I run to the feet of Jesus.
Karen - loved your insight. Same to you "anonymous" but who are you? This blog is so fun!
Kathy, I'll have to have you teach me how to use this site. I don't understand the identity options, so I'll click anonymous, but this is Sue.
Wow, what a study! Malachi 3:16 keeps coming to my mind as we study this together, "Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name.
One of the things that impressed me most both in Isaiah 2 and Amos 5 was the triple repetition of key verses. Isaiah 3 times said enter in the rock from the terror of the Lord & the splendor of His majesty, the lofty & proud will be humbled and abased, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. Filled with wealth, worldly strength and idols, worshiping the work of our own hands, we are to enter the rock. (a wonderful study that this drew me further into having looked at it before in Exodus 33:21-22 and Song of Songs 2:13b-14) I came across this wonderful verse in Deuteronomy 32:3-4. "For I proclaim the name of the Lord; Ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice."
Amos 3 times tells us to Seek the Lord that we may live. We have wealth and stuff but we can't hold on to it. He says you long for the day of the Lord, but what will it be for you? I reject your festivals, solemn assemblies, offerings and songs because you reject justice and righteousness. Which brought me back to the Isaiah passage where he says that men will cast away idols to run to the rock when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth. But at that time, is it too late? These men were sent to the Jews, they were obviously in some form following the Law, yet their practice of religion was rejected because they rejected justice and righteousness and were proud and lofty. Time for a lot of self-reflection, going through the motions certainly doesn't cut it. This study makes me eager that we are Seeking the Lord, not just in old perceptions or traditions as we discover Him in truth in His Name.
I'll have to work next week at being more concise.
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