Zebulun and Naphtali were two of the 12 *tribes of Israel. The territory of Zebulun was west of the Sea of Galilee (see Joshua 19:10-16). The territory of Naphtali was north of Zebulun (see Joshua 19:32-39). These two areas were the first to fall when the *Assyrian army attacked. A vast number of th... [ Continue Reading ]
ISAIAH: GOD CONTROLS THE NATIONS ISAIAH DECLARES HOW GOD’S PEOPLE SHOULD BE LIVING ISAIAH CHAPTER S 1 TO 9 _NORMAN HILLYER_ CHAPTER 9 THE FUTURE KING V1 But soon, those who have suffered so greatly will have no more pain. Earlier, God had caused other people not to respect the inhabitants of... [ Continue Reading ]
‘In deep darkness’ is a powerful description. It describes the feelings of people who had long been prisoners in a foreign land. They could see no possible hope ever again.... [ Continue Reading ]
The people’s enormous relief felt as if a very heavy weight had gone from their shoulders. • Centuries earlier, God’s people had been slaves of another enemy called Midian, for 7 years. But then God appointed Gideon, a most unlikely hero, to free them (see Judges 7:15-25). It was such a wonderful s... [ Continue Reading ]
God allows Isaiah to glimpse what the arrival of the *Messiah (Christ) will mean. The *Messiah will be born as a child. That is, he is human. But he is also the holy Son of God. And he will be our ruler, that is, our King. His names cover the whole of our lives: • as ‘Wonderful Adviser’, he is all... [ Continue Reading ]
But the present situation in Israel is not happy. The *Lord is very angry because the evil behaviour of the inhabitants goes on.... [ Continue Reading ]
Samaria is another name for the northern part of the country (see my note at the beginning of Chapter 7). Its capital is also called Samaria.... [ Continue Reading ]
‘He lifted his hand’ is a common expression (form of words). Its origin goes back to ancient Egypt. The words suggest a king who lifts his royal mace (heavy stick) to strike down his enemies (see also verses 17 and 21; see also Isaiah 10:4 and Isaiah 14:26-27).... [ Continue Reading ]
Manasseh and Ephraim were the names of two sons of Joseph. Their later families formed *tribes and were called by the same names. LORD ~ God’s name in the Bible. In the original language, God’s names mean ‘head over all’ and ‘God always’. SEIZE ~ to take a person’s possessions away from that person... [ Continue Reading ]