16:1 - Though this seems like the perfect Christ-centric prophetic passage it is probably most likely a reference to the offerings of the Moabite people. They were expected to bring gifts of sheep to the Israelite kings each year to placate the rulers. So this verse speaks to literal lambs that were offered up tot he kingdom of Israel. The messianic lamb that is offered to the world - Jesus - is referred to in verse 5...
16:5 - This is another prophetic vision from Isaiah about the eternal kingdom of God that will be brought to earth through the Messiah. This kingdom of mercy and justice cannot be brought by sinful humans and must be brought to us by the Son of God. The beauty of the situation is, that now that Jesus has come and established his kingdom, we are able to take part it expanding it throughout the world. And we take part by living out lives that echo his - we bring steadfast love, faithfulness, justice, etc.
17:7 - Though chapter 17 starts out by talking about the destruction that is come to Aram (Damascus was the capital of Aram), verse seven is actually focused on the people of Israel themselves. See, the rulers of Israel when faced with rouble has turned to the kingdom of Aram for strength and support instead of faithfully turning to God. Isaiah is showing them the fallout of these actions. He says, "When you see the kingdom you put your trust in fall apart, you will finally understand the folly of turning away from God." Sometime humans are so stubborn, we have to experience the emptiness, failure and let down of putting hope in the things of this world before we realize that hope only rests in God.
17:9 and 10 - When we forget about God and turn away from Him as the people of Israel did we run smack-dab into the middle of desolation and hopelessness. The salvation we need rests only in God...the refuge that we are looking for - the rest - the comfort - the peace we are searching for...these things can only be found int he presence of God. Do not turn away from Him.
17:13 - Isaiah describes the nations of the world as waves...they crash back and forth into one another...they make lots of noise and shoot foam and spray into the air...they look as if they are powerful, but the only true source of reality and power is God. God sits above all the nations of the world and His power makes their attempts at power look like dust in the wind.
18:2ff - It must have been a pretty impressive sight to the Hebrew people when the ambassadors from Cush came to visit their nation. They came on "papyrus" boats...they were most likely very tall, with smooth, dark skin. This envoys came to tell the Israelites about the greatness of Cush, but Isaiah tells his people, "Do not be impressed - you should be sending them ambassadors to tell about the greatness of our God!" That is the message that needs to be spread throughout the world. This is a message that rings true in our lives today as well. We don't need to be awed and intimidated by the things of this world - we need to be taking the truth of God into this world, so that people can understand reality.
18:7 - Isaiah prophecies that some day the people of Cush, who send their messengers to intimidate God's people, will bring their worship before God and offer Him their sacrifices. There is always hope for redemption...there is always a chance that people who come in contact with God-fearers will see the truth and humble themselves before God.
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