Bible Reading Schedule

                                                                  

	New Testament/Psalms	Old Testament
Monday, May 5	Luke 22:47-54(Mt. 26:47-56; Mk. 14:43-52; Jn. 18:2-11)	Isaiah 2
Tuesday, May 6	Matt. 26:57-75 (Mk. 14:54-72; Lk. 22:54-62;                 Jn. 18:15-27)	Isaiah 3 & 4
Wednesday, May 7	John 19:1-27(Mt. 27:24-44; Mk. 15:15-32; Lk. 23:23-43)	Isaiah 5
Thursday, May 8	John 19:28-34 (Mt. 27:45-56; Mk. 15:33-41;                Lk. 23:44-49)	Isaiah 6
Friday, May 9	Matthew 27:57-66 (Mk. 15:42-47; Lk. 23:50-56;            Jn. 19:38-42)	Isaiah 7 & 8
Saturday, May 10	Psalm 104	Isaiah 9
Sunday, May 11	Sunday School: Genesis 44:1-2, 32-34; 45:1-9, 14-15

The Gospel readings in parenthesis are parallel passages to the first reading listed for the day (i.e. the same story in a different gospel).  Second readings not in parenthesis are not parallel passages but rather they record a separate event in the gospel story.

 

ISAIAH

 

            Isaiah was a prophet in Judah during a time (between 740 and 690 B.C.) when the freedom of Judah was threatened by Assyria.  Assyria was the world power and God eventually allowed them to conquer Israel (the northern kingdom) as judgment on their sins.  Judah’s (the southern kingdom) independence and survival depended on their faithfulness to God.  Isaiah was one of several prophet’s that God raised up to call the people of Judah to turn from their sin to wholeheartedly obey and serve God.

            Isaiah is sometimes called the “prince of prophets” because of the eloquence, power, and length (66 chapters) of his message.  Isaiah’s prophecies contain many predictions concerning the coming Messiah (Jesus) and he is, therefore, the most quoted prophet by the New Testament writers.

            The book of Isaiah can be divided into two clear sections.  Chapters 1-39 contain messages of warning and judgment upon a sinful nation.  Judah’s eventual downfall at the hands of the Babylonians is foretold.  Chapters 40-66 contain messages of comfort and the hope of restoration for God’s people after they have been disciplined.

            From Isaiah we learn that God takes sin seriously and He will discipline his wayward people.  But at the same time God’s judgment on his sinful people has a redemptive purpose.  He is always at work to turn us back to Himself so that He can include us in His great plan for the future.

            The highlights in Isaiah include: Isaiah’s call (ch. 6), the promised birth of the Messiah (chs.7, 9), God’s deliverance of Judah from the hand of the Assyrians (chs. 36-37), God’s greatness (ch. 40), and the suffering and triumph of the Messiah (ch. 53).