This chapter has three major sections. First (v.1-8), God reproves His people for their sins and proclaims the separation these sins have made between them and their God. Second (v.9-15), the people despair of their condition and repent of their sins. Third (v.16-21), God raises up a Redeemer who delivers Israel from the enemy. God Himself will defend His people.

Though God delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land, they continued to rebel against Him. In anger, He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh and delivered his strength into captivity (referring to the taking of the ark by the Philistines). But God still came back and defeated their enemies. He chose David of the tribe of Judah to lead the people of Israel. God is merciful to His people.

Solomon began his reign well. He went to Gibeon to the site of the tabernacle of Moses and made a thousand sacrifices. That night, the Lord gave Solomon the chance to wish for anything he desired. As you will read, Solomon made the right choice. Would you?

God tells of the future apostasy and rebellion of the children of Israel. Even now, their heart is turning against Him. Yet, the Lord has Moses prepare witnesses of Himself that will remain even in the times of rebellion. He has Moses present the words of the law in a book to be kept in the side of the ark as a witness. He also has Moses write a song that will serve as a witness when they turn from the Lord.

The flood of Noah

This chapter continues with the theme of the first two chapters. Chapter One of Romans teaches us that the Gentiles are sinners. Chapter Two demonstrates the fact that the Jews are sinners too. This chapter concludes that all men, both Jews and Gentiles, are sinners before God. The Jews, though having certain advantages, rejected Christ. Yet, their unbelief does not destroy the truth of the gospel. Men simply do not seek God on their own. None are righteous. They are all gone out of the way.

God promises glorious times to come for Jerusalem. It will be called a city of truth and will have both the elderly and the young in its streets. The remnant of the Jews will be returned to the land and they will be prosperous. The Lord will be their God and they will be His people in truth and in righteousness.

In this chapter, Isaiah condemns the hypocrisy of the Israelites. They have a form of godliness. They even take delight in their fasts and in the keeping of the Sabbath. Yet, their fasts are not what God seeks. He desires them to forsake their wickedness and give bread to the hungry. Instead of delighting in the outward shows of godliness, they need to delight in obedience, in righteousness, and in the Lord Himself.

God continues to reprove Israel because of the ways they have treated Him. Their heart was not right with God. They provoked Him, grieved Him, tempted Him, and limited Him. They did not remember the deliverance of the Lord when He brought them out of Egypt. Yet God remembered that they were but flesh and had compassion on them. We should all glory in such a good and gracious God.

David ended his life well. He set up Solomon to follow him on the throne of Israel. He made provision for the building of the temple. He saw the people submit to Solomon as their next king. This passage reminds us that it is how a person finishes and not how he starts that really counts.