Isaiah is nearing the end of his ministry as a prophet. It is thought by some that he died in 660 B.C. This is at a point in history that is a short plus for end-time prophecy. We at ahabiblemoments conclude that this chapter is one of those dual-time prophecies. Why? Because of verse 13:5. “They come from a far country, from the uttermost part of heaven, even Jehovah, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.” Who are THEY? The enemies of Israel’s ten northern Tribes of Israel? In End-Time it is basically the world powers. Chapter 13 and forward is about the land and people in all Israel AND end time. Some studied theologians feel the topic of Chapter 13 goes through Chapter 23. Whatever it is, Judah’s (southern kingdom) time is also in the cross-hairs. It may be another 80 plus years until Babylon and the Medes destroy Jerusalem but it was coming.

The burden (v1) against Babylon (as symbolic of then and end time). It will continue into chapter 14. We must make note that at times the name Babylon is the nation itself and at other times it is a synonym for many other nations as a whole. Plus …even though the Kingdom of Judah was not overrun until 586 B.C. they were under tribute to Assyria, before Judah’s 70 year captivity. Recall that very few Babylonian captives opted to return to their native Promised Land after Cyrus the Great released them.

V2: “Lift up a banner on the high mountain, raise your voice to them; Wave your hand, that they may enter the gates of the nobles.” This was prophesied long before Babylon even became a powerhouse. We must go back to Daniel 5 to read about this fall of Babylon.

V3: Sanctified ones? This can easily be confusing due to the word sanctified. This is similar to Nebuchadnezzar and/or others who God uses to carry out his will even though they are not one of his followers. Even the mightiest empires are not beyond His control and are ultimately instruments of His will. It was true then and remains true today (see Daniel 2:21 and Psalm 75:7).

V4: Woe! Here is verbiage that takes us into a future tense not yet seen. Why? “…the noise of a chaos of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together!” At this point in scripture we are talking about Assyria, Babylon, Judah, and Israel. This sentence is much larger in its scope. This reminds us of Ezekiel 38–39; Zechariah 12 and 14. The plurality of this sentence goes far beyond the THEN.

V5: “They come from a far country.” How far is far? One of the Hebrew translations for this verse and words, the word for country is ‘erets. This means the earth itself. The next sentence in verse 5 is …”From the end of heaven–“ ‘erets, Heaven? This doesn’t take a scholar or theologian to conclude. It goes far beyond the principle of Babylon. “to destroy the whole land?” It is global.

V6: “…the day of the LORD is at hand.” This phrase or something similar to it is used over 200 times in the Bible. Each time it refers to an ultimate time.

V7: Again we must visit the meaning of words used in any specific scripture. The words “all” and “every” in this verse 7 when using the American Standard Bible and many other translations is from the Hebrew “KOLE”.  It simply means there are no exceptions. “Therefore shall all hands be feeble, and every heart of man shall melt.” It isn’t to be thought of as referring to a specific group, but the all (kole) of mankind.

 V8: Verse 8 reaffirms the previous verses. Scripture at this point is speaking globally but includes this time in history (His-story).

V9: “…and he (God) will destroy the sinners from it.” Isaiah is prophesying the return of Jesus (yeh-ho-vaw’ ) to earth to judge and to rule. This is NOT the time of the Tribulation. It is after it. It is far more than just dealing with Assyria or Babylon. But it does include the rule of Babylon and Assyria in THEIR TIMES. It includes and is mostly about Israel in both time periods.

V10: “For the stars of Heaven (our earthly sky/heaven…) will not give their light. The moon and sun will not give their light.” Such a statement appearance is found in books like Isaiah, Joel, Matthew, and Revelation, where it symbolizes a time of divine judgment.

NOTE: Yes, this passage is speaking mostly of the fall of Babylon, but it is also defining the happenings in end-time. See Revelation 6:12.

V11-14: Here one reads of what God will do to his created earthlings and his created earth and heavens… Even man will be made “rare” on earth (eritz). The Tribulation is not about the brave and might of man. It is about the judgement of God on man. “…the earth will remove out of its place.” Examining the Hebrew, this does not mean the earth loses its orbit, but it is more like an unbalanced tire on a vehicle or worse. Earth will be experience a global earthquake. One can only imagine.  It will move in and out of its rotations like an earthquake (Revelation 6:12). Matthew 24:29 may help one better grasp the finality of the end of “end time” i.e. the Tribulation. This verse includes the powers of the heavens that will also be shaken.

At verse 15, Isaiah returns to his narrative and prophecy of this time in and around Jerusalem/Israel. It will be a time of absolute brutality for Israel. Check a Middle East history book about the brutality of the Assyrians. The Medes and Persians treated them just as and greater than did the Assyrians did to their captives. Next article will begin at the kickoff of the rest of chapter 13 which is verse 15.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025

In chapters 11 and 12, Isaiah once again does his present time jump to his End time considerations and prophecies. He does the same thing in Isaiah 2:2-4, 4:2-6, 7:14, and 9:1-7. Chapters 11 and 12 expand on these verses. Actually, this section of the Bible is clearer about End Time and the ending of this world then anywhere in the entire Bible. He talks about a world that is not at war with itself. A world that is controlled and ruled by Jesus. A restored Judah. Note he does NOT include all Israelites at this point. Why? We will cover this soon enough. His words are absolutely without regard for one’s point in life. If one doesn’t examine Isaiah closely, it would be easy to think him conflicted. We must determine in reading Isaiah is he in the present, past, or future. Sometimes he is speaking in his present and end time in the same verse.

Let’s first review truths of chapter 11:

1. Fear (full respect) of the Lord (not LORD) will be universal.
2. He will judge all men rightly.
3. God’s tongue will strike the wicked.
4. Animals, and creepy-crawly things will no longer be a danger to children or grownups.
5. NOTE: In verse 11:8, there will still be children.
6. Earth will be FULL of the knowledge of the Lord.
7. Gentile and Jew alike will seek knowledge of the Lord.
8. God’s chosen people will get their second chance to see Jesus as their Messiah.
9. The globally dispersed Israelis will not only return to the Promised Land, but nations will seek to send them to their Promised Land.
10. No longer will Ephraim contest Judah for leadership.

V14: “they shall swoop (fly down in some translations) upon the Philistine shoulder.”  Hmmm? This is future prophecy. Where were/are the Philistines? We call it the Gaza Strip today.

V15: The Bible refers analogically to the Tongue of Nile River. This is the Gulf of Suez, the northwest arm of the Red Sea where the Nile splits into seven branches.

NOTE: The mouth of the Nile River has seven branches. Verse 15 also states these branches of the Nile River will be dry.

1. Those Israelites who remain in Assyria (Syrian territory today) in End Times will return in mass will return to their Promised Land. One should check back about the 1492 dispersion of Hebrew peoples from Spain. History calls it the Inquisition of 1492. Two million, or there abouts, Hebrews fled Span to Aleppo (Northern most Assyria). This is a city held in high esteem by Jew, Muslim, and Christian alike.

NOTE: What was lost by mankind in Genesis 3 was restored in Isaiah 11.

Chapter 12 is a prayer of Praise:

Control/click on each blue passage link to find multiple versions of the verse

Isa 12:1  And you will say on that day, “I will give you thanks, Yahweh, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. 

Isa 12:2  Look! God is my salvation; I will trust, and I will not be afraid, for my strength and might is Yah, Yahweh; and he has become salvation for me.” 

Isa 12:3  And you will draw water from the wells of salvation in joy. 

Isa 12:4  And you will say on that day, “Give thanks to Yahweh; call on his name. Make his deeds known among the peoples; bring to remembrance that his name is exalted. 

Isa 12:5  Sing praises to Yahweh, for he has done a glorious thing; this is known in all the earth. 

Isa 12:6  Inhabitant of Zion, shout out and sing for joy, for the holy one of Israel is great in your midst.” 

Audio:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZCUmSLXUz8 click this link to hear an audio of chapter 12.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025

To help grasp the last few verses in chapter 10, we must reiterate verse 24. It begins with the word “therefore.” Whenever therefore is found in scripture, one must seek to understand what therefore is therefore. In this case it is encapsulating the previous verses in chapter 10 which began in verse 1 with “WOE”. God, through Isaiah, tells his people of Zion, a mountain within Jerusalem, to not fear the Assyrians. Then proceeds to tell them that the Assyrian king will “lift up his staff against them”. This reads as a strange reassurance; “Don’t be afraid but someone will soon attack you”. Worse yet, it will be like their 400 years under Egyptian rule as slaves. HUH? Then we go into verse 25. Not real encouragement if it were for you or me. 

Verse 25 mentions, and one should ask, what is “A very LITTLE WHILE?” The following verses explain this seemingly odd confidence builder. God basically says it is yet to come but soon after God will cease his anger against His chosen People. Verse 26 explains what is in store for those who attack His people.

Verse 26: Isaiah tells its residence that it will be but for a little while. Isaiah compares it to the slaughter by the Tribe of Ephraim at the Rock of Oreb. (This is a biblical event in which the Israelites, led by Gideon, defeated the invading Midianite army. The Midianite prince, General Oreb, was captured and killed at a rock formation that was subsequently named the Rock of Oreb, an event frequently cited as a sign of God’s power against oppressors of Israelis. This was a battle between the invading Midianites and the Tribe of Ephraim found in Judges 7:25 (click to read this passage).

His “rod upon the sea” refers to the rod of Moses opening the Red Sea during Israelites escape from Egypt. There is more to this statement than meets the eye. It could read… as the Red Sea was divided against itself, so will the army of the Midianites. The Midianites slaughtered each other. One side against the other, as was the Red Sea and the drowning of the pursuing Egyptians. It was divided then conquered.

Verse 27: “… of the anointing.” This refers to God’s eternal anointing of His chosen people through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, “in that day” can easily fit end time. Israel will no longer carry the burden of its forefathers. They will live in a God-given peace on earth in their God-promised land. What a day that will be when our Savior we shall see.

Verse 28: Aiath… Migron… Michmash… Geba: (NOTE: Geba was a Levitical City, a sanctuary city to protect the yet to be tried individual) Oddly as it may be missed at first reading, this is a flow of cities north to the south in Judah. Assyria is to the north. However, the Assyrian forces of 185,000 men were stopped at the outskirts of Jerusalem. The Assyrians had been successful up to the outskirts of Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35-37, 37:36). The name Oreb (a raven) and his brother’s name Zeeb (a wolf) evoke the predatory and scavenging nature of the Midianite army that had been ravaging the land of Israel.

Verse 29-32: These 4 verse are one statement separated by commas. Together they are a prophetic description of the arrival of the Assyrian Army. Shortly after King Sennacherib returns home, better said “flees” to his throne in Assyria, he then finds death at the hands of his own sons.

Out of nowhere we read of Madmenah. Madmenah is NOT a person, but a place of residence. Verse 31 does not mean Madmenah fled, but the occupants of it did for fear of the Assyrians. Most of these verses reference a time between 705 B.C. and 701 B. C.

Verse 10:33 Scripture uses the identity Lord two times in this verse. However the Hebrew also uses two different names for LORD/LORD. Lord/aw-done‘ and LORD/yeh-ho-vaw’. Lord/aw-done’ means “ Lord, master, owner.” LORD/yeh-ho-vaw’ means self-Existent or eternal; Jehovah, the Jewish national name of God. The LORD will cut down the proud and those Jewish leaders of high stature in Judah. All that will be left in a once-mighty forest of Israelites will be stumps.

Verse 10:34 “The forest of Lebanon”  is known for their large, mighty cedar trees. God will judge the proud among Judah leaving a once mighty forest of those Judeans of high stature as if they were just stumps.

Historical Notes:

• Invasion of Judah: In his fourteenth year, Sennacherib launched a campaign and captured all the fortified cities of Judah. 
• Siege of Jerusalem: He then sent his forces to lay siege to Jerusalem, issuing a taunting message to King Hezekiah to question his reliance on Egypt and God. 
• Divine intervention: The biblical account states that God sent an angel who killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight, causing Sennacherib to retreat in shame. 
• Sennacherib’s defeat: The biblical narrative in 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37 concludes with Sennacherib returning to Nineveh, where he was eventually assassinated by two of his sons. 

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025

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Note: The tribe of Ephraim, the second son of Joseph in Egypt, was the largest and most influential tribe in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Often the LORD/Bible refers to the Kingdom of Israel by the name Ephraim. This helps the reader distinguish between Israel as a twelve tribe nation and Israel as a 10 tribe northern kingdom and the kingdom of Judah [Benjamin]. This time in Israel and Judean history a Bible student and historian should know there has been a constant jealousy for power between the Israeli tribe of Ephraim and the Tribe of Judah. Ephraim and Manasseh were the sons of Joseph in Egypt.

Assyria is to be judged according to Isaiah beginning at verse 5. The context of the passage began in 7:1 through 10:4. Assyria, like Babylon’s defeat of Judah, are used as God’s instruments of punishment for the Tribes of Israel North and South. The Jeremiah Study Bible using the New King James Version says about verse 5 in Isaiah chapter 10: ”Assyria was like a rod in God’s hand (Jeremiah 51:20) – He controlled its action without its acknowledgement.”  We read this in verse 5. It is in the first sentence. “Woe to Assyria…”. Verse 6 states I will send him (Assyria) against an ungodly nation (Israel). About 100 years later, Babylon will be a rod in God’s hand over Judah. Other idol worshiping nations have been used by God to do the same thing in their past.

“The cities mentioned in verses 9 and 10 came under Assyrian control between 740 and 721 B.C., and none of the gods of these areas had provided the slightest help.” (Wolf)

In a little over 100 years, a Mede and Babylonian invasion of Assyria will utterly destroy them. Read previous publications about who were the Medes. Note that Assyrians dispersed the northern 10 Tribes of Israel; many of them to sparsely populated lands like that the Medes.

We are venturing into, as stated in a previous Isaiah article, Isaiah bounces between then Bible times of plunder and wars, End Time prophecy and End Time. Starting in this chapter, some statements include issues of then and coming End Time. Dual applications. This means a single prophecy that has two different times of revelation.

It is sickening to know that the wealthy Jews (Israelites) would take from their own poor what little the poor had. This brings on God’s wrath. This is found in 10:2. “To rob the needy of justice, And to take what is right from the poor of My people, That widows may be their prey, And that they may rob the fatherless.”

Verse 3: Just like End Times when all nations align against Jerusalem, there will be no one to help Israel defend itself. When these chosen People of God realize their total demise Christ will descend from Heaven to earth to set up his kingdom for eternity. It is reality. Christ will come in the clouds of the east like the hero comes into play at the last moment. HOWEVER, this is not any movie or story made for entertainment. It is actuality.

Verse 4:  God points out through Isaiah that “Without me” they are doomed. This verse also points out that “His hand is stretched out still”. This means it isn’t quite over yet. God’s anger against His chosen is still not settled.

Verse 5 & 6: “Woe to Assyria”. This is odd since God has allowed them to tread on his chosen people Israel, yet they will be judged for doing just that. How is this possible? Let’s not forget the free will of man. We do have free will. God simply gives/gave them an open hand.

Verse 7: God through Isaiah explains that He is not forcing them to destroy the northern 10 Tribes but that since the Assyrians “but it is in their heart to do so.” God simply removed His protecting hand. Satan wants all of God’s chosen to be destroyed to join him in Hell.

Verse 8 – 11: In these verses God through Isaiah points out that He has done this before. Isaiah writes, “are not my princes” (of Israel) Iike other kings? God has judged them through the ages and will continue doing so.

Verse 12: Now we shift to global affairs after dealing with Assyria… Do not think that the USA will somehow escape all of this. Just look at it today in its present state of dishevel.

Verse 13 – 15 Isaiah uses comparable situations to clarify God’s actions. He doesn’t try to justify them but explains God’s actions by comparisons. He is sovereign. Hasn’t He done this before. No one will stop Him from doing the same thing in the future or OUR time.

Verse 14: The Assyrians were in for a rude wake-up call!

“The cities mentioned in verses 9 and 10 came under Assyrian control between 740 and 721 B.C., and none of the gods of these areas had provided the slightest help.” (Wolf)

Verse 15-19: Isaiah uses tools to explain God letting non-Jewish Nations to be his tools to discipline His chosen Peoples of Israel. The ax, the saw, a man’s staff are examples in and of themselves are useless. A person must willingly take them in hand to use them. To quote the Jeremiah Study Bible…”Later in time, Assyria is compared to a forest burned so completely that a child could scribble the number of trees” left in their lands.

Verse 20: Their will be a remnant of Israelites after all this tribulation. This verse is what the entire Bible has planned for the descendants of Jacob. This is so relevant read the following.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and they that are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again lean upon him that smote them, but shall lean upon Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.” [NKJV]

Verse 21: This verse reinforces verse 20. The remnantof Israel will finally return and accept the Mighty God of Israel.

Verse 22: By the end of earth’s time, Israelites would have been numbered as the sand of the sea [not the beach but the SEA], a remnant will return to their native lands as gifted by God to Abraham. This is one of those current and End Time passages. A remnant will return… But we know that none of the 10 northern tribes ever returned to their land. We also know that few of Jacob’s descendants have returned to God.

Chapters 11 and 12 go deeper into End Time Tribulation.

Verse 24 – 27: This can be summed up by a short section found in verse 25. “…the indignation of the world and God’s judgment will cease.” This is obviously not so if we look at the United Nations that all but united. This means this passage is yet to come.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025

In chapters 11 through chapter 12, Isaiah once again does his present time jump to his End time considerations and prophecies. He does the same thing in Isaiah 2:2-4, 4:2-6, 7:14, and 9:1-7. Chapters 11 and 12 expand on these verses. Actually, this section of the Bible is clearer about End Time and the ending of this world then anywhere in the entire Bible. He talks about a world that is not at war with itself. A world that is controlled and ruled by Jesus. A restored Judah. Note he does NOT include all Israelites at this point. Why? We will cover this soon enough. His words are absolutely without regard for one’s point in life. If one doesn’t examine Isaiah closely, it would be easy to think him conflicted. We must determine in reading Isaiah is he in the present, past, or future. Sometimes he is speaking in his present and end time in the same verse.

Let’s first review truths of chapter 11:

1. Fear (full respect) of the Lord (not LORD) will be universal.
2. He will judge all men rightly.
3. God’s tong will strike the wicked.
4. Animals, and creepy-crawly things will no longer be a danger to children or grownups.
5. NOTE: In verse 11:8, there will still be children.
6. Earth will be FULL of the knowledge of the Lord.
7. Gentile and Jew alike will seek knowledge of the Lord.
8. God’s chosen will get their second chance to see Jesus as their Massiah.
9. The globally dispersed Israelis will not only return to the Promised Land, but nations will seek to send them to their Promised Land.
10. No longer will Ephraim contest Judah for leadership.

V14: “they shall swoop (fly down in some translations) upon the Philistine shoulder.”  Hmmm? This is future prophecy. Where were/are the Philistines? We call it the Gaza Strip today.

1. Verse 15: The Bible refers analogically to the Tongue of Nile River. This is the Gulf of Suez, the northwest arm of the Red Sea where the Nile splits into seven branches.

NOTE: The mouth of the Nile River has seven branches. Verse 15 also states these branches of the Nile River will be dry.

1. Those Israelites who remain in Assyria (Syrian territory today) in End Times will return in mass will return to their Promised Land. One should check back about the 1492 dispersion of Hebrew peoples from Spain. History calls it the Inquisition of 1492. Two million, or there abouts, Hebrews fled Span to Aleppo (Northern most Assyria). This is a city held in high esteem by Jew, Muslim, and Christian alike.

NOTE: What was lost by mankind in Genesis 3 was restored in Isaiah 11.

Chapter 12 is a prayer of Praise:

Control/click on passage to find multiple versions of the verse

Isa 12:1  And you will say on that day, “I will give you thanks, Yahweh, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me. 

Isa 12:2  Look! God is my salvation; I will trust, and I will not be afraid, for my strength and might is Yah, Yahweh; and he has become salvation for me.” 

Isa 12:3  And you will draw water from the wells of salvation in joy. 

Isa 12:4  And you will say on that day, “Give thanks to Yahweh; call on his name. Make his deeds known among the peoples; bring to remembrance that his name is exalted. 

Isa 12:5  Sing praises to Yahweh, for he has done a glorious thing; this is known in all the earth. 

Isa 12:6  Inhabitant of Zion, shout out and sing for joy, for the holy one of Israel is great in your midst.” 

Audio:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZCUmSLXUz8 click this link to hear an audio of chapter 12.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025

There are 21 verses in this chapter. We will probably cover them in two articles. Let’s begin.

⁶ For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

This passage reads like a New Testament passage. The above New King James Version of the Bible is taken directly from the Old Testament. This is why Isaiah was studied by the New Testament believers. Another reason, No New Testament book was even written until 20+ years A.C.E AFTER Jesus was crucified and ascended to Heaven. Isaiah lived during the 8th and 7th centuries BCE. This is a difference of about 800 years. A fulfilled prophecy. [also read Isaiah 7:14]

Chapter 9 is a two-section Promised Son chapter:

1. The government of the Promised Son
2. The Punishment of Samaria (Northern 10 Tribes of Israel)

Chapter 9:1 mentions the Tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Assyria is on the march. Note the map. It shows these two tribes are to the north of the divided nation of Israel in the Kingdom of Israel. Assyrians are to the north of Naphtali and Manasseh.

Above we see where Naphtali and Zebulun are located. By this time Manasseh, east of the Jordan, was under the control of Assyria. This includes Gad and Reuben. The next to fall to the Assyrian were the Galileans. Many Gentiles lived there (Isaiah 9:1, Matthew 4:15).

 NOTE: Isaiah jumps back and forth from their present to the end of time.

NOTE: The Galileans of which Jesus and most of his disciples were, spoke with a distinguishable accent.

Verse 2 possibly hints at a future yet to be revealed. “The people who walked in darkness” are likely the northern tribes being discussed here in verse 1. They walked in darkness, so they may be the first of Israelites to see the “light” of their Messiah. This is prophecy yet to be.

Verse 4 is we find a compared to the Israel’s victory and celebration of victory over their pending enemy. Verse 4 states, it is the Midian forces”. Find this in Judges 7… Midian defeat; Israeli victory, and celebration. Recall that Gideon went up against huge odds. 300 men of war for Israel; thousands of enemy Midian troops.

Verse 5 With the following verses (6 – 7) detailing the birth of a Jesus, theological interpretations vary.  Two options; referencing the birth or coronation of a new king, like Hezekiah, or an end time statement about God’s future liberation of Israel after the 7-year tribulation. 

Next article covers the second half of chapter 9 …God’s punishment of Samaria (northern 10 tribes of Israel.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025

Recalling verse 12 and 13 in chapter 6. “This happened in the days of Ahaz, son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah. Rezin, king of Aram, and Pekah, son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem for warfare against it, but he was not able to fight against it.”  And even if only a tenth part remain, again she will be destroyed like a terebinth or like an oak, which although felled, a tree stump remains in them. The seed of holiness will be her tree stump. Judah was being threatened by Ephraim, one of the Tribes of Israel.

Judah is being threatened by Ephraim, one of Judah’s brother Tribes of Israel. Along with them we find that Aram (Syria) had joined forces with Ephraim. Ephraim was a major leader of the 10 tribes that broke from Israel as a nation when Solomon’s son took the throne of Israel. This put the two kingdoms at odds. 10 Tribes to the north and two with Judah and tiny Benjamin in the south.

This is fascinating when one grasps the historical facts. Many allied Aramean forces remained in Ephraim territory as allies. Within 65 years, Ephraim was conquered by Aram/Syria forces. The people of Ephraim were later dispersed by Assyria not to return as Judah did in their later Babylonian captivity. For additional historical to modern day knowledge click HERE.

Verse 3 Isaiah along with his son  *Shear-Jashub is given almost GPS directions. He, along with his son, are told to meet with King Ahaz of Judah. Ahaz is an abbreviation of Jehoahaz II (of Judah). Ahaz was 20 years old. He was the great-grandson of King David. His evil was beyond tolerable to God. He burned his own children in worship of pagan gods. 2 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 28, give additional detail of Ahaz’s reign.

*AHAMOMENT: Shear-Jashub means “A remnant shall return.”

Verse 4 – 7 Even though Ahas was an evil King of Judah, God’s patience was still alive and well. Ahaz was in the early years of his kingship. God delivered Judah from the hands of Ephraim, Rezin, and Aram. Mostly because Ahaz was a descendent in the line of King David. (see verse 7)

Verse 8 is obvious. For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore (60) and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people. Interesting, This is when the Northern Kingdom of Israel became known in history as Samaria. The Ephraimites intermarried with Syrians and other foreigners.

Jumping ahead to verse 13 and 14 is why Isaiah was the book studied by the original New Testament Cristian church.

Isa 7:13  And He said, Hear now, O house of David, is it too little that you weary men, but will you also weary my God? 

Isa 7:14  So, The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold! The virgin will conceive and will bring forth a son; and she shall call His name Immanuel. 

These two verses are why in the New Testament Church initially studied the Book of Isaiah. This is also why the Ethiopian eunuch was struggling to understand the Book of Isaiah. Philip explained what the eunuch was trying to understand [Acts 8:26-40]. The eunuch was only familiar with Old Testament passages due to an ancient relationship between Ethiopian Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, King of Israel. This is also why Ethiopia as of 2025 is more Christian than Muslim even though surrounded by Muslim States.

In verse 17 of Isaiah, he prophecies the Assyrian conquering of the 10 Northern tribes of Israel in and around 706 B.C. Ephraim is given the primary blame for leading the 10 northern tribes astray. (read the article in ahamoments about Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, Ethiopia of today).

Verse 17 – 20: These verses explain or describe how badly the Assyrians treated the 10 Israelite tribes of the Northern Kingdom. They were much worse but not in this article. Scholars state that Verses 1–17 constitute a self-contained unit of scripture, describing Isaiah’s prophetic mission to King Ahaz at a perilous time for Jerusalem and the House of David. In addition, some Scholars state that 6:18-25 is another separate passage.

God tells King Ahaz of Judah that the scheming of the kings of Israel in the north and Syria that their plotting against Judah will fail. Sadly, Ahaz does not believe the caution from God. He makes a forbidden alliance. In doing so Ahaz basically invites Israel to the north and Syria to attack him and his armies. They fail but only due to the protective hand of God over Judah.

Even more troublesome, Isaiah prophecies that it won’t be Syria and Israel that will strip the land of Judah of it’s product and people. It will be Assyria.

Where have we heard the name Immanuel before? [Read Isaiah 7:14] This names was fiven by God to his only begotten son Jesus at his birth. A young woman in the royal household of Ahaz, a newly married woman, had a son, and unknowingly, so it is said, named him “Immanuel.” People of Judah took this to be the salvation of Judah. How wrong could they be. (Matthew 1:23)

Verses 20 and 21 are unique to this passage. A young cow and two sheep? Both produce milk from which one can produce curds. Since the lands of Judah will eventually be stripped of vegetation, and there are or will be plenty of young cows and sheep, man will survive on the plentiful milk, curds, and a honey chaser. Also, many warriors for Judah will have been killed in battle. Fewer people to feed allows a source of survival by the milk, milk curds and, honey from the woods. Rev. David Guzik states in his commentary …“It will seem to you (Ahaz) like trusting in Assyria is a clever move, because the armies of Syria and Israel will be defeated. But the Assyrians will end up defeating you also” (emphasis mine). Nothing is left in the lands of Judah but briars and thorns. A land fit only for the grazing of cattle and sheep.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025

Context of chapter 7 message

The historical context of Isaiah 7, King Ahaz was in a state of great fear. The northern kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Aram (Syria), under the leadership of King Pekah and King Rezin, respectively, had formed an alliance and were threatening to invade Judah. Ahaz and his people were “shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken with the wind” (Isaiah 7:2, ESV). 

My 4-year-old great granddaughter once said, “This is AMAZING!” She was thinking about something other than this web site. However, it is amazing how a blog can disappear all on its own. This is what happened to the original blog for this week. It vanished overnight. So, let’s do it again.

“Then one of the seraphs [im] flew to me with a live coal in his hand, snatched with tongs from the altar.” The 6th verse begins with this statement. It doesn’t take much imagination to consider what may have been going through Isaiah’s mind. He is either in a heavenly state of being or at the gates of heaven itself. He sees one of God’s special angels coming toward him with a live charcoal held by tongs. Certainly he knew it was very hot if an angel needed to use tongs. The angel touches his lips with the live coal.

Verse 7 explains this angelic action while Isaiah was in the presence of the LORD. Isaiah had just told God that he had unclean lips. He figured that certainly God would see him as unfit to carry out God’s assigned mission. Isaiah himself states that his lips were touched by the live coal. The angel confirms the intent. God’s purpose was to demonstrate to Isaiah that he is now commissioned by God to carry out his commandment with clean lips.

Verse 8 Isaiah has a significant change of heart and accepts both the assignment and the forgiveness of his past sin. What might this mean to us today? Sometime in the years of a Christian life, there are past sin issues Satan continually reminds us of. We tend to not forgive ourselves. Better said, we find it difficult to think God has completely forgiven us.

Often missed in verse 8 is the change from singular, “Whom shaIl I send” to the plural. “ I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?  A change from “I” to “us”. Supporting the theological Trinity of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Verse 9 And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand;
Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’” Do not understand? Do not perceive? HUH! This is a bit difficult, but it has to do with translation. God is saying, “…Hearing you hear, but do not understand; and seeing you see, but do not know” [LITV]. They have no depth perception beyond the immediate. This is the core problem with God’s chosen Old Testament children but it is also a fact in today’s church. We hear but do not grasp. We see but do not perceive.

Verse 10 David Guzic puts it this way … God told Isaiah to go and preach to a people who wouldn’t respond, so that their guilt would be certain. As Trapp wrote, Isaiah would “Preach them to hell.”  Isaiah continued in his ministry with the same message. No wonder Isaiah was troubled with his ministry results. The message to us today is that we are not responsible for one’s salvation due to freedom of choice, but we are told to share the message of salvation.

How do we know this is what God intended? Read the next two verses.

Isaiah 6:11  Then I said, “Until when, Lord?” And he said, “Until the cities lie wasted without inhabitant, and houses without people, and the land is ruined and a waste, 

Isaiah 6:12  and Yahweh sends the people far away, and the abandonment is great in the midst of the land. 

These two verse refer to Israel in the north and eventually the Babylonian capture and dispersion of the Judeans in the south around 589 B.C..

Isaiah 6:13 Verse 13 can be a challenge to understand depending on the translation version used by its reader. Click on the highlighted passage [Isaiah 6:13] to see the New King James Version. Below find the Lexham English Bible translation.

And even if only a tenth part remain, again she will be destroyed like a terebinth or like an oak, which although felled, a tree stump remains in them. The seed of holiness will be her tree stump.” [LEB].

David Guzic says in his commentary …”The remnant will indeed return, but even the remnant will eventually be judged. Israel was not done being disobedient when they returned from the Babylonian captivity, and God was not done bringing His judgment on a disobedient Israel.” The people of the northern Tribes never returned from their Assyrian dispersion.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025

Chapter 6 amazingly follows chapter five’s consequences with Isaiah’s assignment and message to his own people. Isaiah accepts the mission after confessing his weakness(s) thinking these weaknesses would disqualify him. They didn’t. He essentially became the prophet of the New Testament that became The Way.

How is it that a given people like Israel, chosen by God, refuse to follow Him by doing little to nothing. This short chapter reveals God’s basic problem with the Abrahamic line of descendants. As Dr. David Guzik says about chapter 6, it is “Isaiah’s Conviction, Cleansing and Call.” Verses 1-5 contain Isaiah’s confession of unworthiness, not his excuses. This sequence is the same for one’s salvation today.

Isaiah 6:1

Scripture tells us, Isaiah’s call to prophecy correlated with the death of King Uzziah. He is also known as King Azariah. Uzziah and Azariah are the same man. This call to Isaiah from God was to his own chosen people and begins with the rule of King Jotham, Uzziah’s son. Jotham had a long reign over Judah of 52 years. Verse 1 begins with how Isaiah was called by God. It appears that Isaiah got direct instructions from the Lord due to the fact Isaiah also notes the seraphim.

NOTE: When “im” is added to a Hebrew word, it is in the plural.

Isaiah 6:2

This verse, when read closely, says something many read right past. “Above it!” What is the IT? It is Isaiah’s definition of the Lord God… John 4:24 says …God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit … (NIV). WOW! Do you grasp this? …Verse 2 states “Above IT stood the seraphim” ((KJV). The Apostle John saw God but in other scripture written by him, could not describe him. From this passage we once again get the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit …body, mind, and soul/spirit.

The prophet Michaiah saw God’s throne (1Ki_22:19).

• Ezekiel saw God’s throne (Ezekiel 1:26; Ezekiel 10:1).

• Daniel saw God’s throne (Daniel_7:9).

• The Apostle John saw God’s throne (Revelations_4:1-11)

Verse 6:3

What is a crier in this verse? It is like an announcer. The Lord is Jehovah in the Hebrew. Readers of this verse tend to interpret “hosts” as perhaps angels. This word in the Hebrew is tseb-aw-aw’. From Strong’s H6633; “a mass of persons, especially regularly organized for war (an army); by implication a campaign.”

Wasn’t it enough to simply say that the LORD was “holy” once? It wasn’t enough. They say it three times because there are Three Persons in the One God.

Ahamoment: “Verse 6:3” is an incomplete reference, as many books in the Bible have a chapter 6 and verse 3, including: Hosea 6:3 (“Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him”), Matthew 6:3 (“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”), Isaiah 6:3 (“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory”), Proverbs 6:3 (“Go—to the point of exhaustion—and give your neighbor no rest!”), Ephesians 6:3 (“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth”), Romans 6:3 (“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”), and others.

Now read the parenthesized as one statement.

Verse 6:4

Another WOW!  And the doorposts shook from the voice of the one who cried; and the house was filled with smoke. This verse points out that Isaiah was not in a realm or world of his knowledge. It also appears that he is being blocked from entering.

Verse 6:5

This verse is Isaiah’s confession of his unclean spirit, his shamefulness. He is confessing that he is not worthy nor qualified to be where he is in his vision or physical presence. In Revelation we get a similar description of man and God. This vision describes God in human terms, but God cannot be seen (John 1:18). He “alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see” (1 Timothy 6:16). What a great time to reveal the truth of one’s life. Isaiah realizes he is in view of ABSOLUTE TRUTH; he is not fit to be there.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025

This chapter fascinates the true Bible student and those who are seeking deep Bible knowledge. Several verses in chapter five may need clarification or group discussion to make a better understanding. This chapter has 6 verses and sections like what one might call a series of parables/woes.

These six woes in Isaiah 5 pronounce God’s judgment on the people of Israel for various sins, including:

1. Greed/Materialism (v. 8-10) by accumulating property,

2. Hedonism and Drunkenness (v. 11-17) from a life of pleasure-seeking,

3. Falsehood and Deceit (v. 18-19) by pulling sin with “cords of vanity,”

4. Moral Relativism (v. 20) by calling evil good and good evil,

5. Arrogance and Self-Conceit (v. 21) by being wise in their own eyes.

6. Corruption and Injustice (v. 22-23) by justifying the wicked for bribes.

Stop for a moment and consider the world as we live in it right now. What factors (woes from above (list) can one see are currently happening? What trends does one see or coming? Be honest in your thoughts. Chapter five (first woe) uses a parable of a vineyard to illustrate God’s disappointment with Israel’s unfaithfulness and the consequences of their actions. Do we see an appointed (chosen) people in Israel putting their trust in God almighty? There are a few but as a nation, there are few.

Isaiah 5:2 states, And He dug it, and cleared it of stones, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in its midst, and also hewed out a wine vat in it. And He waited for it to produce grapes, but it produced rotten grapes (LITV). The “he” here is God. God created a family of Israelites through Abraham that constantly turned their backs of their God by assignment through Abraham. Israel was to be the choices of grapes, (and) a light on the hillside.

WOE! Isa 5:3  And now, O people of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I ask you, judge between Me and My vineyard. 

Isaiah 5:4  What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it? Who knows? I waited for it to yield grapes, but it yielded rotten grapes. 

Isaiah 5:5  And now I will make known to you what I will do then to My vineyard. I will take away its hedge, and it will be burned. I will breach its wall, and it will become a trampling ground.

Isaiah 5:6  And I will lay it waste; it shall not be pruned nor hoed; but briers and thorns shall come up. And I will command the clouds from raining rain on it. 

Isaiah 5:7  For the vineyard of Jehovah of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the man of Judah is His delightful plant. And He waited for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, a cry! 

Ahabiblemoments highly recommends one read chapter five in the LIVT – Young’s Living Translation of the Holy Bible. Control/Click on the above highlight. It is from The Message (MSG) translation but is very understandable. Although it is not our recommended translation for everyday scripture reading, it is of value in this article; Isaiah 5.

One can add to the prophecies about the future Israelites found in the first 7 verses of chapter 5, then continue with verses 8-30. Each verse in Isaiah 5 is absolute and not symbolic. The need to be taken literally. Why all these curses against Israel? Read verse number 12 b.

“[the]harp, and psaltery, tabret, and pipe, And wine, have been their banquets, the work of Jehovah they behold not, Yea, the work of His hands they have not seen.” (YLT-5:12)

Verse 14 of Isaiah 5 considers Sheol, used over 60 times in the Old Testament. Verses 15 – 22 are the WOES of Isaiah.

There is much more commentary to discuss on chapter 5 of Isaiah. However, this chapter is well worth reading its entire context.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025