Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

Isaiah 63 - God Appears in a Bloody Uniform

Isaiah has a vision of God returning from punishing the nations that refused to give up their arrogant ways. It is a scary vision of God in blood-soaked military clothing, but one that reflects the punishment of the haughty about which we have been warned. Isaiah then describes the difficult relationship between God and the Jewish people. God's loving kindness and miraculous salvation, unfortunately followed by the people's lack of appreciation, and then many years of difficult suffering. Isaiah then prays to God to end His silence, and bring about the redemption He has promised.

Isaiah 62 - Never Be Silent!

Isaiah declares that he will never stop demanding of God that Zion and Jerusalem be rebuilt as promised. He will never stop until Zion becomes the beacon of Justice that God had declared. In a dramatic speech, he then beseeches the Jewish people to never ever give up on demanding that god fulfill His promise, and that should never stop working to rebuild Zion.

Isaiah 61 - Isaiah is Proud of His Mission

Isaiah speaks of his pride and good fortune to have been chosen by God to bring the news of peace and redemption to the world

Isaiah 60 - God's Light Shines Upon Zion and all Nations

God speaks to Zion and declares that all of the nations of the world that are ready to change their evil ways will come to serve God in Jerusalem.  The light of God will shine upon all. No longer will there be dishonesty in Jerusalem, and the riches of the world will be devoted to the service of God.

Isaiah 59 - When Man Won't do it, God Will

Isaiah berates the people for their dishonesty, and their taking advantage of others. When God comes and checks on His people, He finds that no one is standing up for truth! So God Himself has to step in and bring the redemption, but only to those who get His message and repent of their dishonest ways.

Isaiah 58 - What God Really Wants

This chapter is read in the synagogue on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, on the fast of yom Kippur. God tells us what he really wants from us. Not to fast and cry and pray, if we do all that but continue to ignore the plight of the poor, the hungry, and the homeless, then all our supplications are useless. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, and then you will light the rold with righteousness, and God will be with you. Spend the Shabbat with God, spend His day and seek pleasure in Him, and you will inherit the bounty promised to your forefathers.  

Isaiah 57 - I Will Not be Angry Forever!

God criticizes the selfish ones who think that there is no gain in beung faithful. Don't we all die anyway? He compares the people who stray to an unfaithful spouse, one who seeks out the approval of everyone else other than her own spouse. So are the people who look to other powers for support instead of God. "I will not be angry forever!," says God, "I have seen your ways and I want to heal you!"

Isaiah 56 - My House is a House of Prayer for All

God tells the childless and the convert, My house is for all the nations. anyone who pursues Justice, lives righteously, and keeps my sabbath and my covenant is welcome is my home. The chapter also ends with a rebuke of those selfish ones who don't get the message, who seek their own pleasure, and eat and drink instead of act appropriately toward their fellow.

Isaiah 55 - Seek out God When He is Close

In one of the most famous chapters in the book of Isaiah, the prophet beseeches us to repent, to come back to God with sincerity and truth. My ways are not like your ways, I can forgive, i will have mercy on those who turn to Me. 

Isaiah 54 - My Zion Worry Not

God reassures Zion once again that all her children will come home. Zion will be populated by righteous people and no longer suffer shame.