Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

Isaiah 36 - The Siege of Jerusalem Speech

Assyria conquers most of Judah and lays it to waste. King Hezekiah and the people of Judah retreat behind the walls of the capital Jerusalem as the mighty Assyrian Army lays a siege. Rav-shakeh the turncoat Jew who now leads the Assyrian Army tries to convince the population of Jerusalem that their attempt to defy Assyria will be futile and surrender is the only way. The people of Jerusalem are shaken and afraid but they remain loyal to God.

Isaiah 35 - Arriving in Zion in Song

Through the beautiful trees and blossoms and animals of nature,  a path to Zion opens up. The just and righteous people of the world follow the path to Zion in song. Worry and anxiety are things of the past, as the world turns to God in joy. 

Isaiah 34 - Nature Replaces Corrupt Societies

Isaiah describes how when humanity is corrupt, God gives his cities back to nature. Listen carefully! He tells the nations of the world,  if you continue to live unjust and corrupt lives, your cities will revert to trees and flower and the birds and animals of the wilderness. 

Isaiah 33 - Who Lives in the Time of Redemption?

Isaiah tells us who will survive the apocalypse and live in the future? Those that are honest. just, righteous and kind will live with God. Those that worked through the hard times and kept faith. But those who took advantage of others when they had their chance, those people will perish.

Isaiah 32b - The Faithful Women

Isaiah turns to the women he can trust. The women who will remain faithful and strong through the good times and the bad, until that day when God finally ends the suffering and brings joy back to the land.

Isaiah 32a - What Makes a Good King?

Isaiah tells us about the King who rules with justice,  and he describes the qualities necessary for a good government.

Isaiah 31 - Human Power is Nothing

Isaiah continues to chastise the people for relying upon the human power of Egypt. The horses and chariots that appear to be powerful are still only manifestations of human power which is fickle and just flesh and blood. The power of God though, is wise, just, and forever. Rely upon God, return to Him, and true strength will be yours.

Isaiah 30b - This is the Path You Shall Take

Those who rely on wealth and run away afraid to the "protection" of those who appear powerful will suffer, as Isaiah told us in 30a. But those who rely on God and stay true to the values of the Torah will find themselves at peace. This is the right path, says the prophet, take this path and you will find peace 

Isaiah 30a - An Alliance with Oppression and Deceit

Isaiah once again reiterates the foreign policy that God wants. Don't ally yourselves with those nations whose values contradict the values that you stand for. Ultimately such alliances will only lead to shame and defeat.

Isaiah 29 - It's All in the Heart

Isaiah teaches us that redemption and true knowledge requires humility,  that God does not desire deeds without meaning, and that to understand wisdom, one needs to use his heart.