Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

Isaiah 24b - The People of the Sea Teach us Rejoice in God

The world is depressed and desolate as suffering takes over the world, but the far off nations of the sea teach us to sing again. They teach us to sing the songs of God, that our suffering was due to our own transgressions,  and that through humility and coming together to worship God we can celebrate together once again.

Isaiah 24a - The Environment Responds to Injustice

This is Isaiah's vision of the apocalypse. We introduce the primary ideas of this apocalyptic vision. The first verse of the chapter describe how injustice and arrogance leads to neglect of the Earth itself. When we reject our environment through pride and exploitation, natural disaster will be the result.

Isaiah 23 - Wealth and Pride

Isaiah addresses the people of Tyre. The merchants who achieve their wealth without putting in the hard labor themselves,  become arrogant and prideful and amass fortunes on other people's backs. God punishes them until they learn to sing songs of true love, until they learn the true purpose of wealth, to help the needy. 

Isaiah 22b - No Place for Traitors

Isaiah turns from criticizing the people and their ignorance of God, and he attacks the arrogance of one of the King's highest officials. There is no place for arrogance in the House of Judah, no place for selfishness. Such officials will suffer ignominy and shame, and be replaced by the righteous and honest leaders who deserve the honor.

Isaiah 22a - The Fighters Source of Strength

Isaiah describes how the people of Judah are supposed to fight and be victorious. Believe in your cause, remember that you are fighting for the Creator. Don't run like cowards, prepare for battle and be strong,  and never forget what you represent.

Isaiah 21b - Where is the Guardian of the Night?

Isaiah turns towards the Arabian desert,  where he hears the ultimate question of faith. Where is God during the darkest of times? Isaiah responds that it is OK to ask questions, even questions that have no answers, but what God really wants is our actions. He wants us to be compassionate and treat the needy with respect.

Isaiah 21a - The People of the Desert Sea

Isaiah continues to turn his attention to the faraway nations of the world. This time he looks to faraway desert sea,  the vast stretches of land in the far East, beyond the known civilizations of Elam and Media. Teach the message of God to these people as well,  says Isaiah. Set up watchmen and lookouts to confront the wild tribes. and teach them about the God of whom you speak.

Isaiah 20 - Foreign Policy 102

In the face of another Assyrian onslaught, the people of Judah once again are making the mistake of reliance upon foreign powers instead of God. God asks Isaiah to perform an unusual and degrading sign in order to teach them the folly of reliance upon human beings. 

Isaiah 19c - The Alliance of Nations

Isaiah describes how the knowledge of God will spread forth from Judah to the land of Egypt. Egypt finds comfort and strength in God, and the nation of Assyria does the same. All the nations will join together in an alliance together to worship the one God. 

Isaiah 19b - The Truth is not so easy

The economy of Egypt collapses, the philosophers and old ideas of Egypt fail and the people are in despair.  They finally turn to the truth of God, to find out that the truth is comforting, but comes with great responsibility as well.