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A footnote before I continue with Isaiah I am; of course trying not to give a sermon series of expository preaching with a systematic approach to Isaiah. Well; in some ways to do a thorough analysis I am attempting to cover the whole book while admittedly I have had some incomplete studies like this in the past. The repeated themes; and patterns of God's dealings particularly with His people in Israel are the focus; but of course worldwide events are also there in the text. I tend to read it like the news; as a factual description of what is certainly going to come. This approach; notwithstanding will have its issues-and of course there could be times when I will read something into a passage with an incorrect conclusion about specific things to come; or somehow project something into today's events that are not going to pan out as I expect; something I alluded to in my earlier post. As a seemingly unrelated note; I listened today to a video from a rabbi; who may consider himself to be a Messianic Jew that is against the teachings of Paul; something very popular today for some reason. I don't really get it; how the use of so many cross references and agreement with Peter's writings and other Epistles how somehow he was a false prophet. Properly dividing the Word is important; and the suggestion by who I will leave as an unnamed Pastor who recently stepped aside we cannot "unhitch ourselves" from the Old Testament; nor cling onto the law as Peter attempted to do in which Paul rebuked him mentioned in the book of Galatians. Now; I will admit that in Christ we are one; and in a sense the true Israel. (Romans 9:6-8). One question I could ask is that if God is done with the nation of Israel; then exactly how do we fit into the prophetic promises in Isaiah and other Scriptures about ruling and reigning with Christ? There is a necessary joining of the Old Testament saints; living and those formerly deceased and believers who exist in glorified bodies as well as natural ones; if we take the Millennial point of view. In other words; we as the church aren't as I see it to be taken as the "end all" but part of the process; some of which could be defined as Dispensation; but such terms are of course offensive to some. It really does boil down to an all or nothing approach; somehow if we feel God is done with Israel; and if the Lord comes and there is no Millennium we have to symbolize all prophetic passages. Again; some things are defined as indeed a reference to the church; but I would argue usually they are not specific details related to the land of Israel itself and the resstored earth. One big reason for the viewpoint here in my posts is that God's consistent rebuke of His people is also reflected in warnings to the church. Romans 11:22 states: Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. The Lord wouldn't waste so much time and have so much Scripture dedicated to this theme if it was a waste of time. The truth is; in all periods of history most will fall away; and as Isaiah 1 stated it is pretty much useless to attempt any more wake up calls. We are supposed to learn as examples as 1 Corinthians 10:11 says; indeed the way is narrow and few are saved according to Jesus Himself in Luke 13:23-24 and in one other Gospel. These admonitions are only good for His children; indeed any goodness of God is only given to His saints; all people may have some enjoyable things in this life but it passes away as a fading flower (seen later in Isaiah). There are numerous themes in Isaiah; related to the restoration and fruitfulness of the land in Israel after suffering through the opposite in regard to judgments. There are the Gentiles and their part in the coming Kingdom; as well as the current events of his time and his personal life intermingling in the text. I hope to bring about some reflection and meditation on these passages that have some real connection to the readers. Okay 'nuff said for now. Rich P