Isaiah's vision

Isaiah is a double-whammy of difficulty for me, as the book is both prophetic AND poetic. And to make matters worse, he dusted off a Leviathan reference just to really confuse me, (see previously post from January 31st). I never thought I'd say this, but I miss Leviticus! It was crazy in places with it's mildew regulations and rules about what fabrics could be worn together, but it was easy to understand! Isaiah has now transitioned into a vision regarding the future of Jerusalem and the entire earth. It is thought to be apocalyptic in nature, referring to events of the end times when the earth will be destroyed again (though not by flood) and rebuilt, and when God will reign from Jerusalem in that new earth. Yet, like many other prophecies, there is a two-fold fulfillment...one in the near future and one in the distant future. The "near future" fulfillment of Isaiah's vision may have been the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred 100 years after Isaiah's death. Frankly, it is difficult to know exactly what Isaiah is talking about.

Remember, there is a great deal of the Bible that is not meant to be fully understood. God has revealed much of Himself and His plan to us, but not all. I don't know if it frustrates you like it does me when something in the Bible doesn't make sense, but if it does, then join me in reaffirming 1 Corinthians 13:12. It reads, "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known". Someday it will all make sense...

Tomorrow's reading: Isaiah 30-33