Study Desk

They have thrown the gods of these nations into the fire, but they were only wood and rock statues that people made. So the kings have destroyed them.

"Then the Lord said, ‘Hezekiah, I will give you this sign: This year you will eat the grain that grows wild, and the second year you will eat what grows wild from that. But in the third year, plant grain and harvest it. Plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

At that time Hezekiah became very sick; he was almost dead. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him and told him, "This is what the Lord says: Make arrangements, because you are not going to live, but die."

The sun has made a shadow go down the stairway of Ahaz, but I will make it go back ten steps.'" So the shadow made by the sun went back up the ten steps it had gone down.

It was for my own good that I had such troubles. Because you love me very much, you did not let me die but threw my sins far away.

The grass dies and the flowers fall, but the word of our God will live forever."

But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired.

You will look for your enemies, but you will not find them. Those who fought against you will vanish completely.

"The poor and needy people look for water, but they can't find any. Their tongues are dry with thirst. But I, the Lord , will answer their prayers; I, the God of Israel, will not leave them to die.

I look at the idols, but there is not one that can answer. None of them can give advice; none of them can answer my questions.

The Lord says, "For a long time I have said nothing; I have been quiet and held myself back. But now I will cry out and strain like a woman giving birth to a child.

But those who trust in idols, who say to their statues, ‘You are our gods' will be rejected in disgrace.

Israel, you have seen much, but you have not obeyed. You hear, but you refuse to listen."

So he became very angry with us and brought terrible wars against us. It was as if the people of Israel had fire all around them, but they didn't know what was happening. It was as if they were burning, but they didn't pay any attention.

Bring out the people who have eyes but don't see and those who have ears but don't hear.

But you should remind me. Let's meet and decide what is right. Tell what you have done and show you are right.

Don't be afraid! Don't worry! I have always told you what will happen. You are my witnesses. There is no other God but me. I know of no other Rock; I am the only One."

Some people make idols, but they are worth nothing. People treasure them, but they are useless. Those people are witnesses for the statues, but those people cannot see. They know nothing, so they will be ashamed.

One workman uses tools to heat iron, and he works over hot coals. With his hammer he beats the metal and makes a statue, using his powerful arms. But when he becomes hungry, he loses his power. If he does not drink water, he becomes tired.

Then he burns the tree. He uses some of the wood for a fire to keep himself warm. He also starts a fire to bake his bread. But he uses part of the wood to make a god, and then he worships it! He makes the idol and bows down to it!