Study Desk

Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:

I was enraged by his sinful greed, so I struck him and hid My face in anger; yet he kept turning back to the desires of his heart.

I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,

Is this the fast I have chosen, a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD?

Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear.

But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.

No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.

He saw that there was no man-He was amazed that there was no one to intercede; so His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness sustained Him.

He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.

So He will repay according to their deeds: fury to His enemies, retribution to His foes, and recompense to the islands.

So will they fear the name of the LORD from the west and His glory from the rising of the sun; for He will come like a raging flood, driven by the breath of the LORD.

For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you.

No longer will you be called Forsaken, nor your land named Desolate; but you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be His bride.

For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a groom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.

The LORD has sworn by His right hand and by His mighty arm: "Never again will I give your grain to your enemies for food, nor will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled.

Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, "Say to Daughter Zion: See, your Savior comes! Look, His reward is with Him, and His recompense goes before Him."

Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? "It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save."

I will make known the LORD's loving devotion and His praiseworthy acts, because of all the LORD has done for us-even the many good things He has done for the house of Israel according to His compassion and the abundance of His loving devotion.

In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy and He Himself fought against them.