Study Desk

I am going to make the sun’s shadow that goes down on the stairway of Ahaz go back by ten steps.’” So the sun’s shadow went back the ten steps it had descended.

Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a lump of pressed figs and apply it to his infected skin, so that he may recover.”

The craftsman encourages the metalworker;the one who flattens with the hammerencourages the one who strikes the anvil,saying of the soldering, “It is good.”He fastens it with nails so that it will not fall over.

so that all may see and know,consider and understand,that the hand of the Lord has done this,the Holy One of Israel has created it.

“Let them come and tell uswhat will happen.Tell us the past events,so that we may reflect on themand know the outcome,or tell us the future.

Who told about this from the beginning,so that we might know,and from times past,so that we might say, ‘He is right’?No one announced it,no one told it,no one heard your words.

“Listen, you deaf!Look, you blind, so that you may see.

So he poured out his furious angerand the power of war on Jacob.It surrounded him with fire, but he did not know it;it burned him, but he didn’t take it to heart.

All the nations are gathered together,and the peoples are assembled.Who among them can declare this,and tell us the former things?Let them present their witnessesto vindicate themselves,so that people may hear and say, “It is true.”

Remind me. Let’s argue the case together.Recount the facts, so that you may be vindicated.

So I defiled the officers of the sanctuary,and set Jacob apart for destructionand Israel for scorn.

Who, like me, can announce the future?Let him say so and make a case before me,since I have established an ancient people.Let these gods declare the coming things,and what will take place.

All who make idols are nothing,and what they treasure benefits no one.Their witnesses do not see or know anything,so they will be put to shame.

Such people do not comprehendand cannot understand,for he has shut their eyes so they cannot see,and their minds so they cannot understand.

I will give you the treasures of darknessand riches from secret places,so that you may know that I am the Lord.I am the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.

so that all may know from the rising of the sun to its settingthat there is no one but me.I am the Lord, and there is no other.

“Who will you compare me or make me equal to?Who will you measure me with,so that we should be like each other?

I call a bird of prey from the east,a man for my purpose from a far country.Yes, I have spoken; so I will also bring it about.I have planned it; I will also do it.

“So now hear this, lover of luxury,who sits securely,who says to herself,‘I am, and there is no one else.I will never be a widowor know the loss of children.’

So take your stand with your spellsand your many sorceries,which you have wearied yourself with from your youth.Perhaps you will be able to succeed;perhaps you will inspire terror!