Mood:  vegas lucky

There is no peace for the wicked.

 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2048:1-11&version=31

In Isaiah 48:1-11, God makes it a point to tell Israel that he foretells things and he likes to do it in such a way that brings glory to himself. (Not glory to the hearer, Israel, and not glory to the prophet, Isaiah.)

Verse 12 declares the might of the Lord, it is continuing the thought:

God=power;

Everything else=made-made=no power

But something else is said here: He calls himself the first and the last, like Jesus says in Revelation, "I am the Alpha and the Omega," in John's vision.

(So, if some of our Ducky friends would accept this teaching, they would see:Either

1) Jesus=God (trinity)

2) God is lying in this passage.

3) Jesus lies when he calls himself the alpha & omega

or 4) John lied about his vision.

I would sooner find Joseph Smith a liar over the apostle John. We all agree that 2) and 3) above are incorrect-- logically that leaves us with option 1 being true. ((Unless they think that John needed to be corrected.))  Wow, this is a long parenthetical statement.)

My study bible points out that the Hebrew word for listen in verses 12, 14, and 16 are synonymous with an immediate action on the part of the listener.

And while God speaks directly to the Israelites here, I think I can conclude some things that are universal.

1) God makes a statement about himself (v.17) He...

a) Teaches you what is best for you.

b) Directs you in the way you should go.

(Apply this to your dreams with caution; apply this to you Bible study/quiet time with vigilance!)

2) Outcomes of obedience (v.18)

a) Peace like a river.

b) Righteousness like waves of the sea.

c) Descendants as numerous as sand

d) Children like grains of wheat

(And many children will provide for you when you are old!)

So the command finally comes in v. 20:

1) Leave Babylon (place of captivity)

2) Announce it with shouts of joy (that you're leaving)

3) Proclaim God's greatness to the ends of the earth.

And the chapter closes in v. 22 with "There is no peace for the wicked."

Blessings!