Isaiah 10

 Scripture – Isaiah 10

Observation – 

• Isaiah 10:1-19 - God's judgment against Assyria
• Isaiah 10:1-7 - Ayssria is used as an instrument against Israel
• Isaiah 10:8-14 - The arrogance of Assyria
• Isaiah 10:15-19 - God judges the arrogance of Assyria
• Isaiah 10:20-34 - God will preserve Israel despite Assyria's attacks
• Isaiah 10:20-27 - God tells his people: don't be afraid
• Isaiah 10:28-32 - A prophecy of the Assyrian attack
• Isaiah 10:33-34 - The Lord humbles the proud

God is a just God. Israel sinned and God punished them. He is also lord over all. He can use other nations in his plans. God also humbles those who are prideful. He is also faithful. He made a promise to Abraham, which is why he left a remnant of his people. 

Isaiah 8-9

Scripture – Isaiah 8-9

Observation – 

• Isaiah 8:1-10 - The incoming Assyrian invasion
• Isaiah 8:1-4 - The invasion is announced by the naming of Isaiah's son
• Isaiah 8:5-10 - Judah will be afflicted as well
• Isaiah 8:11-22 - How Judah can prepare
• Isaiah 8:11-15 - Prepare by fearing God, not Assyria
• Isaiah 8:16-18 - Prepare by waiting on the Lord
• Isaiah 8:19-22 - Prepare by seeking the word
• Isaiah 9:1-7 - Hope for Israel
• Isaiah 9:1-2 - Light will come
• Isaiah 9:3-5 - Victory from the Messiah will come
• Isaiah 9:6-7 - Glorious reign from the Messiah will come
• Isaiah 9:8-21 - Judgement on Israel
• Isaiah 9:8-12 - Israel will be defeated because of her pride
• Isaiah 9:13-17 - Israel's leadership will be overthrown because of her refusal to repent
• Isaiah 9:18-21 - Israel will attack her own brothers because of her wickedness

If we are prideful, refuse to repent, and are wicked, we will be judged. We can prepare by fearing God, waiting on Him, and seeking his word. God is a merciful God and he gives time, but there will come a time where there will be no more waiting. Everyone will be judged. This passage reminds me to be prepared. 

Isaiah 6-7

 Scripture – Isaiah 6-7

Observation – 

• Isaiah 6:1-5 - The dream of Isaiah
• Isaiah 6:1-2 - What Isaiah saw
• Isaiah 6:3-4 - What Isaiah heard
• Isaiah 6:5 - What Isaiah felt
• Isaiah 6:6-7 - The cleansing of Isaiah
• Isaiah 6:6 - An angel brings coal
• Isaiah 6:7 - The coal cleanses Isaiah's lips
• Isaiah 6:8-13 - The commission of Isaiah
• Isaiah 6:8 - God calls and Isaiah responds
• Isaiah 6:9-10 - His mission described
• Isaiah 6:11-13 - Isaiah is told how long he must prophesy
• Isaiah 7:1-9 - The sign of Shear-Jashub
• Isaiah 7:1-2 - Syria attacks Judah
• Isaiah 7:3-9 - The word of the LORD to Ahaz
• Isaiah 7:10-25 - The sign of Jesus
• Isaiah 7:10-12 - Ahaz will not ask for a sign
• Isaiah 7:13-16 - The LORD's sign to Ahaz
• Isaiah 7:17-25 - Assyria will also bring Judah to ruin

Isaiah 5

Scripture – Isaiah 5

Observation – 

• Isaiah 5:1-7 -  The parable of the vineyard
• Isaiah 5:1-2 - The unproductive vineyard
• Isaiah 5:3-4 - God asks Jerusalem to consider this parable
• Isaiah 5:5-7 - God's judgment on the vineyard
• Isaiah 5:8-30 - Woe to the nation ripe for judgment
• Isaiah 5:8-10 - Woe to the those who join house to house
• Isaiah 5:11-17 - Woe to those who party endlessly
• Isaiah 5:18-21 - Woe to those who think they know better than God
• Isaiah 5:22-23 - Woe to the corrupt
• Isaiah 5:24-30 - The LORD promises judgment

Isaiah 3-4

Scripture – Isaiah 3-4

Observation – 

• Isaiah 3:1-12 - A society under judgment
• Isaiah 3:1-7 - Shortages of food, water, and leaders
• Isaiah 3:8-12 - Why Judah is ready to be judged
• Isaiah 3:13-26 - God's case against Judah
• Isaiah 3:13-15 - Their ill treatment of the poor
• Isaiah 3:16-23 - The sinful women of Judah
• Isaiah 3:24-26 - More of the judgment of the LORD
• Isaiah 4:1-2 - Judgment on the daughters of Zion 
• Isaiah 4:1 - The desperate condition of the daughters of Zion
• Isaiah 4:2 - The hope of the Branch of the LORD
• Isaiah 4:3-6 - Zion under the government of the Branch of the LORD
• Isaiah 4:3 - Holiness
• Isaiah 4:4-6 - More characteristics of the society of the Branch of the LORD

Isaiah 2

Scripture – Isaiah 2

Observation – 

• Isaiah 2:1-4 - The hope of the Messiah's reign
• Isaiah 2:1 - A word concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
• Isaiah 2:2-3 - The exaltation of Judah and Jerusalem
• Isaiah 2:4 - The peace of the Messiah’s reign
• Isaiah 2:5-22 - The threat of the coming judgement
• Isaiah 2:5 - A plea to walk in the light of the Lord
• Isaiah 2:6-9 - The sins that prevent Judah from walking in the light of the LORD.
• Isaiah 2:10-22 - A description of the Day of Judgment.

Isaiah 1

 Scripture – Isaiah 1

Observation – 

• Isaiah 1:1-20 - God states a case and a cure
• Isaiah 1:1 - The introduction
• Isaiah 1:2-4 - The complaint of the LORD against Judah
• Isaiah 1:5-9 - The condition of Judah
• Isaiah 1:10-15 - God hates their empty religious ceremonies
• Isaiah 1:16-20 - The LORD offeres a cure
• Isaiah 1:21-31 - The promise of redemption with justice
• Isaiah 1:21-23 - The unjust leaders of Judah
• Isaiah 1:24-31 - The LORD's plan of redemption with justice.

Song of Solomon 7-8

 Scripture – Song of Solomon 7-8

Observation – 

• Song of Solomon 7:1-9 - Admiration of the Beloved
• Song of Solomon 7:1-3 - Description of the maiden's body
• Song of Solomon 7:4-5 - Description of the maiden's face, head, and hair
• Song of Solomon 7:6-9 - Description of the Beloved's desire
• Song of Solomon 7:10-13 - The maiden longs for intimacy with her husband
• Song of Solomon 7:10 - The longing for intimacy
• Song of Solomon 7:11-13 - The invitation to intimacy
• Song of Solomon 8:1-4 -  The maiden's loving words
• Song of Solomon 8:1-2 - The maiden's passion for her husband
• Song of Solomon 8:3-4 - The maiden's plea to the daughters of Jerusalem
• Song of Solomon 8:5-14 - Final words from the couple
• Song of Solomon 8:5 - A relative speaks to the couple
• Song of Solomon 8:6-7 - The maiden describes her strong love
• Song of Solomon 8:8-9 - The maiden's brothers
• Song of Solomon 8:10 - The maiden answers
• Song of Solomon 8:11-12 - The maiden knows her value
• Song of Solomon 8:13-14 - The beloved calls out and the maiden answers

Song of Solomon 5-6

 Scripture – Song of Solomon 5-6

Observation – 

• Song of Solomon 5:1-8 - The Maiden describes her dream
• Song of Solomon 5:1-2 - The maiden dreams of her beloved coming to her door
• Song of Solomon 5:3-6 - The maiden fails to meet her beloved at the door
• Song of Solomon 5:7-8 - The maiden's search for her beloved
• Song of Solomon 5:9-16 - The Maiden describes her beloved
• Song of Solomon 5:9 - The daughters of Jerusalem ask about the beloved
• Song of Solomon 5:10-16 - The maiden responds by describing her beloved
• Song of Solomon 6:1-3 - The Maiden describes a restoration of their love relationship
• Song of Solomon 6:1 - Another question from the daughters of Jerusalem
• Song of Solomon 6:2-3 - The maiden describes her relationship to her beloved
• Song of Solomon 6:4-13 - Enjoyment of the restored relationship
• Song of Solomon 6:4-7 - The beloved describes the maiden
• Song of Solomon 6:8-10 - The beloved describes the maiden to other women
• Song of Solomon 6:11-12 - The maiden describes her meeting with the beloved
• Song of Solomon 6:13 - The daughters of Jerusalem appeal and the maiden responds

Song of Solomon 3-4

Scripture – Song of Solomon 3-4

Observation – 

• Song of Solomon 3:1-5 - The maiden searches for her beloved
• Song of Solomon 3:1-3 - The maiden restlessly searches
• Song of Solomon 3:4 - Finding her beloved
• Song of Solomon 3:5 - An exhortation to her companions
• Song of Solomon 3:6-11  - The arrival of the wedding party
• Song of Solomon 3:6-8 - Solomon and his party bring the maiden to the wedding
• Song of Solomon 3:9-11 - Solomon enthroned and crowned
• Song of Solomon 4:1-11 - The beloved praises the maiden's looks
• Song of Solomon 4:1-5 - The beloved praises the maiden's appearance
• Song of Solomon 4:6 - The beloved longs to complete their marriage
• Song of Solomon 4:7-8 - The beloved praises the character of the maiden
• Song of Solomon 4:9-11 - The beloved expresses his deep passion
• Song of Solomon 4:12-16 - The finishing of marriage through sex
• Song of Solomon 4:12-15 - The beloved praises the virginity of the maiden
• Song of Solomon 4:16 - The maiden gladly gives her virginity to her husband

Song of Solomon 1-2

 Scripture – Song of Solomon

Observation – 

• Song of Solomon 1:1-6 - Introduction to the maiden
• Song of Solomon 1:1 - The Song of Solomon
• Song of Solomon 1:2-4 - Opening words of the maiden
• Song of Solomon 1:5-6 - The maiden thinks about her own appearance
• Song of Solomon 1:7-17 - Words between lovers
• Song of Solomon 1:7 - The Shulamite speaks to her beloved
• Song of Solomon 1:8-10 - The beloved praises her lover
• Song of Solomon 1:11 - The daughters of Jerusalem give gifts to the Shulamite
• Song of Solomon 1:12-14 - The Shulamite describes how precious her beloved is to her.
• Song of Solomon 1:15 - The Beloved praises the beauty of the Shulamite.
• Song of Solomon 1:16-17 - The Shulamite responds with kind words.
• Song of Solomon 2:1-3 - The Maiden and her Beloved continue to praise each other
• Song of Solomon 2:1 - The maiden describes herself to her beloved.
• Song of Solomon 2:2 - The beloved responds to the maiden.
• Song of Solomon 2:3 - The maiden enjoys the loving presence of her beloved.
• Song of Solomon 2:4-17 - The maiden thinks over her love relationship with her beloved.
• Song of Solomon 2:4-7 - The maiden thinks about the provision and intimacy she has found.
• Song of Solomon 2:8-14 - The maiden happily thinks over a visit from her beloved.
• Song of Solomon 2:15 - The maiden’s brothers warn of the “little foxes.”
• Song of Solomon 2:16-17 - The maiden thinks about her beloved.

Ecclesiastes 10-11

Scripture – Ecclesiastes 10-11

Observation – 

• Ecclesiastes 10:1-7 - The disgrace of foolishness
• Ecclesiastes 10:1 -  Foolishness disgraces a wise man’s honor.
• Ecclesiastes 10:2-3 - Foolishness can't be hidden
• Ecclesiastes 10:4-7 - Foolishness in high places
• Ecclesiastes 10:8-20 - Evidence of folly and wisdom
• Ecclesiastes 10:8-10 - Foolishness in action
• Ecclesiastes 10:11-14 - The babbling talk of the foolish
• Ecclesiastes 10:15 - The fool at work
• Ecclesiastes 10:16-20- How foolishness corrupts a nation
• Ecclesiastes 11:1-4 - Looking ahead
• Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 - Working for a profit that is not immediately seen
• Ecclesiastes 11:3-4 - The limits of looking
• Ecclesiastes 11:5-8 - Moving towards real wisdom
• Ecclesiastes 11:5 - The limitations of knowledge
• Ecclesiastes 11:6 - Sow your seed with trust
• Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 - All is vanity under the sun

Do not revile the king even in your thoughts,

    or curse the rich in your bedroom,

because a bird in the sky may carry your words,

    and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

Do not criticize a king even in your thoughts or curse the rich, because there is always a chance it might get out. This verse reminds me to be careful with what I say and with what I do. Be careful who you send messages to and how you word it. Be careful what you say and who you say it to. It might offend others even though you might not have even meant it. For example, if i'm sending appreciation emails to everyone. It would be wise to send it to each person rather than a send-all email. Even though it might take more work, it wouldn't look like i'm seeking attention.

Ecclesiastes 8-9

Scripture – Ecclesiastes 8-9

Observation – 

• Ecclesiastes 8:1-9 - Good advice for life under the sun
• Ecclesiastes 8:1-4 - Wisdom in obeying and honoring the king
• Ecclesiastes 8:5-9 - Reasons for wise living
• Ecclesiastes 8:10-17 - Even wisdom doesn't answer big questions
• Ecclesiastes 8:10-13 - Why are the deeds of the wicked forgotten?
• Ecclesiastes 8:14 - Why do the bad have it good and the good have it bad
• Ecclesiastes 8:15-17 - I commend enjoyment
• Ecclesiastes 9:1-12 - Live life and make the best of everything
• Ecclesiastes 9:1-6 - Death happens to everyone
• Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 - Joy is found only in the moment
• Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 - It is hard to understand life under the sun
• Ecclesiastes 9:13-18 - Unappreciated wisdom
• Ecclesiastes 9:13-15 - Wisdom unrecognized
• Ecclesiastes 9:16-18 - Wisdom thwarted

Ecclesiastes 6-7

 Scripture – Ecclesiastes 6-7

Observation – 

• Ecclesiastes 6:1-6 - The weakness of wealth
• Ecclesiastes 6:1-2 - Others can take your wealth.
• Ecclesiastes 6:3-6 - The meaninglessness of life
• Ecclesiastes 6:7-12 - What good is it all?
Ecclesiastes 6:7-9 - Suffering under dissatisfaction
Ecclesiastes 6:10-12 - Feeling that nothing will make it feel better
Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 - Looking at life through better and worse
Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 - Better in life and death
Ecclesiastes 7:5-9 - Better in wisdom and folly
Ecclesiastes 7:10-12 - Wisdom gives perspective
Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 - Wisdom in considering God
Ecclesiastes 7:15-29 - Living a better life
Ecclesiastes 7:15-18 - Dangers along the way
Ecclesiastes 7:19-22 - The need of wisdom
Ecclesiastes 7:23-25 - Frustration in seeking wisdom
Ecclesiastes 7:26-29 - Searching for wisdom

It is better to go to a house of mourning

Than to go to a house of feasting,

Because that is the end of every man,

And the living takes it to heart.

It is better to mourn than to feast because you acknowledge that you are going to die. This is a reminder for me to realize that life is short. I shouldn't spend all my time thinking about fun things, but also the reality that I will die soon. If I spend all my time playing and having fun, I am being ignorant of the fact that life is short. I shouldn't waste it, but I should also look forward to my eternal life with Christ.

Ecclesiastes 3-5

Scripture – Ecclesiastes 3-5

Observation – 

• Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 - God's timing is better
• Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - There is a time for everything.
• Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 - God’s plan and timing
• Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 - God will judge right and wrong
• Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 - The evils of the world
• Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 - People suffer without comfort
• Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 - Envious work is useless
• Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 - Friends help each other
• Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 - Power and fame don't last
• Ecclesiastes 5:1-20 - Worship God and love Him only
• Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 - Respect God when you worship
• Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 - Don't worry about leaders because you have a God who loves you
• Ecclesiastes 5:10-17 - Don't love money
• Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 - Enjoy God and be content

Ecclesiastes 1-2

Scripture – Ecclesiastes 1-2

Observation – 

• Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 - Vanity. All is vanity!
• Ecclesiastes 1:1 - The preacher
• Ecclesiastes 1:2 - Life is vanity
• Ecclesiastes 1:3 - Life and work under the sun
• Ecclesiastes 1:4-7 - The cycle of creation
• Ecclesiastes 1:8-11 - The cycle of labor
• Ecclesiastes 1:12-15 - Searching by wisdom
• Ecclesiastes 1:16-18 - The failure of wisdom
• Ecclesiastes 2:1-23 - Searching and finding nothing
• Ecclesiastes 2:1-3 - Searching in pleasure
• Ecclesiastes 2:4-8 - The search for meaning in work and accomplishments
• Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 - The analysis from the search
• Ecclesiastes 2:12-17 - Death kills both the wise and the foolish
• Ecclesiastes 2:18-23 - Death defeats all accomplishments.

Proverbs 30-31

 Scripture – Proverbs 30-31

Observation – 

Proverbs 31:10-31 - A description of a worthy woman.

What to look for:

Trustworthy. Does good all the days of her life. Hard working. Compassionate. Not quick to make decisions, generous, kind, wise, fears the LORD.

The writer spends many lines writing about a woman who is hardworking. This shows that it is important to look for a woman who is hardworking. Although I am too young to get married or start dating, I need to know what to look for in a woman. Most of all, fearing God. Verse 30 sums it all up. Charm is deceitful and beauty is in vain, but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised. 

When I look for a wife one day, I shouldn't be looking for charm or beauty. I should be looking for a woman who fears the Lord.