Scripture Union Daily Guide 30 October 2023 | Devotional
Do You Know That? Daily Guide Reading is published by Scripture Union Press & Books Ltd, an arm of Scripture Union Nigeria. Daily Guide is a true nondenominational, interdenominational Christian Bible engagement/reading aid – meditate on the Bible without denominational colorations. May the Lord bless you as you study!
Today’s Topic: Doom upon Syria and Israel!
Opening Prayer: Lord, I pray that you lead me into your truth as I meditate on your word in Jesus name.
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 17:1-14
Question(s) for Reflection
• Q 1: What does the passage teach about God the Father, or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
• Q 8: Is there any other Biblical passage that can help me understand this passage better?
Outline For Scripture Union Daily Guide 30 October 2023
Syria (represented by Damascus, its capital city) was positioned to the immediate north-east of Israel (represented by Ephraim, the dominant tribe in the northern kingdom). The northern tribes around the Sea of Galilee had constant contact and interaction with Syria. Read vs.1-6 again and see the extent to which both Syria and Israel shall be destroyed and rendered desolate. The flock that shall lie down in Damascus will not be afraid for there would be no human beings to harass them (v.2).
The two nations shall lose their glories, their fatty flesh shall become lean (v.4). 2 Kings 15:29 and 16:9 describe the fulfilment of this prophecy. What is God’s purpose for this? Read vs.7-8 and see that God will do everything possible to gain the attention of His own people. When the harvest is gone, and the city life is no more, people will have time to worship the Lord. See the people’s sin against God in vs.10-11.
How is this real in our time today? One aspect of the LORD’s judgment against Israel will be to bring their hard work to nothing. They will work hard to plant and grow crops, but the harvest will be a heap of ruins. Note the universal relevance of Isaiah’s message in vs.12-14. “In that day” (vs.4, 7, 9 & 11), what can we learn about God’s future agenda from these?
Practice/Word Application
Thought: God can use one sinner to judge another, and then judge the sinner He just used (vs.12-14)
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
Dear Father, forbid it that I would forget you, my Saviour.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Exodus 20:12
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Psalms 90‐93; Proverbs 5.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN FOR 30TH OCTOBER 2023
PRAYER FOCUS: ADVISORY BOARD CHAIRMEN
Set your minds on things that is above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2
THANK GOD FOR:
►The lives of the advisory chairpersons, for their commitment to SU vision
►The grace to drive the vision of each department
PRAY FOR:
►Unity of purpose among the Board members
►Wisdom for direction for them.
