What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?  Much in very way!  First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

Trustees of the word of God.  The Jews are God’s chosen people, set apart to Him for a very long time.  Now, Gentiles can be saved by faith.  Through Jesus’ blood and sacrifice, all can be the children of God, even the Gentiles. (John 1:12)  Paul says it clearly:  they were entrusted with the words of God.  In this church age, we are those entrusted with the word of God.   We are to know the Word, share it with others,  and love according to Christ’s commandments in it.

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance.

How many times do we show contempt for the riches of God’s kindness by being unkind, impatient, intolerant, judgmental and unforgiving.  He is abundantly kind to us, forgiving and patient and our response is to be quick to judge, take our time to forgive, and exhibit impatience.  He has bestowed on us, His children, a wealth of riches from which to draw.  Let’s don’t be stingy!

I am obligated both to Greeks, and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.  That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

As Christians we sometimes put ourselves in a place where we have a sort of disdain for the unsaved, reserving our friendship and grace only for our Christian brothers and sisters.   How will we reach those who don’t know Jesus with the Gospel,  if we do not establish some kind of relationship with them.  The Bible says, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”  It doesn’t say anything about the spiritual state of the neighbor being a qualification for loving them.

An oracle concerning Moab:  Ar in Moab is ruined destroyed in a night!  Kir in Moab is ruined, destroyed in a night! 

How quickly the enemies of God will fall.  It can happen overnight, over time, or in an instant.  If we are walking with the Lord, doing life His way, you can be sure that anyone who is against you, is on God’s radar.  We are His children.  The sheep of His pasture.

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The LORD will have compassion on Jacob, once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land.

The enemies of Israel are going down!  Once again, the mercy of God reveals itself to His beloved people.  He will have compassion on Jacob.  Once again, He will choose Israel.

Who or what are your enemies?  God is for you.  Do you feel like things are out of control and God has forgotten them?  God is for you.  Because of Jesus,  WE are His beloved children {John 1:12).  We are His treasure ( Malachi 3:16 and 17).  Wait for Him.  Trust Him.  God is for you.

vs. 10 The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light.  The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.  vs. 13  Therefore, I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning anger.

In Psalm 147:4, the Scripture says He numbers the stars, and calls them each by name.  Certainly, then, He can tell them to shut off their light.  The Creator of moon, sun and stars has the power to cancel their light-giving abilities.  Isaiah 13 is a prophecy against Babylon’s wealth, power and wickedness, but it is also a declaration of God’s Sovereignty.  The LORD God Creator has authority over all He has created.  He is in control.  He is the Boss.

In the gracious way of our God, even a  prophecy of condemnation ends with hope and praise.  There will be a way out for the people who love God, in spite of the circumstances and the sin and destruction around them.  vs. 2 Surely God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid.  The LORD, the LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.  Blessed are the people who know and serve such a God as this, who are loved by Him.