Chapter 1

1:11 - Does God enjoy burnt offerings? This verse says he doesn't, but the first nine chapters of Leviticus give detailed instructions for burning the carcasses of dead animals for "a sweet savour unto the Lord."

* God didn't change His covenant with the Israelites, yet.  However, He is plainly telling them that He does not accept their animal sacrifices because they are sinful and rejecting Him.  The Israelites were disobeying God and simply offering sacrifices, so this wasn't pleasing Him.  Verses 16 and 17 indicate some of the things that the Israelites needed to do to please God.

1:13 - God has also changed his mind about the sabbath. He used to demand that the sabbath be observed and kill people who broke it (Num.15:32, 36), but now "it is iniquity."

* God's comment regarding the Sabbath was because He wanted obedience and purity from the Israelites; not half-hearted rituals.  God did not revoke the Sabbath law, but He wanted the Israelites to purify themselves, then observe it.  Verses 16 and 17 indicate some of the things that the Israelites needed to do to please God.

1:14 - Even God gets weary sometimes. But not according to Is.40:28.

* This Hebrew word that was translated into "weary," in the KJV, doesn't mean that God was literally tired.  God indicated that He was "weary of" and "disgusted with" their half-hearted rituals.

1:15 - When God gets weary he no longer listens to prayers, contrary to those verses that claim that he always hears and answers our prayers.

* According to the scriptures, there comes a point when God implements His judgment and does not turn back; even if prayer is made.  It would be inappropriate for a person to reject God for a long time, deserve punishment, then simply call out to Him because they didn't want to be punished.  This is why God sometimes implements His judgments despite human prayers.

* A few times in the scriptures, a Bible writer perceived that God was not hearing his prayers.  However, simply because a person perceives something, it doesn't necessarily make it so.

Chapter 2

2:4 - "And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Well, it's a nice thought, but Joel 3:10 says just the opposite. But what do you expect from a "God of Peace" (Rom.15:33, Heb.13:20) who calls himself a "man of war"? (Ex.15:3)

* This prophecy is referring to Christ's Millennial reign.  In the future, it will be fulfilled.

* God is the uncreated, sinless judge of all.  He has the right to judge His creation.  Incidentally, He also has a multi-faceted character.  He is a God of peace, love, war, justice, wrath, judgment, etc.

Chapter 3

3:9 - The biblical god just doesn't seem to care much for homosexuals. And he gets especially upset when "they hide it not." So I'd just stay in the closet and hope the big guy just doesn't see you.

* God hates sin.  In this verse, He is indicating how some sinners were proud of their sin like the Sodomites.  He detests this even more.

3:12 - Isaiah shows his contempt for women by saying that things have gotten so bad for his people that "women rule over them."

* Isaiah doesn't show any contempt for women.  He is simply reporting the state of being of God's people and their upcoming judgment (this was fulfilled in the Babylonian captivity).  Children were oppressing them and women were ruling over them.  He was indicating that the Israelites were weak and they should have been strong and in control.

3:16-17 - God will "smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion" since he doesn't like the way they dress and walk.

* God indicated how He was going to judge their idolatry and pride.

3:17 - But God will go even further than this: "the Lord will discover their secret parts."

* This phrase that was translated, "discover their secret parts," can also be translated, "expose their nakedness."  God was going to judge them and expose their spiritual nakedness.

3:24 - "And ... instead of a sweet smell there shall be stink."

* It was customary for women to try and smell good.  There is evidence of this in Song of Solomon and Esther.  God's judgment would involve them smelling badly because they would not be able to use their soaps, baths, perfumes, etc.  This came to pass in the Babylonian captivity.

Chapter 4

4:1 - After God takes away the women's jewelry and perfume, and makes them all bald and stinking, he'll kill their husbands. Women will then become so desperate that "seven women will take hold of one man, saying ... let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach."

* Isaiah was indicating that the women would leave their usual modesty and approach the same men.  This was because many Israelite men were going to be judged for their sins by death.

Chapter 5

5:22 - Is it ok to drink alcohol?

* In the scriptures, we only see drinking condoned when it is either consumed when a person is dying or celebrating. Strong drink was given to people who were very sick because they didn't have medication or pills. During celebrations, drinking a little wine without getting drunk was acceptable.

* Many times, especially in the book of Proverbs, we see warnings against drunkenness. It is clearly foolish and wrong to get drunk. We don't see drunkenness condoned anywhere in the scriptures.

5:26 - God "will hiss unto then from the end of the earth."

* This is correct.  However, this word that was translated "hiss" can also be translated "whistle."  God will lead the pagans into battle against the Israelites because they rejected God.  This leading by whistling or hissing can be compared to the way a beekeeper leads bees.

Chapter 6

6:1, 5 - Isaiah sees God sitting upon a throne, contradicting several Bible verses that say that no one has ever seen God.

* Isaiah is given a vision of Heaven.  Nobody has seen God the Father on Earth.  However, Isaiah was given a vision of God in Heaven.

6:10 - God will prevent people from hearing and understanding "lest they ... convert and be healed."

* It obviously isn't God's desire for His people to ignore Him.  God is simply telling Isaiah to preach to them.  However, He is also saying that they will hear and see great things, but fail to repent.  God still tells Isaiah to go and preach repentance to them, though.

Chapter 7

7:3 - God told Isaiah to tell Ahaz, the King of Judah, not to be concerned about Rezin (the king of Syria) or Pekah (the king of Israel). But according to 2 Chr.28:5-6 "God delivered him [Ahaz] into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter."

* According to this passage, Isaiah (and God) never promise Ahaz personal success.  However, God does remind Ahaz that He would keep His promise regarding the house of David.  He never tells Ahaz "not to be concerned about Rezin."  On the contrary, this prophetic passage describes an invasion by the Assyrians.

7:14 - The King James Version mistranslates the Hebrew word "almah", which means "young woman" as "virgin". (The Hebrew word, "bethulah", means "virgin".) In addition, the young woman referred to in this verse was living at the time of the prophecy. And Jesus, of course, was called Jesus -- and is not called Emmanuel in any verse in the New Testament.

* The Hebrew word "almah" is used seven times in the Old Testament.  In four instances, it is literally translated "virgin."  See Genesis 24:43, Song of Solomon 1:3 and 6:8, and Isaiah 7:14.

* This verse may have referred to a woman in this time period.  However, it surely referred to the mother of Jesus Christ.  See Matthew 1:21-23.

* Simply because we don't read in the New Testament that Jesus' followers called Him by the Hebrew name/title "Emmanuel," it doesn't mean He was never called this.  It also doesn't mean that He failed to fulfill this prophetic role.  At best, this is an argument from silence, which is no argument at all.

7:15 - If Is.7:14 refers to Jesus, then he must have been a vegetarian. So I guess we should be too.

* This verse does not indicate anything about vegetarianism.  It simply states that this person would eat butter and honey, refuse evil, and choose good.
 
7:18 - "The Lord shall hiss for the fly ... and for the bee."

* This is symbolic language.  This verse is referring to God calling the pagan armies to judge the Israelites.

7:20 - God will shave men's feet, where "feet" and "hair" are biblical euphemisms for males sexual organs and pubic hair, respectively.

* This saying simply indicated that the Israelites would be thoroughly plundered, severely oppressed, and judged. 

Chapter 8

8:3 - Isaiah has sex with a prophetess who conceives and bears a son. (You weren't expecting a daughter, were you?) God then tells Isaiah to call his name Mathershalalhashbaz. (It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?)

* This was the name of Isaiah's son.

8:9 - If you associate or gird yourself, God will break you in pieces.

* God simply indicates how He was going to judge these people.  This verse wasn't directed to you or me.

Chapter 9

9:19-20 - God will make every man kill his brother and then force him to eat "the flesh of his own arm."

* Whether these verses should be taken literally or not is uncertain.  However, these terrible judgments were the results of their sin, their rejection of God, and their poor decisions.

Chapter 11

11:4 - God will "smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked." God must have some pretty bad breath!

* This is figurative language.

11:6 - "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb...." I wonder what will become of the spiders. Will they be more friendly toward flies? And will the parasitic wasps find another way to feed their larvae? Or will they continue to feed off the living bodies of caterpillars?

* These verses describe the wonderful peace that will be experienced in Christ's Millennial reign.

11:8 - "And the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den." A cockatrice is a serpent, hatched from a cock's egg, that can kill with a glance. They are rare nowadays.

* This Hebrew word that was translated as "cockatrice," in the KJV, is also translated "viper."  Like verse 6, this verse is indicating the kind of awesome peace there will be in Christ's Millennial reign.

11:12 - God will gather up the people of Judea "from the four corners of the earth." In the Bible's view, the earth is flat with four corners.

* The phrase "four corners of the earth" isn't supposed to be taken literally.  It is simply indicating how the people of Judah and Israel would be gathered from the ends of the Earth.  Incidentally, we commonly use the term "sunset."  However, the Sun doesn't move, but the Earth does, so the Sun doesn't literally set.  The same kind of figurative language is used with this phrase.

Chapter 13

13:6-9 - On God's day he will kill sinners with great anger, wrath, and cruelty.

* This verse is warning those that reject God that there will be a day of judgment.

13:10 - According to the Bible, the moon produces its own light and the earth does not move.

* This verse doesn't indicate how the Moon produces its own light or how the Earth doesn't move.  This verse is referring to God's judgment.  If the language is too difficult to understand, then remember how we use the word "sunset" to say the Earth is rotating and causing nightfall.  The same, figurative language is applied here.

13:13 - When God gets really angry, he causes earthquakes.

* The Creator of all things can move the Earth.

13:15-18 - If God can find you, he will "thrust you through," smash your children "to pieces" before your eyes, and rape your wife. He will have no mercy, but will even kill your little children.

* These scriptures indicate the kinds of judgments that wicked people will receive.  Incidentally, these actions are done by other humans.

13:19-20 - These verses falsely predict that Babylon will never again be inhabited.

* In the future, this prophecy will be fulfilled.

13:21-22 - Dragons will live in Babylonian palaces and satyrs will dance there.

* This Hebrew word for "satyrs" can also be translated "goats."  This Hebrew word for "dragons" can also be translated "jackals."

Chapter 14

14:12 - This is the only verse in the bible that mentions Lucifer. Although most Christians consider Lucifer to be Satan (the devil), there is little biblical justification for doing so. In this verse "Lucifer" refers to the king of Babylon (Nebuchadrezzar?) and Lucifer (the light bearer) is also called the "son of the morning" or morning star. The only other person that is referred to in that way is Jesus (Rev.22:16). Does this mean that Lucifer is Jesus?

* Incidentally, the scriptures periodically refer to God's created angels as "stars."  Lucifer's name can be translated "bright star" or "morning star."  The scriptures tell us that Lucifer was a high-ranking angel and the worship leader in Heaven.

* This verse is surely prophetic, but it has three applications.  It refers to Lucifer's past, Nebuchadnezzar's judgment, and Satan's future judgment.

14:21 - Does God punish children for the sins of their fathers?

* God told the Israelites not to put children to death for their father's sins and not to put fathers to death for their children's sins.

* The Creator God has the right to punish every sinner.  Although this verse mentions the "sins of their fathers," this is only one reason for their judgment.  They will also be judged for their own sins.

14:29 - Out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent." What ever happened to these fascinating biblical creatures?

* This verse is highly symbolic.  The "rod that smote (Philistia)" is referring to Uzziah.  He smote the Philistines.  Hezekiah is his great-grandson and he's referred to as "the offspring, the fiery, flying serpent."  This verse is indicating that he would be even more effective in conquering the Philistines than Uzziah.

Chapter 17

17:1 - This verse prophesies that Damascus will be completely destroyed and no longer be inhabited. Yet Damascus has never been completely destroyed and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities.

* This prophecy was fulfilled in the beginning of Ahaz' reign.  Incidentally, this verse did not indicate how long Damascus would be a ruinous heap.  Since its destruction, it was rebuilt.

Chapter 19

19:2-4 - The God of Peace will set brother against brother and kingdom against kingdom. Then he'll make the survivors seed the counsel of "wizards," and subject them to a "cruel lord."

* This is a prophecy regarding the Egyptians and how they would be judged for their wickedness.

19:5 - The river of Egypt (identified as the Nile in RSV) shall dry up. This has never occurred.

* This prophecy will have a future fulfillment.

19:14 - God sends a "perverse spirit" among the Egyptians and causes them to err "as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit."

* This is one way that God will judge the people.  Even the perverse spirits are at His disposal.

19:16 - Egypt will become weakened and frightened "like unto women."

* This is correct.  Women can be frightened, so Egypt is compared to a frightened woman.

19:18 - According to 19:18, there shall be five cities in Egypt that speak the Canaanite language. But that language was never spoken in Egypt, and it is extinct now.

* This cannot be found in historical records.  Therefore, in the future, this prophecy will be fulfilled.

19:18-21 - These verses predict that the Egyptians will worship the Lord (Yahweh) with sacrifices and offerings. But Judaism has never been an important religion in Egypt.

* Since historical records don't indicate this happening, this is likely a prophecy with a future fulfillment.  However, the altar in the midst of Egypt and the pillar near its border may refer to the Egyptian pyramids.

19:23-24 - These verses predict that there will be an alliance between Egypt, Israel, and Assyria. But there has never been any such alliance, and it's unlikely that it ever will since Assyria no longer exists.

* This prophecy has not been fulfilled, yet.  Biblical Assyria refers to present day Iraq.

Chapter 20

20:2-5 - God tells Isaiah to take off all his clothes and to wander about completely naked for three years as a "sign and a wonder." In this way he will be just like the Egyptian captives who will walk about naked "with their buttocks uncovered."

* This Hebrew word that was translated "naked," in the KJV, also refers to being partially naked.  Isaiah probably removed his rough, upper mantle that was commonly worn by prophets.

* Some translators and commentators believe this was a vision and not supposed to be taken literally.

Chapter 23

23:17-18 - Tyre "shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world," and her hire shall be holiness to the Lord."

* In this context, when a nation commits fornication, it is referring to them rejecting God and chasing after idols.

Chapter 26

26:7 - Has there ever been a just person?

* Yes. There have been some just people.  The apparent confusion lies only in Ecclesiastes 7:20.  However, the writer is stating that there are no perfect people.  In his new "circle of friends," there surely weren't any godly people (and definitely nobody perfect).

26:10 - This verse says that the wicked will not see the majesty of God. But Is.40:5 says that everyone will see it.

* This verse is simply saying how sinners won't notice God's majesty because they will be acting wickedly.

* Isaiah 40:5 is a statement about the whole world seeing the Messiah.

26:14 - The dead "shall not rise." But elsewhere the Bible says that the dead will rise.

* This verse isn't indicating that the dead will not rise to judgment.  It is indicating these dead people won't be resurrected and live on the Earth.  It reads, "They are dead, they will not live; they are deceased, they will not rise.  Therefore You have punished and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish."

Chapter 27

27:1 - God will punish the leviathan ("that crooked serpent") with his own sword and will kill the sea dragon.

* The Leviathan is likely used allegorically.  It is probably referring to a retreating army that is experiencing the wrath and judgment of God.

27:4 - "Fury is not in me." Or is it?

* God has many qualities and characteristics.  Sometimes, God is angry and sometimes He is happy.  At this moment, God is stating that fury is not in Him.

Chapter 28

28:7 - "The priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink." You can't even trust a drunken prophet anymore.

* The priests and prophets were suffering from their alcohol consumption.  This could have symbolized other sins, too.

28:8 - "All tables are full of vomit and filthiness."

* This is correct.  Their tables were full of vomit and filth.

28:16 - Misquoted in Rom.9:33.

* Romans 9:33 is a combination of both Isaiah 8:14 and Isaiah 28:16.  Paul never indicates that he was simply quoting Isaiah 28:16.  He also never indicates that he desired to quote every word of these passages.

Chapter 29

29:14 - God performs a "marvelous work and a wonder" by destroying wisdom and understanding.

* God is referring to worldly wisdom and understanding; not wisdom and understanding that comes from God.  This is clearly in verses 13 and 15.

Chapter 30

30:6 - Among the many strange creatures mentioned in the Bible that no longer seem to exist is the "fiery flying serpent."

* This verse is probably symbolic.  The "fiery, flying serpent" is likely, still Hezekiah.

* If we take this passage literally, the "fiery, flying serpent" may be referring to an extinct animal.

30:22 - Talking about graven images Isaiah says, "thou shalt cast them away as a menstrous cloth."

* This is correct.  God's people were to avoid graven images and cast them away as unclean things.

30:26 - "The light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold." Well, this is one prophecy that will never come true. Since the moon has no light of its own, but only reflects that of the sun, it could never shine like the sun. And the sun will not, at least not while there are humans to see it, shine 7 times as bright as it does now.

* This verse isn't supposed to be taken literally.  The Sun represents God and Christ.  The Moon represents His church and His people.  This verse is telling us that there will be a day when His people shine and He shines (or appears to shine) even brighter.

30:27-28 - God's lips, tongue, and breath are described for us.

* Isaiah uses poetic imagery to illustrate God's person as He applies His wrath and judgment.

30:33 - God has bad breath, "like a stream of brimstone."

* In this verse, His breath is compared to brimstone.

Chapter 32

32:6 - Apostates (exJws) are vile people who do "what is hurtful" and "speak against Jehovah."

* This verse doesn't mention apostates or Jehovah's Witnesses.  However, it does mention how hypocrites will say vile things and be in great error.

32:9-12 - "Tremble, ye women that are at ease .. strip you, and make you bare ... They shall lament for the teats."

* These women are being warned about their coming judgment.

Chapter 33

33:14 - Apostates (exJWs) are just a bunch of fearful sinners.

* This verse mentions fearful sinners and hypocrites in Zion.

Chapter 34

34:2-3 - God is furious at everyone and is ready to kill them all. Or as Isaiah so delicately puts it: "Their stink shall come up out of their carcasses, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood."

* Isaiah is describing the coming judgment of God.

34:5 - God's sword "will be bathed in heaven." Sounds like a place to stay away from to me.

* This day of vengeance will be fulfilled at Christ's Second Coming.

34:6-8 - God's sword is "filled with blood," and he fully intends to use it. He'll kill so many people with it that the "land shall be soaked with blood."

* The Creator God holds the right to judge His creation that turned sinful.  One day, His patience will end and He will stop exercising His grace and mercy and judge those that have rejected Him.

34:7 - "And the unicorns shall come down with them."

* This Hebrew word that was translated as "unicorns," in the KJV, is also translated "wild bulls."

34:13-14 - Dragons and satyrs may not seem real to you, but they did to the author of these verses.

* "Dragons" and "satyrs" can also be translated "jackals" and "goats."

Chapter 36

36:12 - What other book besides the Bible talks about people eating "their own dung" and drinking "their own piss?" And to think Bible believers object to the language in Tom Sawyer!

* Rabshakeh was making this comment because he didn't have much respect for these people.  The Assyrians had just won several battles.  Incidentally, these phrases were surely symbolic and not literal.

Chapter 37

37:36 - An angel of God kills 185,000 men. "And when they [those killed by the angel?] arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead men."

* People besides the 185,000 man army arose and found them dead.  This quote can also be translated like this: "and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses - all dead."

Chapter 38

38:8 - God makes the sun move backwards 10 degrees. Now that's a neat trick!

* This was a miracle of God.

38:18 - Contrary to many Bible verses, dead people don't pray or hope for the truth.

* This verse is correct.  Those that die cannot know and understand God's truth (or trust in His salvation).  This verse does not say there won't be a resurrection, though.

Chapter 40

40:5 - Will everyone get to see the "glory of the Lord."

* Isaiah 26:10 simply indicates how sinners won't notice God's majesty because they will be acting wickedly.

* Isaiah 40:5 is a statement about the whole world seeing the Messiah.

40:22 - According to this verse, the earth is a flat disc that God looks down upon from his throne in heaven. (The NRSV says, "It is he who sits above the circle of the earth....")

* This verse does not say the Earth is a flat disc.  However, this verse does pre-date the scientific claims that the Earth was not flat.  Isaiah indicates that the Earth isn't flat by calling it a circle.  Unfortunately, the ancient Israelites didn't have a word for "ellipse."

40:28 - God never gets tired. Well, OK, maybe he gets tired once in a while.

* Isaiah is correct in saying God never tires.

* Simply because the scriptures mention God resting on the 7th day of creation, it doesn't mean He was tired.  He surely did this as an example for humans to follow (regarding the Sabbath).

* In Isaiah 1:14, this Hebrew word that was translated into "weary" in the KJV doesn't mean that God was literally tired.  God is indicating that He was "weary" or "disgusted" with their half-hearted rituals.

* In Isaiah 43:24, the phrase, "you have wearied me with your iniquities" doesn't even indicate fatigue by it's own context.  These sinners were trying God's patience.  He was "tired of their sinning," but not literally tired.

* Jeremiah 15:6 is another verse that obviously does not refer to God becoming tired.  It reads, "You have forsaken Me,” says the LORD, 'You have gone backward.  Therefore I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you; I am weary of relenting!'"  God's patience was coming to an end.  He was "tired of waiting" for them to repent.  He wasn't literally tired.

Chapter 41

41:26 - Has there ever been a righteous person?

* Righteousness is both a state of being and a state of being eternally pure. Some humans have had temporary righteousness. However, only Christ has had eternal righteousness. In the scriptures, we see statements like, "No one is righteous. Not one." This is referring to eternal righteousness aside from Jesus Christ. We see people acting righteous and being righteous and this is simply a temporary state of being.

Chapter 42

42:13 - God will "go forth as a mighty man" who cries and roars, and "will cry like a travailing woman." After he tires of roaring and crying he'll "destroy and devour." What a guy.

* Isaiah is indicating how God is a mighty warrior and would overcome those that hate Him.

Chapter 43

43:10 - How many gods are there, anyway?

* There is one, uncreated God.  There are many "gods" (as in idols).

* This Hebrew word for "gods" can also be translated "magistrates" or "angels."  David uses this word to describe angels in the Psalms.

43:20 - Even the dragons honor God.

* This Hebrew word for "dragons" is also translated "jackals."  Nonetheless, all things give God glory.

43:24 - The god of Is.40:28 never wearies. But the god of this verse is wearied by iniquities. Well, maybe they're different gods.

* Isaiah is correct in saying God never tires.

* Simply because the scriptures mention God resting on the 7th day of creation, it doesn't mean He was tired.  He surely did this as an example for humans to follow (regarding the Sabbath).

* In Isaiah 1:14, this Hebrew word that was translated into "weary" in the KJV doesn't mean that God was literally tired.  God is indicating that He was "weary" or "disgusted" with their half-hearted rituals.

* In Isaiah 43:24, the phrase, "you have wearied me with your iniquities" doesn't even indicate fatigue by it's own context.  These sinners were trying God's patience.  He was "tired of their sinning," but not literally tired.

* Jeremiah 15:6 is another verse that obviously does not refer to God becoming tired.  It reads, "You have forsaken Me,” says the LORD, 'You have gone backward.  Therefore I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you; I am weary of relenting!'"  God's patience was coming to an end.  He was "tired of waiting" for them to repent.  He wasn't literally tired.

Chapter 44

44:8 - How many gods are there?

* There is one, uncreated God.  There are many "gods" (as in idols).

* This Hebrew word for "gods" can also be translated "magistrates" or "angels."  David uses this word to describe angels in the Psalms.

Chapter 45

45:5-6 - How many gods are there?

* There is one, uncreated God.  There are many "gods" (as in idols).

* This Hebrew word for "gods" can also be translated "magistrates" or "angels."  In the Psalms, David uses this word to describe angels.

45:7 - God is the creator of evil.

* This Hebrew word that is translated as "evil" in the KJV can also be translated "calamity," "bad," and "affliction."  God is the judge of all.  He judges sinners with suffering and even death.  This verse is simply referring to God's ability to judge sinners with hardships and affliction.

* This verse does not indicate that God created evil, in the creation week (or at any other time), when He created all things.

45:23 - God swears to God, contradicting his own instructions in Mt.5:34-37 and Jas.5:12.

* God is giving us a promise.  God gives us many promises and He never indicates that He shouldn't.

* In Matthew 5:34-37 and in James 5:12, we are told to be trustworthy.  "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No' is Jesus' way of saying that we shouldn't need to swear for someone to take us seriously.  Be an honorable person of your word, then you simply have to say "Yes" or "No" and you will be believed and trusted.

Chapter 46

46:9 - God says that he alone is God, and there is no one else like him. (Not even Jesus or the Holy Ghost?) But many places in the Bible say there is more than one god.

* There is none like God.  God is God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit.  This is called the triune Godhead or trinity.

* There are many "gods" (as in idols).

* This Hebrew word for "gods" can also be translated "magistrates" or "angels."  In the Psalms, David uses this word to describe angels.

Chapter 47

47:13-14 - Does the Bible condemn astrology?

* Astrology involves manipulating God by predicting things without His supervision or blessing. We don't see this condoned anywhere in the Bible.

* In Isaiah 47:13-14, there is a warning to astrologers.

Chapter 48

48:1 - The Israelites "swear by the name of the Lord." but swearing is forbidden in Mt.5:34 and Jas.5:12.

* God is giving a warning to the people who swear allegiance to Him, but do not act like it.

48:8 - Some folks are transgressors "from the womb." But how can a newborn baby transgress?

* God states that He knew they would be sinners.  He knew they would deal treacherously.

48:14 - God "will do his pleasure on Babylon." That is, he will mercilessly slaughter the Babylonians.

* Isaiah is simply indicating that God would judge Babylon for its wickedness.

Chapter 49

49:26 - God will make the bad guys eat "their own flesh" and then make them "drunken with their own blood."

* God didn't force anybody to eat their own flesh.  However, God did promise to judge the people who were oppressing the Israelites.

Chapter 52

52:1 - "Henceforth there shall no more come into thee [Jerusalem] the uncircumcised and the unclean." But many uncircumcised people have visited and occupied Jerusalem after this prophecy was made.

* This will be fulfilled in the Millennium reign of Christ.  The words "uncircumcised" and "unclean" are referring to their hearts and deeds.  In God's Millennial kingdom, the righteous believers will live in Jerusalem.

52:10 - God shows off his bare arm.

* This verse mentions "God's holy arm."  It is referring to God's holiness and not a literal arm.

Chapter 56

56:2 - Keeping the sabbath is very important to God. But Jesus and Paul considered it a trivial matter.

* In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to obey the Sabbath law.  However, in the New Testament, Christians are not required to obey it.

Chapter 57

57:1 - Will the righteous perish as is said in this verse, or "flourish like the palm tree?" (Ps.92:12)

* Isaiah is describing the state of being of a wicked nation.

* The Psalmist describes the general truth about righteous people.  They will flourish and grow.  However, there are sometimes exceptions to the rule (especially when they are being oppressed by others).

Chapter 58

58:6 - This verse appear to condemn slavery. However the bible is far from clear on this issue. (See Gen.9:25; Ex.21:2-7, 21:20, Lev.25:45-46; Pr.29:19; Joel 3:8; Eph.6:5; Col.3:22; Titus 2:9; 1 Pet.2:18)

* This verse speaks against oppression (which can include slavery).

* God never condoned slavery.  However, since the Israelites were not ready for the deeper things of God and since they were not ready to unequivocally obey every law of God, He met them where they were and simply put limits on their desire to have servants.

Chapter 59

59:5 - Bad people hatch poisonous cockatrice eggs. Whoever eats the eggs will die, and when the eggs are crushed a viper hatches out of them.

* This is poetic language.  Isaiah is talking about some people who are very wicked.  They make evil plans and engage in evil actions.

Chapter 60

60:12 - Nations that do not serve Israel will perish.

* This verse has a future fulfillment.

60:16 - "Thou shalt ... suck the breast of kings."

* This verse indicates that the other nations would feed them and take care of their needs.

60:19 - "Neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee." Of course the moon doesn't give off light, but only reflects the light from the sun.

* This corresponds with the passage in Revelation indicating that God will be our light.  In the future, this will be fulfilled.  Incidentally, this verse never says the Moon is an independent light source.

Chapter 63

63:2-6 - God's clothes will get stained with the blood of humans.

* These verses are referring to God's judgment.

63:17 - "O Lord, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear?" Good question.

* This is simply a Hebraism.  It is saying, "Why have you allowed us to err?"

Chapter 64

64:6 - Is anyone good? No.

* This verse is referring to some people, in a state of being, in a certain point in time.  It isn't referring to whether or not anyone can be good or do good for a period of time.  It is clear from the scriptures that people can do both good and evil and will have periods of goodness and evil.

* This verse is referring to some people, in a state of being, in a certain point in time.  It isn't referring to whether or not anyone can be good or do good for a period of time.  It is clear from the scriptures that people can do both good and evil and will have periods of goodness and evil.

64:6 - Has anyone ever done anything good? No.

* This verse is referring to some people, in a state of being, in a certain point in time.  It isn't referring to whether or not anyone can be good or do good for a period of time.  It is clear from the scriptures that people can do both good and evil and will have periods of goodness and evil.

Chapter 65

65:13-16 - "God's servants" will have it good; everyone else will suffer big time.

* The people who love God will be rewarded.  Those who reject God will suffer punishment.

65:16 - This verse tells us to swear to God. But Mt.5:34-37 and Jas.5:12 forbid swearing.

* This verse is indicating that God is trustworthy and true.  If anybody should promise something, they should promise what God has already promised.  He will come through.

* In Matthew 5:34-37 and in James 5:12, we are told to be trustworthy.  "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No' is Jesus' way of saying that we shouldn't need to swear for someone to take us seriously.  Be an honorable person of your word, then you simply have to say "Yes" or "No" and you will be believed and trusted.

65:17 - Will the earth will last forever?

* No, the Earth will not last forever.

* See "Special Questions" for more on this.

65:25 - "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat." I wonder what will become of the spiders. Will they be more friendly toward flies? And will the parasitic wasps find another way to feed their larvae? Or will they continue to feed off the living bodies of caterpillars?

* These verses describe the wonderful peace that will be experienced in Christ's Millennial reign.

Chapter 66

66:16 - God will "plead with all flesh" with fire and sword, "and the slain of the Lord shall be many."

* This is true.  The Creator God holds the right to judge His sinful creation; even with death.

66:24 - The carcasses of those killed by God will be piled high. They will rot and burn forever. And although their stench will be revolting to humans, it will be a sweet savour unto the Lord.

* This verse refers to the eternal punishment of the wicked.  Nothing about a stench is mentioned.