Isaiah

I just updated this article on the importance of learning about God and attending a church that rigorously teaches the Bible. Both are essential for living the good life: a life that loves the right things in the right order.

To learn anything, you have to really look into it. A good starting point for learning about God is the first book of the Bible: Genesis. The book reveals God’s creation of a good world, man’s rebellion against God, and the resulting disorder, chaos, and conflict. It also reveals God’s promised plan to restore a people who love him and flourish.

Exodus, the Bible’s second book, reveals more. Particularly, God’s work to save a people (ancient Israel) from slavery and help them flourish in a promised land.

Next, Isaiah, the heart of the Bible, is essential for a deeper understanding of God’s global plan of salvation, one that touches the nations and every people group. Just as God helped his people escape slavery in Egypt via Moses (Exodus), he is helping people escape the slavery of sin today.

Tellingly, the Bible’s New Testament (books about Jesus, God’s coming King, and what it means to follow him) refers often to Isaiah.

Isaiah is one of the most stunning, moving, and beautiful reads one can ever encounter. I suggest reading the book as quickly as you can and then picking up a short guide. I recommend the one below. It really helped.

Lastly, the beautiful musical work Handel’s Messiah is performed every year around the world. The text is from the Bible, and much of it is from Isaiah. Ask a parent to show you the music. (It’s hard to beat; I attend a local performance at least once a year.)