READING FOR MARCH 6, 2026: ISAIAH 28, MATTHEW 25, PSALM 18:1-6 ISAIAH 28 This chapter opens by pronouncing a “woe” upon the northern kingdom, particularly their leaders. Isaiah calls them drunk and fading, despite the land’s former beauty. The theme of drunkenness runs throughout this chapter. It certainly could mean literally too much alcohol, or it could mean acting in an impaired, irrational way. This writer was a CASA volunteer who worked with dysfunctional families. In every single case, there were drugs involved, causing the parents to be unfit to raise children. Even though the parents took classes about their problem, they could not free themselves. The only solution would have been through Jesus, which was a remedy not available for CASA volunteers to utilize.
The NASB renders verse two as the Lord having a strong and mighty “agent.” Most other trans- lations use the word “one” instead of “agent.” In either case, the textual and historical context suggest this refers to God using Assyria to destroy the northern kingdom. Verse four says the first-ripe fig will be swallowed. In other words, Assyria will devour the northern kingdom. Those few (i.e., the remnant) who remain faithful to God, will receive strength. The majority, however, including the spiritual leadership, will reel in drunken confusion and vomit.
Isaiah asks in frustration, “To whom would He [God] teach knowledge”? Will only little child- ren pay attention? God sought to carefully instruct Israel and give them His peace, but they refused. If likewise, we don’t listen to and be instructed by God’s word, our result will be the same as theirs: “They may go and stumble backward, be broken, snared, and taken captive” (vs. 13).
Given this bad news for Israel, Hosea warns the scoffing leadership in Judah. They think they’re going to avoid the problems of the northern kingdom because of their covenants and deceptions. God says He is laying a foundational cornerstone for Zion and only those who believe in it will live and experience justice and righteousness. Whether or not there was an earlier fulfill- ment, we know that Jesus is this ultimate cornerstone: “You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone, And the one who believes in Him will not be put to shame.’” (1 Pet. 2:5-6). Is Jesus our cornerstone? What happens to those scoffers, including us, who don’t take this message seriously? “Your shackles will be made stronger; for I have heard from the Lord God of armies of decisive destruction on all the earth” (vs. 22). Remember all these warnings are given from a loving God for their and our benefit!
The chapter concludes by likening God to a farmer performing all his tasks in the proper season. Sometimes he plows, sometimes he plants, and sometimes he threshes. Whatever God is doing in our lives as His obedient children, it is the right action for our good at the proper time. Maybe it’s not what He did before, but He is the best farmer ever. Trust Him.
READINGS FOR MARCH 6, 2026 CONTINUED: MATTHEW 25, PSALM 18:1-6 MATTHEW 25 The Parable of Wise and Foolish Virgins. Jesus builds on the then-common practice of a bridegroom fetching his betrothed from her home to then process back to his home for the wedding feast. Along the way, invited folks would join in the procession to the feast. In this case, there were ten virgins planning to join. This parable refers directly back to Jesus’s warning in Matt. 24:42 which is repeated almost verbatim at the con--clusion of the parable: “Be on alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour” (Matt.25:13). To external appearances, all the virgins were alike, considered pure in behavior and equipped with needed lamps. What was the problem with the foolish virgins? Hear the bridegroom’s final devastating statement: “I do not know you” (vs.12). They were shut out because they didn’t have a personal relationship with the bridegroom as signified by their lack of oil. They represent the unsaved who cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. Do we have a vital born-again relationship with Jesus
The Parable of the Talents. Jesus casts Himself in the role of a master going on a journey. He entrusts three servants with differing amounts of talents: five, two, and one. The servant with five talents immediately set to work increasing his amount; the one with two did the same. The servant with only one feared taking any risks and hid his talent. Note Jesus gives us a hint that His second coming might be delayed by his saying the master stayed away a long time. When the master finally returned, He praised those who doubled their investment. Their reward was greater responsibility and entrance into the master’s joy (kingdom of heaven). He scolded the risk-adverse servant; called him wicked and lazy; gave his talent to the servant with ten; and cast him out into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Too harsh? The fruit of our lives reveals the abiding state of our souls. Hear Jesus: “I am the vine. You are the branches, he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:5-6). DO WE STAY CONNECTED TO JESUS AND RISK FOR HIM WHATEVER HE HAS GIVEN US?
The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. This is really a hybrid parable, containing some direct instruction. It is like the preceding parable in that it emphasizes that the outward deeds of a person reflect the inner condition of the soul. Jesus casts Himself in the role of King but also as hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and in prison. Only those who ministered to Jesus in these needy conditions entered into the kingdom of heaven. Those who did not were escorted into eternal fire. But literally, who are these needy people? Jesus said they are “brothers of His” (vs.40). Remember what Jesus said earlier: “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matt.12:50). Although it is always good to help anyone in need, this passage likely refers to helping Christians in need. This view agrees with the following verses: 2 Cor.11:9, 1 John 3:17-18, James 2:15-17, and Rom. 12:13. Whom do we know among our Christian family who could use a touch from us today?
Psalm 18:1-6 This is song David wrote for a choir director. It is a song of praise describing what God is to him: his strength, his rock, his fortress, his deliverer, his refuge, his shield, his salvation, and his stronghold. David praises God for answering his call. (How often do people ignore our calls, texts, emails or else we do likewise to others? Not our Lord.) David praises God for hearing his personal distress cry, even though the universe God rules from His Temple is vast. (Try getting a response from the leader of any organization.) No wonder Noah offered a sacrifice immediately upon emerging from the Ark. No wonder Moses wrote a praise song immediately after crossing the Red Sea. No wonder Joshua piled up memorial stones after crossing the Jordan. No wonder the one leper came back to praise God for healing. The greater wonder was where the other nine were. Does God ever wonder where we are when we fail to offer Him praise for who He is and what he has done for us?
