May 2, 2022: Day 93 – Isaiah 44-47 and Matthew 12-13

Babylon seems to take the attention of the prophet in the majority of these chapters.  Isaiah describes the choseness of Israel in the first chapter that we read.  We then transition to a description of the gods of Babylon and their inertness and their powerlessness.  We also see the fall of Babylon that is going to take place in a prophecy that describes Babylon as a fallen daughter and all that comes with that metaphor.  

In Matthew we find a few parables dealing with the agricultural venue in which Jesus’ teachings were set.  The parable of the sower is one that is actually explained by Jesus after he tells it.  That is pretty rare.  Normally in the parables Jesus leaves them as they are and allows them to speak for themselves.  But here the disciples ask him why he speaks in parables and so as  result he feels compelled to explain to them the meaning of the parable of the sower.