Based in Sydney, Australia, Foundry is a blog by Rebecca Thao. Her posts explore modern architecture through photos and quotes by influential architects, engineers, and artists.

Isaiah 34:13 – the palace

12/29/2025

Dear Jehovah God,

כאוַיֵּ֖שֶׁב בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר פָּארָ֑ן וַתִּקַּח־ל֥וֹ אִמּ֛וֹ אִשָּׁ֖ה מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם:

          And he dwelt in the desert of Paran, and his mother took for him a wife from the land of Egypt.

Isaiah 34:13 – the palace

          Thorns come up in its fortified cities; it is also a haunt of jackals and an abode of ostriches.

Isaiah 13:22; 25:2; 32:13 – fortified towers

          Hyenas howl in their fortified towers and jackals in their luxurious palaces. Her fateful time also soon comes and her days are not prolonged.

          For You make a city into a heap, a fortified city into a ruin; a palace of strangers is a city no more, it is never rebuilt.

          For the land of my people in which thorns and briars come up; yea, for all the joyful houses and for the jubilant city.

Psalm 44:19; Jeremiah 9:11; 10:22 – jackals

          Yet You crush us in a place of jackals and cover us with the shadow of death.

          You make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a haunt of jackals; and You make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.

          The sound of a report! Behold, it comes – a great commotion out of the land of the north – to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a haunt of jackals.

Intention of this prayer: fortified towers, and jackals.

          Thorns come up in its fortified cities; it is also a haunt of jackals, an abode of ostriches. Howling creatures howl in their fortified towers and jackals in their luxurious palaces. Her time also is near to come and her days are not prolonged. For You make a city into a heap, a fortified city into a ruin; a palace of strangers is a city no more, it never rebuilds. For the land of YWYS’ people thorns, briars come up; yea, for all the joyful houses, the jubilant city.

          Yet You crush YFA in a place of jackals and cover YFA with the shadow of death. You make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a haunt of jackals; and You make the cities of Judah, Your Remnant, a desolation, without inhabitant. The sound of a report! Behold, it comes – a great commotion out of the land of the north – to make the cities of Judah, Your Remnant, a desolation, a haunt of jackals.

You are Infinite. But will You God Jehovah indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which YWYS has built! Great are You Jehovah, and highly to be praised, and Your greatness is unsearchable. You Jehovah God have no limits or bounds whatsoever in Your person or dominion.

You are Righteous. The Rock! Your work is perfect, for all Your was are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright are You. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth. You Jehovah God are always good. You are always right. It is Your Way!

          You are Jehovah God, Jehovah the One and Only!

שמע ישראל יהוה אלהנו יהוה אחד:

אמו.                                                                                      Amen, Amen, & Amen.

Isaiah 25:2 – the palace

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