Day 203 – Reading – Isaiah 28 – 30.
Read today’s Scriptures.
Isaiah 28.
In these three chapters, there are four “ah’s.” No, they are not like loosening your tie or waistband and sitting back in an easy chair with your feet up. They’re not like looking at a cute little baby. These words here are sharper, dark … more like Woe!
Ah… The first is a reminder about the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) whose capital city, Samaria, like a proud crown above a rich valley of vineyards, fell to the Assyrians. Its inhabitants were all drunkards, easily trodden down by the enemy army. The prophet describes the last days of Samaria.
- “These reel with wine and stagger with strong drink, the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by wine, they stagger with strong drink, they reel in VISION, they stumble in giving JUDGMENT. For all tables are full of filthy vomit, with no space left.
Disgusting.
The LORD calls the scoffing rulers of Jerusalem to attention. You think YOU are safe? You think Egypt will rescue YOU?
THEY are not your refuge and shelter! I AM, says the Lord God.
- “Behold, I AM the one who has laid a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation. Whoever believes will not be in haste (put to shame). (A clear prophesy of the Messiah.)
No, during the persistent attacks by the Assyrians (“morning by morning, day by night”) those you’ve made a deal with won’t be able to help. Why does Jerusalem continue to refuse God’s guidance?
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Isaiah 29.
Ah… The second, is toward Jerusalem. They too will be invaded because of their unbelief.
- “Ariel, Ariel (Lion of God), the city where David encamped! I will distress Ariel… there will be moaning and lamentation… you will be brought low…
Isaiah accuses the people of incomprehension. They don’t understand that a foreign power cannot help them. They’ve become blind. And so the Lord gives them up.
- “Astonish yourselves, and be astonished; blind yourselves and be blind. For the LORD has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes (the prophets), and covered your heads (the seers).” And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed.
Ah… Again the third one is to Jerusalem. They’ve made a deal with Egypt to combat the Assyrians, but they know God disapproves, so the HIDE their plans.
- Ah, you who hide deep from the LORD your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, who say, ‘Who sees us? Who knows us?”
- “You turn things upside down! Shall the POTTER be regarded as the CLAY?”
But in the future, things will be rightly reversed.
- “The deaf shall hear the words of a book,
- “Out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.
- “The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD.
- “The poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel
Therefore, thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob…
- “Jacob shall no more be ashamed… they will sanctify my Name, the Holy One of Jacob… and stand in awe of the God of Israel… and those who murmur will accept instruction.
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Isaiah 30.
Ah… This is against the leaders of Judah who urged Hezekiah to turn to Egypt, not God, for help against the Assyrians.
- “Stubborn children,” declares the LORD, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of PHARAOH and to seek shelter in the shadow of EGYPT!”
Isaiah warns them that it will turn to their shame and humiliation. (“Egypt’s help is worthless and empty.)
Then God tells Isaiah to write it all down in a book, as a witness forever (of their stupidity!)
- For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the LORD; who say to the seers, ‘Do not see,’ and to the prophets, ‘Do not prophesy to us what is right — speak to us SMOOTH things, prophesy ILLUSIONS, leave the way, turn aside from the path, LET US HEAR NO MORE ABOUT THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL.'”
Oh, wow!
And the LORD responds, “Because you despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness and rely on them…. therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach in a high wall…. collapse… whose breaking comes in an instant.
But out God is so gracious to His people! (How can He love them so???)
“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
“Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.”
“He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as He hears it, he answers you.”
And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.
And as for the Assyrians, they will be terror-stricken at the voice of the LORD, when He strikes with His rod. And every stroke of the appointed staff that the LORD lays on them will be … to the sound of tambourines and lyres. (Jerusalem celebrating)
(Oh, Lord God, what a heart you have for your children, even when we are arrogant and sinning. How can You love us so? Yes you discipline – You LOVE us. But your grace and mercy are astounding to me! It’s because of Jesus, and His work on the cross. He is that rock, that tested stone, the cornerstone on which we can stand confident! )
Morning Meditations 