These chapters of Isaiah paint a pretty gruesome picture of what is going to (and did) happen to the nations who have sinned against God and who oppressed the Israelites. To me, it just seems like chaos would be everywhere! We know the Israelites were not perfect either and they received their own punishment, but God also delivered punishment and judgement to the nations who fought Israel.
In the midst of the bad news for these non-Jewish nations, God promised that He would have compassion on the Israelites (14:1). As I was reading through these chapters, I was reminded of how God saved the Israelites from the bondage of Pharaoh in Egypt. Once again, we are reminded that the Lord saves His People. God is possessive and protective of His People.
So, what can we glean from these (in my opinion) rather difficult passages?
- There are consequences of sin and disobedience to God's instructions. God is just.
- God has a plan and it will be completed. We can rest in this.
- God will deal with His enemies. He can handle them!
- God has compassion on and for His People. Thank you, Lord!
- The proud will be humbled and the lowly will be victorious. A promise to claim.
"The oppressor will come to an end,
and destruction will cease;
the aggressor will vanish from the land.
In love a throne will be established;
in faithfulness a man will sit on it -
one from the house of David -
one who in judging seeks justice
and speeds the cause of righteousness."
~Isaiah 16:4-5
and destruction will cease;
the aggressor will vanish from the land.
In love a throne will be established;
in faithfulness a man will sit on it -
one from the house of David -
one who in judging seeks justice
and speeds the cause of righteousness."
~Isaiah 16:4-5
For Damascus, Isaiah wrote the following: "Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins" (17:1) and "You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress" (17: 10). I'm reminded that if God is not in something (our lives, our plans, our relationships), they are worth nothing... like a heap of ruins.
Lord, thank you for your compassion on us and for saving us. Thank you for reminding us that we are your people and we belong to you. Continue to draw us closer to you through your Word. Give us the strength to be obedient to You in our lives. Amen.
