Year 2, Day 358: Isaiah 8

In Isaiah 8 we have a mixed bag of news in the beginning.  We have the condemnation of the northern kingdom and the promise of deliverance of Judah.  God deals with the people according to how they have chosen.

Condemnation Of The Northern Kingdom

Let’s start with the northern kingdom.  Israel has decided to follow other gods.  They have decided to join into an alliance with Aram (Rezin).  Israel is trusting in alliances with foreign powers to keep themselves safe instead of turning to the Lord.  Like all who turn to the world instead of the Lord, they get in over their head.  In a nutshell, this is exactly what this passage is saying when it says they reject the “gentle waters” (God) and they will get the “mighty river” (Assyria).

What is the Lord’s response?  He tells Isaiah to let Israel know that the Assyrians are coming.  There won’t be any way to hold them back.  Their alliances with earthly powers cannot save them in their coming day of trial.  It is sad when we get what we ask for with respect to our dependence upon the world.

Turning To Judah

On the other hand, we hear that God is not yet done with Judah.  Yes, Judah will be in “up to its neck.”  Judah will almost be swallowed whole by Assyria.  But Assyria will not conquer Judah.  We know historically that Assyria marches the whole way up to the gates of Jerusalem before heading back home.  God promises deliverance, but it will not be easy.

What does the text say about why Judah will be spared?  Is it their cunning in battle?  Is it the wisdom in the elders of Jerusalem?  Is it the greatness of their king?  Perhaps it is the splendor of their culture?  No.  Judah will be spared because “God is with them.”  Israel is to be swallowed up by the Assyrians because they have lost their faith.  Judah, on the other hand, will be spared because they have not yet completely lost their faith.  Israel abandoned God; God has not abandoned Judah.

However, we know that not all of Judah is faithful.  In fact, if we can return back to the analogy of the “water up to their necks” it would appear that most of Judah is not faithful.  Only a small portion of faith remains in Judah.  When Isaiah proclaims that God will not abandon them to the Assyrians many do not believe Him.

Narrowly Focusing Upon Isaiah As The Test Case

Again, what is God’s response?  In verse 11 God tells Isaiah to not be like those people.  God tells Isaiah to not see through the same eyes as those who do not believe God.  God tells Isaiah to not believe them when they say that they see a conspiracy.  Isaiah is not to fear what they fear.  Isaiah is called to continue to look through the eyes of God.

In fact, Isaiah is told that God will become a sanctuary for Him.  God will become a stumbling block for Israel and a trap for Judah.  They – Israel and Judah – shall fall and be taken.  Of course, Judah will not fall completely to the Assyrians – although they will fall to the Babylonians.

In The End: Hope

However, this still isn’t the last word.  Even though Israel with fall and Judah will be swallowed up to its neck, there is hope.  There are disciples.  There are people in whom God’s teaching is sealed.  Amen and Hallelujah!  There is hope indeed.  When the world seeks after mediums … there will be a people telling them to seek after God instead!  There will be people who hold fast to God and His Word.

But alas, not many.  The majority of people will revolt and rebel against God when “fortune” turns against them.  Well, I should say that most in the land will turn against God because their own choices about in whom they should put their trust don’t work out.  They will hold God in contempt because they messed up their own lives when God let them choose.

Are any of us really not guilty of this to some extent in our life?  It is so easy to hold God in contempt for our own mistakes.  I believe that was one of the hardest battles for me to learn as a youth – and perhaps I’m still learning it.  When I am allowed to choose and I choose what I desire rather than heeding the council of the Lord, what right do I have to hold the Lord in contempt?

No.  I have no right to speak contemptuously about God when He only desires my best.  It is far better for me to focus on His ways and being His disciple.  In fact, it is better for me to simply give praise to God for allowing me to become His disciple even in the midst of my own rebellion.

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