Good Morning “Receivers of Gods Grace.” Today we are in Isaiah 3.
We’ve been on quite a journey as we’ve gone through the Old Testament. We’ve most recently soaked up wisdom from the poetic books. Some harsh, but mostly just encouraging and easily digestible. Everyone loved the books of Nehemiah and Esther because they heralded deliverance and restoration. Deliverance and restoration from what? The Book Isaiah takes a step back in Israel’s history and gives dose of the reality that led to Israel’s NEED for deliverance and restoration.
Isaiah seems harsh. Wait, let’s not forget it’s God through The Prophet Isaiah. So let’s get it straight, if it seems harsh… the harshness belongs to God. He’s a God that does not waver, does not conform or accept good enough! He wants it all, all of the heart of His people… not just left overs (Romans 12:1).
Today’s message from Isaiah is simple: because the Church (Jerusalem) has stumbled, the nation (Judah) is fallen. And that is about as relevant a message as you can hear in our generation! Yet, in the midst of judgment, God is NEVER without Grace. The people are still offered a word of encouragement; encouragement for true believers, not false ones.
“Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.” Isaiah 3:10-11 NIV
God always offers opportunity for repentance prior to judgment. Even before Jesus went to The Cross (Jeremiah 25:4, Ezekiel 18:30-31, Hosea 14:1). Certainly THAT is the message of The Gospel (Acts 3:19-21, Matthew 23:37, 2 Peter 3:9).
Even here, I believe God reminds us of His Grace. The New King James Version of verse 13 caught my eye…
“The Lord stands up to plead, And stands to judge the people.” Isaiah 3:13 NKJV
Upon further investigation I found the original word translated “plead” here is actually the Hebrew word “riyb”. It can mean to toss, to grapple with, or contend with. It can also can mean to defend, or argue for… which fits with what we know of Gods Character. Could God be reminding us of His pleading for our repentance before judgment comes? I believe so.
Nevertheless; in the midst of what may seem like harshness from God, may we never forget that His judgment was preceded with pleas to repent and accept His Grace. In fact we are living in such a time.
Love you all! Dig in!
We’ve been on quite a journey as we’ve gone through the Old Testament. We’ve most recently soaked up wisdom from the poetic books. Some harsh, but mostly just encouraging and easily digestible. Everyone loved the books of Nehemiah and Esther because they heralded deliverance and restoration. Deliverance and restoration from what? The Book Isaiah takes a step back in Israel’s history and gives dose of the reality that led to Israel’s NEED for deliverance and restoration.
Isaiah seems harsh. Wait, let’s not forget it’s God through The Prophet Isaiah. So let’s get it straight, if it seems harsh… the harshness belongs to God. He’s a God that does not waver, does not conform or accept good enough! He wants it all, all of the heart of His people… not just left overs (Romans 12:1).
Today’s message from Isaiah is simple: because the Church (Jerusalem) has stumbled, the nation (Judah) is fallen. And that is about as relevant a message as you can hear in our generation! Yet, in the midst of judgment, God is NEVER without Grace. The people are still offered a word of encouragement; encouragement for true believers, not false ones.
“Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.” Isaiah 3:10-11 NIV
God always offers opportunity for repentance prior to judgment. Even before Jesus went to The Cross (Jeremiah 25:4, Ezekiel 18:30-31, Hosea 14:1). Certainly THAT is the message of The Gospel (Acts 3:19-21, Matthew 23:37, 2 Peter 3:9).
Even here, I believe God reminds us of His Grace. The New King James Version of verse 13 caught my eye…
“The Lord stands up to plead, And stands to judge the people.” Isaiah 3:13 NKJV
Upon further investigation I found the original word translated “plead” here is actually the Hebrew word “riyb”. It can mean to toss, to grapple with, or contend with. It can also can mean to defend, or argue for… which fits with what we know of Gods Character. Could God be reminding us of His pleading for our repentance before judgment comes? I believe so.
Nevertheless; in the midst of what may seem like harshness from God, may we never forget that His judgment was preceded with pleas to repent and accept His Grace. In fact we are living in such a time.
Love you all! Dig in!
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