July 10: Isaiah 5-8

July 10, Isaiah 5-8

Isaiah 5 This is about Judah’s apostasy and disobedience - and the consequences for their sinful living. The big point is that He aims to teach them and us that sinning is not just failing but it distorts good into evil. Much warning is given to those that call good evil and evil good. Look around you. This is happening all over the world. Ironically, people are proud of their sin instead of being ashamed of their sin. So much so, in some cases they have parades showing their pride in their sin. This lack of wisdom and knowledge just reveals how backwards those who live like this are and how far we are from God, if we live like this. We can see how incredibly arrogant in how they sin and live and how they approach life. God declares through Isaiah 'Woe' and why are they 'woes'? In verse 24b tells us why, for they have rejected the law of the Lord. Woe to those who are arrogant, lacking self control. Their path is to destruction. They are the ones who will reject God and despise His Words and this will infuriate God, rightfully so. When people choose darkness over God’s light - that is exactly what they will get. 

Isaiah 6 The big picture is that God’s Grace comes through Judgment. Isaiah experiences it first hand. Isaiah saw angels worshiping God, as God’s train of His robe filled the temple. Isaiah said, “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” Such a dramatic realization baked in humility, as Isaiah realizes that the 'woes' from the previous chapter make him think of his dirt, once in front of a Holy and Pure God. But instead of leaving Isaiah there, God does something that changes Isaiah's state. Isaiah was unclean, so one of the angles flew over to him and touched Isaiah’s mouth and declared him clean - his guilt was removed and his sin was just atoned for!

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” So, God decided to send Isaiah to share the message that is not a very welcoming one at that. He begins by telling Isaiah to tell them “Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive…” This message continues and so does the ignorance and sins of man. God will discipline and there will not be many left of His truly chosen people. 

Isaiah 7 Israel & Syria go against Judah. God tells Isaiah to go meet Ahaz (Judah’s King), with his son, and tell him to not be afraid because they are devising evil against Judah. Isaiah also tells him their attack won't work and that within 65 years Ephraim will fall from being a people (oh yeah, that prophecy came true around 722 BC). Then he adds this for us and them, “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.”

Then we have a prophecy about a son will be born to a virgin and his name shall be/mean God is with us, Immanuel. Sound a little familiar? Yeah, Jesus. With Him coming, tough days are ahead. People will give up the faith and there will not be many left. So much so, that it will take few animals just to feed them.  

Isaiah 8 The Assyrians will invade Judah. We also learn about Isaiah’s wife, a prophetess, who conceived a son. The boys name - “The name signifies the rapid devastation of Syria, Israel, and Judah, but also the presence of God with the remnant and the impending fulfillment of God’s word.” - Ref Study Bible. Then the Lord speaks to Isaiah and gives him a prep talk that will carry him through. The Lord tells Isaiah not to fear what the other people fear, but to only fear the Lord. This reiterates to me, the teachings of Moses and the constant reminding of how to follow the Lord and to only trust Him in the days ahead. The Lord also speaks against the witchcraft in the dark days ahead as it will be tempting to go along with all the other people, in following other gods and wanting wisdom from other gods and other ways, other than the ways of the Almighty God of the Bible. And the Lord tells Isaiah how people turn to other gods, away from the Living God. How do they do this? They will be troubled with hunger and distress. This hunger and great depression, will lead the people away from their God. Instead of turning towards God in their need, they will be angry for the troubles and turn to other gods. This is a lesson for us as well. If things go bad and our economy crashes, or you loose your job and your house. If your fridge is empty and your gas tank low. Will you turn towards the Living God and ask for help and guidance? Or will you try to find other gods? The Lord knows that man has his ways of distrusting the Lord because of lack or need. And instead of being like these foolish men, who leave the One True God because of trouble, we instead need to turn to Him and stop our sin. And stand firm in fearing only the God of the Bible, above all else, no matter what situation we are in, or going to be in. 

We are not to walk in the ways of the people because we are to honor God as holy, the peoples do not. God will become a stumbling block for many…

To sum it all up:

• When people choose darkness over God’s light - that is exactly what they will get.
• God will weed out the weak ones and the true believers will be left standing before HIm.