Good morning, friends. I’ve been reading through the book of Isaiah this week, which has a treasure of insights into the Lord and His plan, for Israel, for followers of God, for heathen nations, for any who are interested in listening. Oftentimes when I’ve read through Isaiah in the past, I mainly looked for Messianic prophecies, of which there are many, and for glimpses into the character of God. However, I oftentimes cruised over the many “oracles” of judgment against those who have rejected God’s plan and turned to their own ways.
As I read through these many oracles, or prophecies/warnings, this week, I was struck with several thoughts into the character of God.
1. Our God is a God of justice. Wrongs will ultimately be righted. Judgment will be handed out in God’s season to the degree it is deserved and to those who deserve it. We must remember that God sees it all, and we will be held accountable. Lest we slide into the groove of viewing God as a cosmic cozy feather pillow, He reminds us that He is a consuming fire, doling out wrath and vengeance to those who rebel. He crushes, destroys, humbles, breaks, and punishes, to use some of the words found in Isaiah. In ch.13:9 we read, “Behold the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it.” Let us make choices today and live in relationship with our God in light of these truths about Who He is.
2. God sometimes uses wicked nations and evil people to accomplish His work. As strange as it may seem, Assyria was used by God to bring the judgment Israel deserved against God’s people. Yes, nations of Babylon, Assyria, Moab, Philistia, Damascus, Cush, and others will likewise be judged. But God is sovereign, and can use any means or any people to accomplish His work.
3. God promises hope and salvation to those who seek Him. The promise of the Messiah, and other forms of deliverance are found throughout the book of Isaiah. This salvation is granted for those who sincerely seek God and put behind them their wicked ways. Our God perfectly blends grace and law, mercy and justice, blessing and punishment. In the midst of these oracles of judgment, God reminds us that, “You keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” (Is.26:3-4) We must remain balanced in our view of God. Yes, He is ferocious and filled with fury, but He is also gracious and faithful toward those who seek Him in earnest.
This week, my friends, may we worship God with a balanced understanding of Who He is. May we live in such a way, not as to earn His grace and mercy, but to reflect the grace which has been given to us on all those we are around. Pressing on to that end. Eric