Reading: Isaiah 1-4
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord (Is. 2:2-5).
What a beautiful vision of the future! Isaiah had been tasked with exposing the Israelites' sins and warning them of the horrific consequences that lay just around the corner. Still, God ensured that Isaiah understood the effects would not be permanent no matter how dire the fast-approaching circumstances became. In the last days, the will of God would prevail over the imperfect will of mankind. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
This knowledge was of vital importance, not just to Isaiah, but also to the scattered minority of Israelites who had retained a deep and abiding love of God (Is. 6:13). This faithful few lived their lives as best they could in accordance with God’s Word. They were likely deeply troubled by the state of their nation. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward (1:4). These individuals heard and understood Isaiah’s warnings, but they realized that the words had fallen on deaf ears for the vast majority of their countrymen. God’s judgment WAS coming, and they felt powerless to prevent it. To that end, Isaiah’s words offered them much-needed comfort and assurance. God would prevail regardless of how it might appear in the moment. As long as they remained steadfast in their faith, their future with Him was assured.
For the faithful Christian of today, the world is frequently a disturbing place. Societal norms have shifted far away from Godly values, and those who cling to them are often shunned as intolerant, narrow-minded bigots. No matter how hard we try, nothing we do seems to make a difference in the overall social/political/religious climate of the world in which we live. Just as did the handful of ancient Israelites, we understand that God’s judgment is coming, but we can’t seem to make anyone else understand that. Yet just as it did for those beleaguered Israelites, God’s Word reassures us that our place with Him is secure, no matter the state of the world around us. The actions of men cannot derail his plan, and He has promised that all will know the truth in His time.
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Rom. 14:11-12).
Thought For TodayTo trust God is to know that all will turn out right in the end. It is a feeling of security that we can find nowhere else in life.
Christ Revealed: As the One who will judge the nations (Is. 2:2-4). The Lord Jesus Christ . . . shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing (II Tim. 4:1).
Word Studies:1:13 vain oblations = worthless sacrifices offered by hypocrites; 2:12 day of the Lord = the coming judgment upon the unfaithful as well as the time of rejoicing for the faithful; 3:18 cauls, and their round tires like the moon = headbands bejeweled with sun and moon ornaments; 3:22 crisping pins = money bags or purses; 3:24 stomacher = rich robe; 4:4 blood of Jerusalem = Jerusalem was guilty of killing innocent prophets.
Pray For Staff:Kevin Jennings • Government Official: Gov. Doug Burgum(ND),Rep. Josh Harder(CA) • Country: United Arab Emirates (5,628,805) Eastern Arabia Peninsula • Major Languages: Arabic, Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu • Pressure and hostility against Christians are increasing • 96% Muslim; 4% Other (Includes Christian, Hindu, Jew) • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to reveal His perfect will for you (Ps. 25:4).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 9