37:35 For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
The reading for day 51 was Isaiah 29:1-41:29.
The 29th chapter starts with warnings to Jerusalem (Ariel), and He goes on to say that He has blinded the prophets. 29:10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
Does this verse not remind you of the church today? 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 29:14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, [even] a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise [men] shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent [men] shall be hid.
In verses 17-24 He again gives hope to His people. The deaf will hear, the blind will see, the ruthless will come to an end, the afflicted will be glad in the Lord, all who are intent on doing evil will be cut off. 29:23 But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.
Chapter 30 is a warning to Israel about trusting in Egypt to save them instead of God. The interesting thing to me is in verse 17 God tells them that 1000 men will flee at the threat of 1 and that they will be left as a signal on a hill. Then He proceeds to say: 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD [is] a God of judgment: blessed [are] all they that wait for him.
This seems strange to me, that God would inflict pain and suffering on His people and then say He wants to be gracious to them. God really is like a father who disciplines His children but then lets them know that He still loves them. It doesn't seem like God would inflict pain to teach love, but if He didn't, wouldn't we know that He hated us? 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee. 30:20 And [though] the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:
Verses 4-9 of chapter 31 are fulfilled in chapter 37 verses 36-38.
Look at the blessing given to those who follow the Lord. 33:15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; 33:16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence [shall be] the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters [shall be] sure.
Much of the book of Isaiah is devoted to the judgements that God is proclaiming against the nations. 34:5 For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment. 34:6 The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, [and] with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.
How scary would it have been to be a part of the nation named above?
God will save His people. 35:4 Say to them [that are] of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come [with] vengeance, [even] God [with] a recompence; he will come and save you.
I don't think that anything could be more reassuring than to know that God Almighty is coming to rescue you. 37:35 For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
41:17 [When] the poor and needy seek water, and [there is] none, [and] their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
Amen. |
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