Title: The Evening Warning/Isaiah 21:13-17
Contents Evening Warning / Isaiah 21:13-17 Rev. Jongyoon Lee
Arabia means evening. Therefore, this prophecy is called the warning of the evening.
Isaiah prophesied that Assyria would conquer Arabia in an instant (700 BC) and that Arabia would be suddenly destroyed. In this prophecy the prophet Isaiah mentions the names of three cities: Dedan, Kema, and Kedar. Dedan is the grandson of Abraham. Kedar is the second of the twelve sons of Ishmael, and Kedar becomes the ancestor of the Bedouin in the future. And Gema was the ninth son of Ishmael. Dedan, Gema, and all the descendants of Kedar are called the Arabs. The Arabs were nomads who were brave, strong, and herdsmen. They were herdsmen, dwelling in tents (Jeremiah 49:29), and settled in villages.
To them, the prophet Isaiah prophesied:
1. Prepare for Tribulation
The prophet Isaiah prophesied to Arabia that at night they would spend the night in the forest to escape safely from the attack of the Persian army (verse 13). This is a warning about war.
The warning that the prophet Isaiah made about the war in Arabia is also a warning to our country today. We have already been given the warning of poverty. The collapse of a country is instantaneous. We have already seen the collapse of countries that already claimed world history. Our country is no exception. Therefore, we must be prepared and careful when a warning is given.
If we want to be comforted in the day of trouble, we must have the Lord within us, who is our joy. The safest preparation for the day of tribulation is to be a believer.
Not only that, we must experience the joy of God. Christianity is a religion of experience. Therefore, believers must have the experience of prayer and also the experience of receiving grace. Only then will we be transformed and we will have a living faith.
The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy. There is righteousness, peace, and joy in God's reign, and joy is experienced when there is righteousness and peace. Even if we suffer from disease, poverty, or war, those who believe that the Lord is in control of all these things will have the joy of the Lord.
Also, we must be immersed in the Word of God. The Word strengthens us and makes us rise again.
2. Help those in trouble
“Dwellers of the land of Tema, bring water and give to the thirsty, and take bread to receive those who flee” (verse 14).
This means giving help to those in trouble. Jesus said that those who are merciful will have mercy (Matthew 25:35, 36, 40, 45).
It is the attitude of those who prepare for tribulation to show interest and love to those who are marginalized, in tribulation, and in trouble.
3. Kedal's pride will disappear
“In one year all the glory of Kedar will perish, just as a hired laborer has appointed him” (verse 16).
If God does, even a nation will be destroyed in such a short time. Therefore, we must not brag about humanity. As the Apostle Paul said, the honor and wealth that humans have are only those that will burn.
Those who store up treasures in heaven will receive great rewards when they go to heaven, but piling up treasures in heaven means striving for the work of the eternal God.
Let me conclude.
“Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel” (verse 17).
The warnings of Arabia are not the words of men that are short-lived, but the words of the eternal God. If we look at the entirety of Isaiah 21, we can see that Babylon, which had been so strong, became the object of God's judgment. Babylon did a lot of deceiving others. But the day will come when those who deceive others will be deceived themselves.
The prophet Isaiah had a heart of compassion that was heartbreaking even when the enemy was destroyed. In the same way, we should weep for those who are in tribulation, and we should be helpers.
Anyone who makes others watchman during war and is drunk on himself, who lives a self-centered life like this, will perish. Not only that, if they do not repent after encountering tribulation, they eagerly wait for the morning like the people of Duma, but even if the morning comes, the night will soon come.
It is said that Kedar's glory will perish. Therefore, we should not boast of the things of the world, but should prepare for tribulation, have mercy on those in tribulation, and live as wise children of God who store up treasures in heaven.
In the name of the Lord, I earnestly pray that the eternal Word of God that changes me and changes my life will come to me and you as a word of blessing.