Title The Forsaken People/Isaiah 30:8-17
"...For this is a rebellious people, children lying, children who do not want to hear the law of the Lord. They say to the seers, Do not see, and say to the seers, Do not show us what is right, speak soft words to us, show us lies. For this is what the Holy One of Israel says: You despise these words and trust in oppression and falsehood, relying on them, and this iniquity is upon you, It will be like a wall that has been torn down, and it will come out and fall in an instant....You must turn around and be quiet to be saved; keep quiet and trust in yourself to find strength...But the rest of you will be like a flagpole on the top of a mountain, like a banner on the ridge "(Isa 30:8-17)
Isaiah, the servant of God, continues to warn the people of Judah, who continue to quarrel with Egypt.
1. The Prophet's Continuing Warning
The Prophet tells the people of Judah to immediately stop this work because it is not only disrespectful of God to go to Egypt and have sex with Assyria because it is an invasion, but it is also a rebellious act. Despite continuing these warnings, the people of Judah are increasingly going out to Egypt.
Regarding the actions of the rebellious people of Judah, God told the prophet to write on a large mirror-shaped tablet so that all the people could read it, and to keep it as a scroll, that is, a book, or skin, so that the future generations would know the rebellion of Judah.
First of all, what is written on the tablet is that the people of Judah are a rebellious people. Second, the people of Judah are a people of lies and disobedience. The third thing written on the tablet is that the people of Judah were children who did not want to hear God's law.
The seer receives the word God has given and preaches it without adding or subtracting it. But the people of Judah did not like the words of God, the honest words of the prophets, because they were sharp and they wanted soft words, that is, smooth, flattering words. Also, the people of Judah caused the prophet to forsake the principled and right way. That's why I told you not to follow the path, that is, the right path. So, in the end, he told the people of Judah to turn away from God.
2. The punishment for the sins of the rebellious people
Despite receiving the prophet's warning, the people of Judah rebelled against God, ignored God's Word, were stubborn and proud, and finally paid the price for their sins.
The sins of the people of Judah were that they disregarded the word of God and disregarded the prophet's prophecy not to rely on Egypt, believing and relying on oppression and vain things (verse 12).
To say that they believed in oppression and falsehood means that the people who should believe in God followed Egypt. When they went to Egypt, they did not go empty-handed, but brought gifts, but for this they had no choice but to exploit and oppress the people. Vanity refers to a useless nation. Egypt was called “Rahab, who sat still” (verse 7). The Jewish leaders oppressed their people and believed in vain people.
If a wall that should be straight is protruding out, it is just before it collapses. If God forsakes it, everyone will be destroyed in an instant (verse 13).
If the earthenware is broken, it is only useless. As a potter throws a vessel, so God will destroy the rebellious people of Judah so that they cannot be restored (verse 14). The rise and fall of a nation is in God's hands.
3. Even the Jewish people had a way to live
Before they were completely abandoned by God, the people of Judah had a way to live. God told the people of Judah to turn to God, repent, and be quiet, so that they might be saved by God (verse 15). In times of crisis, we should not be arrogant, act quietly and trust only God.
He who is satisfied with God can be as quiet as a chick in the bosom of a mother chicken (Psalm 57:1). This is the way to receive salvation from God.
4. The stubborn Jewish people lost their chance and perished.
Egypt made a promise to Judea, but did nothing to help in the day of trouble. Judah thought that he would rush to Assyria on the horse that Egypt gave him as aid, but instead he rode the horse that Egypt gave him and fled to Egypt. Also, the people of Judah fled on horseback, but the Assyrians pursued them faster than they did (verse 16). It is tragic that I only became discouraged because of the Egypt I believed in.
Verse 17 says that when one Assyrian gives a command, a thousand Jews flee.
Because there was no one to believe in apart from God. Those who leave God will eventually perish like this.
Let me conclude.
The stubborn will eventually perish. To insist on one's own thoughts instead of doing God's will is disobeying and rebelling against God. Persistence is also foolishness.
Therefore, we must give up our stubbornness, turn to God, and conduct ourselves quietly. Faith produces the fruit of peace in the heart. Anxiety and anxiety are never faith. We must believe and trust God's promises, and those who believe and trust God's promises will give up their stubbornness and obey.
I earnestly pray in the name of the Lord that you will become a sacrifice that believes and obeys God's promises.