Isaiah 21-23

 

Click HERE to read the passage.

 Have you ever wondered why we feel so terrible AFTER we commit a sin yet so indifferent and thoughtless BEFORE we sin?  Just imagine if that worked in reverse!  Imagine if we felt as terrible and embarrassed before we disobey God in the same way as we do afterwards - temptation probably wouldn’t have quite the grip on us as it does now.

 Well, God’s Word should help us with temptation!  It is God’s reminder to us of the terrible consequences and pain sin brings!  Book after book, especially in the Old Testament is replete with stories, warnings, and the aftermath of how God must deal with sin in our lives. For nations like Judah, pestilence, defeat in battle, destruction of the home and family all bring reminders of what God can and will do when sin goes unconfessed and unrepentant.  Just as King Solomon warned in Proverbs 14:34 – “Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”

 However, just like the stubborn people of Judah and Israel, we often do the same thing – we ignore the warnings signs. These stories should help us to feel terrible BEFORE we sin, knowing exactly how God feels about it. The harsh prophecies of national catastrophes we read about in this book were designed by God to deter His people’s mad dash for power and prestige at the expense of righteousness and justice.  He purpose in using Isaiah to warn His people was God’s way of breaking down indifference and helping them to see the need to fully repent from sin and turn to Him – their Savior.

Even in our own lives, though we often can look back and see the consequences of our sin, why is it that we often never learn from our experiences?

 As we get into our reading today, Isaiah is about to prophesy about the destruction of two more nations – Arabia and Tyre.  But even worse, Isaiah will prophesy destruction for Jerusalem – Judah’s capital and beloved city.

 Isaiah is given a difficult task!  There isn’t a preacher in the world that wants to be known for his warnings of God’s wrath and destruction. However, that’s the role God chooses for Isaiah. In fact, he is so disturbed by it that in 21:3-4 he says, “I grow faint when I hear what God is planning; I am blinded with dismay. My mind reels; my heart races. The sleep I once enjoyed at night is now a faint memory. I lie awake, trembling.”

 Imagine, if you will, being given a task by God to share warnings of impending doom…but no one listens or even cares.  Imagine doing this for many years and then finally seeing it happen before your very eyes. That’s why Isaiah writes, “O my people, threshed and winnowed, I have told you everything the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel has said.” (21:10)

 As bad as it’s gotten, it only gets worse!  Now, God is going to destroy the heart of Judah – the city of Jerusalem.  However, God doesn’t do this with glee, His heart is desperately broken over it all. He hates what He has to do - just as we parents hate to discipline our children when the occasion calls for it.  Listen to how much God is hurting, “Leave me alone to weep; do not try to comfort me. Let me cry for my people as I watch them being destroyed.” (22:4)

When my son, Micah, was about 16 years old, I received the worst call any parent could receive!  Here’s what happened:

 Police – “Is this Mr. Randy Shepard?”

Me – “Yes.”

Police – “Do you have a son named Micah Shepard?”

Me – “Yes.”  (My voice projecting a curiosity and deep concern)

Police – “This is Sgt. -------, from the Lee’s Summit Police Department. We wanted to inform you that your son, Micah, is being airlifted to St. Luke’s Hospital from an accident that happened a few moments ago.”

Me – “Well…what do you mean? What happened? Is he ok? Is he talking?” as more questions spill out as the officer waits for me to finish.

Police – “He was talking to paramedics at the scene, but we do not currently know his condition at this point. You’ll need to go to the hospital.”

Me – “Can you tell me what happened?” …not knowing even why I asked that question.

Police – “All we know is that he fell at least 25 feet from a tree in an attempt to dive into a lake. But the limb broke and instead of hitting the water he fell face-first onto a pile of boulders. Please make your way to the hospital as quickly as you can, ok?”

Me – With a bewildering and stunned “Ok.”

I barely remember the drive to the hospital. While I’m not usually prone to panicking, I do remember being overcome with a sense of panic and getting confused on how to get to the hospital – a hospital I’ve been to nearly a hundred times before. Perhaps you can relate!

Fortunately, God spared his life!  With a few deep cuts to his head and face, he was able to walk out of the emergency unit a few hours later with a prescription for pain medicine and some stitches.

 Perhaps you can feel my pain. Even more, perhaps you can totally relate to that story in some way or another. Just as we parents feel the intense pain of suffering when we see bad things happening to our children, so God feels the same way when He must spank us for our sinful ways. God doesn’t take ANY pleasure in it at all, thus the warnings! His whole purpose is to get us on the right track – living righteously before Him so that He can bless us in all that we do!

 Sadly, as we read 22:5-11, we see God describing in detail the horror that awaits them if they don’t turn from their wicked ways.  Yet, in spite of this, they look to armor bearers for help and anything and anyone who can provide assistance, instead of turning to God. 

 Here’s the worst indictment against the people of Jerusalem – “But all your feverish plan are to no avail because you never ask God for help.” (22:11)

 Isn’t that just like so many of us?  When receive news about getting cancer, losing a job, losing a spouse or child, or any kind of tragedy, we often look to others for help instead of God! Why do we do that? God is our only real source of strength. He’s the only one that can heal and turn our situation around.

 Remarkably, instead of repenting and seeking God’s forgiveness, they do the opposite of what God had hoped for!  He says, “At that time the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, called you to weep and mourn. He told you to shave your heads in sorrow for your sins and to wear clothes of burlap to show your remorse. But instead, you dance and play; you slaughter cattle and kill sheep. You feast on meat and drink wine. You say, “Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!” (22:12-13)

 How many times have we done the same thing?

 As we read the rest of chapter 22, we see a prophecy against an individual!  Imagine having your name in the Bible, but it displaying your demise.  That’s what happened to Shebna, the palace administrator! God gives a proclamation to this one individual for how he has lived his life and betrayed the kingdom he served. God tells him that he will send him into captivity and replace him with an honorable, God-fearing man – Eliakim.

 How heartbreaking that would be – to have God remove you and replace you with a more faithful servant!

 However, chapter 23 ends with some hope!  While God prophecies destruction on Tyre in an effort to destroy their pride and ego, He also tells them that after 70 years he will restore their nation. But as they return, things will change. They will honor those who represent the God of Israel!

 Can you see some parallels between what’s happening in our nations today and what happened then?  God will one day restore justice and cast judgement on the nations.