Isaiah 30
COMMENTARY:
: 7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still. (7674 “sit still” [shebeth] means cessation, idleness, ceasing, or inactivity.)
DEVOTION: There is a couple of ways to look at this prophecy of Isaiah. There are times when there is no activity because of laziness. There are times of inactivity because of confusion. There is inactivity because they can’t act at all.
In every circumstance there are two ways to go. There is the right way and there is the wrong way. Throughout Isaiah’s prophecy the children of Israel were picking the wrong way. Why?? The LORD continued to warn them that help from any other source was the “wrong way.” They would not listen.
HE instructed them to rely on HIM but they would not trust HIM. They were trusting in a nation that could not help. They were relying on Egypt that was unable to act. Their action was really inaction because it was getting them nowhere.
They had sent a large about of possessions to Egypt to pay them for their defense against the Assyrians. The LORD was informing them that they were wasting their money. It was leaving them and they would never get it back. So often the people of God waste their money giving it to those who can’t help them.
The LORD was going to send them the bread and water of adversity to get their attention. HE was telling them the right way to go. HE told them that when they cried HE would answer. They would be required to rest in HIM.
We find that we have a tendency to go to the world for help quicker than we go to the LORD. Yet we claim to believe the LORD is all-powerful. If the believe that HE is all-powerful, can HE be trusted to help us through any circumstance that comes our way? YES!!!
Do we trust HIM? Sorry to say, NO. HE usually is used as a last resort. Here the Israelites were told by the LORD to just cease from trying to save themselves through their own efforts and trust HIM. They refused.
How about us??? Are we going to wait on the LORD? Are we going to count on HIS strength in all circumstances? How come we don’t learn from their rebellion?
CHALLENGE: Inactivity is wrong. The LORD wants us to occupy until HIS return. Our actions should be done through prayer and fasting. This shows our trust in the LORD.
: 15 For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and you would not. (1369 “strength” [gabuwrah] means might, valor, fortitude, victory, or achievement.)
DEVOTION: The LORD loves HIS people. The LORD sends messengers to give them HIS Words of instruction. The messengers give only what the LORD wants them to say.
There have always been false messengers who say they are from the LORD but are not. Their words contradict how the LORD acts normally. Those who are truly seeking the guidance of the LORD know through the ministry of the Holy Spirit who is telling the truth and who is lying. Discernment is given to the people of God.
Isaiah is giving a true message from the LORD. He calls the LORD the Holy One of Israel. Our God is a holy God. HE expects us to try with the help of the Holy Spirit to live lives that are pleasing to HIM. HE knows that we are sinners but expects us to confess our sin and walk in a direction pleasing to HIM.
If the children of Israel would listen to HIS messenger, Isaiah, they would return to HIM and rest in HIM. Return means that they have to stop committing the same sin repeatedly. They were living in sin rather than just committing an act of sin. The New Testament makes this distinction. Genuine followers of the LORD are not living in sin without the chastening of the LORD being present in their life.
Once those who are followers of the LORD return then they can rest in HIS presence and his salvation from any circumstance that comes their way. It would be great if all believers just rested in the LORD. HE wants us to turn our burdens over to HIM. The Israelites had the burden of the army of Assyria coming to destroy them.
This verse also states that those who rest in the LOR can have quietness in their life. Not only quietness but also confidence that the LORD will handle their present circumstance.
If God’s people could put this into practice there would be victory in their spiritual walk with the LORD and victory over their circumstances. The problem is that the Israelites would not put this into practice. They failed. The other problem is that this also happens in our lives too many times as we try to walk with the LORD.
CHALLENGE: If we want quietness and confidence in our life we have to rest in the LORD. The choice is ours on a daily basis. Victory is possible.
:18 Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore, He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him. The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982).
DEVOTION: In spite of our outright rebellion and stubborn refusal to listen and respond to the Lord and His word, He is patient and merciful. The people of Israel had been willing to listen to counselors and to make plans based on the suggestions of unbelievers (Egyptians and Assyrians). Yet to listen to the Lord and to follow His word was impractical. God warns them repeatedly and judgement will be severe. These truths are continually brought to the attention of the Israelites and He is faithful and make His word ring true.
In the midst of this clarion call of impending judgement God also reminds them of His plan for them and His desire to bless them in spite of their stiff neck and rebellious hearts. We serve a wonderful Savior who continually brings to us the reality of His love and grace in spite of us. He promises security, comfort and a response as we call out to Him.
Even though the discipline of a loving Savior is present there is, also, the assurance of correct instructions on where to walk and directions to reach the destination. Isaiah continually reminds the nation of Israel of God’s faithfulness and the New Testament books of Hebrews and Second Peter also remind believers of the dangers of listening to wrong advice and being rebellious followers.
CHALLENGE: Take a few minutes to ask the Lord if you are listening to the right voices in your life. There are many who are trying to direct and influence you today, make sure to listen to the right ones of the Lord! (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
: 20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction; yet shall not your teachers be removed into a corner any more, but your eyes shall see your teachers. (6862 “adversity” [tsar] means an oppressive state of physical, mental, social, or economic adversity, distress, affliction, scarce, narrowness, distress, dread, or want.)
DEVOTION: Here we find that the LORD is allowing Israel to go through a time of distress because of their lack of trust in HIM. They would rather look after themselves than let the LORD lead them.
They were acting like the other nations around them and so the LORD allowed the other nations to conquer them, so that, they would find out that it was not as nice as they had it when they were obedient to HIM and HE protected them.
This happens today as well because many people who are believers think that they can go off on their own and do as they please and the LORD will bless them. But, as most find out it is not a good place to be with the LORD.
HE wants us to be obedient and allow HIM to lead and guide us in the right direction in our daily walk with HIM. If we do that we will realize the blessings that HE allows in our lives. HE also allows trials to see what we will do during those times. If we depend on HIM and allow HIM to guide us through them. we will grow in our relationship with HIM but if we don’t turn to HIM during those times we will struggle.
The children of Israel struggled a lot because of their lack of obedience and we do the same even today.
CHALLENGE: What is HE teaching you at this time period in our life? Are you learning? HE wants us to grow closer to HIM each day.
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