I’ve had an “enjoyable” time this morning … perusing (maybe even admiring) Isaiah chapter 30!
It is (yesterday’s Lesson) one of the (six) distinct “Woe” Sermons of the Prophet, clearly so. Directed to Judah, God’s “darling” people. The very “apple of God’s Eye,” Deuteronomy 32:10, Lamentations 2:18 and Zechariah 2:8, three times!
The charge (indictment) is stated early in the chapter, verse 1. “Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit ….”
God’s advice, direction, “counsel,” no longer important! They now “lean to their own understanding!”
“To cover with a covering” may imply some form of idol worship! “Nasak” in Hebrew means “to pour out,” as when “casting metal!” Building a little (false) god! But this worship practice has NOT the blessing of God’s Holy Spirit. Of course!
Wow!
So God will “punish” wayward Judah.
With two enemies … one mentioned in verse 2 (the beginning of the Text) and the other in verse 31 (the ending of the chapter)! It is again an example of “inclusio.” Both “Egypt” and “Assyria” are named!
Then as well, the chapter is filled with beautiful little “phrases” and “clauses.” What writing!
Like verse 6 … as Judah trusts Egypt for protection and sustenance … a land from which comes “trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent.” Bad choice, Judah! (With friends like that, who needs enemies?)
Verse 8 introduces us to Isaiah’s “journal!” God commanded: “Now go, write it before them in a table (tablet), and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD.” Really, verses 8 and 9.
In verse 12 they have sinned so much, the little Nation came to the place of “despising God’s Word!” Think how much the Psalmist who gave us the 119th of those beautiful Poems loved God’s Word!
Verse 15 … a spurned invitation! (No irrestible Grace here!) “For thus saith 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 YE WOULD NOT.” Wow!
But in Israel’s future (as of mid-February 2019) there is coming a time of renunciation of all false gods! (The age old Prophetic Theme of “Reversal!”)Separation … “Ye shall defile (make unclean) also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.” National Revival, Salvation, verse 22. (Idols can also be non-corporal; money or fame or sensuality!)
Wow!
And what a glimmer of Grace, near chapter’s end, verse 26 … “In the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.” Bright days ahead! When Jesus comes again! The Divine Physician!
Last of all, in verses 29 and 30 … “Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe (musical instrument) to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel. And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard ….” the result of true Salvation, joy! Hearing (and obeying) God’s Voice!
Yes, as I said earlier … an “enjoyable” chapter.
Thank you, Isaiah.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
.