Month: October 2022 (Page 3 of 3)

In 63:7- 64:12, Isaiah is acting as a mediator on behalf of his people.  It is a lament and a cry of help.  The content is similar to the book of Lamentations.  The prophet laments over the failure of the people, but also questions God about allowing perilous conditions to persist. These are questions asked in real pain and perplexity, not in hostility or arrogance.  Rather then brooding within, Isaiah directs his compliant upwards to God.  

Where are you, God?  Why are things so different from the way they used to be?  Why are our hearts so hard?  How can we be saved?  How much longer will you be angry with us? “This is one of the most eloquent intercessions of the Bible, as he [Isaiah} surveys the past goodness of God and the present straits of his people” (New Bible Commentary).

Isaiah remembers the way God lead his people. The Message expresses it compassionately, “He didn’t send someone else to help them.  He did it himself, in person.  Out of his own love and pity He redeemed them.  He rescued them and carried them along for a long, long time” (63:9).  But they turned away.  “But they turned on him, they grieved his Holy Spirit.  So, he turned on them, became their enemy and fought them” (v 10).  I wonder how much we have turned away from the Lord? 

Then Isaiah cries out in lament. “Whatever happened to your passion, your famous mighty acts, Your heartfelt pity, your compassion? Why are you holding back? (63:15 -MGS).  He is wondering why God is not making his presence known in their present crisis.  He goes on to ask, “Lord, why have you allowed us to turn from your path?  Why have you given us stubborn hearts, so we no longer fear you? (63:17 NLT).  Isaiah is probably wondering, “God are you giving us what we deserve.”  Is this a question we dare to ask?  

But in 64:1 he cries out boldly, “Oh, that you would burst from the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!”  He is asking God to act on behalf of his people.  He recognizes God’s sovereignty in history saying, “Since before time began no one has ever imagined, no ear heard. no eye seen; a God like you who works for those who wait for him” (64:4 -MSG).  

He grieves over the condition of the people. “No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins” (64:7 NLT).  The prophet seems to accept the sinful condition of his people, as God, “giving them over to their sins.”  

Then we hear his heart felt prayer for the nation. “Still, God, you are our Father.  We’re the clay and you’re our potter: All of us are what you made us.  Don’t be too angry with us, O God.  Don’t keep a permanent account of wrongdoing.  Keep in mind, please, we are your people – all of us” (v 9 – MGS).

In the midst of all the wrong that he sees in the nation, Isaiah directs his prayer in lament to God.  This is a lesson for each of us.  The greater the darkness, the more we should bring our complaint to God.  But like Isaiah we need to plead for his mercy upon us, even though we do not deserve it.  “In the face of all this, are you going to sit there unmoved, God?  Aren’t you going to say something?  Haven’t you made us miserable long enough?” (64:12 – MSG). 

In Chapter 6 of Micah, the prophet is using legal language to portray a courtroom scene.  God is bringing a lawsuit against Israel. He instructs them, “Stand up and state your case against me” (6:1).   Israel put on trial before the watching world is, “epitomized in dramatic terms by its oldest inhabitants – the mountains and the hills – who have been silent witnesses to his dealings with people right from the beginning” (BST). 

“And now, O mountains, listen to the Lord’s complaint!  He has a case against his people.  He will bring charges against Israel” (6:2).  God is entering a charge.  Now Israel must bring its defense.  Earlier Micah had given a long list of their sins, but now the mood has changed.  God in his compassion addresses them as “his people” (v 3).  “The language here is personal and passionate, far more like a father’s plea to his child or a husband pleading with his wife” (BST). 

God is more concerned about restoring a relationship rather then listing all their shortcomings.  “O my people what have I done to you?  What have I done to make you tired of me? Answer me!” (v 3 ).  I can almost feel my mother in her loving discipline of me, asking “Alan, what have I done wrong that I should be treated in this manner.”  Like the Israelites, I could either shrug off my mother’s discipline or admit my fault.  God, as a loving father is asking his people to consider their rebellious attitude.  He is grieved over their behavior as his people.

God reminds them to remember all that He had done. “I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery.  I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam.  My people remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered.  Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord” (v 4-5).  The Lord is imploring them to remember how he brought them out of Egypt, preserving and protecting them on their journey to the promised land.

I wonder –  have we forgotten the mighty acts of God in our day.  We may have failed as his people  and as a nation as well.  But, I contend, God’s favor has been upon us in many ways.  I wonder – is His hand of favor being lifted in our day.  When I survey the moral stance of our nation, is God asking, “Dear people, how have I done you wrong?  Have I burdened you, worn you out!  Answer!  

There has been a deliberate attempt to question and remove our Christian heritage.  But as believers we are to remember not only the goodness of God in our lives, but how his hand of favor has been upon our nation.  Woe to us, if we forget God. One lesson from Micah 6 is not to forget.  “When people refuse to see how fortunate they are and begin to take God’s gifts for granted, they become self-centered.” (Application Bible). 

Men, do not let the angry voices in our culture cause you to forget.  Remember to, “Keep all God’s salvation stories fresh and present” (6: 5 – MGS). Be eternally thankful for his goodness.  In our day, especially celebrate and be glad for the freedom you have enjoyed.  May it motivate you to take a stand for the Lordship of Jesus in our day. We all may be asked to pay a price for our stand.  If we don’t stand for what is right, who will?