Month: January 2026 (Page 2 of 3)

In Isaiah 48, the prophet confronts the exiles of Judah with their unbelief in God’s intentions for their future.   The Lord questions the exiles’ unenthusiastic response to his message.  “For a long time now, I’ve let you in on the way I work” (Is. 48:3 MGS).  He called them “stubborn” having neck muscles of iron and foreheads of bronze. They seemed to have more faith in their idols’ assumptions. “You have my predictions and seen them fulfilled, but you refuse to admit it (Is. 48:6).

God, knew their history of unbelief.  God reminded them of the past, when he had made them aware of his divine plan. “That is why I told you what would happen; I told you beforehand what I was going to do. Then you could never say, ‘My idols did it. My wooden image and metal god commanded it to happen'” (Is.48:5).  The people had  attributed the course of events to some agent other than God.  But Isaiah reminds them  that God moves sovereignly through history according to his divine purpose. 

In verse 6 God tells of a “new thing.”  As the Message puts it, “I have a lot more to tell you, things you never knew existed.  This isn’t a variation on the same old thing.  This is new, brand-new, something you’ve never guess or dream up.” (Is. 48:7-8 MSG).  God was in control, as He moved in new ways.  But the prophet was accusing them of being poor listeners.  They had a history of ignoring what God was telling them, while assuming they knew better.  

But God had been patient with his people even though they had been poor listeners.  He told them, “For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely.” (v 9).  Instead of putting their trust in almighty God, the people of God trusted more in their own assumptions about the future.   God wanted his people to trust him with their future.

 Gaven Ortland, points out in his commentary on Isaiah, “God is never defeated. He has a purpose even in the painful upheavals of history.  He has resolved not to punish us as we deserve, but to bring his glory to triumphant finality in human history.  It is God’s glory alone  that guarantees our future.” 

The prophet declares God is using their present situation to refine the people.  He asks, “Do you see what I’ve done?  I’ve refined you, but not without fire.  I’ve tested you like silver in the furnace of affliction.  Out of myself, simply because of who I am, I do what I do.  I have my reputation to keep up.  I’m not playing second fiddle to either gods or people” (Is 40:10-11 MSG). The punishment of invasion and exile is compared to the smelting process designed to remove impurities from fine metals like silver. 

As followers of Jesus, during this confused time, followers of Jesus need to cultivate a “listening ear” to what God is saying, rather then voices generated by unbelief, due to the idols of our day.  God has been patient with us.  He has held back his anger, for the sake and honor of his name.  He knows the rebellious nature of our response to his Word.  

Our heavenly Father is up to something new.  It is beyond our comprehension at this time.  Part of the process is our being refined.  But God promises to rescue us for his sake.  He states, “I have my reputation to keep.  I’m not playing second fiddle to either gods or people” (Is 48:11 MSG).

I have found  Anthony Bradley to have keen insights on the struggle of men in our culture.   He has recently published a study in Exodus.  In a recent blog he notes, “In the grand spiritual war against God’s people, the enemy’s strategy is both ancient and terrifyingly consistent: to dismantle the Church, and attacks its men.  This is a demonic tactic, aimed at severing covenant confidence, breaking the chain of leadership, and leaving God’s people exposed and defenseless.”  Bradley goes on to argues, “the life of Moses, detailed in Exodus, serves as the ultimate case study, revealing the mechanics of this demonic assault  and more importantly God’s powerful counter-strategy for forging the kind of faithful manhood that can withstand it.” 

His use of Exodus has been informative.  “The assault begins with Pharaoh’s decree to kill all Hebrew male infants, an act of political brutality that is at its core a spiritual objective,” observes Bradley. “The devil, seeking to prevent the rise of a prophesied deliverer, finds a willing partner in a ruler consumed by what psychoanalyst Karen Horney identified as ‘neurotic pride.'”   Neurotic pride exposes Pharoah as being vulnerable, causing him to response in rage.  This psychological fragility is called by scholar R.J. Rummel, “democide:” the murder of a people by their own  government. 

Bradley maintains, “centuries later, the devil’s playbook is run again with chilling precision. When King Herod hears of the birth of a rival ‘king of the Jews,’ the same neurotic pride is wounded.  His response is the identical demonic strategy: kill the boys of Bethlehem to eliminate the infant Christ ( Matt 1:18-2:23).  This recurring pattern confirms a demonic agenda, not a historical anomaly.”

Desiring to take my place in our culture, as a man committed to the Lord, I need to be forewarned that as a nation we are under spiritual attack.  Being under spiritual attack is often overlooked, when we consider the breakup of the family.  Patriarchy – the leadership and headship of men is under attack.  Various radical movements, according to Mary  Eberstadt exposes “the threefold crisis of filial attachment that has beset the Western world for more than a half a century.  Deprived of father, Father, and partria, a critical mass of humanity has become socially dysfunctional on a scale not seen before.” Young men, today, “have been left alone in the cosmos with nothing to guide them, not even a firm grasp of what constitutes their basic humanity, and no means of finding the way home.”

 I look back with some regret at the first hears of my marriage (marriage -1965).  I did not  comprehend my role as husband and father, while wanting to follow and serve Jesus.  I was  ordained as a pastor, before scripture helped me see my place as man of God in my family.  The turning point  was the reading of Larry Christianson’s book “The Christian Family” (1970).  I read Larry’s explanation of Eph. 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” I have never read anything as convicting since those days in the early 70’s.

As a result, only by the grace of God and my continually crying out for his mercy, I have remained faithful in my role as husband and father since reading Larry’s book over 60 years ago.  For me, it has meant the following.  First, I have not abandoned my post, even though I have wanting to give up responsibility.  Secondly, I have kept at my post in the continual battle with the enemy.  And thirdly, I am thankful that God has carried me this far.  I want to help others to stay at their post.