S) "7 At that time a gift of homage will be brought to the LORD of hosts
From a people tall and smooth,
Even from a people feared far and wide,
A powerful and oppressive nation,
Whose land the rivers divide-
To the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, even Mount Zion."
Isaiah 18:7 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 18
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 18
O) This chapter is a prophecy about Cush (or Ethiopia), but it's a little hard to say it is against them, per se. In v.2, the people are described as an oppressive nation. Then, in vv.5-6, there is prophetic language that could be about literal harvest times, but it could just as easily be seen symbolically. How exactly that should be seen is almost inconsequential, at this point, especially considering that this has almost certainly come to pass already, especially in light of the verse above, which brings us to the final point. The middle four lines of this last verse are a refrain from v.2, but it is framed by what is, perhaps, the most important two lines in the chapter. So often, throughout the Bible, we see God interact with people, and over and over we see His concern is not so much about what they have already done, but what they will do moving forward. In this case, whether the prophecy about harvest was literally about crops or symbolic, we see that this nation responded by honoring the LORD. That is perhaps even more impressive, even than the obedience of Israel (in their good times), when you consider that this was not God's people.
A) In light of the fact that this nation was a Gentile nation, I can immediately relate to them. My own lifestyle, before my relationship with God, was as oppressive as I could make it. If it was possible, I'd make people fear me, or else I'd try to find some other way to manipulate people or circumstances. I didn't understand it, but I was incurring the righteous wrath of God. I was inviting His perfect, but terrible judgment. So, when His punishment was revealed to be loving discipline, my reaction changed. When I understand that the difficult times in my life are the pruning of my Master, I am compelled to bring my gift to Him. That gift, the only thing I can truly offer, is my worship.
P) Father, You are perfectly justified in all of Your judgment. In holiness and righteousness, You sovereignly judged my life. But, instead of giving me the fruit of my sins, which would have been my death, You redeemed me. Thank You, God, for saving me from myself. Let me worship and honor You all of my days, for the goodness, patience, and lovingkindness You have shown Your servant. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) In light of the fact that this nation was a Gentile nation, I can immediately relate to them. My own lifestyle, before my relationship with God, was as oppressive as I could make it. If it was possible, I'd make people fear me, or else I'd try to find some other way to manipulate people or circumstances. I didn't understand it, but I was incurring the righteous wrath of God. I was inviting His perfect, but terrible judgment. So, when His punishment was revealed to be loving discipline, my reaction changed. When I understand that the difficult times in my life are the pruning of my Master, I am compelled to bring my gift to Him. That gift, the only thing I can truly offer, is my worship.
P) Father, You are perfectly justified in all of Your judgment. In holiness and righteousness, You sovereignly judged my life. But, instead of giving me the fruit of my sins, which would have been my death, You redeemed me. Thank You, God, for saving me from myself. Let me worship and honor You all of my days, for the goodness, patience, and lovingkindness You have shown Your servant. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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