S) "10 You felt secure in your wickedness and said,
'No one sees me,'
Your wisdom and your knowledge, they have deluded you;
For you have said in your heart,
'I am, and there is no one besides me.'
11 "But evil will come on you
Which you will not know how to charm away;
And disaster will fall on you
For which you cannot atone;
And destruction about which you do not know
Will come on you suddenly."
Isaiah 47:10-11 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 47
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 47
O) This is prophecy against Babylon (or, perhaps more accurately, against the remnant of Babylon, per v.1). In it, we see God's judgment because of the arrogance and pride of this kingdom. The phrase at the end of v.10, "I am, and there is no one besides me," is a direct comparison te the LORD'S description of Himself in Isaiah 45:22. Although the previous verse can be seen as plain mockery, it is interesting that God calls their sorceries and spells powerful (v.9). So reading v.11, and seeing that they had become impotent, paints a different picture. It would seem, then, that there were evils they were able to charm away, disasters for which they could atone, and destructions that they did see coming. But once again, God proves His omnipotence and sovereignty.
A) The modern application of this is all around me. While they are not given supernatural origin, the authority and application is the same. Evils are charmed with drugs. Money is throne at disasters. The world uses every kind of political, financial, and scientific method it can to predict the future. The needs of humanity are the same. My human needs are the same. The only difference is that modern idolatry has a different calling card. The world bombards me with its "solutions" to my needs. If I believe their claims, then I have all the answers I need in my humanism. But I know the truth. The truth is that the warning above is written to me. If I am not submitted to Christ Jesus as my Lord, then I am inviting the judgment of God. On the other hand, if I truly want to be humble, then I will invite the discipline of God. I want Him to give me more than I can handle. I want the fiery trials that humanism cannot soothe, solve, or see coming. If that discipline brings me closer to God, then it is all worth it.
P) Father, seeing this breakdown of the proud concerns me. I am alarmed, suddenly very aware of just how idolatrous the world wants me to be. I am convicted, seeing how idolatrous I have been. Please forgive me, Father God. Break down my pride however You want. I trust Your discipline to be perfect, intentional, and good. Thank You for loving me. You will be my only hope in the day of evil. You will be my only hope against disaster. You will be my only hope in the face of destruction. Help me to guard my heart, Lord, against all idolatry. You are my God, there is only You, there is no other. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) The modern application of this is all around me. While they are not given supernatural origin, the authority and application is the same. Evils are charmed with drugs. Money is throne at disasters. The world uses every kind of political, financial, and scientific method it can to predict the future. The needs of humanity are the same. My human needs are the same. The only difference is that modern idolatry has a different calling card. The world bombards me with its "solutions" to my needs. If I believe their claims, then I have all the answers I need in my humanism. But I know the truth. The truth is that the warning above is written to me. If I am not submitted to Christ Jesus as my Lord, then I am inviting the judgment of God. On the other hand, if I truly want to be humble, then I will invite the discipline of God. I want Him to give me more than I can handle. I want the fiery trials that humanism cannot soothe, solve, or see coming. If that discipline brings me closer to God, then it is all worth it.
P) Father, seeing this breakdown of the proud concerns me. I am alarmed, suddenly very aware of just how idolatrous the world wants me to be. I am convicted, seeing how idolatrous I have been. Please forgive me, Father God. Break down my pride however You want. I trust Your discipline to be perfect, intentional, and good. Thank You for loving me. You will be my only hope in the day of evil. You will be my only hope against disaster. You will be my only hope in the face of destruction. Help me to guard my heart, Lord, against all idolatry. You are my God, there is only You, there is no other. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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