Isaiah 18
Today's Passage: Isaiah 18
Chapter 18 is very difficult to understand. Isaiah is writing an Oracle that bleeds over from God’s judgment on Israel in chapter 17. Ambassadors from Cush deliver a message to Judah, but we are not told what they said, yet there are two truths we can glean from this oracle.
Keep Watch (3-4)
Chapter 17 gives a vivid account of God’s judgment on Israel for forsaking the Lord and turning away from Him. The reality is that Judah is not much better. They, too, have forgotten their first love and pursued the things of this world. Isaiah is warning Judah to look around and take heed. Do not follow in Israel’s footsteps. Behold their judgment and change your ways before it’s too late.
The Lord is patient and waits to intervene at just the right time. “Like a cloud of dew in the heat of Harvest.” So look at your life. Are you living in your own strength or according to your own path with no regard for God’s Word? Are you living under the assumption that you’ll have time to repent later? The Lord is patient with us, but there is a consequence for sin, so turn to the Lord before the Harvest comes.
Allow His Pruning (5-6)
Isaiah uses graphic prophetic language in these verses to signify the Lord’s pruning. It seems like the Lord, through Isaiah, is telling Judah to return to Him so He can prune them and redeem them.
No one likes to go through suffering or trials, but just like a good farmer, the Lord trims away the waste so that we might produce more fruit. Sometimes he cuts away good things: jobs, loved ones, or comforts, but they are always removed to make way for eternal things (2 For 4:17). We might not like how the Lord prunes us, but be comforted that His pruning is a sign of His love and presence (Heb 12:6).
Is there something in your life that you KNOW goes against the will of the Lord?
Are you willing to allow the Lord to prune that area of your life for your good and his glory?
Written By: Joe Weaver
Chapter 18 is very difficult to understand. Isaiah is writing an Oracle that bleeds over from God’s judgment on Israel in chapter 17. Ambassadors from Cush deliver a message to Judah, but we are not told what they said, yet there are two truths we can glean from this oracle.
Keep Watch (3-4)
Chapter 17 gives a vivid account of God’s judgment on Israel for forsaking the Lord and turning away from Him. The reality is that Judah is not much better. They, too, have forgotten their first love and pursued the things of this world. Isaiah is warning Judah to look around and take heed. Do not follow in Israel’s footsteps. Behold their judgment and change your ways before it’s too late.
The Lord is patient and waits to intervene at just the right time. “Like a cloud of dew in the heat of Harvest.” So look at your life. Are you living in your own strength or according to your own path with no regard for God’s Word? Are you living under the assumption that you’ll have time to repent later? The Lord is patient with us, but there is a consequence for sin, so turn to the Lord before the Harvest comes.
Allow His Pruning (5-6)
Isaiah uses graphic prophetic language in these verses to signify the Lord’s pruning. It seems like the Lord, through Isaiah, is telling Judah to return to Him so He can prune them and redeem them.
No one likes to go through suffering or trials, but just like a good farmer, the Lord trims away the waste so that we might produce more fruit. Sometimes he cuts away good things: jobs, loved ones, or comforts, but they are always removed to make way for eternal things (2 For 4:17). We might not like how the Lord prunes us, but be comforted that His pruning is a sign of His love and presence (Heb 12:6).
Is there something in your life that you KNOW goes against the will of the Lord?
Are you willing to allow the Lord to prune that area of your life for your good and his glory?
Written By: Joe Weaver
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