Isaiah 14:24-16:14
Dear RTB’ers,
Today, judgments on Assyria, the aggressor from the north/northeast and on Israel’s western neighbor, Philistia and its eastern neighbor, Moab. Only a few verses each for the first two, but two full chapters for Moab. While Isaiah has nothing but harsh words for Assyria and Philistia, he seems to have a soft heart for Moab: My heart cries out for Moab; her fugitives flee… let the outcasts of Moab sojourn among you; be a shelter to them from the destroyer. … Therefore I weep with the weeping of Jazer… (v. 15:5a; 16:4, 9a) Or maybe it is the Lord speaking through Isaiah, loving people even as He is bringing devastation upon them.
One other thought today – the Lord will do what He chooses, His plans will not be undone. Four times in a few verses the ESV uses the word “purpose”: As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand… This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? (v. 14:24b, 26-27a) I wonder what is His purpose for our nation for the next few years…? It will be done, whatever it is!
Blessings!
Fred