4Sing for joy, O Daughter of Zion;
shout aloud, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
O Daughter of Jerusalem!
15The LORD has taken away your punishment;
He has turned back your enemy.
Israel’s King, the LORD, is among you;
no longer will you fear any harm.
16On that day they will say to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear, O Zion;
do not let your hands fall limp.
17The LORD your God is among you;
He is mighty to save.
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you with His love;
He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3 (Berean Bible)
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On that day, He will quiet you with His love and will rejoice over you with singing. But what about today? Is He not mighty among us today as well? How do we embrace the hidden secret of comfort Now. Even amid our tempestuous life’s journey, is it not there with us? He who is the same today, yesterday, forever and always. Is He not among us? Mighty to save, rejoicing over each one of His beloved children with gladness. Is it not His wondrous love that can quiet or turbulent hearts as He rejoices over us with His singing.
Everything around us screams out the brokenness of this world and the world system in which we live at present. Our own lives are filled with chaos, always changing, with obligations, worries, and uncertainties. How can we maneuver life’s tempestuous journey. Even when we think we have it all together, something always steps in. It feels like our very souls are tossed to and fro. If only we could embrace the hidden secret of comfort only He can afford amid the chaos. Then we could soar above the worries and trials we face here on this earth. If only we could learn to rest in His love.
Life’s Tempestuous Journey in the days of Zephaniah
Such also was the world in which Zephaniah was living. He saw all the evil around him; yet, there was King Josiah. There was a glimpse of hope amid the darkness of the world around him. King Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Revival spread through the land. Then the word of the Lord came to Zephaniah and that word was one of certain judgement drawing closer with each day.
1 This is the word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah:
2 “I will completely sweep away
everything from the face of the earth,”
declares the LORD.
3 “I will sweep away man and beast;
I will sweep away the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
and the idols with their wicked worshipers.
I will cut off mankind
from the face of the earth,” Zephaniah 1 (Berean Bible)
It was His people and His land that God spoke of here. His rage against sin certain and his people the worst of sinners. Although he was foretelling of the coming Babylonian conquest of His people, this declaration was far more global than just that. It foretells a judgement yet to come. One that weighs heavily on my heart these days.
Life’s Tempestuous Journey filled with Sorrow
1I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit. 2I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood, 4the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen. Romans 9 (Berean Bible)
Yet, no amount of sorrow or anguish can transform a single soul. Those who seek after Baal and idols, worshiping self, the earth and the stars rather than God will perish. My tears and sorrow cannot change that. How is there any hope to embrace the hidden secret of comfort in this tempestuous life’s journey. His wrath and judgement is certain.
declares the LORD.
4 “I will stretch out My hand against Judah
and against all who dwell in Jerusalem.
I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal,
the names of the idolatrous and pagan priests—
5 those who bow on the rooftops
to worship the host of heaven,
those who bow down and swear by the LORD
but also swear by Milcom,
6 and those who turn back
from following the LORD,
neither seeking the LORD. Zephaniah 1
God will not Be Silent Forever
God never remains silent forever. We look around and see idolatrous living. Wars and rumors of wars abound in the news We watch as our children and grandchildren are confronted with so many evil ideas. At times subtle and at other times blatantly in our faces. Their innocence of childhood being brutally from them, right before our eyes Voices of reason are muffled by the noise of the crowds. So how do we embrace hidden secrets of comfort amid life’s tempestuous journey? Zephaniah suggest we:
Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD,
for the Day of the LORD is near.
Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice;
He has consecrated His guests.
But who are His guests? Is it not as Jesus said?
Life’s Tempestuous Journey–the Hidden Secret of Comfort
Then Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
37 He replied, “The One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.
40 As the weeds are collected and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness. 42 And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matthew 13
Life’s Tempestuous Journey –Where is the Hidden Secret of Comfort Found?
8 “On the Day of the LORD’s sacrifice
I will punish the princes,
the sons of the king,
and all who are dressed in foreign apparel.
9 On that day I will punish
all who leap over the threshold,
who fill the house of their master
with violence and deceit.
10 On that day,” declares the LORD,
“a cry will go up from the Fish Gate,
a wail from the Second District,
and a loud crashing from the hills.
11 Wail, O dwellers of the Hollow,
for all your merchantswill be silenced;
all who weigh out silver will be cut off. Zephaniah 3
Not only will He judge those who perpetrate evil but also those who sit idly complacently while watching evil grow.
12 And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men settled in complacency,
who say to themselves,
‘The LORD will do nothing,
either good or bad.’
Jesus will Return to Reign in Jerusalem
The Lord will return for the rapture. Judgement will rain down on earth as every depravity of humanity comes full circle. The antichrist and beast will reign upon this earth with a global rule. At that time Jesus will take the scroll of the deed to earth. He will open the seven seals, the seven trumpets will sound, and the seven bowls of wrath will be poured out to cleanse the earth. Particularly this will be the final cleansing of God’s People—Israel. Only then will the remnant embrace the hidden secret of comfort amid life’s tempestuous journey.
The Great Day of the Lord is Near
14 The great Day of the LORD is near—
near and coming quickly.
Listen, the Day of the LORD!
Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter.
15 That day will be
a day of wrath,
a day of trouble and distress,
a day of destruction and desolation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness,
16 a day of horn blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities,
and against the high corner towers.
17 I will bring such distress on mankind
that they will walk like the blind,
because they have sinned against the LORD. Zephaniah 1
But to embrace the hidden secret of comfort, one must first know what this hidden secret is. The truth is it was neverhidden nor secret. It has been the theme throughout the ages. The only theme and word that matter is Jesus Christ. The perfect incarnate son of God the father, united in purpose with their very essence—the Holy Spirit. The three in one. So, let us turn to this prayer of Jesus that we might have hope in this world.
1When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. 2For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. 3Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. 4I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed.
He is all power, glory and dominion forever; yet, willingly paid our penalty and price. At that same time, he was preparing to face the unthinkable upon the cross—separation from Father and Holy Spirit for a time, bearing their wrath being poured out upon Him on our behalf. Even then, he paused to pray for us.
Prayer for the Disciples
6I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. 8For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me.
I told them the truth of who you are and who I am. They believed and on faith accepted every word. They belong to you just as they belong to me.
9I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours. 10All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine; and in them I have been glorified. 11I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You.
Therefore, I ask you:
Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one. 12While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.
Let them know the hidden secret of comfort amid this life’s tumultuous journey. Let your joy fill their hearts with steadfastness, abiding each step of the way.
13But now I am coming to You; and I am saying these things while I am in the world, so that they may have My joy fulfilled within them. 14I have given them Your word and the world has hated them; for they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
Yes, we will face Life’s Tumultuous Journey. Even more tumultuous because they must remain to do the work for now. The evil one will continue to attack their hearts and minds in this broken world. But God is there every treacherous step of the way to uplight and uphold us by His mighty hand.
15I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. 18As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth.
Prayer for All Believers
20I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—23I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.
24Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
25Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, I know You, and they know that You sent Me. 26And I have made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.”
When I Feel So Lost, Alone
When I feel so lost, alone
I turn my gaze upon His throne
He who for my sins did die
To rise again and justify
A wretched heart whose selfish pride
Could never set my Self aside
Until I saw a glimpse His gaze
It was there my heart was set ablaze
To know a love so greater still
That I might bow beneath His will
And when I feel so sad, so down
I then must look upon His crown
A crown of thorns once cut His brow
Exchanged for Glory that somehow
To there bestow on me His Grace
So as I gaze upon His face
Transform this wretched heart of mine
Unto His righteous Heart Divine
As step by step I bow before
The one who doth my life restore
For when I stop to see this world
The sorrow, pain evil has hurled
Upon the foolish, blind and lost
I then can see the depth, the cost
The weight of sin He chose to bare
For selfish ones who do not care
With hate-filled looks, their brazen stare
Whose hardened hearts do then declare
Themselves as kings yet all the while
Destroying all! Such Hate and guile
They think themselves so righteous wise
While cloaked with lies their one disguise
Oh, how I hate to see them Lord
Despising you in one accord
Yet, there I see your arms stretched wide
To bid them come to You, abide
Oh come repentant, sinner come
And bow before Your throne succumb
Unto Your Grace, Your love profound
To there sing praise, Salvation’s Sound
Broken and Sad
So broken, sad my desperate heart
Desires to leave this world, depart
To sit before Your precious throne
And bask within Your love alone
Broken, scarred, no strength, no might
To face the battles I MUST fight
It is there I hear your gentle voice
Bid me to stay and make the choice
To stand once more, Your truth my shield
As to they will I fully yield
In You I have the strength, the might
In darkness, You are my shining light
So, hold me tight within Your hand
That I might do all Your will has planned
Your love, your joy will fill each day
You will give my lips the words to say
So, I might then proclaim Your Glorious Grace
Help others see Your Lovely Face
So that the broken, lost alone
May then repent, make you their own
So all the lost, broken and sad
Come look upon His Cross be glad
For He who died to pay your way
Will come, abide with you today
You will find that there above all measure
He is the one, your greatest treasure
Who takes your lost and broken heart
To there indwell and never depart
His Love for You will never cease
That you might know His Joy and Peace
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28 (NKJV)
It is Elohim (God in three persons) who has proclaimed this. He does so in Isaiah 40 where he is foretelling of a time yet to come in which Jesus is King forever. God is Tireless, he does not faint nor grow weary. He is not slow in accomplishing all that he has promised. Yet, in His Merciful Grace, He waits until the ordained moment in time only known to the Father. Yet, this passage also speaks of Jesus who is Lord. He is also the creator of the ends of the earth as John proclaimed nothing was created apart from Him in John 1: 3 Therefore, Jesus is tireless as well. He never faints nor grows weary in pursuing all those whom are His.
After much of Isaiah describing the coming judgement for Israel, he speaks of the coming full restoration. Yes, he was speaking of the Assyrian overthrow of Israel and the Babylonian overthrow of Judah; but, also he referred to a future time. It is that future time that completes the cleansing of Israel once and for all. That is how when reading Isaiah 40 we must see not only the past moments of comfort, but also the future comfort that will not end.
God is Tireless in Proclaiming Hope and Comfort
“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” Says your God. 2 “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned; For she has received from the Lord’s hand Double for all her sins.” Isaiah 40 (NKJV)
Why would there be consideration that the Jewish nation would pay double for their transgression. They were the covenant people of God. No nation had been given more enlightenment as to God’s person than Israel at that time. Yet, often we see pagans worship God with more fervor than the chosen people of God. Was this not the case with Ruth? Or later the case with Nebuchadnezzar or Cyrus, both of which at minimum did acknowledge His sovereignty over the affairs of humanity? If you recall, even the city of Nineveh which was the center of Babylonian culture repented and were saved for a time until the next generation failed to worship God and they returned to their evil ways as a nation.
But are these words of comfort not for us as well? We did not replace the Jewish nation in God’s plan; but uniquely are grafted into the promises. Also, there is the warning as well. If we know Him as Lord and Savior, are we not to receive a greater earthly punishment when we stray? Although, rather than punishment, it is God’s chastisement to cause us to turn around before we destroy ourselves and our testimony.
God is Tireless—Jesus Foretold of
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth; 5 The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40
Even before the Babylonian exile, Isaiah wrote of the John the Baptist and Jesus’ birth. The Glory of the Lord shall be revealed! He came, he died, he rose again, where He is seated at the right hand of the Father awaiting the moment of His return. First to rapture His church and then to save Israel from the evil. It is during the tribulation that Israel will finally repent as a nation and trust wholly in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
10 Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. Isaiah 40 (NKJV)
As God is tireless, He will continue through the ages performing all His pleasure in caring, wooing, and providing for his own.
He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. Isaiah 40 (NKJV)
Do Not Doubt the Power of God
He has displayed His wisdom and power throughout all the ages of earth. His miracles have been on perfect display, if only we open our eyes to see.
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales And the hills in a balance? Isaiah 40 (NKJV)
God is tireless in directing the earth as well. He does not grow weary or faint.
13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or as His counselor has taught Him? 14 With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, And showed Him the way of understanding? Isaiah 40 (NKJV)
God is all knowledge, truth, wisdom, and righteousness. He created it all from His own essence. No power on this earth can overtake Him.
15 Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales Isaiah 40 (NKJV)
Can you doubt, fear or wonder about Him. Is there anything or anyone who can compare to Him?
18 To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him?…
21 Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Isaiah 40 (NKJV)
God is tireless in His Watching Over the Nations
Although He may allow evil to rise for a time, He uses it to accomplish His perfect plan of Grace.
23 He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless.
24 Scarcely shall they be planted, Scarcely shall they be sown, Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth, When He will also blow on them, And they will wither, And the whirlwind will take them away like stubble. Isaiah 40 (NKJV)
Therefore
25 “To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing. Isaiah 40 (NKJV)
Every star in the heavens obey His command. They remain in their orbit by the hand of Jesus Christ.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.(Colossians 1:17 ESV)
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Isaiah 40 NKJV
Because God is tireless, neither shall we faint
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40 NKJV
We have no fear because we know who holds our hand.
The terrors that surround us are nothing compared to His strength and power to hold us.
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
11 “Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. 12 You shall seek them and not find them— Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. 13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ Isaiah 41 (NKJV)
The Plan for the Salvation of the Gentiles Outlined
Although we would have given up long ago on all this race of people, God is tireless in His pursuit. What He has proclaimed from the beginning, He has completed to the end.
Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. 2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. Isaiah 42 (NKJV)
Jesus came for the broken and the downcast spirit. God is tireless in His pursuit of justice.
3 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. 4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law.” Isaiah 42 NKJV
And who is this we are to place our trust?
5 Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out,(Do You Know) Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, (He) Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it: Isaiah 42 NKJV
He has called for His people to be a light in the world. Yet, this He will accomplish in you.
6 “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, 7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. 8 I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. 9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42 (NKJV)
God Tells of His plans for Israel both past, present and future
Isaiah 43 foretells of the return of prosperity to the nation of Israel as well as strength. Many of these prophecies have been fulfilled since 1962. God is preparing a way for the ultimate redemption of the Jewish nation and the completion of His covenant promises. Forever, He is tireless in His work throughout the ages and today.
10 Sing to the Lord a new song, And His praise from the ends of the earth, You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, You coastlands and you inhabitants of them! 11 Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice…, Let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12 Let them give glory to the Lord, And declare His praise in the coastlands. 13 The Lord shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. (And) He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies. Isaiah 42 (NKJV)
Although it appears He is Tarrying Long, God is Tireless
14 “I have held My peace a long time, I have been still and restrained Myself. Now I will cry like a woman in labor, I will pant and gasp at once. (Isaiah 42 NKJV)
Just as the earth is like a woman in travail, God will cry out against injustice. He sees all that is happening and will return when the time is right. Then, He says at that time, concerning Israel He has said,
15 I will lay waste the mountains and hills, And dry up all their vegetation; I will make the rivers coastlands, And I will dry up the pools. 16 I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, And crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, And not forsake them. 17 They shall be turned back, They shall be greatly ashamed, Who trust in carved images, Who say to the molded images, ‘You are our gods.’ Isaiah 42 NKJV
God is Tireless As He Prepares The Way
Isaiah 43 foretells of the return of prosperity to the nation of Israel as well as strength. God is preparing a way for their ultimate redemption and the completion of His covenant promises. He is tireless in His work throughout the ages and today.
6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God. 7 And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, Since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, Let them show these to them. 8 Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.’” Isaiah 44 NKJV
Jesus Came, He Lived, He Died, He rose, and He is coming Again
So together in one voice let us read the conclusions in how God is tireless and therefore, we have nothing to worry, though all around us falls apart.
Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we ]esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 9 And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. 11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 53
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure. Isaiah 25:1 (ESV)
Isaiah and Habakuk foretold of Babylon being brought down to overthrow Israel. Isaiah also told of the fall of Babylon. But as we read Isaiah 13 and 14, we will see that God revealed the nearer predictions of Babylon as well as that yet to come. But you might say is Babylon still a prominent city? No, but the spirit of Babylon is alive and well. All these predictions of Babylon occurred before Babylon even had risen to power. Indeed, its initial fall was at least 150 years after these predictions of Isaiah. It helped to give Daniel hope and faith amid his captivity. Also, Isaiah even foretold of Cyrus, the Persian (way before he was even born). Therefore, Babylon’s Fall, declares the Sovereignty of God Almighty.
Furthermore, just as the former fall of Babylon came to be, so will the future fall of Babylonian thought. What is the greatest sin leading to Babylon’s failures? Is it not the same as Satan’s greatest sin? Pride. Pride causes humanity to believe oneself to be greater than God. Oh, one might say, “I would never believe myself greater than God.” But do we not each time we are sad believing our life oppressed? If we really believe He is good and all that He desires for His redeemed is their sanctification and their joy, then would it not be pride that causes us to be saddened by any circumstances? A pride that destroys faith is believing we know better than God what is best for us.
So, let’s look at some of this prophecy and evaluate how it declares why we must not fear.
The Sovereignty of God speaks to Cyrus before he is born.
5 “Thus says the Lord to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held— To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: 2 ‘I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. Isaiah 45 (NKJV)
Think of this, God is foretelling through Isaiah the strength of Cyrus from Persia. Cyrus the Great was the Persian King who developed the massive Achaemenian Empire. He was born somewhere around 590-580 BC. Isaiah died somewhere between 690-680 BC. What did God’s word say to Cyrus?
3 I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel. 4 For Jacob My servant’s sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me. Isaiah 45 (NKJV)
This was the message from God, that later Daniel would read to Cyrus the Great. He then released the Jewish people to return and rebuild Jerusalem. Furthermore, he gave them materials to do so.
Amazing Truth, the Sovereignty of God Almighty
5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, 6 That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; 7 I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.’ Isaiah 45 (NKJV)
It was the Sovereignty of God Almighty and His strength that gave Cyrus the Great his success in conquering huge portions of land. It was in 539 BC that Cyrus the great conquered Babylon.
8 “Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together. I, the Lord, have created it.
Isaiah 45 (NKJV)
And therefore, we can believe this truth, righteousness will one day overtake the world when Jesus Christ returns in all His Glory to reign upon earth. Only God can create righteousness on earth. It is part of His essence.
The Sovereignty of God Almighty in the Fall of Babylon
The pronouncement concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw:
2 Lift up a flag on the bare hill, Raise your voice to them, Wave the hand that they may enter the doors of the nobles. 3 I have commanded My consecrated ones, I have also called for My warriors Who boast in My eminence, To execute My anger. Isaiah 13 (NASB)
Consecrated is defined as to Make or Declare—God had declared Cyrus to overthrow Babylon, but who in the future destruction of Babylon? I guarantee God has someone already declared though they may not have yet been born..
4 A sound of a roar on the mountains, Like that of many people! A sound of an uproar of kingdoms, Of nations gathered together! The Lord of armies is mustering the army for battle. 5 They are coming from a distant country, From the farthest horizons, The Lord and the weapons of His indignation, To destroy the whole land. Isaiah 13 (NASB)
Who is leading this great ultimate overthrow of the mysterious Babylon? Jesus Christ for He is the Lord of God’s Army.
The Day of the Lord is Coming
I love the way that God can speak of today in the same moment He speaks of tomorrow. For He is outside of time and space. Yet, He fulfills all of His prophecies as they are then and again as they are yet to come.
Wail, for the day of the Lord is near! It will come as destruction from the Almighty. 7 Therefore all hands will fall limp, And every human heart will melt. 8 They will be terrified, Pains and anguish will take hold of them; They will writhe like a woman in labor, They will look at one another in astonishment, Their faces aflame. Isaiah 13 (NASB)
In the Day of the Lord when judgement comes upon all the evil of this world. But why do I think pride is a part of sin itself?
Well let’s look at some of the Kings of Judah.
Pride that comes before a fall—King Uzziah
Throughout the recorded history of the Kings, we saw evil kings over Israel (some worse than others) while some good and some bad in Judah. One that was good, turned upside down was King Uzziah.
3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. 4 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 5 He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. 2 Chronicles 26 (NKJV)
He won great battles against the Philistines. But then what happened?
16 But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the Lord—valiant men. 18 And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, “Itis not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the Lord God.” 2 Chronicles 26
When Pride Steps In and the Sovereignty of God is questioned
19 Then Uzziah became furious; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead, before the priests in the house of the Lord, beside the incense altar. 20 And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also hurried to get out, because the Lord had struck him.
21 King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. 2 Chronicles 26 (NKJV)
One example of why not to become proud. After all, God is all powerful and He is about the work of transforming me into the image of Christ. So, whatever it takes, He will do.
King Ahaz and God’s Plan
So you can read in 2 Chronicles 28 about King Ahaz, who was so bad God sent Syria to shake him up a bit as they took many captives. To make it worse, then Israel fought against Judah and took many captives. This demonstrates the ultimate in pride that could not be broken as we see what King Ahaz does. God did intervene and have Israel return their captives.
9 But a prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out before the army that came to Samaria, and said to them: “Look, because the Lord God of your fathers was angry with Judah, He has delivered them into your hand; but you have killed them in a rage that reaches up to heaven. 10 And now you propose to force the children of Judah and Jerusalem to be your male and female slaves; but are you not also guilty before the Lord your God? 11 Now hear me, therefore, and return the captives, whom you have taken captive from your brethren, for the fierce wrath of the Lordis upon you.” 2 Chronicles 28 (NKJV)
Despite seeing God’s intervening in every case, King Ahaz doubled down on being evil. Indeed, he determined to worship the gods of Syria, believing they had given the Syrians strength. He never recognizes the hand of God in it all. He even closed the doors on the house of the Lord, took many of its articles and built altars to false gods.
When the Sovereignty of God Almighty Puts an End to Pride
God has spoken concerning the Day of the Lord
So I will punish the world for its evil And the wicked for their wrongdoing; I will also put an end to the audacity of the proud And humiliate the arrogance of the tyrants. Isaiah 13 (NASB)
God speaks of the coming destruction of Babylon. There was a former overthrow of Babylon as well we know, but there is one to come with final destruction.
And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans’ pride, Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 20 It will never be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation; Nor will the Arab pitch his tent there, Nor will shepherds allow their flocks to lie down there. Isaiah 13 (NASB)
The Sovereignty of God Almighty Keeps His Covenants always
For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob. 2 Then people will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them for servants and maids in the land of the Lord; they will take them captive whose captives they were, and rule over their oppressors. Isaiah 14 (NKJV)
He now goes back to the DAY of the Lord which is to come and says the King of Babylon will be destroyed.
3 It shall come to pass in the day the Lord gives you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear and the hard bondage in which you were made to serve, 4 that you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say:
“How the oppressor has ceased, The golden[a] city ceased! 5 The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, The scepter of the rulers; 6 He who struck the people in wrath with a continual stroke, He who ruled the nations in anger, Is persecuted and no one hinders. 7 The whole earth is at rest and quiet; They break forth into singing. Isaiah 14 (NKJV)
But then we are told, who is the true King of the Spirit of Babylon that invades us even today.
PRIDE
12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit. Isaiah 14 (NKJV)
So, what was the thing that led Satan to rebel? Pride! And what is the Spirit of Babylon even today? The Pride of humanity believing they have a better answer for life than God does. So let us pray for God to reveal in our hearts the threads of pride we may or may not be aware of so we might always point the world to Jesus Christ, our only hope and our salvation. And let us always trust in the Sovereignty of God Almighty to lead us along the paths of life.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
8 Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!
For what good is the day of the Lord to you?
It will be darkness, and not light.
19 It will be as though a man fled from a lion,
And a bear met him!
Or as though he went into the house,
Leaned his hand on the wall,
And a serpent bit him!
20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light?
Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it? Amos 5 (NKJV)
As I read these verses found in this week’s reading, I paused to consider my heart. Oh, I long for the rapture, desiring to go home. So many sorrows and trials here on this earth. Yet, consider this. When the rapture comes, what of all those who are left behind? Yes, we long for true justice and righteousness to reign. But do we remember that judgement will fall upon all the earth. Calamity such as never known before.
While we long for Christ’s return, we must be ever diligent to proclaim his name to all we meet along this path. Should there not be a heaviness of heart for those whom we know that do not know him? Or a broken heart for all those drowning in their anti God ideologies. True Justice can only occur through judgement. And true justice should demand my penalty as well were it not for the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ who paid my penalty.
9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; when it comes the heavens will disappear with a horrific noise and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze, and the earth and every deed done on it will be laid bare. 2 Peter 3 (NET)
True Justice Will Come
This was the message of Amos to the northern tribes of Israel as well as the message Isaiah and Micah brought to primarily Judah. Amos began his ministry a little earlier than Isaiah. Isaiah and Micah were prophets during the same period, albeit Micah’s ministry was for a brief period compared to Isaiah. They all served during the days leading up to the Assyrian invasion of Israel and the Babylonian invasion that overtook the empire of Assyria and all engulfed all of Judah.
These prophets were tasked with an impossible mission. They were to awaken the people to what true justice would look like. We have the same edit to awaken the people to the truth: true justice will come. They pleaded with the people to listen and to take heed to what true justice would look like. They were guiltier than those surrounding them, if that were possible because they had been given so much grace through the years Yet, instead of seeing that grace as an undeserved gift from God, they rather saw it as if they were entitled to it.
Entitlement syndrome is always a sin and leads to destruction. We see it all too prevalent in our modern society and in our children. Yet it was there from the beginning when Eve saw the fruit and thought she deserved it. Or when Cain killed his brother in a jealous rage because he thought himself entitled to worship God his way and not God’s way.
The United States having been given so much also, owes its allegiance to God for all He has bountifully given of grace.
True Justice Will Come- Woe to those who Disregard God’s Grace
This is the message of these three prophets.
The Lord God has sworn by Himself, The Lord God of hosts says: “I abhor the pride of Jacob, And hate his palaces; Therefore I will deliver up the city And all that is in it.” Amos 6 (NKJV)
And Isaiah?
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me; 3 The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.”
4 Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the Lord, They have provoked to anger The Holy One of Israel, They have turned away backward. Isaiah 1 (NKJV)
Echoed by Micah
2 Hear, all you peoples! Listen, O earth, and all that is in it! Let the Lord God be a witness against you, The Lord from His holy temple.
3 For behold, the Lord is coming out of His place; He will come down And tread on the high places of the earth. 4 The mountains will melt under Him, And the valleys will split Like wax before the fire, Like waters poured down a steep place. 5 All this is for the transgression of Jacob And for the sins of the house of Israel. Micah 1 (NKJV)
Because God is perfect righteousness, then He must one day judge. Yet, in His Sovereignty, He provided an escape for all who would believe. That escape also involved, saving a remnant of the Jewish Nation always to bring about the birth of His Son so He could provide the atonement for our sins. This is also foretold by these prophets.
Grace for all Who Accept God’s Gift When True Justice comes
There is a day coming when True Justice will Reign. On that day, all the nations and leaders who denied God’s rule will be swallowed up just as foretold by Obadiah.
15 “For the day of the Lord upon all the nations is near; As you have done, it shall be done to you; Your reprisal shall return upon your own head. 16 For as you drank on My holy mountain, So shall all the nations drink continually; Yes, they shall drink, and swallow, And they shall be as though they had never been. Obadiah 1 (NKJV)
The years of the tribulation are to complete God’s cleansing work among the Jewish nation. Out of it will come a multitude of believers known as the martyrs. They will be just as He foretold in Daniel and Revelation as well as the many prophets.
4 I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; And) They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. 15 I will plant them in their land, And no longer shall they be pulled up From the land I have given them,” Says the Lord your God. Amos 9 (NKJV)
One day, when Jesus Reigns on earth.
Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. Isaiah 2
Micah mimics also speaks these words in chapter 4 plus these:
6“In that day,” says the Lord, “I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast And those whom I have afflicted; 7 I will make the lame a remnant, And the outcast a strong nation; So the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion From now on, even forever. Micah 4 (NKJV)
But How Can That Be? Do we not all deserve wrath when true justice reigns?
This is the truth that is evident in all the messages of the prophets. Yet all point toward a Savior as has all scripture throughout the Bible. Such a perfect picture of Christ told through all the ages of the scriptures, pointing us to the veracity of it all. Amos foretold of the Lion of Judah.
If an alarm sounds in a city, do people not fear? If disaster overtakes a city, is the Lord not responsible? 7 Certainly the Sovereign Lord does nothing without first revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. 8 A lion has roared! Who is not afraid? The Sovereign Lord has spoken. Who can refuse to prophesy? Amos 3(NKJV)
Amos also spoke of the Gentiles who would be saved.
11 “On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old; 12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,” Says the Lord who does this thing. Amos 9 (NKJV)
Isaiah spoke often of Jesus
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” Isaiah 6 (NKJV)
Whenever a prophet saw the Lord, it was the pre-incarnate Jesus as we learned from Moses, no one could see the face of God and live. Only Moses saw His afterglow.
13 Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel Isaiah 7 (NKJV)
Furthermore, Isaiah spoke of Jesus
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9 (NKJV)
Micah also Wrote of Jesus
Beyond writing a lot about Jesus’ future reign as Lord, Micah also foretold of his birth.
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” Micah 5 (NKJV)
But until true justice reigns, what can we expect.
Just as we were told, the days will wax worse and worse.
“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the Lord. 12 They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, But shall not find it. Amos 8
Why? Because that is what broken people in a broken world do when given choice.
You have turned justice into a poisonous plant, and the fruit of righteous actions into a bitter plant. Amos 6 (NKJV)
Yet there is no excuse for humanities choices
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. Romans 1 (NKJV)
His righteousness has been known since creation
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1 (NKJV)
This is true of every individual.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Romans 1 (NKJV)
Thereby worshiping the creature rather than the creator.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. Romans 1 (NKJV)
In other words, he allowed them to chase after whatever pursuits and this led to humanity chasing after new and different pleasures. This is no different than in the days of Noah or Sodom and Gomorrah. Unbridled passions seeking to find pleasure however it could be found. Although never finding and never being satisfied. Therefore, when left unchecked, no true justice is found in the hearts of humanity.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1 (NKJV)
Could there have been true justice without choice?
Then we would be puppets and marionettes if there were no choice. Or perhaps like the angels, there is no idea of grace. They either fell with Satan, or they remained true to God. No chance of salvation by grace. But we are given the hope of repentance and salvation from the doom that true justice would bring. We can recognize our sinful state, believe the truth that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that when we turn to Him in humility, repentant of our sin we can be saved. We can be accounted as righteous because of His righteousness.
With what shall I come before the Lord, And bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old? 7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, Ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6 (NKJV)
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
God stands up to open heaven’s court. He pronounces judgment on the judges. 2 How long will you judges refuse to listen to the evidence? How long will you shower special favors on the wicked? 3 Give fair judgment to the poor man, the afflicted, the fatherless, the destitute. 4 Rescue the poor and helpless from the grasp of evil men. 5 But you are so foolish and so ignorant! Because you are in darkness, all the foundations of society are shaken to the core. 6 I have called you all “gods” and “sons of the Most High.” 7 But in death you are mere men. You will fall as any prince—for all must die.
8 Stand up, O God, and judge the earth. For all of it belongs to you. All nations are in your hands. Psalm 82 (The Living Bible)1
Throughout scripture there are references to the The Day of the Lord with great anticipation. It is a day referring to the final judgement of this earth. For the Jewish nation it stands for a day when they are finally free from attack from other nations. They anticipate it with Joy, not fear; however, it involves their cleansing as well. It will be through the tribulation that they are ultimately cleansed and become a people who love the Lord with His laws written on their hearts. So, why in our studies do I bring this now? Well as we look at Obadiah, we recognize this truth. It is like looking through a progressive lens which sees near, mid-range, and distance. It is the same for nearly all of the prophets. They see near, a bit farther in the distance, and then in the far distance.
Joy, not fear because God has Ordained All that We See
It is glimpse into what Asaph saw in the distance as God judges all the rules and judges of this earth. Not much is known as to the time of the writing of Obadiah, but I tend to believe it was referring first to the battle between the Edomites and Judah. Furthermore, it does describe what will be the final judgement completed by Jesus Christ. None of this can complete the Jewish nation however without the seven years of tribulation occurring to as Daniel reports to us.
24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Daniel 9 (NKJV)
The tribulation is the final week of years to complete Israel preparing them that God will redeem them and write His laws upon their hearts.
Why the Edomites for final judgement?
Now the Edomites are the descendants of Esau. He was Jacob’s Older Twin Brother who nonchalantly sold his birthright for some red porridge. Then he was tricked out of the blessing by his brother Jacob. So, was Jacob a better person? No, except in this one thing—he worshipped God. On the other hand, Esau had no regard for God. He had gone off and married Hittite women to the dismay of his Isaac and Rebecca. Furthermore, it is believed by tradition that he worshipped idols. At any rate he had no regard for seeking God. Yet, it is noted then when the Israelite people were crossing the desert after their 400 years in Egypt the King of Edom would not allow them to cross his land. They were both nations descendants of Isaac.
We have an interesting turn of events when the Edomites join forces with Judah and Israel to defeat the Moabites in 2 Kings 3. The land of Edom was north of Israel where lay red mountain ranges. So, the story was that God told the Kings after assembling that they would win. He had them build large ditches in the valley. Then when the Moabites came for battle.
2 Kings 3 (NKJV)–Joy, Not Fear Because God IS
20 Now it happened in the morning, when the grain offering was offered, that suddenly water came by way of Edom, and the land was filled with water.
21 And when all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them, all who were able to bear arms and older were gathered; and they stood at the border. 22 Then they rose up early in the morning, and the sun was shining on the water; and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood. 23 And they said, “This is blood; the kings have surely struck swords and have killed one another; now therefore, Moab, to the spoil!”
24 So when they came to the camp of Israel, Israel rose up and attacked the Moabites, so that they fled before them; and they entered their land, killing the Moabites. 25 Then they destroyed the cities, and each man threw a stone on every good piece of land and filled it; and they stopped up all the springs of water and cut down all the good trees. But they left the stones of Kir Haraseth intact. However the slingers surrounded and attacked it.
26 And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too fierce for him, he took with him seven hundred men who drew swords, to break through to the king of Edom, but they could not. 27 Then he took his eldest son who would have reigned in his place, and offered him as a burnt offering upon the wall; and there was great indignation against Israel. So they departed from him and returned to their own land.
So, why the judgement on Edom?
John McArthur wrote this in his Study Bible as part of the introduction to Obadiah
The date of writing is equally difficult to determine, though we know it is tied to the Edomite assault on Jerusalem described in vv. 10–14. Obadiah apparently wrote shortly after the attack. There were 4 significant invasions of Jerusalem in OT history: 1) by Shishak, king of Egypt, ca. 925 B.C. during the reign of Rehoboam (1 Kin. 14:25, 26; 2 Chr. 12); 2) by the Philistines and Arabians between 848–841 B.C. during the reign of Jehoram of Judah (2 Chr. 21:8–20); 3) by Jehoash, king of Israel, ca. 790 B.C. (2 Kin. 14; 2 Chr. 25); and 4) by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Of these 4, only the second and the fourth are possible fits with historical data. Number two is preferable, since Obadiah’s description does not indicate the total destruction of the city, which took place under Nebuchadnezzar’s attack. Also, although the Edomites were involved in Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of Jerusalem (Ps. 137; Lam. 4:21), it is significant that Obadiah does not mention the Babylonians by name (as with all the other prophets who wrote about Jerusalem’s fall), nor is there any reference to the destruction of the temple or the deportation of the people; in fact, the captives appear to have been taken to the SW, not E to Babylon (cf. v. 20).2
Edom was later controlled by Assyria and Babylon; and in the fifth century B.C. the Edomites were forced by the Nabateans to leave their territory. They moved to the area of southern Israel and became known as Idumeans. Herod the Great, an Idumean, became king of Judea under Rome in 37 B.C. In a sense, the enmity between Esau and Jacob was continued in Herod’s attempt to murder Jesus. The Idumeans participated in the rebellion of Jerusalem against Rome and were defeated along with the Jews by Titus in A.D. 70. Ironically, the Edomites applauded the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. (cf. Ps. 137:7) but died trying to defend it in A.D. 70. After that time they were never heard of again.3
Obadiah Speaks of Final Judgement against EDOM
As Obadiah does speak of even a final coming judgement my guess is they are still around or at least their spirit. Perhaps that is part of the reason several nations around Israel hate them so much today. Whatever happens, we know that God is ruling Supreme. Therefore, we can face any storm with Joy, not fear.
1 The vision of Obadiah.
Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom (We have heard a report from the Lord, And a messenger has been sent among the nations, saying, “Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle”):
2 “Behold, I will make you small among the nations; You shall be greatly despised. 3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Whose habitation is high; You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’ 4 Though you ascend as high as the eagle, And though you set your nest among the stars, From there I will bring you down,” says the Lord. Obadiah (NKJV)
He goes on to enumerate all the reasons for that judgement to come including their hatred of the brothers, their failure to help, and their mockery when Israel is defeated.
15 “For the day of the Lord upon all the nations is near; As you have done, it shall be done to you; Your reprisal shall return upon your own head. 16 For as you drank on My holy mountain, So shall all the nations drink continually; Yes, they shall drink, and swallow, And they shall be as though they had never been.
18“But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, And there shall be holiness; Obadiah (NKJV)
At the final judgement, we will know Joy Not Fear
For all who are written in the Lamb’s book of life, we only know joy and not fear. We will be gone, raptured home, before the tribulation. This is a time to revive Israel as a people who truly know God and embrace their Savior. Then will come the time when Jesus judges all the nations. The final judgment is a time of joy, not fear as God establishes justice and destroys evil once and for all in the power of the risen Lamb.
Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. 2 Raise a song and strike the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the lute. Psalm 81 (NKJV)
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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