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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Is. 5
This chapter makes me think of Paul’s letter to the Romans. In Romans 11 Paul compared the Jews to the natural branches of God’s olive tree. Because of their unfaithfulness, however, God cut them off and grafted in the Gentiles. The Gentiles then served to draw the Jews back.
I see a similar image in Isaiah’s message here. The Jews are the good vine that God planted, then left to desolation because of their unfaithfulness. Isaiah then says, “Lambs will graze as if in their own pastures, and resident aliens will eat among the ruins of the rich.” (Is. 5:17). Also, “He raises a signal flag for the distant nations and whistles for them from the ends of the earth. Look – how quickly and swiftly they come!” (Is. 5:26). So there it is – “by [the Jews] transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel jealous.” (Rom. 11:11b).
Though not included in this chapter, this thought also sheds some light for me on God’s judgments to the other nations. God judges them for their arrogant attitude toward and mistreatment of His people when He brought them low. This directly relates to Paul’s warning to the Gentiles in Romans 11. “Do not be arrogant, but beware, because if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either. Therefore, consider God’s kindness and severity: severity toward those who have fallen but God’s kindness toward you – if you remain in His kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.” (Rom. 11:20b-22).
Is. 6
Isaiah saw God and was immediately aware of his unclean lips. Why his lips? Great question! I don’t know the answer, but I find it interesting that after the glowing coal purified his lips, he readily and willingly became God’s mouthpiece. I’m not sure of the meaning in all of that. It does make me think, however, that we can trust what Isaiah says because we know his words are pure.
Is. 7-8
I’m a little confused (again) here. God specifically told Judah’s King Ahaz to be calm and quiet because the plots against Judah would not succeed. God even gave him a sign to seal His word. Before a newborn boy was old enough to choose between good and evil, he would be eating curds and honey. Curds and honey sounds like a good thing to me. So to this point God seems to be reassuring Ahaz that in a short time those who plot his destruction will fall and his land will return to prosperity. Or something of the sort.
Yet Isaiah goes on to describe what to me seem like some pretty hard times. In the middle of those prophecies of hardship, he again states, “every survivor in the land will eat curds and honey.” (Is. 7:22b). He immediately follows this statement with more prophecy of hardship, saying, “…the whole land will be thorns and briers.” (Is 8:24b). How can anyone eat curds and honey in a land full of thorns and briers?
It’s funny how writing down your thoughts so often brings a spark of clarity. It’s just a spark – not hardly a flame – but it might be a flicker of understanding. I know these prophecies from Isaiah apply both to God’s sparing of Jerusalem from the Assyrian attack and to God’s promised Messiah. They are a mixed bag of destruction and protection. So I think we are once again looking at our great choice. Those who fear God alone and trust in His Promise, who is Jesus, are those survivors who eat curds and honey. They are the protected ones. The destruction, doom, and gloom is for those who stumble over that Promise. And I think the key to the whole thing lies in part of Isaiah’s initial statement to Ahaz. “If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all.” (Is. 7:9b).