For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- 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. 18-20
Humans are stubborn, stupid, and proud. I’d say that’s why God often has to do hard things to get our attention. In spite of our stubborn, stupid, pride, however, there are times when we just know we need some help. And oh, the things we turn to! Sometimes I think we turn to everything BUT God, the only one who can really help us. Stubborn. Stupid. Proud.
Under the threat of Assyrian attack, Israel turned to Egypt and Cush. Egypt and Cush, in turn, leaned on whatever they had – worthless idols, industry and wealth, and man’s foolish ‘wisdom’. So God did a hard thing. He showed all three nations that the helpers were no better off than those seeking help. The Assyrians took them all. But God didn’t do that to show them who was boss. He did it to show them their true need and that He was their only true help. He did it so that eventually all four nations would know that He is God and be restored to Him.
Is. 21-22
The one thing I see in all these prophecies against the nations, which mostly make no sense to me, is that everything humans tend to put their hope in or elevate will ultimately fall. Our perspective of what is great, mighty, and secure is so small! We just have no idea how weak, worthless, and insecure all of those things are.
I think of God’s response to Job. He spoke of two of the mightiest beasts of His great creation. The implication was that, if man was no challenge against either one of these great beasts, how much less of a challenge is he to God who created them. We actually see a piece of that thought expressed in God’s declaration to Jerusalem in chapter 22. “…but you did not look to the one who made it, or consider the one who created it long ago.” (Is. 22:11b). God has given us everything we need to see and to know that He alone is our help. All we need to do is act on that knowledge in faith.