Isaiah 2:6–4:6, Luke 1:39–66, Job 1:13–22
This weekend in California has made
visual sins that once were kept hidden. We have seen good things for we look
for them, but we have seen activities that make us shudder. As I read the OT prophet’s
words of condemnation to Israel, they seem to also describe what is happening
in this city . . .
“For God has rejected
His people, the house of Jacob, because they are full of things from the east
and of fortune-tellers like the Philistines, and they strike hands with the
children of foreigners. Their land is filled with silver and gold, and there is
no end to their treasures; their land is filled with horses, and there is no
end to their chariots. Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the
work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made.”
Perversions abound and those not involved
tolerate them. Evil is good and good is called evil. What will happen to those
who sin without shame? And what will happen to this city? Isaiah describes the
fate of Israel. Will this be the fate of this place?
Isaiah say, “So
man is humbled, and each one is brought low— do not forgive them! Enter into
the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of his
majesty. The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of
men shall be humbled, and the Lord
alone will be exalted in that day.” (Isaiah 2:6–11)
In the NT, the mother of Jesus shows
understanding of God’s plans for the righteous and for those who turn from God.
She said, “His mercy is for those who fear him from
generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered
the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from
their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with
good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.” (Luke 1:50–53) She
knew that God is the judge and He will do what He says.
Back to the OT story of Job which adds
another thought to this: life’s circumstances here and now are not the ultimate
test for goodness in the sight of God. Job was a righteous man. Satan challenged
God and said that Job’s faith in Him existed only because he was living a blessed
life. God said not true, and allowed this enemy to test Job’s faith . . .
Now there was a day
when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest
brother’s house, and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were
plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans fell upon them and
took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone
have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet
speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and
burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have
escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet
speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and
made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the
edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was yet
speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and
drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and behold, a great wind came
across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell
upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell
you.”
Job’s reaction to all of this shows the
difference between him and those who have no faith in God.
Then Job arose and
tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he
said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name
of the Lord.”
In all this Job did
not sin or charge God with wrong. (Job 1:13–22)
Those who believe in Christ know that God
is good, no matter what happens. The greatest example is the Cross. Jesus died
there at the hands of evil people who falsely accused Him. His Father allowed
this, yet He was not a victim for God used it for the greatest good that is
available to all; Jesus died that sin could be forgiven, that all who believe
could have eternal life.
The circumstances of life are not the
final test nor do they reflect the rewards or the punishment yet to come. Good people
may suffer now, and evil people seem to prosper, but no matter the items in the
shopping cart, there still awaits each of us that trip through the checkout!
I love this line from Mary’s song of
praise. She declares this wonderful truth of where true blessings reside: “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a
fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:45)
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