Read Isa. 5:17-30
Woe is a strong word in the Bible. It means "oh!" or alas and is said about impending doom. Yesterday we had the first 2 woes: towards the materialists and the drunkards. Today we have the last 4. The third is pointed toward the ones that defiantly drag their sin and idolatry before the Lord like a cart strapped to them. They have no shame or fear of God. The fourth woe goes to the people who have no godly discernment and no sense of right and wrong. They have gotten sin and righteousness turned around. The fifth woe goes to those who are righteous in their own eyes and think they can deliver themselves without God's help. And lastly, the sixth woe goes to those who were the leaders who would rather party and feed their flesh than administer justice and honest leadership to the people. (Does any of this sound familiar?) God promises to bring them down. Just like fire consumes straw, his punishment will totally consume them. He will hoist a signal flag to summon the Gentile nations to come and plunder them. Even the light of the sky will be darkened it will be so intense and devastating. In chapter 11 God is going to raise that same flag to gather the scattered of Israel back. Isaiah uses that term of an ensign 5 more times in Isaiah. In Zec. God is able to take his people, his flock, and raise them up as stones in a crown, as ensigns upon his land. God never devastates without the plan of restoration. He works everything for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purposes. So be encouraged that what America is going through is for her good. God is purging out our sin and restoring his righteousness in our land.
Lord, may your ensign be lifted up over America and may all the people come to you and be saved.
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