Read: Isaiah 15:1-18:7; Galatians 1:1-24; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 23:12
This prophecy was thought to have been delivered in the first years of Hezekiah’s reign over Judah. It was fulfilled in the fourth year. Moab had probably joined with Israel and Syria against Assyria and now Assyria had come to conquer it. Ar was one of Moab’s great metropolis which was taken very quickly by Assyria. The survivors and others in the country had fled to their high places in Debon and Medeba and to their temple in Nebo to pray to their god Chemosh.
They were taken so quickly that even the armed men gave up the fight and joined in the lament. The people traveled to their southern boundary which is the Dead Sea, but there is no water to drink or grass.
Isaiah is grieved to see this happening even to their enemies. The refugees of Moab come to Judah for escape. They had stopped sending lambs for tribute, but are now bringing them in hopes that Judah will receive their gifts and help them. Isaiah tells the to let the outcasts of Moab in and be a shelter to them. He speaks of the day when a throne established in love will one day judge in justice and in righteousness. What a picture of the Gentiles coming into the kingdom.
Isaiah sees Moab praying to their god which will not help them. He sees that in the next three years, Moab will be reduced to a very few.
Then Isaiah has a word for Damascus, the capital of Syria. He says they will cease to be a city. He sees that what happened to Israel will happen to Syria. Israel had fallen and Damascus was next.
Finally, the people of Israel will stop looking to their false gods and idols and return to their God who created them to be his children. When their cities are deserted and destroyed, they will seek refuge in the Lord, their rock.
God will do a great pruning of his people. Then, instead of giving tribute to some other king to keep them safe, they will bring their tribute to the Lord.
Galatia is an area which includes the town of Antioch Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. Paul addresses his letter to them. Paul probably wrote this letter on his third missionary journey while he was in Macedonia or Corinth.
The Judaizers in the church were the legalists who taught that the people were still obligated to keep all the law of Moses. They said that God’s promises were only to the Jews and the Gentiles had to be circumcised to experience salvation. They taught that one must have the law and faith to be saved.
This was the opposite of what Paul taught that salvation was by grace through faith. This letter was Paul’s reaction to their evil propaganda. He begins by extending grace to them. He is astonished that they have so quickly received this message of bondage which he calls a different gospel.
Paul reminds them of his testimony. He used to be the greatest of Judaizers and it led him to persecute the church. But then, he got a download from heaven about the grace of God. He spent three years in Arabia learning about Christ before he came back to preach the truth about faith and grace.
Lord, may we not be tempted to come under bondage again to the law but live in your grace and freedom. Thank you for the truth of your goodness and grace.
No comments:
Post a Comment