Wed.’s Devo - What Does the Lord Say?

Read: Isaiah 22:1-24:23; Galatians 2:17-3:9; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 23:15-16

Chapter 22 is a proclamation against Jerusalem which is referred to as the valley of vision. Jerusalem was about to be attacked and destroyed by Sennacherib, the king of Assyria. Sennacherib had rallied many nations against Jerusalem and they were coming to bring great damage to Judah and Jerusalem. 

Hezekiah was the king of Judah. He had dissembled houses to fortify the wall. He had built a tunnel inside the wall to keep Assyria from poisoning their water supply and so that the Assyrian army would find no water for themselves. They kept their weapons in the House of the Forest, but those were no protection compared to God. Isaiah rebukes the nation for not trusting in God, though Hezekiah did turn to the Lord in the future. Isaiah had warned them this was coming but they continued living like there was no threat. 

Now the time of partying was over and the threat was at the gate. Sheba was the king’s steward and treasurer and judgement fell on him because he didn’t trust in the Lord. He had built an elaborate tomb to be buried in, but his body would not see that tomb. He would die a violent death because he was not a good steward who prepared his nation for the future. He would be replaced by Eliakim who was a type of Christ. He would bring honor back to the nation and to his office as steward. 

God had a word for Tyre. It was the export-import city by the sea, also known as Phoenicia. It was a very prosperous seaport who had great power and great sin. They worshiped Baal and Ashtoreth which required child sacrifices and all sorts of abominations. God was very angry at their pride and arrogance. God was done with them. They would be fallen for 70 years then rise to prosperity once again only to have that prosperity go to the godly. 

In Chapter 24, God’s judgment filled the earth and only a few would survive. It is a time of great sadness and desolation. But the remnant will sing and praise the Lord. God will punish the wicked and they will go to the pit as prisoners. Then, the Lord will reign on earth in Jerusalem.

In Galatians, Paul explains that grace is not a license to sin but a call to die of self and live for Christ. It is a call to surrender. He explains how the Holy Spirit was freely poured out on them; they had done nothing to get it. That is how God’s grace is. Salvation is poured out on us along with his grace to receive it. It changes our hearts so that we no longer want to live by our flesh, but by faith like Abraham did. We are the sons of Abraham who will bless the nations because of our faith.

Lord, may our faith bless those around us. May we not waver in the days of judgment and shaking but stand in Christ, our Rock.