Were you a rebellious child like me? I think it helps me understand Judah’s nature just a bit more! But on the other hand, I was very much a people pleaser wanting to get good grades to make my parents happy and on my best behavior at church and school to get positive attention. Judah, it appears, was just plain rebellious. They were prideful. Did they perhaps feel a bit untouchable because of their heritage of being God’s chosen people?
Clearly their level of trust did not involve God. “For without consulting me, you have gone down to Egypt for help. You have put your trust in Pharaoh’s protection. You have tried to hide in his shade.” We tend to do the same thing. We often put our trust in the wrong places. We know it’s true when we find ourselves struggling or even failing in our endeavors. You can probably trace back the bad decisions made in your life and realize you didn’t properly consult with God or wait for his response.
Empty promises can be disheartening. I remember making a promise once that turned out to be impossible to keep. I felt horrible. How could I have been so short sighted and overly optimistic. We need to be careful to deliver on our promises or avoid making promises all together. Thankfully, we know God’s promises are always true. According to a book, “All the Promises in the Bible” by Herbert Lockyer, Everet R. Storms, a Canadian schoolteacher, kept a record of the promises during his 27th reading of the Bible. After 18 months, Storms compiled 7,487 promises by God to man. That’s a lot of promises! God keeps his word; we can count on it!
Yet the people continued to look the other way. “They tell the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” They tell the prophets, “Don’t tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies.” Talk about burying your head in the sand! The people were in a perpetual state of denial. They didn’t want to believe that any evil would befall them. They wanted to continue in their selfish ways. They didn’t see or comprehend how deeply they were hurting God by their actions.
Are we better listeners? Are we doing a better job at being obedient? This is what God said, “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.” The New Testament continues this same theme in John 3:16, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” And Romans 10:13, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” I could go on and on with examples. God’s promises abound.
We may not be the initial audience to whom God made his intentions known, but we can still glean wisdom. Learning from our mistakes or the mistakes of others shows brilliance! We’ve been seeing so many messages here in Isaiah that while not for us initially, can be for us even today. God’s word is so beautiful in that regard. It is alive and ever ready to help us navigate through our lives.
It’s time to stop rebelling and return to God. Ask him today to lead your life and direct your path.
Let’s pray … Lord, I thank you that you have never given up on me, even when I have my rebellious streak. You know my heart. I am devoted to you. Forgive me for my times of trying to go my own way. Help me to be less selfish and more focused on the path you have for me to follow. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
