The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Isaiah 22:8-11,
"The Lord stripped away the defenses of Judah,
and you looked in that day
to the weapons in the Palace of the Forest.
You saw that the walls of the City of David
were broken through in many places;
you stored up water
in the Lower Pool.
You counted the buildings in Jerusalem
and tore down houses to strengthen the wall.
You built a reservoir between the two walls
for the water of the Old Pool,
but you did not look to the One who made it,
or have regard for the One who planned it long ago."
In this prophecy of Isaiah against Jerusalem we see the difficulties the Lord is going to put the city through. In this portion the people are not seen as looking to the Lord for help, but to their own armaments ("the weapons in the Palace of the Forest.")
The Jewish nation has had a different purpose of the Lord than all other nations. She was to be the vehicle through which the Lord would bring his plan of salvation to mankind. Paul says in Romans 9:4-5, "Theirs [the people of Israel] is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen."
As with all nations, Israel would be used by the Lord for his purposes. The Lord's purposes are never thwarted, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." Proverbs 21:6. What we see in Israel's history is the attempt to do just that, thwart his purposes. Hence, the Lord makes adjustments to bring about what he desires. Israel chose the "hard way."
I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 4:21, "What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?" Israel chose poorly...
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"The Lord stripped away the defenses of Judah,
and you looked in that day
to the weapons in the Palace of the Forest.
You saw that the walls of the City of David
were broken through in many places;
you stored up water
in the Lower Pool.
You counted the buildings in Jerusalem
and tore down houses to strengthen the wall.
You built a reservoir between the two walls
for the water of the Old Pool,
but you did not look to the One who made it,
or have regard for the One who planned it long ago."
In this prophecy of Isaiah against Jerusalem we see the difficulties the Lord is going to put the city through. In this portion the people are not seen as looking to the Lord for help, but to their own armaments ("the weapons in the Palace of the Forest.")
The Jewish nation has had a different purpose of the Lord than all other nations. She was to be the vehicle through which the Lord would bring his plan of salvation to mankind. Paul says in Romans 9:4-5, "Theirs [the people of Israel] is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen."
As with all nations, Israel would be used by the Lord for his purposes. The Lord's purposes are never thwarted, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." Proverbs 21:6. What we see in Israel's history is the attempt to do just that, thwart his purposes. Hence, the Lord makes adjustments to bring about what he desires. Israel chose the "hard way."
I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 4:21, "What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?" Israel chose poorly...
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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