-Devotion by Jeremy Martin (TN)
Before we dig into the juicy bits of the devotional today (which is a fun one), there’s a verse that we should take note of. In Isaiah 19:22 it states: “And Yahweh will smite Egypt, smiting but healing; so they will return to Yahweh, and He will be moved by their entreaty and will heal them. “ (LSB). It’s important to note that our God, the creator of the universe, always, always acts in a manner that is for long term benefit. Yes, there are recorded instances of punitive action towards individuals or groups, but it seems like almost every time the reason is to bring about a correction in course, a change in direction, a return to the God who made us.
Consider the exile. This was a horrific time for the Israelites, who had been struggling with idolatry. We see the Israelites going back and forth between the Most High God and worshipping the false gods of the local region over and over until God finally has enough and strikes them. The people are scattered, the temple is destroyed, and the entire nation is taken away in captivity. The alotted time passes (70 yrs, see Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10, and also Daniel 9:2), and then Israel is returned. When they return, they never again as a nation have a problem with idolatry as before, even today. The people have been returned, the temple is rebuilt, never again did idolatry rear it’s head in the nation: problem solved.
We know through scripture that God disciplines those he loves (Hebrews 12:6), and that he loved the whole world so much that he gave his only son (John 3:16). We also know that God is love (1 John 4:8), and we can extrapolate from the entirety of scripture that ever since the beginning of creation, when we rebelled against our Father and our creator, God has stood with hands outstretched toward his creation seeking to restore that relationship. As Christians, we believe that it is through the Christ that God reconciled us to Him, and Him to us. That concept is also found in Romans 5:12-17. Like any good parent, our Father disciplines us in order to correct our behavior, in order that we might be healthier and whole children.
My point in bringing this up is that this verse (Isaiah 19:22) really highlights and reminds us why sometimes what we in the heat of the moment perceive as “bad things” may be happening, there’s a very good chance that the circumstance is being used for instruction and growth. I’m not saying every “bad” thing that ever happens happened because God wanted it to, but what I am saying is that “all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord”. James 1:1-3 really leans into this, saying we should even consider these trials as joy. In these instances, it’s very helpful to remember 2 important things; that (1) we are not the center of the universe around which all creation revolves but (2) our Father is.
I think it’s also an interesting side note that in Isaiah 19: 23-25, it seems as if Egypt, Israel, and Assyria appear to be united: one large kingdom. Since nothing like this has occured yet since the time of Isaiah, this seems to be a prophetic vision. Had you read that little bit before, and if so, what were your immediate thoughts on it? Do you agree or disagree with my initial opinion, or what other interpretations did you have? Just some thought provoking things to consider.
So, did you ever want to be a prophet? It was normally a pretty tough gig. God often commanded His prophets to do a “visual sign” for the people, sometimes so extreme that the sanity of the prophet was questioned. Ezekiel was told to lay on his side for 430 days, to bear the iniquity of the nation: after 390 days bearing the iniquity for Israel, he got to roll over (Whew!) and lay on that side for another 40 days (Ez 4:4-6). Hosea was told to marry a prostitute, and have children with her (Hos 1:2), and to name those children names which probably caused a lot of conflicts at school. Jeremiah hid his undergarments and retrieved them in a ruined state to show the corruption of Judah (ew). Keep in mind also, these were just the “on the job” requirements.
In addition to all of that, while some of the prophets died naturally (or were taken, unnaturally), the majority of recorded deaths of the prophets in biblical tradition involve violence or martyrdom. The prophets were beheaded, stoned, killed by the sword, and our prophet in today’s reading Isaiah was “sawed in 2 under king Manasseh” (Hebrews 11:37 references this).
In our reading today of Isaiah 20, there’s a brief little bit that sums up what I can only assume to be a very uncomfortable 3 years for Isaiah under the hot desert sun, “2 at that time Yahweh spoke by the hand of Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go and loosen the sackcloth from your hips and take your shoes off your feet.” And he did so, going naked and barefoot. 3 And Yahweh said, “Even as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot three years as a sign and wonder…” (LSB). It’s so short you’ll miss it if you blink, but Isaiah went naked and barefoot over 3 years.
Let’s think about that for a minute. Can you imagine, as a parent of a young child, having to quickly cover their eyes at the temple at a nice Sabbath morning worship, when Isaiah came in ? Don’t look, Jacob! What about in the market, when the naked prophet came up to buy a loaf of bread? Where did he pull the money from? Just imagine the awkward discomfort of trying to maintain eye contact if the prophet ever approached you and wanted to have a theological discussion regarding the state of the nation. My eyes are up here! He wasn’t allowed to go cower in his tent, he was told to do this as a sign, which means he had to interact regularly with his community, but in his birthday suit. I don’t care how you slice it, or how respected of a prophet you were, that had to make it weird.
Now, let’s compare and contrast that level of unswerving dedication and obedience to the modern believer. “Oh, it was really hard to get up and go to church today…”. Was it, really? Did you get to wear your clothes? “I know I’m supposed to forgive them but I’m really mad…” Oh, are you, are you really? Are your clothes on, though? “I just don’t know if I can love (insert name here), they make it so hard…” Oh yea? Is that with or without pants on? “Oh I know I’m supposed to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, but I’ve really got to prioritize finances right now…” Ok, so, do we get to wear our clothes when we go to the bank? That’s all kind of tongue-in-cheek and funny, but think about it seriously for a moment.
We have become so distracted and disobedient in this evil age that even the bare (no pun intended) necessities, the basic minimum efforts are commonly dramatized and made to appear as hugely heroic actions in our spiritual walk. We really need to understand and appreciate how much easier we have it currently, and be grateful and even more obedient in the small things that we are given to do. Just be grateful, and obedient.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What specific areas in your life could be improved, in terms of obedience to Christ?
- How can we be more intentionally grateful in our lives?
- Is there anything more that we can do, to ensure that we are being servants who please their master?
PRAYER
Father God, you have given us so much, and ask for so little in return. Thank you, for the abundant blessings which you have showered us with. Help us to be both more grateful for these gifts, and more obedient to You. In Jesus name, Amen.
Seek Grow Love 