Good day Believers in Christ Jesus.
We give glory to God for the gift of another day, for the privilege of life and for God’s unending mercy and grace upon us always. Praise God!
STUDYING AND UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE – PART 392
The Book of Isaiah Chapter 30
This chapter is a mixture of both spiritual and political prophecies.
If we observe the contents of this Chapter properly, we will discover that Prophet Isaiah had already spoken repeatedly about this issue of Israel forgetting God and putting their trust in other nations, which in this case is Egypt.
Isaiah vehemently rebuked them for relying on Egypt to save them. If we read verses 1 to 17, we will find these rebukes there.
They were so obstinate to the point that they defied all warnings and formed alliance with them.
Let’s see how Isaiah reacted in an exclamation way upon receiving the prophecy to convey to Israel…
Isaiah 30:1-3
[1]Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
[2]That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
[3]Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
The word “woe” is transliterated in Hebrew as hôy (pronounced as /ho-hee/
The transliterated word above is a prolonged form of the word “Alas” which Prophet Amos also used in his own prophecy in Amos 5:16.
So, the word is an exclamation word which can also appear as: Ah, Ho, O, Alas!
The warning came to Israel particularly the southern kingdom when they ran to Egypt to seek help in fighting against Assyrian Armies.
At that time, Assyrian Armies had already conquered the northern kingdom and therefore, Judah (Southern Kingdom) became afraid and needed the fastest way of rescue possible. Hence, the reason they formed alliance with Egypt.
And God does not like people relegating Him and pitching their tents with man when it’s clearly obvious it’s only God that can handle such matters.
Taking this scenario and relating it with the New Covenant reality, we can deduce that God does not approve of self righteousness or self effort for Salvation.
Salvation is received only by faith not by self effort, not by law and neither is it by self reliance.
Romans 3:21-24
[21]But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
[22]Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
[23]For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
[24]Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
The rebuke continues until we arrive at verse 18 downward, where we will find a figurative illustration of Christ’s reign in which a new family of believers would be formed through redemption by the blood of Jesus.
Fortunately for the remnants in Israel, they would eventually be added to this new family of believers for them to be saved as well.
Trust in God and not in man…
Psalms 34:8-10
[8]O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
[9]O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
[10]The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
To be continued…Praise God.
Let’s declare this together:
I refuse to put my trust in man. I submit my trust totally on God for I know He is more than able to save me, rescue me, and provide for my needs, in Jesus name. Amen.
Bible readings for today: Matthew Chapters 23, 24 & 25 with Psalm 67
I call you blessed now and always.
Thursday April 23, 2020 (DDMI)
