Uprooting and Planting New Seed
Greetings in the Lord!
Today's word comes from Isaiah, chapters 15-16, and Jeremiah 48. Both passages are incredibly similar, with some verses being quoted by both prophets near verbatim. The issue at hand: a prophetic word about the fall of Moab.
"We have heard of Moab's pride--her overweening pride and conceit, her pride and arrogance and the haughtiness of her heart. I know her insolence but it is futile," declares the Lord, "and her boasts accomplish nothing." Jeremiah 48:29-30.
"The fall of Moab is at hand; her calamity will come quickly. Mourn for her, all who live around her, all who know of her fame; say, 'How broken is the mighty scepter, how broken the glorious staff!'" Jeremiah 48:16-17.
"On all the roofs in Moab and in the public squares there is nothing but mourning...Moab has become an object of ridicule, an object of horror to all those around her." This is what the Lord says: "Look! An eagle is swooping down, spreading its wings over Moab....In that day the hearts of Moab's warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor." Jeremiah 48:38-41.
Chapter 16 in Isaiah is interesting as it talks about Moabite refugees running to Israel for comfort and shelter, begging for help even though they had been perennial arrogant enemies against them. Often Moab delighted when Israel was oppressed or had disasters and sought to profit from their difficulties. Now was their turn to suffer judgment and they were advised to offer a tribute to Israel for their help, humbling themselves, for their pride in scorning Israel continually.
"Send lambs as tribute to the ruler of the land, from Sela, across the desert, to the mount of the Daughter of Zion. Like fluttering birds pushed from the nest, so are the women of Moab...'Give us counsel, render a decision. Make your shadow like night--at high noon. Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees. Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer." Isaiah 16:1-4.
Beyond referencing the situation in Syria, "Moab" is a heart condition: it is arrogant and boastful, devoid of the fear or truth of God, and most importantly, it directs its hatred towards Israel continually, without reason or warrant. Their fierce hatred of Israel has corrupted their own hearts and brought down the judgment of God on their own heads. Pulling out deep, gnarly roots like these in a nation will be traumatizing, but it is so the Seed of God can be planted there.
"In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit upon it--one from the house of David--one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness." Isaiah 16:5
It is a quick verse added there but huge in its implication: the gospel of Jesus Christ will be established in the hearts of those hungry for truth and love, peace and reconciliation. Radical Islam, more oppression and violence, is not this "throne." God will restore the fortunes of those in Syria who love Him and live according His words.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
Today's word comes from Isaiah, chapters 15-16, and Jeremiah 48. Both passages are incredibly similar, with some verses being quoted by both prophets near verbatim. The issue at hand: a prophetic word about the fall of Moab.
"We have heard of Moab's pride--her overweening pride and conceit, her pride and arrogance and the haughtiness of her heart. I know her insolence but it is futile," declares the Lord, "and her boasts accomplish nothing." Jeremiah 48:29-30.
"The fall of Moab is at hand; her calamity will come quickly. Mourn for her, all who live around her, all who know of her fame; say, 'How broken is the mighty scepter, how broken the glorious staff!'" Jeremiah 48:16-17.
"On all the roofs in Moab and in the public squares there is nothing but mourning...Moab has become an object of ridicule, an object of horror to all those around her." This is what the Lord says: "Look! An eagle is swooping down, spreading its wings over Moab....In that day the hearts of Moab's warriors will be like the heart of a woman in labor." Jeremiah 48:38-41.
Chapter 16 in Isaiah is interesting as it talks about Moabite refugees running to Israel for comfort and shelter, begging for help even though they had been perennial arrogant enemies against them. Often Moab delighted when Israel was oppressed or had disasters and sought to profit from their difficulties. Now was their turn to suffer judgment and they were advised to offer a tribute to Israel for their help, humbling themselves, for their pride in scorning Israel continually.
"Send lambs as tribute to the ruler of the land, from Sela, across the desert, to the mount of the Daughter of Zion. Like fluttering birds pushed from the nest, so are the women of Moab...'Give us counsel, render a decision. Make your shadow like night--at high noon. Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees. Let the Moabite fugitives stay with you; be their shelter from the destroyer." Isaiah 16:1-4.
Beyond referencing the situation in Syria, "Moab" is a heart condition: it is arrogant and boastful, devoid of the fear or truth of God, and most importantly, it directs its hatred towards Israel continually, without reason or warrant. Their fierce hatred of Israel has corrupted their own hearts and brought down the judgment of God on their own heads. Pulling out deep, gnarly roots like these in a nation will be traumatizing, but it is so the Seed of God can be planted there.
"In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit upon it--one from the house of David--one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness." Isaiah 16:5
It is a quick verse added there but huge in its implication: the gospel of Jesus Christ will be established in the hearts of those hungry for truth and love, peace and reconciliation. Radical Islam, more oppression and violence, is not this "throne." God will restore the fortunes of those in Syria who love Him and live according His words.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
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