Tuesday
Isaiah’s prophecies against Israel’s neighbors end in chapter 23 with an oracle about Tyre.
Tyre is in Phoenicia and was one the most famous cities of the ancient world. Because it was a port city, there was much trading and wealth to be found among its people. There also was a great deal of evil. Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joel Amos and Zechariah all pronounced judgment against Tyre. Isaiah is warning God’s people not to make alliances with Tyre, just as he did with all the other countries surrounding Israel. There is no salvation that comes from any other place than through God and these Israelites (and us) need to learn that. The following chapters in today’s reading (24 – 27) are sometimes known as “Isaiah’s Apocalypse” (or revelation – as in the end times) These pronouncements from the prophet are God’s judgment on the entire world for its sin. It is amazing how sin affects so many different areas of our lives. Not just personally, but collectively our communities, and states, and nations suffer. Sin harms so many aspects of our lives that even godly people often feel the ramifications of sin. In the middle of this pronouncement, there is praise to the Lord.
When we are suffering, when life is attacking us or we are feeling the weight of our own problems, it is best for us to start praising God, start finding things to be thankful for. What did Paul and Silas do in jail after being beaten? They sang and praised God.
We are a people of promise. God promises judgment, but He also promises us hope. There will be a price to pay for the sin that we have allowed to come into this world, but there is also a reward waiting for those who are faithful and loyal to Jesus until the end.
Stay strong and stay close to the Lord,
Pastor Kathy