Prophecy – Isaiah 18-22
Did you have a good first day Chinese New Year celebrations. Hoped you did not over eat like I did. 🙂 All those pineapple tarts, bak kwa … hmmm…. who can resist?
Today’s reading follows yesterday’s theme in that it gives us a sobering message in the midst of our festivities.
Bible Passage: Isaiah 18 – 22
Isaiah continues his prophecies against Ethopia (Chp 18), followed by Egypt (Chp 19) and then how the Medes will conquer Babylon (Chp 21). He also prophesises the fall of Jerusalem (Chp 22).
As I have stated previously, I do not pretend to understand or want to explain any of these prophecies. But there is one passage that I think is most appropriate for us to consider in the midst of our merry making.
Isaiah 22:12-14
And in that day the Lord GOD of hosts
Called for weeping and for mourning,
For baldness and for girding with sackcloth.
But instead, joy and gladness,
Slaying oxen and killing sheep,
Eating meat and drinking wine:
“ Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
Then it was revealed in my hearing by the LORD of hosts,
“ Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you,
Even to your death,” says the Lord GOD of hosts.
We are all familiar with what is stated in Ecclesiastes 3:4 – There is “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” . It is very important that we know which time is which.
Apprently, we read now in this passage, that the people of Jerusalem failed to recognise that God had called them to weeping and mourning, instead of joy and gladness.
From God’s point of view, there was little for His people to celebrate, especially in the last days of the Southern kingdom.
If we are familiar with the Kings, we know that during the reigh of Zedekiah (around 597-587 BC), the Babylonian armies were coming against Jerusalem and yet, the king and its people totally turned away from God.
If you refer to 2 Chronicles 36, you will see that:
- King Zedekiah “stiffened his neck and hardened his heart” against God
- He ignored the warnings of prophet Jeremiah and the people followed his actions and mocked and scoffed at the prophets and despised their word.
- He ignored a sworn oath he took and rebelled against the Babylonians
- The chief priests and people practiced the abominable actions of pagan nations, even to the extent of defiling the holy temple.
In order words, the people went about their lives as if God did not matter.
When it was time for them to reflect upon themselves and repent of their sins, calling out to God for forgiveness and help, they held parties and violated God’s ways.
What’s more? They took a fatalistic attitude to life: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
What “time” is it for you?
Are you merry making when you should be in deep mourning for sin?
How about the company you keep? Yes, even in church. Do you waste away precious time on trivialities when it should be about more substantive things that help people and honour God?
It is indeed food for thought as we feast away…