In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it; At the same time spake the Lord by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, "Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. And the Lord said, "Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia; So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory. And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?? Isaiah 20:1-6 (KJV)
Schoolchildren in "tornado-prone" areas of the country are familiar with the tornado drill. When the alarm sounds, they are to file quickly out of the classroom, perhaps carrying large binders or hardcover books, and follow the teacher to a basement room or interior hallway.
Once there, they assume a kneeling position and try to protect their heads with the binders or books. But, any safety provided by the tornado drill and secure location depends on an advance warning that a tornado is coming.
However, all the drills mean nothing if people don't know when a tornado is headed their way.
The prophet Isaiah issues an advance warning in Isaiah 20 today, alerting the nations of the looming wrath of God. The coming ruin prepared for Babylon is so terrifying that the prophet shakes in fear and goes to great lengths to act as a watchman.
Already he has walked around naked and barefoot for three years in order to warn Egypt and Cush. Now he will stand like a sentinel in a tower for an indefinite number of long days and nights so that Babylon might hear of judgement and be warned.
Isaiah's heart was broken over the refusal of the people to heed the warnings and call to repentance. Not only did he care about his own nation of Judah but he was also faithful to God's instruction to warn the enemy nations around him.
We too need to be heartbroken over sin and faithful in proclaiming God's message of sin, judgement, repentance and faith.
APPLYING THE WORD: One of Judah's sins was their refusal to obey God's instruction to repent and lament. And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to boldness, and to girding with sackcloth: And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die.
Isaiah 22:12-13 (KJV)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS TO ASK OURSELVES: Do we have times of confession and repentance in our relationship with God? Does our church, small groups or Sunday school class practice regular times of lament?
These times are important for keeping our focus on the Holiness and Glory of God!
Schoolchildren in "tornado-prone" areas of the country are familiar with the tornado drill. When the alarm sounds, they are to file quickly out of the classroom, perhaps carrying large binders or hardcover books, and follow the teacher to a basement room or interior hallway.
Once there, they assume a kneeling position and try to protect their heads with the binders or books. But, any safety provided by the tornado drill and secure location depends on an advance warning that a tornado is coming.
However, all the drills mean nothing if people don't know when a tornado is headed their way.
The prophet Isaiah issues an advance warning in Isaiah 20 today, alerting the nations of the looming wrath of God. The coming ruin prepared for Babylon is so terrifying that the prophet shakes in fear and goes to great lengths to act as a watchman.
Already he has walked around naked and barefoot for three years in order to warn Egypt and Cush. Now he will stand like a sentinel in a tower for an indefinite number of long days and nights so that Babylon might hear of judgement and be warned.
Isaiah's heart was broken over the refusal of the people to heed the warnings and call to repentance. Not only did he care about his own nation of Judah but he was also faithful to God's instruction to warn the enemy nations around him.
We too need to be heartbroken over sin and faithful in proclaiming God's message of sin, judgement, repentance and faith.
APPLYING THE WORD: One of Judah's sins was their refusal to obey God's instruction to repent and lament. And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to boldness, and to girding with sackcloth: And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die.
Isaiah 22:12-13 (KJV)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS TO ASK OURSELVES: Do we have times of confession and repentance in our relationship with God? Does our church, small groups or Sunday school class practice regular times of lament?
These times are important for keeping our focus on the Holiness and Glory of God!
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