“My heart cries out for Moab” (v.5)
Back in chapter 13 we read about the burden Isaiah had for the coming destruction of Babylon. Now, as Isaiah is prophesying concerning the fall of Moab, we see the prophet again being burdened by the news he must deliver. Judgment is coming to them (Moab) in the form of the Assyrian empire for their hard-heartedness, and their rebellion against God, and nothing will be left standing.
Despite this burden, Isaiah was faithful to his call in warning the people. He did not take joy in the delivery of his message nor the impending doom that was to befall Moab, but he obeyed God. Some have compared Isaiah’s lament of Moab to Jesus’s lament over doomed Jerusalem.
So how does this apply to us. Well we are certainly not prophets, but through the help of the Spirit we can see the warning signs of destruction in those around us. When we see a brother/sister falling away the scripture tells us to restore such a person. That can only be accomplished through love and empathy, not through condemnation and accusation. And if our words of love and concern are not heeded, then give it to God, go to your prayer closet, and cry out to Him. Like Isaiah, we are just the messenger.
While the righteousness of God will not allow sin to go unpunished, remember the grace of God will allow forgiveness if true repentance is present. "For our LORD is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). And through it all, may our hearts cry out over the sin that has blinded others, and recognize that, "But for the grace of God, there go I."
Father open the eyes of our prodigals, that they may repent and turn back to you that we may not lament. Amen.
The Truth: "For by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not of your own, it is a gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)
Back in chapter 13 we read about the burden Isaiah had for the coming destruction of Babylon. Now, as Isaiah is prophesying concerning the fall of Moab, we see the prophet again being burdened by the news he must deliver. Judgment is coming to them (Moab) in the form of the Assyrian empire for their hard-heartedness, and their rebellion against God, and nothing will be left standing.
Despite this burden, Isaiah was faithful to his call in warning the people. He did not take joy in the delivery of his message nor the impending doom that was to befall Moab, but he obeyed God. Some have compared Isaiah’s lament of Moab to Jesus’s lament over doomed Jerusalem.
So how does this apply to us. Well we are certainly not prophets, but through the help of the Spirit we can see the warning signs of destruction in those around us. When we see a brother/sister falling away the scripture tells us to restore such a person. That can only be accomplished through love and empathy, not through condemnation and accusation. And if our words of love and concern are not heeded, then give it to God, go to your prayer closet, and cry out to Him. Like Isaiah, we are just the messenger.
While the righteousness of God will not allow sin to go unpunished, remember the grace of God will allow forgiveness if true repentance is present. "For our LORD is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). And through it all, may our hearts cry out over the sin that has blinded others, and recognize that, "But for the grace of God, there go I."
Father open the eyes of our prodigals, that they may repent and turn back to you that we may not lament. Amen.
The Truth: "For by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not of your own, it is a gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)
