Isaiah’s next prophecy was to set the record straight on why Judah was still standing. It was not because they were a holy people. It was not because they were valient or faithful. It was not because they had come up with a plan to defeat the rest of the world or to fool God. No, simply put, they still stood because God loved them and made a covenant to make them a great nation.
It was irritating to God to continue to support such a stiff necked and disobedient people. He, however had skin in the game. He delivered them out of slavery and brought them to this land. He defeated their enemies and prospered them. So, the decision to allow them to be catered and exiled was not an easy one to make. In this passage, God makes clear that their very presence only happened as a gift from Him. Such grace should be heralded and worshipped. Sadly, the people simply went about their busy lives neither acknowledging God’s grace, nor retuning to the worship and submission to His lordship.
In present day, Many are faced with the same clear message. It is not because we were that good or reverent; it is simply because God is a God of grace and mercy. His chosen have not lived with the humility or passion to follow Him that He deserves. But, As Paul said in Romans 5:8, “God demonstrated His love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” That message rings loud in this time and culture. We need to be humble, grateful and follow God closely. It is only by His grace that we are still standing.
God Bless You
“Listen to this, you descendants of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel and come from the line of Judah,you who take oaths in the name of the Lord and invoke the God of Israel— but not in truth or righteousness—2 you who call yourselves citizens of the holy city and claim to rely on the God of Israel— the Lord Almighty is his name:3 I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them, and I made them known. then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.4 For I knew how stubborn you were. your neck muscles were iron, your forehead was bronze.5 Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened, I announced them to youso that you could not say, ‘My images brought them about; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.’6 You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them?“From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you.7 They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today.So you cannot say, ‘Yes, I knew of them.’8 You have neither heard nor understood; from of old your ears have not been open.Well do I know how treacherous you are; you were called a rebel from birth.9 For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely.10 See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.
Walking With God 