Isaiah 50–Your Torch, Your Fire

Isaiah lays the truth on the table.  The question is in effect, “Why is God allowing this to Happen?” Isaiah lays the answer out in three parts:

Part 1–Please show me the evidence that it is me doing this

Part 2–Your sin is your source of pain

Part 3–those that follow me I will protect and provide for, but those that want to run their own show must provide their own light.

In this prophecy, it is important to the Father to make sure his chosen to remember it is their choices and sin that have left them undone.  He, like any dad, wants nothing more than to bless and restore His own. Sadly, when their allegiance and behavior are rebellious, God has no other option than to let them experience the price of their rebellion.  It has some note of promise, if one follows the Lord, He will protect and provide for them.  But there is the second promise, if you are going to light your own torches then you will have to live in the light they provide.

Then and now, God reminds us that it is our choice on whom to serve.  Each choice has a cost.  Joshua understood that, that is why as he was dying, he sat the entire Jewish nation down and reminded them of their propensity to forsake God.  In that speech, he said, “Choose this day whom you will serve–the world’s gods or the God that led You. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord as well!

God Bless You

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This is what the Lord says:

“Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce
    with which I sent her away?
Or to which of my creditors
    did I sell you?
Because of your sins you were sold;
    because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.
² When I came, why was there no one?
    When I called, why was there no one to answer?
Was my arm too short to deliver you?
    Do I lack the strength to rescue you?
By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea,
    I turn rivers into a desert;
their fish rot for lack of water
    and die of thirst.
³ I clothe the heavens with darkness
    and make sackcloth its covering.”

⁴ The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,
    to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
    wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.
⁵ The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears;
    I have not been rebellious,
    I have not turned away.
⁶ I offered my back to those who beat me,
    my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
    from mocking and spitting.
⁷ Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
    I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
    and I know I will not be put to shame.
⁸ He who vindicates me is near.
    Who then will bring charges against me?
    Let us face each other!
Who is my accuser?
    Let him confront me!
⁹ It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me.
    Who will condemn me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
    the moths will eat them up.

¹⁰ Who among you fears the Lord
    and obeys the word of his servant?
Let the one who walks in the dark,
    who has no light,
trust in the name of the Lord
    and rely on their God.
¹¹ But now, all you who light fires
    and provide yourselves with flaming torches,
go, walk in the light of your fires
    and of the torches you have set ablaze.
This is what you shall receive from my hand:
    You will lie down in torment.