PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Isaiah 13-14
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The Lord has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.” (Isaiah 14:32)
This is a violent prophecy against the cruel Babylonian nation.
The violence promised against them is an echo of what they did to others.
Often warnings about “the day of the Lord” (13:6) are used against non-Christians.
But God’s anger is not against non-christians, but against cruel oppressors.
In history christians have also been oppressors, crushing people beneath them.
In Jesus we do not see God coming with violence against non-believers.
In Jesus we see God’s anger against cruel oppressors, whether religious or not.
This prophecy is promising an end to violence and injustice – the sins of the wicked (13:11).
The Lord will have compassion on the afflicted – Jewish and non Jewish (14:1-2).
The Lord’s plan has always been to provide a refuge for the afflicted.
His house was meant to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Mark 11:17).
He will bring relief from suffering, turmoil and harsh labour (14:3).
Jesus established God’s kingdom refuge, and welcomes the afflicted to find refuge.
Is Jesus my refuge, and am I extending his refuge to others… or getting in the way?
PRAYER
Lord, there are weary and burdened people all around me. Help me to share your refuge with them, and to do my part to bring them relief from their suffering, turmoil and harsh labour.
How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
There is so much cruel punishment and retribution for evil in this passage. The images of infants being dashed – so vicious. The message is clear to me, sinners are subject to punishment. Satan has been cast down and his final day of reckoning as well. Babylon, Assyria is being punished Israel, God’s chosen people have been rescued. I too am rescued by Jesus – the one who conquered sin once and for all. Jesus help me to rescue others in your name!
Though the wrong seems so strong, God is THE REFUGE for His people. He will take care of us/me. This is God’s world and He is the Ruler over all. As in past days He took care of His people, He continues to be with His people today as He has promised for the battle is won. And as we celebrate the reason for the season, Jesus Christ, He is with us, and in that hope we go forward also this day serving Him, being an instrument of His peace.
This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!