Isaiah 8:9-15
As we leave verse eight, we must be reminded the Assyrian
army will often threaten Judea’s existence, and yet in verses 9-10, we are told
they will not completely dominate them, for God was still with them. In verse 11, God is speaking to Isaiah about
not buying into the fear and rumors and conforming to the beliefs of the
people. Do you recall in chapter 7:2,
how the people gave up hope when they found out that Syria was joining Israel
to battle them? Do you recall Peter’s
first letter to the elect exiles, in chapter three, verses 8-17, where he is
instructing you and me in being in right standing with God even when suffering
for doing good? I believe the LORD was
speaking words like this to Isaiah.
Verses 14-17, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you
will be blessed. Have no fear of them,
nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always
being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the
hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good
conscience, so that when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior
in Christ may be put to shame. For it is
better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing
evil.”
If we are wise the following verses will take root in our minds and hearts, for you and I live in a time
of darkness, where the enemies of the cross call good evil and evil good. “But the LORD of hosts,
him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become
a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a
snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken;
they shall be snared and taken.” (Isaiah 8:13-15 ESV)
Many years later as the apostle Paul writes to the church from a jail cell in Rome, he makes it clear
that God was speaking about Jesus. “What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue
righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued
a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they
did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling
stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 9:30-33 ESV)
One of our friends asked me to explain his neighbor’s actions, in that he claims to be religious, yet
he is full of hate and anger? I wish this verse had come to mind, for religion always leads to earning
your way into what you believe about God, but a relationship with God is only found by pursuing faith
in the Rock, that is Jesus Christ. Anyone who has stumbled over Jesus looking for another way to gain
acceptance with a holy God, will not find Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness,
Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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