Looking to the Eastern Sky

Isaiah 30:8-17

The gift of prophecy was often future, in Isaiah 30:8, God is telling Isaiah to write down on a tablet and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever.  This is ‘God’s description of those people: “For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the LORD; who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 30:9-11 ESV)

In the time of Isaiah they were not willing to hear the instruction of the Lord, they were not willing to listen to God’s prophets, in fact they wanted God’s influence removed from their daily life.  What happens to a nation when they tell God we want nothing to do with you?  Listen and learn, for God is not silent, this is what He said: “Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, “Because you despise this word and trust in oppression and perverseness and rely on them, therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach in a high wall, bulging out, and about to collapse, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant; and its breaking is like that of a potter's vessel that is smashed so ruthlessly that among its fragments not a shard is found with which to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern.” (Isaiah 30:12-14 ESV)

Egypt was a weak little god, and when God sent the Assyrians they came and the people of God were not prepared.  But look at verse 15, “For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,” (Isaiah 30:15 ESV)

What a parallel to 2014, for we as a people and nation have told God, You are not welcome, in our government, in our schools, or in our courts.  And yet, we who follow Christ know God has not changed and the words in Isaiah 30:15 are words for today.  In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, the Holy Spirit tells the apostle Paul about a time to come, and we are experiencing such a time. “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

The United States of America has stood with Israel since 1948, but today that is not true, and so my fellow Americans we are now experiencing judgment.  In Genesis 12:3-4, "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you"

Today I received this note, as many others have, it is from Mat Staver, Chairman Liberty Counsel on 5/19/2014, and Mat is not a prophet, he is just reporting the news.  “Is the idea that the people of Israel may be turning their security over to God rather than to continue relying on that provided by the United States a rejection of President Obama's international socialist ideologies?”  Could it be that the chosen of God have had a heart change, are they willing to listen and trust the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob?  “For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” 

If you’re a follower of Christ, look day and night to the Eastern sky, for our Lord is coming soon.  If you are not a follower but you’re curious, begin reading the gospel of John and ask God to reveal truth to you.

(Note: the date listed will be in what we call the past, I try to stay months ahead of what is published, unless I’m lead to send it at this time.)

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice