“In all their affliction he was afflicted”

Isaiah 63: 7-14

I am reflecting on the past as I did yesterday, memories of God’s faithfulness come to our minds, but as in my case, my sins also flooded my mind.  As we look back in what is called the past or history, it becomes apparent you and I are not that much different than the people of Isaiah’s time on planet earth.  Sin and disobedience bring about a breaking of fellowship with a Holy God.

We see Isaiah looking to a distant past, where in Joseph’s life Egypt was a place of safety and prosperity but the people allowed the culture and customs of Egypt to take God’s place, fellowship was broken and they made a choice, they chose Egypt’s way over God’s.  And we have the history of what followed, not just for those only, but also for generations to come, a time of slavery.   Now Isaiah is reflecting on God’s goodness and mercy in rescuing them from bondage in Egypt, but look at verses 8-9, “For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior.  In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.”  If we read past those words, “In all their affliction he was afflicted” we will have missed the heart of our Father in heaven.  God has not taken joy in their affliction, nor does He take pleasure in our time of suffering, He is a loving Father, and our sin causes heartache and yes, He was afflicted.  Isaiah receives this insight about the Messiah; Jesus Christ in chapter 53, listen to what God told Isaiah Jesus would do for you: “Surely he has borne our grief’s and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.           (Isaiah 53:4-5 ESV)

Do you recall these words from Jesus: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)

From the beginning, we human critters have made choices to follow God and be blessed, or to choose our own way and receive curses; it is still a choice and it’s not to late to choose blessing.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice