READING: Isaiah 8:1-11:16
God hates sin. He judges sin. He expects His people to obey Him. In fact, He may send His wrath on them when they ignore His mandates. He has even at times continued to send His judgment on a people who continually chose not to obey Him.
That’s the word the prophet Isaiah said to the people. Multiple times in his book, we read this refrain about God’s judgment: “In all this, his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still raised to strike” (Isa 5:25, 9:12, 9:17, 9:21, 10:4). Much more than simply a refrain to move along Isaiah’s message, the words are instead a reminder that all the judgment God had already exacted did not exhaust His wrath should the people continue to reject Him. When His people do not turn to Him even after He has struck them with judgment (Isa 9:13), His anger just continues. Indeed, while scholars differ in their assessment of this text, the New Testament text 1 Corinthians 5:5-6 suggests that physical consequences (perhaps even death) might be the result of our ongoing rebellion—though the purpose of that drastic judgment would be that the soul might be saved in the end.
The point? Obedience to God is not optional. It really does matter.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you rebelling against God in any area of your life today?
DAILY PRAYER: “Remind me, Father, of Your demand for faithfulness and obedience.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Isaiah 12:1-6, Isaiah 17:1-14, 2 Chronicles 28:22-25, 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29:1-2, 2 Kings 15:30-31, 2 Kings 17:1-4, Hosea 1:1-2:13
