Isaiah 31:3:
Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not
spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out
his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall
down, and they all shall fail together.
This was the time in
Judah’s history when defeat seemed certain except Isaiah. After dismal decades of
the reign of king Ahaz, Judah finally saw hope in King Hezekiah. 2kings 18:5
summarizes king Hezekiah’s good reign. Isaiah also got to the peak of his
ministry under King Hezekiah, who often sought advice from Isaiah. But Hezekiah inherited a kingdom in mortar
danger from Assyria.
Unholy
Alliance
How would Judah break away
from Assyria’s dominion? Like other kings before him, Hezekiah decided to join
with other countries i.e. Enter into alliance with Babylon and Egypt but Isaiah
said no!
Isaiah
confronts Judah with two sins: the sin of trusting in Egypt and their military
might, and the sin of not looking to the Holy One of Israel. Judah felt they
had a reason to trust in chariots (because
they are many). Judah felt they had a reason
to trust in horsemen (because they are very strong). But they couldn’t seem to
find a reason to trust in the Lord!
Irrespective of Isaiah’s
call on Hezekiah to trust in God, he did not listen. Hezekiah’s shoring up of his
defenses did not even prevent the Assyrians from smashing and defeating the
defenses (i.e. building water supplies, defenses around Jerusalem and alliances
of small Towns) of Hezekiah and they also took about 200,150 people captive.
Assyria then demanded huge sums of money from Hezekiah and mocked him as a “bird in a cage”
Hezekiah, cowering under
siege in Jerusalem, sought advice from Isaiah. Should he surrender? Instead of
“I told you so” attitude from Isaiah, he again advised Hezekiah to resort to
prayer and to rely on God’s power, have faith, don’t surrender and don’t fear.
Assyria will return home wounded.
Isaiah’s deep courage and optimism raised
the moral of all Jerusalem and in a spectacular way, God took care of Assyrian
Army (Isaiah 37:36, 2kings 19).
Who do you trust?
In whom do you trust during
times of crises and need? Hezekiah and his people were God’s chosen but they
decided to rely on man for protection.
In today’s world, want for
peace and protection has become a reason for most Christians entering into all
kinds of alliances with unbelievers or non-Christians, forgetting that real
peace and protection can only be obtained in Jesus Christ.
1. For
want of job, people are relying so much on man that we go to the extent of
debasing ourselves. Some are even selling their bodies for jobs they sometimes don’t
get.
2. We profess to be Christians but have
amulets we trust and consult mediums all around.
3. The coming exam is staring in your face
with fear. Instead of trusting God to help you out, you trust in buying ‘apor’
which can fail.
4. Failure is staring in your face; the
landlord is taking his next rent; the children’s school fees are pending; the
position is slipping to someone else because you are a Christian. Friends and
loved ones cannot help either. You are caught between taking bribe, aligning
yourself to an unholy group or give up to that pestering man or woman.
How do you standby when
shame and defeat is staring in your face? Should I align myself to Egypt (man), who will fail you?
No! Our God is a delivering God. He just wants your trust and faith in Him. He
will do exceedingly above what you need. If your faith is as small as a mustard
seed, you can move that “mountain” pestering you and your household.
Isaiah 31:8 says “Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword,
not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he
shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited”.
Psalms 20:7 says: “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses:
but we will remember the name of the LORD our God”.
Isaiah 31:5 says “As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts
defend Jerusalem (you); defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he
will preserve it.” v6: Turn ye unto him from whom the children of
Israel have deeply revolted.”
That storm (Assyria) will
soon be over as you trust in the Lord fully.
Don’t take that mark, don’t put on that amulet; don’t give in to that man or
woman; don’t join that cult or group thinking you will get those breakthroughs
and peace. It will do you no good but troubles. Man’s sustenance depends on God
so why put your trust in man, who is comparatively frail and weak. Return to
the Lord, if you trusted in something else out of fear and anxiety and he will
receive you and give you victory as He did for Hezekiah and Judah - A miraculous victory without swords and
chariots.
Simply trust in Him (God).
Trust Him through the stormy way. Even when your faith is small, trust in
Jesus! That is all (MHB 517). Amen!
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