none will miss her mate

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Jefferson Vann

May 2015 (13)Isaiah 34:12-17

12 Its nobles–but no kingdom is there–will call, and all its princes will be nothing. 13 And thorns will go up her citadel fortress, weed and thistle plant in her fortresses; and it will be a settlement of jackals, green grass for daughters of an ostrich. 14 And desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and a goat-demon will call to his neighbour; surely there Lilith[1] will sleep, and she will find a resting place for herself. 15 There an owl will nest and lay and hatch and care for her chicks in her shadow; surely there birds of prey will be gathered, each one beside her mate. 16 Seek from the book of Yahveh and call out the text: none of these will be missing; none will miss her mate. For my mouth has commanded, and his spirit has gathered them. 17 And he has cast a lot for them, and his hand has apportioned it to them with the measuring line; they will take possession of it forever, they will live in it first one generation then another generation.

none will miss her mate

Isaiah challenges us from his standpoint in the past. He tells us who live in his distant future to call out (read) his words, and check for their fulfilment. He speaks of the predictions as if they were female animals, and says that none will miss her mate. In other words, each thing predicted will find its fulfilment. We know now how absolutely right he was. But Isaiah lived long before these things came about. His assurance that each of his predictions would be fulfilled was the assurance of faith.

The Christian believer today makes a number of faith statements about God, about Christ, and about the future. Until Christ returns, most of those things will just be faith statements. Even many of our prayers will seem to fall on deaf ears. What motivates us to keep making faith statements. Just like Isaiah, our confidence is outside ourselves. Our confidence is in the eternal God. Even if most our assertions today seem to be without their companions, we keep affirming what God said. He will be proven true, and so will we.

LORD, give us the courage to believe what you have said, regardless of how long it might take to prove it. We know you are faithful to your word, and to your people.

[1] possibly a proper name for a Mesopotamian night-demon.

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up in smoke

Posted on May 12, 2015 by Jefferson Vann

May 2015 (12)

Isaiah 34:6-11

6 Yahveh has a bloody sword; it is blood filled. It is covered with bloody fat from lambs and goats, from fat of rams’ kidneys, because Yahveh has a sacrifice planned for Bozrah and a huge slaughter planned for the land of Edom. 7 And wild oxen will go down with them, and steers with strong bulls. And their land will be blood drenched, and their soil will be fat fattened. 8 Because there is a day of vengeance for Yahveh, a year of retribution for the strife of Zion. 9 And its streams will be changed to pitch and its soil to sulphur, and its land will become like burning pitch. 10 Night and day it will not be quenched; its smoke will go up forever. From generation to generation it will be in ruins; forever and ever there will be no one who passes through her. 11 But a large bird and a hedgehog will take possession of it, and an owl and a raven will live in it. And he will stretch a measuring line of perplexity out over it, and a plumb line of emptiness.

up in smoke

This is one of those passages which gives us insight into the interpretation of New Testament descriptions of coming judgment. Edom’s coming judgment is described as if God is planning a sacrifice. The whole land will be bloody and filled with fat from the slaughtered corpses. Then it will all be consumed on a sacrificial altar, and the LORD will be pleased by the smell of the smoke going up into the sky forever. This is not a picture of eternal torment. Those sacrificial animals were not being perpetually tortured. They were killed, and the evidence of their destruction (the smoke) pleased God. That is how sacrifices worked.

So, when Revelation portrays this evil world lamenting Babylon’s destruction, it mourned when it saw the smoke from the fire that burned her up![1] So, when the redeemed shout, “Hallelujah! The smoke rises from her forever and ever”[2] they are not relishing over the pain and suffering Babylon was experiencing, but rejoicing that she had been utterly consumed. The imagery in both testaments is that of a whole burnt offering. To take those statements as descriptions of an ever-burning hell where the souls of the lost are forever tortured is to abuse scripture and to offend God. God is a God of justice, and he decides what hell will be. His word describes hell as a place where sin is destroyed, along with the sinners who sin.

Isaiah is also the first to use the metaphor of an unquenchable fire here. He says of that fire “night and day it will not be quenched (10).” But the context makes it clear that the fire continues as long as it takes to consume all the people in the land. The final state of Edom was not one of perpetual burning. The same verse speaks of Edom being left desolate and abandoned, in ruins. The next verse speaks of stray animals taking it over, because there are no longer any people to keep them out. Isaiah’s imagery is certainly not about a place of fiery torment kept going perpetually. It is about a place being cleansed of all its inhabitants. So, when Jesus speaks of coming final judgment, he describes the lost as chaff, being thrown into an unquenchable fire and burned up.[3] The grain is saved, but the chaff is consumed by the fire. Isaiah sees Edom’s loss as eternal because they would be forever destroyed. Jesus predicts the same fate for lost sinners. The good news, from both the prophet and our Saviour, is that the redeemed will be saved from that coming destruction.

LORD, we rejoice that you will bring an eternal end to sin. We ask you to help us rescue the lost from that fate by proclaiming the gospel to all who will listen.

[1] Revelation 18:9,18.

[2] Revelation 19:3.

[3] Matthew 7:19; Mark 9:43; Luke 3:17.

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dissolving the sky army

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Jefferson Vann

May 2015 (11)Isaiah 34:1-5

1 Come near, nations, to hear; and peoples, listen closely! Let the land hear, and everything which fills it; the world and all its offspring. 2 Because the anger of Yahveh burns against all the nations, and wrath is poured out against all their armies; he has put them under a ban, he has given them up for slaughter. 3 And their slain will be thrown away; and their corpses, their stench will go up. And mountains will melt with their blood, 4 and the whole sky army will dissolve. And the skies will roll up like a scroll, and all their army will wither like the withering of a leaf on a vine, or like withering of a fig tree. 5 When my sword is drenched in the sky, watch! It will descend upon Edom, and upon the people of my ban, for judgment.

dissolving the sky army

Isaiah uses apocalyptic imagery to describe judgment upon Edom. Edom is only one of many nations presently under Yahveh’s ban, and all of those nations would eventually be overcome by the Assyrian and Babylonian empires. They are devoted to destruction. But, before God destroys them, he will first defeat their sky army. There is a battle going on in the sky, dissolving the sky army, and then the sword of the LORD will descend and annihilate Edom. What was the message for the inhabitants of Edom? Isaiah was telling them that they might think they are safe, but their fate is sealed. Such is the message for all those nations, and individuals who have turned against the Lord today.

LORD, we run to you for our security and find safety only in your grace.

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a forgiven city

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Jefferson Vann

May 2015 (10)Isaiah 33:17-24

17 Your eyes will see a king in his beauty; they will see a far away land. 18 Your heart will deliberate on an awesome thought: “Where is that Scribe? Where is that one who weighed this out? Where that one who counted these towers?” 19 You will not see a rude people, a people whose language is too hard to speak and listen to, whose blabbering tongue cannot be mastered. 20 Look at Zion, the city of our appointed feasts! Your eyes will see Jerusalem, an undisturbed settlement, a tent that is not loaded for transport. No one will ever pull out its tent pegs, and none of its ropes will be torn in two. 21 Instead, there Yahveh will be mighty for us, a place of rivers, streams many hand widths wide; yet a galley ship with an oar cannot go in it, and a mighty ship cannot pass through it. 22 Because of Yahveh our judge; Yahveh our lawgiver. Yahveh our king; he will save us. 23 Your riggings hang slack; they do not hold the base of their mast firm, they do not spread out a sail. Then an abundant prey of spoil will be divided; a lame one will take plunder. 24 And no inhabitant will say, “I am sick”; the people who live in it, their iniquity will be taken away.

a forgiven city

Isaiah describes the joy of the inhabitants of Jerusalem upon discovering that the Assyrian threat has been miraculously stopped by God. Donald Flemming describes this section:

“With the besieging armies gone, the people will look out on the open fields again. They will cheer their king as he appears before them in his royal robes (17). No longer will they hear the foreign language of the Assyrian generals who took the Judeans’ money and then betrayed them (18-19). People will flock to Jerusalem for the feasts and festivals as in former days (20). Jerusalem will be safe, like a city on the edge of a broad river where no enemy warships approach and therefore no one needs to prepare any ships for battle. The city, by God’s forgiving mercy, will be a place of good health and ample provision (21-24).”[1]

Such is the picture our hearts need to meditate on today: a portrait of a city on the brink of destruction, rescued by the grace of Almighty God. Can you imagine that awesome sight? I’m not asking you to imagine some distant cloud in heaven. I want you to see a city, redeemed and restored to its intended perfection. Trust the LORD to do this for your city, your town. Believe that he is mighty enough to bring about restoration, health and wholeness. Now, go out and be an instrument he can use to do just that. You, be a judge, lawgiver or leader that the LORD can use to restore his rule.

Jesus is returning to set up his eternal rule on this planet. There is no doubt about that. The question for you and me is whether we will allow him to use us to begin restoring the fallen cities today.

LORD, we imagine an awesome thing – a forgiven city. Make us instruments of your divine restoration.

[1] Flemming, Donald C. “Commentary on Isaiah 33:1”. “Bridgeway Bible Commentary”. http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bbc/view.cgi?bk=22&ch=33. 2005.

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fear of heights

Posted on May 9, 2015 by Jefferson Vann

May 2015 (9)Isaiah 33:13-16

13 Listen, you far away ones to what I have done; and know, you near ones, my power!” 14 Sinners are afraid in Zion; trembling has seized those atheists: “Who of us can live alongside this devouring fire? Who of us can live alongside relentlessly consuming ovens?” 15 He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who rejects gain by extortion, who pulls back his hand from the taking a bribe, who stops up his ear from hearing blood and shuts his eyes from looking on evil. 16 That one will live among high places; mountain fortresses will be safe for him. His bread will be provided; his water will be sure.

fear of heights

The atheists in Jerusalem had rejected the God of their people because they were convinced that no one could live alongside (literally, as registered aliens among) such a God. Yahveh is a devouring, consuming fire, and he is relentless. He never stops. So, they figured that if they just live as if this powerful God did not exist, they could be OK. They could not live among high places where God was, so they decided to just stay in low places where it was safe. But Isaiah rejects that kind of thinking. Fear of heights cannot bring lasting safety. God is real, and the only true safety is found in acknowledging his presence and power. Living an disciplined life in submission to God’s holiness was all that Yahveh asked of them, and they had the ability to do that.

LORD, forgive us for refusing to live the life you require. Teach us how to scale the heights and live in your presence without fear, trusting in your Son’s sacrifice and your Holy Spirit’s guidance.

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birthing dry straw

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Jefferson Vann

May 2015 (8)Isaiah 33:7-12

7 Watch! Their heroes cry out from the street; those who were messengers of peace now weep bitterly. 8 Highways are deserted; the road traveller ceases. Someone breaks a treaty, he ignores witnesses; he does not hold man in high regard. 9 The land mourns; it languishes. Lebanon feels embarrassed; it withers. Sharon is like the desert, and Bashan and Carmel are shaking off their leaves. 10 “Now I will get up,” says Yahveh. “Now I will raise myself up proudly; now I will lift myself. 11 You conceive dry straw, you bring forth stubble; your breath is like a fire; it will consume you. 12 And peoples will be to burn to lime– they are thorns burned that have been cut down for the fire.

birthing dry straw

It looked like there was no hope for Jerusalem. The Assyrians were coming, and had surrounded the city. Then God got up. 185,000 dead soldiers later, the king of Assyria changed his mind. Isaiah predicted that event here. He described the Assyrian threat as a pregnant woman who gives birth to dry straw, and then sets it on fire with her fiery breath. What does Isaiah tell Jerusalem to do? Just watch. God will protect his people. Just watch.

We don’t always experience deliverance like that. But we should always be praying and watching for God to surprise us with an unqualified miraculous rescue. Because that is the kind of God he is.

LORD, we are watching, and we trust you to rescue us, no matter how dire the circumstances.

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the security of your times

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Jefferson Vann

May 2015 (7)Isaiah 33:1-6

1 Oy, destroyer, and yourself not destroyed! And treacherous one, and no one has dealt treacherously with him! When you are finishing your destroying, you will be destroyed. When you stop dealing treacherously, someone will deal treacherously with you. 2 Yahveh, be gracious to us, we wait for you. Be their arm in the mornings, indeed our salvation in a time of trouble. 3 At a disturbing noise, peoples fled; because of your exaltation, nations scattered. 4 And your spoil is gathered, like the gathering of the locust, like a swarm of locusts storming upon it. 5 Yahveh is exalted, because he dwells above; he has filled Zion with justice and righteousness, 6 and he will be the security of your times, an abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of Yahveh is what he treasures.

the security of your times

The Assyrian armies had invaded Judah, and has set their sights on destruction of Jerusalem. God’s prophet, Isaiah, had warned his people that they were going to be judged, but he would be spared the sorrow of seeing it happen – this time. Because a king dared to fear God more than the invading swarm, the nation was spared. So, Isaiah gets to tell his people that Yahveh is going to be exalted, because what Yahveh treasures most is when his people fear him. So, Yahveh will be the security of their times.

Times have not changed. Armies still invade, destroyers still destroy, and God’s people are still put in uncontrollable situations. But God has not changed either. He still looks for a people who will fear him above all fears. He still looks for opportunities to show us security in the midst of the swarming invasion. Will we dare to be what God treasures most?

LORD, give us wisdom to respond to the threats of our times by trusting in you, and letting you be the security of our times.

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planting by every water source

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Jefferson Vann

May 2015 (6)Isaiah 32:15-20

15 (We will be desolate) until a wind is poured out on us from on high, and our wilderness will become a fruitful field, and our fruitful field is thought of as the forest. 16 Then justice will dwell in that wilderness, and righteousness will live in that fruitful field. 17 And the product of righteousness will be peace, and the product of righteousness, quietness and security forever. 18 And my people will dwell in a peaceful settlement and in a secure dwelling place and in undisturbed resting places. 19 And it will hail at the coming down of the forest, and the city will become low by humiliation. 20 You who plant by every water source, who set free the foot of the ox and the donkey, will be happy.

planting by every water source

Coffman’s take on verse 20 is as follows:

“… to us it says that, followers of the Lamb should, “preach the gospel in season and out of season”; exploit all opportunities; take every chance; do not be too particular nor too choosey as to what we shall do for the Lord. If this is what the passage means, it is the equivalent of the proverb which states that, “He that regardeth the winds shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap!” (Ecclesiastes 11:4).[1]”

We should avoid falling into the trap of confusing our giftedness with the limits of our influence. It just might be an area I might consider a weakness that the LORD may choose to bless me with a bumper crop. I saw this last year in Africa. I had prepared quite a few lectures that I presented at a conference of pastors and church leaders in DRC. But the part of my week that seemed to have made the most difference to these men was the question and answer sessions that came after each lecture. This was unscripted, and was a challenge to me. But the church leaders really appreciated the answers to their questions.

LORD, give us the wisdom to plant your gospel by every water source, to use every means possible to share your kingdom with others.

[1] Coffman, James Burton. “Commentary on Isaiah 32:1”. “Coffman Commentaries on the Old and New Testament”. “http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/view.cgi?bk=22&ch=32”. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999.

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get up and go to work

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Jefferson Vann

May 2015 (5)Isaiah 32:9-14

9 You ladies at ease, get up; hear my voice! Carefree daughters, listen to what I say! 10 In a year’s days you will tremble, carefree ones, because the wine crop will come to an end; harvest will not come. 11 Tremble, you at ease ones; tremble, carefree ones; strip, and strip yourself, and prepare for work. 12 lamenting over fields, over delightful fields, over a fruitful vine, 13 over the soil of my people. It is reduced to thorn and brier — indeed over all houses of joy in a once jubilant city. 14 Because the palace will be forsaken, the city crowd deserted; the watchtower hill will become a cave for ages, the joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks.

get up and go to work

Isaiah is talking to the lazy men of Jerusalem – the once jubilant city. He calls them ladies of ease because they have enjoyed the fruit of other’s people’s labour, not having had to work in the fields themselves. The commands are in the masculine gender. He tells these lazy men to get up and dress themselves for work because the lazy days will soon be over. God’s judgment is coming, and no one will rest.

Many today are assuming that God’s grace through Christ means that we no longer need to heed such warnings. But God is still a God of holiness, and if our generation refuses to heed his call, we too can be reduced to thorn and brier. The prophet calls us to get up and go to work. Our society needs to proclaim the gospel, care about its poor and needy, and bring justice to those who are wronged. A God who cares is watching.

LORD, give us the wisdom to get up from our comfortable couches and go to work, showing your mercy and justice, before you are forced to put an end to the harvest.

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betrayed by false leaders

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Jefferson Vann

May 2015 (4)Isaiah 32:1-8

1 Watch, a king is going to rule righteously, and princes will rule administering justice. 2 And each one will be like a hiding place from a strong wind and a covering from a rainstorm, like streams of water in a dry region, like a large rock shading a weary land. 3 And those who see will not be blinded and those who hear will listen with their ears. 4 And their hearts will understand what they know and their tongue which formerly stuttered will be in a hurry to speak clearly. 5 A fool will no longer be called noble, and a scoundrel will not be considered prominent. 6 Because a fool speaks foolishness, and his heart commits sin: to practice atheism and to speak wrong things about Yahveh, to leave hungry people with an empty throat, and he deprives thirsty people of drink. 7 And a scoundrel, his weapons are evil; he plans evil strategies to ruin a poor person with words of deception even when the needy speak of their plight honestly. 8 But a true nobleman plans noble things, and he stands for noble ideals.

betrayed by false leaders

Isaiah describes the transformation that will happen when the Messiah rules. The leadership will undergo a transformation, all false leaders being discovered and removed. The false leaders currently plaguing the society he calls fools, scoundrels and atheists. They are characterised by deficiency in three areas:

  • Their spiritual life is bankrupt. They are either formal or practical atheists. When they are not trying to live without God, they are condemning him and things others have done in his name.
  • Their compassion is a sham. The poor and needy are only seen as people to exploit.
  • Their sense of justice only applies to themselves. They cannot see beyond their own desires and goals for advancement. They do not see themselves as a refuge for others.

God actively seeks to remove such leaders, because they betray their positions and their people.

LORD, make us leaders who lead nobly. Make us people of integrity, whose relationship with you is real, whose concern about others is genuine, and who protect the needy, and do not exploit them.

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