Isaiah 34:1-25:10
Micah 2:1-5:15
We looked into more prophecies from Isaiah and Micah, but these were
not predictions of the near future but of the distant future, the last days.
They were also a stinging rebuke of Israel’s leaders. “Listen, you leaders of
Israel! You are supposed to know right from wrong, but you are the very people
who hate good and love evil... Suppose a prophet full of lies were to say to
you, ‘I’ll preach to you the joys of wine and drink!’ That’s just the kind of
prophet you would like! You hate justice and twist all that is right. You are
building Jerusalem on a foundation of murder and corruption. You govern on the
bribes you can get... yet all of you claim to be depending on the Lord” (Micah 2:11; 3:1, 9-11).
However, to solve the problem, the Lord will send His own leader. “But
you, O Bethlehem, though you are a small village in Judah, a ruler
of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from a distant past... He
will stand to lead His flock with the Lord’s strength, in the majesty of the
name of the Lord His God. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies
until the time when the woman in labor gives birth to her son... Then, His
people will live here undisturbed, for He will be highly honored around the
world; and, He will be a source of peace” (5:2-5).
One of the tricky things about Old Testament prophecies is
that they oftentimes have double fulfillments. For example, is this prophecy of Jesus
regarding His first or second coming? The truth is that it relates to both. Obviously,
Jesus was from Bethlehem and His first coming was highlighted by His birth;
but, He did not deliver His people from their political enemies then. He will
not do that until He comes again to judge the nations of the world.
Notice the descriptions of the last days. “Though many nations have
gathered against you, calling for your blood, eager to gloat over your destruction,
they do not know the Lord’s thoughts or understand His plan. These nations
don’t know that He is gathering them together to be beaten and trampled like
bundles of grain on a threshing floor... The Lord will settle international disputes.
All nations will beat their swords into pruning hooks. All wars and military
training will come to an end. Everyone will live quietly in their own homes in
peace and prosperity, for there will be nothing to fear...” (4:3-5, 11, 12).
My favorite description is that of the restoration of hope, “A main
road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the
Highway of Holiness. Evil-hearted people will never travel on it. It will be only for those
who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there. Lions will not lurk along
its course; and there will be no other dangers there. Only the redeemed will
follow it. Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return to Jerusalem,
singing songs of everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they
will be overcome with joy and gladness” (Isaiah 35:8-10).
Daily Reflection
As troubled as our world seems today, it will get much worse. However,
we need not fear, for we are people of hope. Though we are powerless to
stand against the tide of evil that is coming our way, we have a Savior who
will make all things right!
Though the last days will be tumultuous, they will end in triumph. The evil that has
prevailed for centuries will give way to that Highway of Holiness; and, we will be
the victors who will get to walk that way because of the feats of our
conquering King!
BiAY.org |Day 200 — 165 Days to Go
No comments:
Post a Comment