Isaiah 29 (click here to read the passage)
When I was a kid, I was not a stellar student. I dreaded the day my parents would receive my report cards. My dad would give me a lecture, telling me I needed to “buckle down and get to work,” while my mom struggled to hide her disappointment.
That connects with what we find here in Isaiah 29.
We’re moving past the lessons of the previous chapters regarding trusting the Lord and beginning to receive a report card of sorts regarding the nations. The next set of chapters are prophecies against nations. Even the city of David (Jerusalem) is called out for its problems. Here, Jerusalem is addressed as “Ariel”; however, there is no explanation as to why this title is given to Jerusalem.
It’s apparent that there is a problem among the people of God in Jerusalem. They believe they are covered and have immunity from judgment because they are God’s people. Verse 13 describes the problem quite clearly. The people have the form of worship, but without any awe or wonder of the Lord. There is no substance to their relationship with the Lord. It’s the appearance of holiness and righteousness without wholehearted devotion to the Lord.
Their worship has become nothing more than a performance, done solely to get God to do what they want or to win His favor.
It’s easy for us to stand here in the present and shake our heads at how foolish the people are acting. However, in truth, we are more like them than we know. We often only give God a part of our lives, a few moments and hours each week, instead of centering our lives on Him.
Many of you know that I enjoy playing video games. At one point, I used to get a monthly update on how much game time I had each month. It was depressing to see that report because it was startling. One report stated that I had logged 105 hours online! About 40 of that was spent streaming movies and shows with my kids, and 65 hours were spent playing games. So about a week out of my month was handed over to entertainment. I think it was around then that I unsubscribed from those reports!
Wow. What if we got a report from God about how much time we spend with Him? Would that change things for us? Would a report card like that bring about some change, as it showed you how much time you spent thinking about God, praying, reading your Bible, worshipping, reflecting Christ to others, connecting with other believers in fellowship? Would a report like that change how you pursue your relationship with the Lord?
That’s challenging stuff to consider, and perhaps you’re feeling a bit uncomfortable or even convicted. Perhaps you’re recognizing that you and I are not all that different from the people of God as Isaiah addresses them here. John Oswalt, in his commentary on Isaiah, rightly notes that, “To a large extent, the Old Testament is the story of Israel’s failure to be a holy people.”
That’s true enough, but God…
There is hope. Look at verses 22-24 again—God will redeem the people of Judah, His people, and God did just that both in the short term of history when the Assyrians came knocking on the doors of Jerusalem (2 Kings 18-19), but also ultimately through His Son Jesus. Jesus redeems us and calls us to the Lord. So if you figure a monthly report from the Lord regarding your relationship with Him wouldn’t be all that stellar, then let the Lord bring you His peace through His Son.
Hearing from Oswalt again, “Here in Isaiah God promises that the day will come when they can actually fulfill the demands of the covenant [with the Lord]. We now live in that day [because of Jesus].
Let me encourage and challenge you to make Jesus the center of all that you do. It’s not an easy challenge to take up because it takes time and work to center our lives on Jesus, but it’s so worth it!
Let every relationship (your friends, family, spouse, co-workers, classmates), every bit of work, every decision, every recreational moment, and every aspect of your life flow from Jesus as the center of all that you are. Honestly, you’ll be amazed at how the Holy Spirit will work in and through you as you work to center your life on Christ alone.
God bless you, and know that you are constantly in my prayers.
Scot