Thought from today’s Bible reading from Isaiah 28-30.
God told Isaiah that he must prophesy to the people, even though they would not listen. He also explained why it was important to tell them anyway.
“Now go, write it on a tablet before them and inscribe it on a scroll, that it may serve in the time to come as a witness forever. For this is a rebellious people, false sons, sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of the Lord; who say to the seers, ‘You must not see visions’; and to the prophets, ‘You must not prophesy to us what is right, speak to us pleasant words, prophesy illusions. Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel’” (Isaiah 30:8-11).
The people of God were a “rebellious people.” This was why they refused to listen to God’s instructions. They desired “pleasant words,” even if such words were not true. What they thought and felt was more important to them than what God desired to teach them.
Instead of giving up and not prophesying to them, Isaiah was told to do something else – write down the message from God. Both speaking and writing are helpful in teaching the will of God to others. But writing has an advantage in that it can be preserved for future use. This is why God told Isaiah to write these things down – “…that it may serve in time to come.”
This was to serve as a witness against them, explaining why God was punishing them. This was important in case they might later turn from their rebellion and serve the Lord. But even if they did not, we can benefit from the lessons that are found in these writings that were made so long ago.
“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction…” (Romans 15:4). Let us learn the lessons contained in the examples from Scripture so we can avoid the sins and shortcomings of God’s people during that time.
Tomorrow’s reading: Isaiah 31-34
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
