Isaiah 20

After the prophecies given against first Cush, and then Egypt, there comes a further combined one against them both. There is a repeated call in the Scriptures to trust only in the Lord, and not in man. We hear that call again in this short chapter. In 722 B.C. the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel. Judah, under King Hezekiah, understandably felt twitchy. Hezekiah was under great pressure to form an alliance with Egypt and Cush against the Assyrians. In 711 B.C. the Philistine city of Ashdod revolted against the Assyrians. They believed that Egypt, Cush, and possibly their old enemy Judah would join them in their rebellion. Through Isaiah God warned Judah not to rely on Egypt and Cush. They would soon be humiliated by the Assyrians.

Before the Lord could speak ”through” Isaiah, He had to first speak ”to” him (2). Do you live in such a way that you give yourself maximum opportunity to hear God’s voice; even to be able to detect His faintest whisper? Do you quite deliberately put yourself in a place day by day where you can listen to Him?

For ”three years’’ (3, 4), Isaiah’s life was a visual aid. His life spoke a clear message. God still speaks to His people today, and wants to speak through them. He will do this through their lips, but also through their lives. Let me so live with the ‘volume turned up’ that no one can miss the God-given message of my life! But to live out God’s calling will not necessarily be easy or convenient or comfortable. How would you like a ministry like Isaiah’s? The issue is not success but faithfulness. I don’t think Isaiah would have been asked at any successful leadership type conference. But centuries after his death, his words and his life are still speaking to us. Live in such a way that your influence may outlast you. Isaiah asks a question of us: are we prepared to sacrifice our pride in order to serve God. Someone said: ”I’m a fool for Christ”. Then he added, ”Whose fool are you?” Isaiah had to act out the part of a humiliated Cushite or Egyptian warrior. For at least three years he looked foolish indeed in the eyes of the people who saw him. Fruitful ministry does not come without cost.

The message we carry to the world is that our trust should only be in God’s Son Jesus, and His work on the cross (5, 6). To look anywhere else, and to anyone else for salvation, other than to the Lord is futile. To become a Christian you have to transfer your trust to Jesus. ”How then can we escape?” if we look elsewhere for deliverance? (Hebs. 2:1-4.)

Prayer: Thank you Lord that you still look for attentive people who will listen to you; willing people who will do what you ask. May there be nothing to block my ears to your voice, and no pride that keeps me from obeying you.