Daily Bread for Aug 1, Isa 18-22

Today’s readings are Isa 18-22.

The oracles against pagan nations continue, and they are harsh. At first, it seems that Judah and Israel will do well. By the time we get to Isaiah 22, things turn bad for Jerusalem and Judah. Jerusalem will be under siege, and it is God who will be orchestrating events, using the ungodly nations to come against His people.

God has warned His people not to get too comfortable in their prosperity, not to depend on pagan nations for support and not to worship idols and other gods. They failed to heed every caution. Their day of reckoning is coming. God is graciously warning them ahead of time, giving them time to repent and turn back toward Him.

As believers in Christ, we have received an even greater grace, an eternal one. However, we should learn from Judah’s harsh lesson and be careful not to take God and His blessings too casually. While our home in heaven is assured, disregarding our Father in heaven, disobeying Him or taking Him for granted can have temporal consequences.