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 30:9-11 (NASB)
I am constantly amazed at how history repeats itself, especially ancient Biblical history. This is what we see in today’s scripture that I share with you. Isaiah speaks of Judah as “a rebellious people” against God, in the times of 704-702 BC when The Assyrians were threatening them from the north. They were looking to hire help from their southern neighbors, Egypt, which wasn’t God’s plan – He wanted to see repentance from their rebellious ways. Thus, Isaiah was sent to carry God’s Word on a placard and preach it to those in Jerusalem, which was not well received – they wanted to hear “pleasant words” to tickle their ears.
We can find a similar story in 1 Kings 22 regarding the weak and evil King Ahab of Israel; he did not like God’s truth delivered to him from the prophet Micaiah, who was in prison. His many other advisors told the king what he wanted to hear, tickling his ears and stroking his ego. But Micaiah told Ahab God’s truth. As I said, history repeats itself; and men today despise the Word of God, only wanting to hear pleasant things rather than God’s Word of Truth.
Dear Reader, we live in a world that would rather we soothed them with soft stories or remained silent. Yet we have a calling as children of God to share the truth of His Holy Word; whether it be hard or easy to swallow, bitter or sweet to taste. I pray that we all remain faithful to His calling to serve Him rather than the world that we live in today.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Devotional Treasures
