Friday, June 28, 2013

watchman

Isaiah 20-21
Isaiah has gone stripped and barefoot for three years, as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush. The king of Assyria will lead away stripped and barefoot the Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles. with buttocks bared - to Egypt's shame.
An oracle concerning the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the south land, an invader comes from the desert from a land of terror. A dire vision has been shown to me: The traitor betrays, the looter takes loot. Elam, attack! Media, lay siege! I will bring to an end all the groaning she caused.
Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of its gods lie shattered on the ground!
Isaiah is the watchman. The Lord says to Isaiah: Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.
An oracle concerning Arabia, "within one year, as a servant bound by contract would count it, all the pomp of Kedar will come to an end.
Why?
v1,The year is 711 BC, when the Assyrian crushed the Philistine rebellion at Ashdod. The support expected from Egypt had not materialized.
It was a startling demonstration(like Ezekiel's dramatic actions) of the coming captivity of Egypt, designed to warn his people to place no reliance on help from that quarter.  In 701 BC Egypt was defeated by Assyria.
The 'wilderness' or 'desert by the sea' is Babylonia. The downfall of Babylon will be good new to the captives from Israel. Even so, Isaiah is appalled by what he foresees. Being 'seer ' is painful and costly business.
There is temporary respite for Edom- but judgment was to follow(34:5)
Not even the remote tribes of Arabia will escape the long arm of Assyria.
Watchman says what the Lord let him sees.
To be a servant of the Lord, do what the Lord says even it is a shame matter- reveal the sign of God.
How?
Could I be a watchman of the Lord? If the Lord gives me the sign or oracle. I could be a preacher and counselor of God's word, to encourage the faith of people if the Lord allows me.



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