Our Wonderful God

December 23, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

Isaiah 9:6

“Our wonderful God” This is not a phrase I use often, but found myself writing about the love of our wonderful God which comforts us in all our losses. A friend’s mother had just died. It is Christmas time and the One whom prophecy foretold would be called “Wonderful” was ministering comfort to the grieving family.

Is it because of the things Jesus did that He deserves that name? Is it because God still performs miracles? I’ve held a miracle baby in my arms. Possibly every mother thinks her baby is a ‘miracle’, but when a young mom in Kenya prayed for her infertility to be taken away after many years of childless marriage, the little son I cradled in my arms was truly a miracle!

I’ve held another sort of baby in my arms, praising God for the miracle of His wonderful love and mercy. She was a woman with a ‘past’ who had found forgiveness at the feet of her Lord Jesus, and had entered into the family of God as a babe in Christ! What a glorious privilege!

There are many stories of God’s healing, physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually that have been recorded down through the history of humankind. Today we need Him as much as ever, to perform miracles of grace in a world gone mad with the passions of the ‘self’.

Three hundred years ago Isaac Watts penned the lyrics to ‘Joy to the World’, which into the twentieth century was one of the most beloved Christmas Carols. He ends it in a spirit of absolute wonder!

“He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love!”

Yes! His name shall be called “Wonderful”! Why? Because He [Jesus] is the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. God gave this prophecy to Isaiah for our benefit today. It is because of the wonders of God’s character that we fall on our knees to worship Him! Who do we know that equals His Wisdom? Who is so faithful in love? Where can we find such eternal justice or purity? God’s purity is called by a special name – He is Holy! Righteous! Fair!

Scripture reveals God yearns for a relationship with us in which He can demonstrate His gentleness, and goodness. Just as we have taken babies into our arms, our heavenly Father desires to bless us, tenderly drawing us close to His heart, enfolding us in His strong arms, caressing us with His nail-pierced hands. Isn’t this “Wonderful”….that the sovereign Creator of our universe is so relational?

Reflection:

How many hearts today long for the security of such a wonderful relationship? How many folks are shattered by man’s unfaithfulness? Whom can we trust? The wonderful truth is God is here, and He too longs for relationship with us, imperfect as we may be. He stands ready to pour His righteousness into our lives to “fit us for heaven to live with Him there” as the song-writer says. Imagine living for eternity with our Wonderful God!

Devotional

Controlled Chaos

March 25, 2025 AdminLeave a comment

Isaiah 30-31

Isaiah might be describing our chaotic world! Throughout the warnings the Lord gives of coming chaos, we read of His burning anger. Isaiah writes some very difficult prophecies, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. “He [the Lord] shakes the nations in the sieve of destruction” (30:28). What a word picture!

Caught up in deceptive thinking, believers today worship a God of love. Now of course this is true – “God is love” (1 John 4:16) “We know and rely on the love God has for us!” His love is everlasting, eternal. It is pure and holy, faithful and true. John knows all about God’s sustaining love as he lives in lonely exile on the isle of Patmos. He writes that the source of our love for others is God: “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

What then is deceptive? God’s character is multi-faceted. He is holy, He is truth. He is just. God’s justice demands retribution for sin. Retribution is a criminal justice theory which holds that punishment should be proportionate to the seriousness of a crime. The goal of retribution is to punish the offender for their actions.

Retribution theology is a Christian and Jewish belief that God punishes evil and rewards good deeds. It’s based on the idea that people get what they deserve.

Key elements

Retribution principle: The idea that evil deeds are met with equal force in response
Action-consequence paradigm: The belief that every action has a consequence, and that good deeds lead to good consequences and evil deeds lead to bad consequence.

In today’s preaching we hear an over-emphasis on the love of God without proportionate teaching on His justice. Some of Isaiah’s prophecies may lean in the opposite direction but then God speaks: “In repentance and rest is your salvation. In quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15) There is hope! BUT – sadly Isaiah recognised a terrible reality: “But you would have none of it”. The choice then, as it is today, was made to flee God’s quiet invitation to rest in His remarkable peace.

Reflection:

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice” (Isaiah 30:18). In the midst of condemnation, God is prepared to be fair, to show His compassion. The question is then – are we ready to receive it? Do we love Him out of fear of the consequences if we do not please God, or do we glory in the marvellous sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ for the sins of the world? “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

NB Today God is still Sovereign. He is accomplishing His purposes. We may not like what He is doing, but let us be clear, the chaos is under His compassionate control, because our God is just.

The Heart of the Matter by Marilyn Daniels. Click here. https://www.amazon.ca/Heart-Matter-What-Truth/dp/B092CBN8JC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1EE8AII6GG6IZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9QgMTSSjH7pnt4Q7XOQX8UAXohyJC5slED8DCOAPFi79gMz6KtKiDLNQQv7NdAGFcZfoBJ8IwzqhECTk47xXf-6-oKpyaBwU7fBrbyZsEyQA3B8TsqHGRd-ETNac769W8QKhImt4lsgUnU3tOWfRcdkyBx-d_LjEGXlcN0Mq1UaTc392xWhkvgXJFeKOUCPnxsoncaEbMOIdIUZTplw-f6CSyZZqROSQItM1Z1aFBCfUVag3_XK542zpNHzNnKUbBBHpII4xjl6LZomuX0WrnUuujqpC6GYKe6OMojAIWpjQLU_PIKY9oPn9fTJNqJSDdJK1JDQ-iRPCSorbIEfvCq8Tz7QTacnKSMqmK5_kTdCUgfP2xaF85P9-XK_aIo07KK7YCaW8e8c29sNdunmyV9GwoCjJeedqUv8xiW82B0E-biukeMU0_-N6b1yzBBsT.YyKFMLMlC8BPN4vRDQ7jPreS3x4SBsEoVoUl78AbyJg&dib_tag=se&keywords=Marilyn+Daniels&qid=1742863283&sprefix=marilyn+daniels+%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-1

Devotional

Let the Nations Renew

July 29, 2024 AdminLeave a comment

Isaiah 41 (Listening to God)

In an era when news of international discord grips our hearts in a vise of fear, it is very encouraging to read the message God gave to Isaiah. “Let the Nations renew their strength” (:1). How is that possible today in this generation, if indeed it was then in Isaiah’s day?

First of all, the Lord demands silence before Him, in His presence. Is this to enable the people to listen, to actually hear the voice of God? Then He invites the nations to come forward and to speak (:1). This reminds me of the protocol when Esther went before King Ahasuerus. Quietly she presented herself, waiting for him to extend the sceptre to her so that her presence was not only acknowledged, but she was then given permission to speak.

What we find hard to recognize today is the awesome majesty of Yahweh, which demands our obeisance. We have reduced God to man-size, because He made Himself visible in the person of Jesus Christ. Further, we have made God our equal by calling Him “friend”. It is true in special cases God met with man as with a friend (Exodus 33:11). He encouraged Solomon to understand the spirit in which He related to people by describing Himself as a ”friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Abraham was called God’s friend (James 2:23). It is not wrong to experience friendship with God. Jesus laid down His life for his friends, to which group hopefully you and I belong (John 15:13).

What is dangerous to our worship is our perception of God as only a friend. He is also “Judge” because of His nature. He is King of kings and Lord or lords, omniscient, eternal and so much more. Imagine having a friend who knows your thoughts, motives, capabilities!

Isaiah goes on to describe the power of God to work among nations. Prophesying what King Cyrus of Babylon would do to facilitate the end of the diaspora of God’s chosen people, we read that God was responsible for stirring up this mighty king. Through Isaiah God would relieve His people of the penalty of dispersion that He had imposed on them for their disobedience! (41:2 – the one from the east). He even names Cyrus in Chapters 44 and 45. This is crucial to our understanding of what is going on in our world today. God called Cyrus into His service (:2) – a pagan? Yes!

Vivid descriptions of the hand of God moving nations, subduing them, turning them into dust, demonstrate not only His power to do so, but His determination to accomplish His purposes. From the beginning to the end (41:4) the Lord called forth each generation.

From this short portion of scripture (Isaiah 41:1-4) we gain hope. Knowing what God has done in the past, and understanding He has given us clues about the future when the Lord Jesus Christ will return, brings a glorious joy, as sense of anticipation to our hearts, even in the midst of global turmoil.

Reflection:

Who is in control? Whom shall I then fear? If God can bring a heathen king alongside for the benefit of His people Israel, what might He yet do today to accomplish His mighty, eternal purposes? What if that leads His people through a “captivity” of sorts? Will we lose faith if we suffer?

“Let the nations renew themselves with hope in the Lord God!”(Isaiah 41:1)

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Isaiah’s Wreath

May 22, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

Isaiah 28

Wreaths of leaves, fruit, wheat or vines were worn as crowns by Etruscan rulers, ancient symbolism of some mythological concept. Roman magistrates wore golden wreaths to symbolize their lineage went back to the Etruscan days. Today we use wreaths to commemorate certain seasons or memorial events.

The term is used in scriptures nine times, often synonymous with the word crown. For example in Revelation 4:10 the twenty-four elders worshipping the One sitting on the throne cast their wreaths/crowns at His feet. Wreaths also were a significant part of the decoration of the temple. Isaiah uses the word wreath under inspiration of the Holy Spirit to describe Samaria, the capital of Ephraim.

To understand what Isaiah is talking about in chapter 28 we need to go back in history. In blessing his sons on his deathbed, Jacob raised Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh to the level of sons, perhaps as a tribute to his favourite wife, Rachel. Their history in the Promised Land was checkered by the notion they had tribal supremacy because of that blessing. They were competitive and uncooperative, earning for themselves a divisive reputation among their brethren.

At one point the tabernacle was located in the city of Shiloh, in Ephraim. However, it was captured by the Philistines when the Israelites brought it into battle. Shiloh itself was destroyed. This brought the morale of the people to an all-time low. When the Ark of the Covenant was recovered, tribal supremacy was centered in Benjamin, where it was relocated. After that the tribe of Ephraim fell into idol worship.

Isaiah twice pronounces a woe upon Samaria “Woe to that wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards.” (28:1,3). Through Isaiah, the Lord reviews the former advantages of Ephraim – a flower of glorious beauty, set at the head of a fertile valley. Now the Lord will crush it. They will recognize His mighty power, as the Lord tramples them under foot. Judgment will fall! (28:2, 3)

In contrast, the Lord Himself “the Lord Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of His people!” (28:5) The remnant will celebrate the fact that God is their crown, blessing them in a spirit of justice. He will be their source of strength! Imagine a world when the plumbline is righteousness! (28:17)

Recognizing the helpless condition of His people, the Lord comes to their rescue by promising to lay a cornerstone, one that is tested, that is precious, that forms a sure foundation – trustworthy, dependable! (:16) Here will be a new beginning! Isaiah looked forward to that day when Jesus would come – the precious only begotten Son of God, tested in the crucible of suffering for the sins of His people. Paul writes about this very foundation: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). God’s purpose, foretold by Isaiah, has been accomplished!

Reflection:

Are you part of that glorious circle which will celebrate eternity in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Figuratively speaking the wreath, in a never-ending circle, will remind us that He brings to His people eternal life.

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Rewards

May 15, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich on Pexels.com

Psalm 19:11, Colossians 3:23-24

Recently a friend caused me to think about new doctrinal teaching on rewards. It would take a lot of digging to check out all the Bible verses that speak to the topic, but speak they do. From both Old to New Testaments God’s people are assured of rewards. It is interesting to note that God Himself is spoken of as Abraham’s “very great reward” (Genesis 15:1). What might that mean?

Abraham had just declined taking anything that would obligate him to the King of Sodom, asserting his complete allegiance to “the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth” (Genesis 14:22), with whom he already had a covenant. Therefore God honoured him with His protection and presence.

The Psalmist reminds his readers that in keeping the ordinances of the Lord, there would be great reward (Psalm 19:11). Old Testament theology demonstrates a conviction that people will be rewarded for their works, a point that Jesus clarifies in His teaching about the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:34 – “Come you [sheep] who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance – the kingdom prepared for you.” Not all rewards will be received on earth. Jesus warns that many will be persecuted for righteousness sake; these will receive their rewards in heaven (Matthew 5: 10-12). Paul speaks about rewards in heaven as a certainty. However, he mentions motivation. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for man!” Why? “….since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving!” (Colossians 3:23-24).

In our world today a prevailing attitude seems to be to put our best foot forward when we know we will get something out of it. However, out of a sense of commitment and loyalty the best work is done, done for the sake of the work itself. This is what Jesus was talking about when He spoke about rewards in Matthew 25. Those who were blessed by His Father were totally unaware – “Lord when did we see You hungry….thirsty….a stranger…..sick……in prison?” What a thrilling surprise that they were rewarded by the commendation of their precious Saviour! What a horrible shock that those who, labouring to keep up appearances were told to “Depart from Me you who are cursed” (Matthew 25:41), because they had not seen Jesus in the opportunity. Not sensing it would be a work worthy of reward, the work was left undone.

Prophecy anticipates Jesus’ return -“The Sovereign Lord comes with power ….see His reward is with Him” (Isaiah 40:10).

Reflection:

Can you imagine serving Jesus out of a competitive spirit? Why do we want rewards? Would we serve Him if there were no rewards promised? What will these “rewards” look like?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Rewards

January 25, 2023 AdminLeave a comment

Psalm 19:11, Colossians 3:23-24

Recently a friend caused me to think about new doctrinal teaching on rewards. It would take a lot of digging to check out all the Bible verses that speak to the topic, but speak they do. From both Old and New Testaments God’s people are assured of rewards. It is interesting to note that God Himself is spoken of as Abraham’s “very great reward” (Genesis 15:1). What might that mean?

The Psalmist reminds his readers that in keeping the ordinances [laws] of the Lord, there would be great reward (Psalm 19:7, 11). Old Testament theology demonstrates a conviction that people will be rewarded for their works, a point that Jesus clarifies in His teaching about the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:34 – “Come you [sheep] who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance – the kingdom prepared for you.” Not all rewards will be received on earth. Jesus warns that many will be persecuted for righteousness sake; these will receive their rewards in heaven (Matthew 5: 10-12). Paul speaks about rewards in heaven as a certainty. However, he mentions motivation. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for man!” Why? “….since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving!” (Colossians 3:23-24).

In our world today a prevailing attitude seems to be to put our best foot forward when we know we will get something out of it. However, out of a sense of commitment and loyalty the best work is done, done for the sake of the work itself. This is what Jesus was talking about when He spoke about rewards in Matthew 25. Those who were blessed by His Father were totally unaware – “Lord when did we see You hungry….thirsty….a stranger…..sick……in prison?” What a thrilling surprise when they were rewarded by the commendation of their precious Saviour! What a horrible shock that those who, labouring to keep up appearances were told to “Depart from Me you who are cursed” (Matthew 25:41), because they had not seen Jesus in the opportunity.

Let us not forget that prophecy anticipates Jesus’ return -“The Sovereign Lord comes with power ….see His reward is with Him” (Isaiah 40:10).

Reflection:

Can you imagine serving Jesus out of a competitive spirit?

Why do we want rewards?

Would we serve Him if there were no rewards promised?

What will these “rewards” look like?

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

Can One Escape God?

November 14, 2022 Admin2 Comments

Photo by Vladislav Murashko on Pexels.com

Matthew 25:31-34

Reading through the prophets, we distinctly hear the voice of God. Sometimes He is angry, sometimes He is pleading, sometimes He seems to be just biding His time. “I will remain quiet and look on from my dwelling place, like shimmering heat in the sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.” (Isaiah 18:4-5) This is rather a pastoral view of God in His heaven, isn’t it?

Matthew Henry shed some light on this unusual passage. Apparently God’s people were being trampled on, but the perpetrator will find that in the end they are indestructible. God is waiting until the time is right to rescue His people. In the case of Cush [modern Sudan], God will show mercy. Eventually they will bring gifts to the Lord, when they recognize Him as the Almighty One (Isaiah 18:7). Ryrie suggests that these gifts will be the people of Cush, themselves.

This illustrates the day, yet to come, when the nations of the earth will be convinced that Jehovah is the true God, and Israel is His people, and unite in presenting spiritual sacrifices to His glory. Because the wicked seem to triumph for a while, let us take heart from this scripture that God does care for His people, for Israel as well as the international church.

There is a time and place for everything. Contrast this picture with the words of Jehovah in Isaiah chapter 62. “For Zion‘s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet until her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch” (:1). Note how important it is to keep verses in their context!

A Psalm illustrates not only the plan of God as seen above, but the presence of God. “You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise. You know my thoughts….You are familiar with all my ways”(Psalm 139:1-3). This can be rather disconcerting when we admit there are times when we do not understand ourselves. God knows. Amazing! Even more thrilling is God’s omnipresence. The Psalmist continues…”Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?”(:7).

Scripture is full of promises of God’s faithfulness, of His abiding with His people, of the Holy Spirit now indwelling believers (Matthew 28:20, 1 Corinthians 6:19). These bring great comfort in times of distress and hardship.

In the end, both the saved and the unsaved will come before God. Jesus describes this event “When the Son of Man comes in His glory….He will sit on His throne…..All nations will be gathered before Him and He will separate the people……the sheep on His right hand and the goats on His left…..Then the King will say – ” (Matthew 25:31-34). There is no escape! Those who follow Jesus have nothing to fear. Take heart! “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you”(:34).

Reflection:

Why would anyone want to escape God? It is impossible to hide from Him. ”Where can I go from Your Spirit O God?” (Psalm 139:7). David follows this question with several questions beginning with “if” demonstrating the omnipresence of God. There is no escaping One who is everywhere!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

My Peace

October 3, 2022 AdminLeave a comment

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Isaiah 26:1-13

When my heart is troubled, how do I deal with failure feelings or challenges to my rights? Is there a human being who has not felt the sting of rejection or the pain of discrimination in big ways or in little? Injustice hits a raw nerve in all of us from time to time, doesn’t it? When feelings overwhelm us where can we turn?

Thankfully the Word of God speaks to our hurting hearts. I’ve mentioned this many times before: “You [God] will keep him /her in perfect peace whose mind is steadfast because he/she trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3 MDV). No wonder Jesus was able to reassure His disciples: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives”. His peace was beyond anything the world could ever know. Have you ever experienced it? ….that exquisite moment when worldly cares just melt away and your heart is truly at rest? God doesn’t want our hearts to be troubled. Twice in John 14, Jesus cautions His followers “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (14:1, 27).

Troubled hearts aren’t able to rest. Hearts which are not resting in God do not have the same impact on our troubled world as hearts which are at peace. Satan is happy to ruffle our feathers because that renders us useless to God. Jesus adds another thought that troubled hearts are really afraid (John 14:27). He doesn’t want us to be afraid, but rather to be fully trusting, in spite of circumstances beyond our control. That is hard, but not impossible. Notice He is saying it in the imperative “Do not…!” It is not a suggestion. It takes determination and hard work!

Here is how it is done…”Trust in the Lord forever” (Isaiah 26:4). What do we really mean when we say we trust God? Do we let Him control the happenings in our lives, or do our plans even include Him, as we go about our daily lives? Do we live on automatic pilot, thereby not even seeing those exciting surprises that we so often miss because we are focused on what we want?

The Lord is our Rock, according to Isaiah (26:4). When we recognize the amazing stability He lends to us each day, we may find our souls yearning for Him in the night! Have you ever wakened with a sense of His presence in the darkness? What an illustration of His presence in the darkness of our world today! “In the morning my spirit longs for You” (Isaiah 26:9). Both soul and spirit rest in Him, the One through whom the world learns about righteousness (:9).

Reflection:

The subject of peace is crucial in our war-torn world today. So many families are split apart. Political leaders are torn from their posts. Violence is entering our schools making them unsafe for our precious children….and the fear grows. If only people knew the Lord. Yet, even in our churches we find competition and resentment, unfaithfulness and unforgiveness, disapproval and unacceptance. We need revival! Oh that the Spirit of our dear Lord would reign in our hearts and minds, exhibited by His amazing mercy and grace; lived out in lives of service and love. Then we would know His peace and truly be representatives of Almighty God!

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Devotional

My Covenant

September 27, 2022 AdminLeave a comment

Isaiah 59:21 **

Isaiah begins Chapter 59 with a wonderful statement. “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save.” The question is : To whom does this remarkable hope extend? Is Isaiah talking to the Jewish nation or individuals of faith, or does he refer to all human beings?

Today many Christians live as the Jews did long ago. As God’s chosen people, Israel became exclusive, carrying the principle of separation from other nations out of the realm of faith. What do I mean? They forgot that households were blessed by the faith of the patriarchs. Foreigners within that household were drawn to the One True God by the wisdom of God working in and through the lives of His chosen people. In fact all in Abraham’s household (foreigners included) were circumcised as a sign of their covenant relationship with God. (Genesis 17:27)

Isn’t it thrilling to know that God extends His mercy and grace to all mankind! Looking at externals we often judge that someone is too hard, too far gone, too disinterested to be reached by the gospel. Recently I had the exquisite pleasure of listening to a young man, sharing quite unexpectedly with me how his life had been changed. He came face to face with Jesus! A drug addict around the age of 12, he continued down that path for 7 years until God got hold of his life. His tattooed body will forever hold a message of where he was, but the sparkle in his steady blue eyes tells where he is now. He was amazed to discover that God might use him to help his old friends and even his family, to whom he had always lied. Truly in this case “The Lord’s hand was not shortened”!

Isaiah describes those who were included in God’s covenant promise, categorizing their sins of injustice and evil. Repeatedly God notes the lack of truth, the propensity to lie: “Truth has fallen in the streets.” (:14) “No one calls for justice nor does any plead for truth.” (:4) ”Their feet run to evil and they make haste to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are of iniquity.” (:7) Like the blind they walked in darkness. They growl like bears (:10-11)….and on and on.

However, because He is a covenant God, His mercy reaches down to those unable to help themselves. The Lord saw all of the darkness, evil and injustice, and was deeply displeased (:15). Knowing the utter helplessness of mankind caught in such a trap, His own righteousness came into play. With fury God scourged His adversaries in order to rescue His chosen people (:18).

Prophetically Isaiah writes “His own Arm [God’s]worked salvation for Him. Because there was no human adequate to mediate, God gave us salvation through the redemptive work of Christ, His Son! This Redeemer will come, even today, to those who turn from transgression! Imagine such mercy and grace!

For them, as for us, the covenant remains secure. “As for me, says the Lord, this is My covenant with them: “My Spirit is upon you and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants…..forevermore!” (:21)

Reflection:

Do Isaiah’s words mean anything to you today? Do you have salvation through Jesus Christ the Lord?

Are you resting in the assurance of God’s covenant, because you believe, and received Jesus as Lord?

Read John 1:12-13.

By Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)

Uncategorized

Isaiah Talks About Moab

February 14, 2022 AdminLeave a comment

Isaiah 15,16

Moab in ancient days was a kingdom east of Israel, in the Transjordan highlands. The nation arose from Lot’s incestuous child by his eldest daughter, named Moab (Genesis 19:38). They were often at war with their Israelite neighbours to the west. However events recorded in the book of Ruth testify to occasions of friendly interaction between the two nations, from time to time at least between Bethlehem and Moab.

Perhaps because he descended from Ruth, a Moabite, we know David also had friendly relations. He committed his parents to the protection of the Moabite King when pursued by King Saul (1 Samuel 22:3-4). However, once David became king he made the Moabites a tributary, while placing them under the rule of a governor. That was the end of all friendly relations.

One small incident remains to be told. When the Israelites were returning to the Promised Land from Egypt, the Moabites denied them passage through their land, causing them a long detour around, heaping God’s judgment upon themselves (Judges 11:17-18). In His judgment on them, God referred to Moab as His “washpot”, a place of accumulated filth (Psalm 60:8).

Israel suffered political upheaval under King Rehoboam. Under him the Moabites may have been absorbed into the northern kingdom of Israel, where they continued in vassalage until the death of Ahab. Eventually they refused to pay tribute, asserting their independence and making war on Israel. Later they assisted Nebuchadnezzar in his aggression against King Jehoiakim in Israel.

Isaiah and Jeremiah both refer to the burden that Moab had become (Isaiah 15-16, Jeremiah 48:42). Isaiah identifies their pride as an abomination to God, as well as their utter contempt for Israel.

At the time of Ruth we believe child sacrifices were still offered to one of their many deities. Chemosh was their chief god (2 Kings 23:13). Their religious influence reached as far into history as Solomon, who erected a “High place” for Chemosh (1 Kings 11:7). Sadly this was not destroyed until the reign of Josiah.

Isaiah is given denunciations by God against other nations, Moab included. Some hold no hope…certain nations will be cut off forever, once God’s judgment falls. However, Isaiah records a couple of very interesting phrases regarding Moab. God says “My heart cries out over Moab.” (Isaiah 15:5). “My heart laments for Moab (Isaiah 16:11).

Reflection:

What is it about this particular nation of Moab, that created angst in the heart of God? (Jeremiah 48:36)

What is it about any of us that generates His great love?

Let us remember that the essence of God’s character is love. His heart is pained when He has to declare judgment, because His intention is for His people to walk with Him in paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake! (Psalm 23).

by Marilyn Daniels (MarilynDaniels.net)