Perspective (2)
The second God-perspective that Isaiah leaves us with has to do with the world around us. In Isaiah's case this is best typified by the nations. The Israelites had survived the Egyptians, the Philistines, the Amalekites, Hittites and Perrizites. When the Assyrians became a dominant world power they barely survived; and then only because God drove the Assyrian army off when they were encamped on Jerusalem's doorstep. Then came the Babylonians and Israel succumbed to their might and power.The thinking of the day was that "If my nation conquers yours, then my god is greater than your god!" And so, for Israel the devastation of Jerusalem and the temple was a national blow, a political hit and a religious wrecking ball!
But Isaiah would beg to differ...
The ebb and flow of nations and power is not in the same league as the might and permanence of God. God's majestic power and might over creation also extends over the nations. Look at how Isaiah repeats the imagery of God measuring: drops in buckets, dust on scales, islands weighed, wood for the altar fires and animals for offerings.
Nations come and nations go.
Let's say that again: nations come and nations go.
Even dictators come to the end of their reigns and have to face the levelling power of death.
Sometimes we are overwhelmed by the apparent power of nations, philosophies and systems... We read, hear and see the news and we feel oppressed, intimidated and disempowered by it all - but God is eternal and He holds time itself in His hands.
CHALLENGE: Sometimes we can't see the wood for the trees. Zoom out a bit and see how God's love and faithfulness is bigger than all the crises that shout in our ears... Worshipping Him with other believers on Sunday will help too.
| Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. 16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings. 17 Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing (Isaiah40:15-17) |
