Isaiah 5:11-17 "Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them ! And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of HIS hands. Therefore MY people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honorable men are famished, and the multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: but the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and GOD that is Holy shall be sanctified in righteousness. Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat."
The LORD exalts truth and always deals with HIS people according to that which is just and right: "But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and GOD that is Holy shall be sanctified in righteousness" (v.16). Because the children of Israel refused to exercise spiritual judgment (vv.1-10), the LORD subsequently stepped in as their Righteous JUDGE. Had HE failed to chastise HIS children, HE would have been an unrighteous JUDGE by allowing such lawlessness. GOD wants every believer today likewise to have biblical discernment and then to actively pursue that which is right, whether it involves taking a stand for the truth or speaking out against error. We are to proficiently exercise ourselves to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14 Pictured above)
The world in which we live detests dogmatism and refuses to believe in a GOD of judgment, yet we know from Scripture not only that absolute truth exists but also that the LORD will judge mankind according to the absolutes of HIS WORD. HE pronounces woe upon the evildoer and upon those who disregard their CREATOR (vv.11-12). What was Israel's real problem ? They were stubborn and self-willed: "Therefore MY people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge" (v.13). Arrogant willfulness breeds spiritual ignorance. Their problem was not a lack of mental ability to understand GOD's will but rather a determination to spurn it. Their ignorance was self-imposed, and they were without excuse when the judgment of the LORD fell upon them (vv.13-15 Partially pictured above). Are we willing to obey what the WORD tells us, or are we following the Israelites' example by lacking in knowledge ? GOD's judgment will fall upon the ignorant. MHR
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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