January 24, 2011

EXACTLY HOW MUCH LIGHT DOES THE MOON GIVE OFF?

Isaiah 16

Robbie Vedrenne
Monday's Devo

January 24, 2011

Monday's Devo

January 24, 2011

Central Truth

Like men, nations that are arrogant and do what is right in their own minds are destined for destruction. 

Key Verse | Isaiah 16:13–14

This is the word which the LORD spoke earlier concerning Moab. But now the LORD speaks, saying, "Within three years, as a hired man would count them, the glory of Moab will be degraded along with all his great population, and his remnant will be very small and impotent." (Isaiah 16:13-14)

Isaiah 16

Send the lamb to the ruler of the land,
from Sela, by way of the desert,
    to the mount of the daughter of Zion.
Like fleeing birds,
    like a scattered nest,
so are the daughters of Moab
    at the fords of the Arnon.

“Give counsel;
    grant justice;
make your shade like night
    at the height of noon;
shelter the outcasts;
    do not reveal the fugitive;
let the outcasts of Moab
    sojourn among you;
be a shelter to them 1 16:4 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Syriac; Masoretic Text let my outcasts sojourn among you; as for Moab, be a shelter to them
    from the destroyer.
When the oppressor is no more,
    and destruction has ceased,
and he who tramples underfoot has vanished from the land,
then a throne will be established in steadfast love,
    and on it will sit in faithfulness
    in the tent of David
one who judges and seeks justice
    and is swift to do righteousness.”

We have heard of the pride of Moab—
    how proud he is!—
of his arrogance, his pride, and his insolence;
    in his idle boasting he is not right.
Therefore let Moab wail for Moab,
    let everyone wail.
Mourn, utterly stricken,
    for the raisin cakes of Kir-hareseth.

For the fields of Heshbon languish,
    and the vine of Sibmah;
the lords of the nations
    have struck down its branches,
which reached to Jazer
    and strayed to the desert;
its shoots spread abroad
    and passed over the sea.
Therefore I weep with the weeping of Jazer
    for the vine of Sibmah;
I drench you with my tears,
    O Heshbon and Elealeh;
for over your summer fruit and your harvest
    the shout has ceased.
10  And joy and gladness are taken away from the fruitful field,
and in the vineyards no songs are sung,
    no cheers are raised;
no treader treads out wine in the presses;
    I have put an end to the shouting.
11  Therefore my inner parts moan like a lyre for Moab,
    and my inmost self for Kir-hareseth.

12 And when Moab presents himself, when he wearies himself on the high place, when he comes to his sanctuary to pray, he will not prevail.

13 This is the word that the LORD spoke concerning Moab in the past. 14 But now the LORD has spoken, saying, “In three years, like the years of a hired worker, the glory of Moab will be brought into contempt, in spite of all his great multitude, and those who remain will be very few and feeble.”

Footnotes

[1] 16:4 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Syriac; Masoretic Text let my outcasts sojourn among you; as for Moab, be a shelter to them

Dive Deeper | Isaiah 16

Have you ever watched a movie that has you rooting for the "bad" guy because he is talented at his craft? Or maybe even a better analogy, has there been an individual on a team you root for who is of low character, perhaps even a criminal off the field, but you are compelled to be impressed with his athletic ability on the field, muting your aversion to his indiscretions?

I am surprised at how easily I am willing to overlook moral hazards when talent is on display. There are many professional sports stars whose actions off the field make me realize that it is easy to overlook the corrosive and chaos-producing effect that unrighteousness brings when the temporal product is "good" or perhaps even praiseworthy in its isolated context.

We enter into the story of the Moabites when their demise is vividly portrayed. There is not a large volume of history written about the Moabites, but enough to know that the Israelites were repulsed, impressed, trusted, mistrusted, oppressed by and ultimately through the Moabites. The Moabites were proud, haughty, and arrogant.

I would like to be one who doesn't overlook moral deficits because someone can bring me gain, make me feel good, or can win golf tournaments. I also do not want to be judgmental, as if I can determine the heart of another man. What is clear through this chapter is that we should love what God loves and what breaks His heart should break ours. Condemnation should not animate us, but rather praise for virtue and godliness. Nurture humility and fear God. 

Truth be told, I suffer from some of the delusions that the Moabites suffered from. I am often arrogant and proud and believe that my talents, successes, and abilities are mine and not a gift from God. I am like the moon bragging about how much light I give off. I want to be humble so the true source of light can shine through with no obstruction from my ego.

Discussion Questions

1. How often are we the obstacle keeping others from being able to see the brilliance of God's glory?

2. How easily are we beguiled by the whims of our culture muting our ability to speak truth?

3. How can we be more compassionate, driven by the heart of God?

WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY

ISAIAH 16-20 (JAN 24-28)

Living in Dallas, you can’t miss the Dallas Cowboys. Their old stadium, where many great games were played, was destroyed in moments! Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv2Y8SGp9aM&feature=fvw to watch it on YouTube. Let’s read in Isaiah about pending destruction.

Read Isaiah 17:1-6

What kind of destruction is Isaiah talking about? (complete destruction)

How does Isaiah describe Damascus’ destruction? How about Israel’s?

Read Isaiah 17:7-14

What does God want His people to do? Why did God have to destroy things the way they were?

Is there anything in your life that is not of God? Not built by or for God? Have you turned your back on God and chosen to trust something or someone else rather than Him? According to Isaiah’s warning, what may happen?

How does God want us to live?