Many years ago a friend of mine said, "We have an extra ticket to the opening round of the NBA finals in Phoenix; do you want to go?" My well-connected friend drove us to the city, parked in VIP parking and took us to our seats in the lower level a few rows up the visiting team's bench. We we just above eye level with the basketball rim. All night we watched Michael Jordan leap as if he could defy gravity. I will never forget it.
I thought about that as I pondered Isaiah 10. Think about all the times you have been given favor: a better seat, a test you didn't have to take or a free day off when others had to work. When you receive favor for a while, you can begin to believe you live above judgment. Assyria had been given favor and God used them to discipline Israel. However, they day would come; the day they would pay for their own rebellion.
The same is true of us, no matter who we are. We should be careful not to attempt living like a privileged child who thinks we can get away with anything we want.
I love the contrast from Chapter 10 to 11. Chapter 10 shows the despair Israel felt at the hands of the Assyrians. Then, somewhat abruptly, in Chapter 11 this "shoot from the stump of Jesse" comes along and changes everything, bringing hope and reconciliation.
ReplyDeleteGreat observation, Lara. Thanks!
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