Isaiah 34

ScriptureIsaiah 34:8For the Lord has a day of vengeance,a year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause.Observation - What does it say?The Edomites had taken advantage of Judah during the Babylonian conquest and had depleted their resources. Edom was a place of violence and wickedness and had become like Sodom and Gomorrah. Because God is just and could not let that stand, Isaiah prophesies that God will respond and vindicate his people by taking this great civilization and reducing it to nothing. It’s a horrible, hellish picture for the wicked people of Edom and their land.Understanding - What does it mean?It’s such a dark picture that I almost wanted to skim over it, looking for some positive and inspiring truth to journal about. But I couldn’t. The truth God forced me to open my eyes to today, to not look away from, is that this is the horrible fate of all those who are not one of his covenant people. Without warning the day of judgment will come. Suddenly the window of opportunity to repent and put their faith in Christ will close. When Jesus comes back with his army of angels, it will be too late for people to change their allegiance and those who are not one of God’s covenant people will be cast into a place of suffering. Eternal, forever-long, never-ending suffering. Starving but never being able to eat, parched but never getting so much as a drip of water, burning up but never able to back away from the heat of the flames, exhausted but unable to sleep, teeth grinding pain and nothing to numb it, always craving death but unable to die… zero satisfaction or relief for all of eternity. This is the future of those who haven’t repented and believed in Christ.Life ApplicationFear God.

God, thank you for your mercy on us who have chosen to repent and believe in you. I fear you, recognizing that you alone determine my eternal destination. I’m unworthy and so grateful. Please remove from us any feelings of entitlement and remind us what you have saved us from, what we deserve. May this truth cause the hard parts of our hearts to become tender. Fill us with compassion and love and use us to turn the world to you. May we live in light of eternity, your Spirit continually reminding us of what awaits us and what awaits the unbelieving. Amen.

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