Blessed to be a blessing

David Chadwick recently gave a message about gleanings and giving from our abundance. He said the only reason he could think that God has blessed him so much, is so he can use his blessings to be a blessing to the nations. That’s the picture I get in our reading this week, specifically in Isaiah 16. This chapter is in a series of judgments against the nations for their terrible treatment of Israel and their rejection of God. The chapter focuses on the people of Moab, but it has surprises.

Let’s look at vs. 3-5, “Give counsel; grant justice; make your shade like night at the height of noon; shelter the outcast; do not reveal the fugitive; let the outcast of Moab sojourn among you; 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 seek justice and is swift to do righteousness.”

You’re probably asking, who are the Moabites? And where is this discussion going? According to Genesis, the Moabites were relatives of the Israelites, both peoples tracing their descent back to a common ancestor, Terah. The Moabites originate from Moab, who is Lot and his daughter's son (Genesis 19: 37). The story of Ruth testifies to the existence of friendly relations between Moab and Bethlehem, one of the towns of the tribe of Judah. By his descent from Ruth, David is said to have Moabite blood in his veins. He committed his parents to the protection of the king of Moab (who may have been his kinsman), when hard pressed by King Saul (1 Samuel 22:3,4). But, here all friendly relations stop forever and there was tension for the rest of their history.

In this passage, the Jews are called to reach out to their relatives and show them mercy. Somehow this grace is connected with the kindness of God coming to Judah in the form of the Messiah. In other words, there is a direct connection between our showing grace to others and our hearts expanding in love for God and his work. (I guess the story about the Grinch is right.) Jesus said, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Well here’s the Old Testament story to illustrate that very well. But, the question is how am I blessing others with what God has given me?

Tips for Reading - (Observation tip # 9)

Note: This section is help for Bible Reading in general. It has been building throughout the year under the topics of Observation (what the Scripture says), Interpretation (what it means) and Application (what it means to your life). Feel free to look back over past weeks to get the whole picture.

When did this happen?

We are making our way through the “W’s” Now, lets deal with the question of time. WHEN? When did this event take place? When did it occur in relation to other events in Scripture? When was the writer recording the event? In short, always determine what time it is.

The Passover is a good example of why we need to look at time. How long was Israel enslaved? We know that some of Israel’s darkest days came when they were enslaved. God used these tough times to make them ready for rescue. They went through a long period of having land and now they are about to lose it. So, how would you describe the times of the people listening to Isaiah speak of Judgment? We can learn so much just by simply asking “when?” It takes a little time and investigation, but the return in understanding is well worth it.

Notes from David’s Journal

As you read these chapters (and others in the Old Testament), you will see a continual reference to “The Day of the Lord.” These are days when God shows his awe-inspiring Lordship over creation, especially godless enemies doing warfare against God’s will. We see these “enemies” in Isaiah in the nations of Syria, Assyria and Babylon. That’s why Isaiah (and other prophets) predicts a “day of the Lord,” when God intervenes for his people and relieves them from the yoke of bondage from these nations.

However, in understanding the Bible, we need to realize there is an immediate and future “day of the Lord.” The “immediate” is the day when God overthrows an earthly oppressor from his children. The future day is the assurance of one day, in the future, God will judge all nations and people throughout human history in a final conflict, a final judgment. Christians believe that day will be when Jesus returns and eradicates evil finally and forever from this earth.

When you read about the “day of the Lord” in these chapters and others, it should give us all the absolute assurance that evil does not win, that God is sovereign and justice will one day conquer all. It should put our hearts at peace.

God is sovereign. God is in control. We should therefore fear nothing.