Tuesday: The Rod of God’s Anger
Isaiah 9:8-10:34
This section explains Isaiah 9:1-5, which predicts deliverance for the gloomy, anguished people who had trusted in the occult and fallen prey to military conquest and oppression: “the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian” (Isa: 9:4, NRSV).
Read through the sufferings of God’s people as shown in the above texts. Compare the curses in Leviticus 26:14-39. Why did God punish His people in stages rather than all at once? What does this indicate about His character and goals?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
If God had wanted to destroy His people, He could have given them up to the Assyrians right away. But He is patient, “not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance” (2 Pet: 3:9, NRSV). As in the period of the “judges,” God let the people of Judah and Israel experience some results of their folly so they could understand what they were doing and have a chance to make a better choice. When they persisted in evil and hardened their hearts against Him and the appeals He sent through His messengers, He further withdrew His protection. But they continued to rebel. This cycle was repeated in a downward spiral until there was nothing more God could do.
Read through Isaiah 9:8-10:2. What sins are the people guilty of? Against whom have they committed them? Who is guilty among them?
What we see here, as seen all through the Bible, is the reality of free will. God made humans free (He had to; otherwise, they could never truly love Him), and freedom involves the option to do wrong. And though time and again God seeks to woo us by revealing His love and character, He will also allow us to face the fruit of our wrong decisions; i.e., pain, suffering, fear, turmoil, and so forth, all in order to help us realize just what turning away from Him leads to. And yet, even then, how often these things don’t make people put away sin and come to the Lord. Free will is wonderful; we couldn’t be human without it. Woe to those, however, who use it wrongly.
| How has God used suffering in your own life to turn you away from a wrong course? (Or are you, maybe, still not getting the message?) |
(30)
When I was at school I hated poetry; mainly because my English teachers had a foolish notion that because we were studying literature, we should be able to write poetry. And so for most of my high school years, I did the least amount of poetry I could get away with. Fortunately, somewhere along the line I lost my fear of poetry and appreciated the way poets express ideas. Being a scientist, I have always believed in straight forward factual description, yet I have learned to appreciate the nuance of crafted poetry.
Isaiah is a poet as well as a prophet. Much of the poetic form has been lost in the translation from Hebrew to English. I have not studied Hebrew, but my academic friends tell me that Hebrew poetry is quite different to English poetry in structure and style. However, the translators have done a relatively good job of providing Isaiah as literature that can be appreciated.
The passage of today's lesson is worth reading, particularly in the KJV because you can see some of the literary elements that make the message compelling. A particular feature is the use of repetition of the same idea using different words. It is almost like having a recapitulation every now and then. (One needs to remember that the book of Isaiah was probably originally designed to be spoken and listened to rather than being read.
The passage is a poetic description of rebellion and suffering, of not listening to God's pleas. But at the very end of this section Isaiah describes the way this rebellion plays out:
Where have I hears that idea expressed before? Are we listening, or is the message falling on deaf ears? How do we treat those who feel disenfranchised from church fellowship?
In sufferings we can ask not "How can I get out of this?" but "What can I get out of this ... for God's glory?" Sometimes our sufferings are the results of our own actions. Sometimes they are not. The story of Job is in this latter category and reminds us that our lives are part of a bigger story than we can fully comprehend. We are involved in the conflict between God and Satan. When we trust God no matter the discomforting situation, we shame Satan before all "principalities and powers" (Ephesians 3:10 NKJV). We show with our lives that we love God not for His sweet gifts and protection from pain, but for Himself. Our suffering is far bigger than our own personal peace and happiness and spiritual growth. Perhaps when we suffer we can first do a self-inventory to see if there is something we need to repent of, and then, if we find no answer for the suffering, we accept it - even gratefully - knowing that the honor of God's name and character is at stake.
Because of my disobedience there was permanent minor disability left on my body. Initially, I was very angry God had allowed this event to happen to me. When I realized, how worse it could have been, I praise God for His mercy. Looking back at the incident, He had warned me four times, I was disobedient.
However, God knew I would be hardheaded and would not heed his warning. Therefore, two years prior to the event God had prepared me by changing my diet which aided in my healing without being addicted to any of the pain medications. This may not relate to today’s lesson study. Please read Counsels on Diet and Food. Even before Mt. Sinai God established diet and sabbath for the Israelites.
“Gluttony is the prevailing sin of this age. Lustful appetite makes slaves of men and women, and beclouds their intellects and stupefies their moral sensibilities to such a degree that the sacred, elevated truths of God’s word are not appreciated. The lower propensities have ruled men and women.”
Ciunsels on Diet and Foods.pdf Page 32
Every time I look at my broken body it reminds me of God's love. This brokenness allowed me to be bound closer to him. It has been a difficult journey but like Paul, I rejoice in my weakness because his grace is sufficient.
Very touching indeed, it shows God's unlimited love and confirms 2 Peter 3:9 that God does not want anyone to perish. It means we need to have an inner sense of understanding when we suffer or face tribulations to know what lesson God wants us to learn or where do we need to mend our ways.
What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love and in the Spirit of meekness? 1 Cor 4:21
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.....thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psm 23:4
The Rod of God’s Anger
The rod was a natural symbol of authority. It was used primarily in two ways. In ancient days, shepherds used a rod as a tool to both correct and guide the animals in the right way.
Psm 23:4- Jesus rod is used to guide his people in the right way, he will not suffer any to be tempted above with they can bear also he used the rod to protect them.
1 Corinth 4:21. Paul wants to using the rod as a weapon of correction.
The Israelites had departed from the will of God to serve other gods. The Lord sent prophets for years to warn them to return to him but they refused. He decided to leave them to their own destructive path.
He did not caused suffering but because they had chosen the wrong path, destruction and death were the result. He had already laid out the blessing and curse to the people just before entering into the promised land. If the people obey him, he told them what will happen, if they should disobey him, he told them what will happen.
God is wonderful. On earth, we reap what we sow. Thank God for sufferings too. In this planet, the only way to win always is to surrender our whole lives to Christ. He suffered much more than us, with the difference that He never sinned! He dos it all for love! He loved us first! Yes, our sufferings may serve to get us closer to God, it's a point of accepting His message.
In reading the text for today I noticed something wonderful in the midst of the judgements given.
Isaiah 9:12,17, 21 and 10:4 say after sins are listed, “But His hand is stretched out still.”
The leaders, ‘prophets’, elders and people were in direct disobedience to God’s will. God tells them in detail just what their sins are. After enumerating a list of evils committed, only an authentic loving God could say to His wayward, backsliding people, you’re wrong and I’m telling you why; But My hand is stretched out still. I’m waiting to forgive you and take you back.
That’s one of many things I love about the Lord. He gets my attention when I go wrong. Tells me I’m wrong and clearly what it is that is a hindrance to doing His will. He then encourages me to follow Him. There’s even mercy, grace and strength to endure when I meet consequences at times because of my own sluggish response to Him. His love is tangible and always mingled in His dealings.
It’s impossible not to be exposed to God’s character in His dealings with His people. We can, with our free wills, ignore Him, but as long as He gives us life His love is there for us to grasp.
Nanci, that is exactly what stood out to me in the passage: Despite my disobedience over several years, God's hands was always outstretched encouraging me to return to him. Praise God, I reached out and took His hand! What a loving God we serve!
Maurice’s comments regarding poetry inspired me to get out the book of poems we put together for my Father’s memorial service. He wrote them over the 2nd half of his life.
He had never written a poem, except maybe as a schoolboy, until a rainy night in Kentucky. It was during a time in his life when he was rediscovering the Gospel. Driving home trough a heavy rain, late at night from a sales trip, a car entered the hwy by way of an on-ramp and abruptly darted across his lane. He hit the breaks and went into a spin. His car came to rest pointing toward the median and fortunately, still running, as a Semi Trailer Truck was barreling down on the driver’s door. He stepped on the gas and moved just far enough for the impact to literally, tear the trunk off of the car. He was relatively unhurt but while he sat there waiting for Hwy patrol, he said this first poem came to him in one moment:
Thanks for this wonderful poem which reminds me of how much our Father cares for us. I love poetry and this will be one that I repeat often, may others feel that great sacrifice that Jesus made for each one of us.
Thank you for sharing, Jim. It is great to read an original creative poetic expression of your father’s spiritual journey.
Jim, thanks for sharing your father’s experience and his wonderful poem that expresses the love of Jesus.
With your permission I would like to use this poem at one of our upcoming worship services.
When I read to study the Word of God as expressed in the Holy Scriptures, I find layers of Truths revealed throughout its pages, especially in this quarter's lesson study. I find Isaiah 9:5KJV to be such a verse to pause and reflect on the overarching theme of the work of redemption unto Salvation for mankind.
The rod of God’s anger is used against the sins committed by the called-out ones in the Old Testament times, but the rod of God’s anger us used due to the folly of man any time – Isaiah 32:6KJV; 1Sam.25:25. The term ‘folly’ does not just describe acts of a foolish person, it describes the person engaged in wickedness; they are corrupt and do abominable works – Psalm 14:1; 53:1. God judges the heart of man – 1Sam.16:7KJV; Psalm 51:10-12KJV.
We also read in Isaiah 9:1-7KJV about deliverance from the troubles of warfare and anguish associated with this never ending scourge on the societies of man in vs.4-7KJV. In my understanding, they clearly point to the battle that will end all battles – Christ Immanuel’s coming ushering in the end of time were the last battle “shall be with burning and fuel of fire”, leading directly to the declaration of assurance that: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon HIS shoulders … .
The passage of Lev.26:17-19 – “I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you”; and the words in v.19: “I will break the pride of your power, I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze”, shows that rejecting God’s loving administration based on HIS Will does not only allow the effects of man’s foolishness to be experienced, he will also experience God’s power to “bring on you seven times more plagues, according to your sins ” – Lev.26:21. I believe that these words apply also to today's societies and should put the fear of God into any thinking person.
Yes, the Fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom! Israel forgot this and experienced the terrifying word of God’s power; what limitless and fear-inspiring authority He holds over man’s destiny! He holds all power and authority of life and death in His hands! Only His Mercy and Grace mitigate the full outpouring of His Anger for the repentant sinner who acknowledges his error, turn from his wicked ways and so receive the blessings awaiting the faithful, trusting child of God.
The sinful state of man is a terrible curse; man is in complete spiritual darkness until he can see the Light of God’s Spirit of Truth.
Isaiah 9:13-16KJV – “For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.” V.16: “For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.”
Now, Christ Jesus is our Lord and Master and He will feed His flock like a shepherd – Isa.40:11, and His sheep follow wither so ever He leads – Rev.14:4, and the Father has Mercy upon the repentant sinner !