The Lord Protects
“Rejoice not thou…”
Read Isaiah 14:28-32
For the second time, Isaiah was sent to Judah to deliver a message from the Lord. This took place the year King Ahaz died, when the north of Israel was dominated by Assyria. The Philistines had sent negotiators to Jerusalem with a message for Judah asking her to participate in a revolt against the Assyrians (v. 32). The “rod” mentioned in verse 29 probably refers to the mighty conqueror Tiglathpeleser, who by that time had most likely died. The Philistines saw this as an opportunity to initiate a revolt. Isaiah the prophet, however, warned the nation not to listen to the Philistine “messengers.” Using descriptive language, Isaiah warned that it would not go well with those who revolt against Assyria.
The rod (referring to Tiglathpeleser) had been stripped, and yet a new shoot sprang from the root, ultimately bringing forth fruit. Isaiah then uses another image which gives an even clearer picture: a snake appears and then a poisonous viper and then a fiery flying dragon. But Judah did not listen and would be brutally punished. However, it had not come to that yet; God’s mouthpiece told the nation not to expect deliverance through a covenant made with the Philistines. She must expect help from the Lord!
Do you place your trust in the Lord?
This devotional was taken from “The Time of Your Life” a daily devotional published by the Youth & Educational Committee of the FRC. To order a printed copy of this book, contact: [email protected]