Isaiah - Verse By Verse

Isaiah - Day 29

versebyverse | June 08, 2008 20:04

Scripture:  Isaiah 1:29 (NIV):  "You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen."

Thought:  To me, the choices of western culture are less and less for God and more and more for self-pleasure and physical delight.

Question:  Have I ever been ashamed of my idolatry?

The "sacred oaks", to me, may refer to the groves of trees where idol worship began in these cultures.  Apparently they were drawn irresistably to this.  There, a fleshly, sexual activity began to take place in hiding out among the trees where they had gathered to honor gods of fertility.  The beauty of nature, as found in garden-like surroundings, began to also compete with worship of God in His Holy sanctuary.

Redemption out of such sin is not without hurt (chastisement) or shame.  In fact, the elements of shame and disgrace are very necessary to the process.  If we delight in sexual sin or enjoy the "lie" it promotes, we will, somewhere down the line, have to have an "adjustment."  That "adjustment" includes a phase of shame, as we finally see truth alongside this lie.  We blush with shameful realization at what we had accepted.  Who on earth would prefer oak trees and created gardens over the One True Living God Who made them?  But we do from time to time.  Who on earth would prefer a garden life and sexual exploits over and above life with God Almighty?  Lots of people!  Perhaps everyone at one time or other.  We are ever idol-prone.

God snaps us back to reality with His judgments.  This is not cruel--it is actually merciful.  Shame and disgrace in God's presence is totally logical given our gross misbehavior.

Prayer:  Lord of my heart, help me to be true to You.  If I am ever ashamed and/or disgraced by my choices, please show me the way to repent of it all.  Guide me back to You.  You are life and truth.  Amen. 

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