Isaiah - Verse By Verse

Scripture:  Isaiah 5:26 (NIV):  "He lifts up a banner for the distant nations, he whistles for those at the ends of the earth.  Here they come, swiftly and speedily!"

Thought:  To me, God is Supreme Commander-in-Chief over all the wars of the world.

Question:  Is the idea of God being behind war repugnant to us?

In the extension of God's wrath comes the enemy.  The lifted "banner" is their rallying point.  And God is The One Who has cleared the way for them to come together in strength.  God summons them, (the Assyrians).  He opens the way for them to assault Israel. "He whistles for those at the ends of the earth."  What a phrase!  God is moving His pawns and other pieces on the great chessboard of life.  He is ever sovereign and in full control.  Do we grasp the concept of how God allows, engineers, arranges and controls war in our world?  Here He is whistling for the enemy to come near and invade Israel, just as a man might whistle for his dog or horse to come to him.  The reaping time, which is an equal consequence to the sowing of their sins, is at hand!

Perhaps the idea that God is sovereign over all wars raises some questions.  Are all wars "judgments" from God?  Why doesn't God put an end to war?  Aren't some wars plainly man's doing alone? 

To me, as illustrated in this verse, God uses the Assyrian armies, the enemy of Israel, as the instrument of His judgment.  God has a specific purpose in bringing, (whistling for), the Assyrians!  God has good purposes in mind.  We must believe this--we do have reason to hope!

Hope must be clung to during times such as these.  There is hope yet for Israel despite the conquering hordes.  God still cares.  He would not work with Israel this way if He didn't care!  God USES the enemy to further His will in the lives of His chosen people or else He would have wiped them out more quickly, effectively and directly.

Prayer:  Lord, there are purposes in war.  You are at work judgmentally in war.  Help me to understand this when my enemies attack.  Equip me to cling in hope to You and to learn from Your judgments.  Amen. 

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