Isaiah - Verse By Verse

Isaiah - Day 140

versebyverse | November 04, 2008 19:14

Scripture:  Isaiah 7:21 (NIV):  "In that day, a man will keep alive a young cow and two goats."

Thought:  To me, God is supremely wise to reduce our "property" at appropriate times. 

Question:  Have I learned how to be content with very little?

What happens "in that day" is not what happens normally.  Normally the hills of Judah would find herds of cattle grazing and the meat markets teeming with buyers and sellers.  But under discipline, Judah finds itself lacking.  "In that day" (of judgment) one "young cow and two goats" is valued and coveted.  No doubt this man prizes his very small, yet welcome, group of animals--they are all he has!  From this cow and these goats he has milk enough for survival.  But gone are the days where a man was counted wealthy in the thousands of head of cattle he kept in herds.  God has stripped the ordinary citizen of Judah down to minimums.

Some may say this is harsh and cruel of God.  But we must not forget that man reaps what he sows:  God is faithful to that principle.  If men sow rebellion against God they will reap these kinds of disciplines.  God is not to blame for what we initiate ourselves.   

But look again, even closer, and you will see God's mercy ever-present!  Enough milk for survival.  Two goats for potential propagation.  And the man determined to "keep" these "alive"--a picture, to me, of strengthening one's resolve and developing appreciation for the basics, all through the discipline and merciful love that God has delivered.  

Prayer:  Almighty God, thank You for Your disciplines!  Thank You for wisely limiting me--bringing me down to "minimums" when I need a lesson in appreciation.  Amen.   

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