Isaiah - Verse By Verse

Isaiah - Day 142

versebyverse | November 06, 2008 19:52

Scripture:  Isaiah 7:23 (NIV):  "In that day, in every place where there were a thousand vines worth a thousand silver shekels, there will be only briars and thorns."

Thought:  To me, God speaks to us through our environment. 

Question:  Has any aspect of my life been transformed from good to bad?

The contrast of what used to be with what has come in judgment is very great.  Picture organized rows of fruitful grape vines over many hills, each vineyard producing a crop of significant value, when Judah was enjoying a time of God's blessing and favor.  Then picture, in their place, fallow ground overgrown with weeds.  "...only briars and thorns" indicates that no trace of the vineyards are left.  Not even one vine is there to stimulate a memory of the fruitful past.  What was is no more.  

This is the theme Isaiah emphasizes over and over.  Judah cannot and will not have what they have been accustomed to having, and with this change comes economic loss as well.  To top it off, this loss does not leave merely a vacant "hole"--God allows the area to be inundated with "briars and thorns."  It is a caustic reminder that the God Who is in control has basically allowed the land to be cursed.  It has been transformed into a very unpleasant, worthless environment.

Productive agriculture ceases and pleasantness is replaced with painful struggle.  What a sad state of affairs for Judah!

Prayer:  Oh Father, may we take warning from these verses in Isaiah!  May we see that this could happen in our own blessed America--farms failing and the land becoming harsh and uninviting--if we ignore Your Word.  Speak to me, Lord, and soften my heart to do Your will today.  Amen. 

 

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