“The broken rod of the wicked…”

(4,5) “you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has come to an end! How his fury has ended! The LORD has broken the rod of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers,”

Isaiah is saying that the Lord will have mercy on Israel and bring them back to settle their own land. In that day when God restored Israel, they would celebrate the downfall of the King of Babylon who had oppressed them. Isaiah told the people to taunt him about his boast and pride. Today’s passage tells us that God raised up Babylon to use her to judge the people of Israel, and then would destroy them to bring back the people of Israel. Isaiah said the Lord has broken the rod of the wicked, which was used to strike them in anger by the king of Babylon. It shows us that any nation that opposes God’s reign will be brought down along with his pride. It also tells me that God would surely punish wickedness and put an end to my pride and arrogance.

Four seventy years, the Israelite had been oppressed by Babylon. It might be very difficult to believe and take the Word of God which was given to them many years before it happened. I know that there are times in my life when I face the same kind of situation. Today’s message reminds me that I should not lose hope in those times even if I could not find any signs of God immediately. I have to trust and believe that God is working out now and He will not fail. Today I will ask God to give me confidence although I have not seen the result of the program which I am preparing presently.