“Will be paid back exactly…”

(8) “Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence.”

In the passage Isaiah reminds the people that the Lord was going to take away from them what they have depended on. The leadership would also be removed. It shows all of these were the Israelites had been depending on to make their life prosper, instead of depending on the Lord. Isaiah continuously warns them that things would not be good for them in the days of judgment. People would oppress each other. The young would rise up against the old. The relationships between them would be so broken that no one would treat each other with respect and dignity.

Today Isaiah is telling us that the people of Israel would choose to disobey the clear teaching and instruction of God. They would choose their own ways rather than choosing His way. Their decisions and behaviors eventually make them to forget that God was in their mist.  I could notice the reasons clearly in verse 8 why it said that the city of Jerusalem would stagger and be brought to her knees. It is because they have spoken out against the Lord and refused to obey God.

Today’s passage shows me that if I would lose my sense of fear and wonder about God’s judgment, my worship and adoration of God would become a mere formality. It could even lead me to defy Him by disregarding His will and His purpose. From the message of Isaiah today, I realized that it was trying to bring the case against me if I would turn from trusting in Him to trusting in myself. And I received it as a warning what was going to happen to me because of my unrepentant sin. If I do not show a reverence and fear for Him in my life, the Lord would take away all I have trusted in to teach me the lesson. But it would go well for the righteous, and they would enjoy the fruit of their deeds.