“Not knowing who the master is…”

(3) “The ox knows its master, the donkey its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand”

At the beginning of the book, it tells us that this is the prophecy of Isaiah who lived and prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Apaz and Hezekiah. He ministered for over sixty years as a prophet who saw the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In verse 2 Isaiah calls everyone to listen what God is going to say. What God says is that He has raised and brought up children, but they have rebelled against Him. He disappointed at them because His people did not know their Go, although the ox and the donkey knew who their master was. God compared them to brood of evildoers and children given to corruption, because they have despised Him and turned their backs on Him. And in verse 9 Isaiah reminded them that if God would not be gracious by leaving a few survivors, they could have been wiped out like Sodom Gomorrah which had been destroyed completely by the wrath of God.  

Today Isaiah is telling us that they are the rebellious people. It was not that they had not known and heard from Him, but they would rather want to reject Him and turn their backs on Him. Looking at the outside world currently, it is so true that there are many people who know and believe about God exists, but they are neither willing listen to His voice nor try to live according the Word. This reminds me that there will be no excuse to my rebellious attitude because I already knew what God has required from my life. So it is important to remind me every morning not to forget God is the master of my life. From the message today, I learned that reminding me of who brought up and guided me so far ought to affect everything I do and say each day.