Judeans Living In The Moment

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“This message came to me concerning Jerusalem—the Valley of Vision: What is happening? Why is everyone running to the rooftops? The whole city is in a terrible uproar. What do I see in this revelling city? Bodies are lying everywhere, killed not in battle but by famine and disease. All your leaders have fled. They surrendered without resistance. The people tried to slip away, but they were captured, too. That’s why I said, “Leave me alone to weep; do not try to comfort me. Let me cry for my people as I watch them being destroyed.” Oh, what a day of crushing defeat! What a day of confusion and terror brought by the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, upon the Valley of Vision! The walls of Jerusalem have been broken, and cries of death echo from the mountainsides. 
Judah’s defences have been stripped away. You run to the armoury for your weapons. You inspect the breaks in the walls of Jerusalem. You store up water in the lower pool. You survey the houses and tear some down for stone to strengthen the walls. Between the city walls, you build a reservoir for water from the old pool. But you never ask for help from the One who did all this. You never considered the One who planned this long ago.”
Isaiah 22:1-5, 8-11 NLT

Isaiah provides a prophecy, an oracle, in chapter 22 addressed to Jerusalem. One possible event here is the siege of Jerusalem by King Sennacherib and the Assyrians in 701 BC, since Isaiah experienced it firsthand. Another option is the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem in 586 BC, during which Isaiah could have prophesied about events yet to occur. Some scholars suggest that Isaiah’s oracle is intended to speak to both events. But this chapter commences with the city in uproar; in fact, it was a “terrible uproar”. There was much revelling going on, as the people within Jerusalem’s walls were partying, eating, drinking and making merry. Some event had occurred to warrant such a celebration, but Isaiah could see something else coming – “Bodies are lying everywhere, killed not in battle but by famine and disease”. So Isaiah’s message was that they should not be “revelling”, but instead they should be sober-minded because of what was to come.

History informs us that the nation of Judah had been overrun and destroyed by Assyrian sieges of the towns. Everyone of any importance had fled to Jerusalem and had been trapped inside the walls by the siege. Isaiah tells the people not to look at him while he is weeping for those who have died. He recalls how loud the noise became from outside the walls as the siege was being established. There was a great racket and loud shouting. Mass confusion fills the air, perhaps inside the city as well as outside. The valleys around Jerusalem were filled with war chariots. The enemy horsemen were right outside the city gates. Judah was uncovered and helpless. What did the leaders do when they knew the siege was coming? They inventoried and distributed the weapons from the armoury. They found breaches in the walls and repaired them. They diverted springs from outside the walls into the city for a water supply. They even tore down houses between the inner and outer walls and flooded that area as a reservoir. They did all they could except for one thing: call out to their Lord God. Isaiah wrote, “But you never ask for help from the One who did all this. You never considered the One who planned this long ago”. 

All the preparations carried out by the Judeans were not wrong. In fact, it was wise to do what they did. But their sin was that they trusted in their preparations rather than in the God who had given them wisdom and who ultimately ruled over their future. There is a message for us pilgrims in this as well. There is a difference between preparation and dependence, because God expects us to act wisely, but never independently of Him. The danger is that we can organise our lives so efficiently that prayer becomes an afterthought. There is a proverb that is well worth writing on a Post-it note to stick on our fridges, and that’s “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6). There is another verse that applies both to the Judeans and to ourselves, and that is Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good”. And here’s a bit of wisdom from James, “Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil” (James 4:13-16). Of course, James’ advice was too late for Jerusalem in 700 BC, but it is there for our benefit, as we navigate the highways and byways of life in our 21st-century societies. 

Isaiah’s picture of a city that is living in the moment, rejoicing one minute because of battlefield successes, but mourning the next when adversity strikes, is just as applicable today as it was then. We pilgrims are heading for a new world, where the rules and outcomes are different. It would seem to make sense to start living God’s way, but then I’m sure we are already. But nevertheless, when we are tempted to live the way the world around us does, we should pause and find a quiet spot to take stock and pray. As we read a Psalm such as Psalm 23, it sets the scene for the life we should lead, under the direction of the Good Shepherd. His closeness will strengthen us as we rest in His presence. He will lead and guide us and one day will welcome us into “the house of the Lord forever”. And with the Psalmist, we declare, “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue [us] all the days of [our] life…”. It surely will.

Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You for Your care and compassion for us pilgrims. Without You life in this world is impossible. We pray for Your guidance as we journey on, day by day.Amen.

A Message about Arabia

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“This message came to me concerning Arabia: O caravans from Dedan, hide in the deserts of Arabia. O people of Tema, bring water to these thirsty people, food to these weary refugees. They have fled from the sword, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow and the terrors of battle. The Lord said to me, “Within a year, counting each day, all the glory of Kedar will come to an end. Only a few of its courageous archers will survive. I, the Lord, the God of Israel, have spoken!””
Isaiah 21:13-17 NLT

We come to the third oracle that Isaiah wrote about in this, his 21st chapter. This time, the focus is on Arabia, and the references within our verses today contain some local knowledge, with references to Dedan, Tema and Kedar. Arabia was a wilderness territory between Judah to the north and Babylon to the south. The focus is on a group of refugees from a place called Dedan. In Isaiah’s prophecy, these caravanning merchants will be forced off the main roads into hiding among thickets to avoid being captured or killed. Isaiah calls on the people of a town called Tema to bring bread and water for these refugees who have been displaced, likely by the conflict between Assyria and Babylon. Isaiah concludes this chapter by warning that the glory of the people of the Kedar region will be taken away. The Kedar region refers to a powerful northern Arabian desert tribal group descended from Ishmael’s second son Kedar. Known as nomadic tent-dwellers and skilled archers, their wealth and military strength were prophesied to face near-total destruction within a single year. This will all happen because the Lord has deemed it to happen. So Isaiah 21 offers a snapshot that, at least superficially, holds some interest for us pilgrims, but there seems to be little in the way of devotional content that will help us in our own journeys. However, when we consider the human element of this cameo of Middle Eastern life, we can see similarities with world events currently unfolding today. 

There have always been times when people of one region have been displaced to another. In our Western societies, we may move between regions, perhaps for employment opportunities, but most of us have never been forced to move because of famine or war. But such a necessity is with us today, in places in Africa such as Sudan. In the Bible, there is an account of a family from Bethlehem who went to live in Moab. Not far by modern standards, about 50-75 miles, but in those days it would have taken them about 7-10 days to walk it. And we read in Ruth 1:2 that, “The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there”. This was a family who had little choice other than to move because of famine. 

There was another family flight, the time recorded in Matthew 2:13-14, “After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother”. This was another reason for being a refugee, because Herod was intent on eliminating Jesus, who he feared would challenge his cosy life as king of that part of Judah. 

To consider refugees in the UK today, there is much discussion going on about the immigrants who reach our shores in small boats or in other ways. In the main, these are adult males, mostly from countries such as Afghanistan, Sudan, Iran, and Somalia. Without a doubt, these are deprived and fractious areas of the world, and to escape them is a priority for those who have been persecuted or disadvantaged by the local circumstances in these countries. But how should we Christians respond amid the political and antagonistic rhetoric currently dominating news reports? I suppose Christians should respond to immigration by balancing compassion for the vulnerable with respect for the law. Biblical teachings emphasise loving the stranger and recognising human dignity, while civic responsibilities involve supporting orderly governance. Because opinions among believers vary widely on specific public policies, the core mandate remains treating every person with kindness and justice

There is an interesting take on this in Leviticus 19:33-34, “And if a stranger dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God”. And then we have Zechariah 7:8-10, “Then this message came to Zechariah from the Lord: “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other”.

So, having determined that foreigners (immigrants) are to be treated with kindness and compassion, the challenge for the authorities here in the UK is discerning who is genuinely in need and who is here for more nefarious purposes. And once here, we need to have in place the infrastructure and employment opportunities they need. Prayer is the answer. Prayer for our governing authorities and politicians so that they do what is right for the country as a whole. And we must pray for ourselves, that we respond to those who come to our shores with the kindness and compassion that God has asked of us. And who knows, there may be a practical way we can help, perhaps by volunteering with an organisation that supports those in need after they reach our nation.

Father God. There is much we should be doing to help those in need, particularly immigrants who reach our country. Please lead us, we pray, to make the right response when we have the opportunity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Watchman’s Message: Hope Amidst Darkness

Posted on by Adrian Clark
Guard holding spear on watchtower of stone fortress at sunset

“This message came to me concerning Edom: Someone from Edom keeps calling to me, “Watchman, how much longer until morning? When will the night be over?” The watchman replies, “Morning is coming, but night will soon return. If you wish to ask again, then come back and ask.””
Isaiah 21:10-11 NLT

We continue in Isaiah’s prophecy that we find in Isaiah 21, and this time it moves on to Edom. In those days, the Kingdom of Edom was located in the southern Transjordan region of the Middle East, spanning modern-day southwestern Jordan and parts of the southern Negev Desert. It was bordered by the Dead Sea to the north, the Arabah Valley to the west, and the Gulf of Aqaba to the south. The Edomites were a people who were descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. They eventually died out as a separate people, being absorbed into the populations of the nations around them. But here in Isaiah 21, they are still a distinct people, and they appear to be in distress in Isaiah’s vision. 

There is once again a reference to the watchman, and in his vision, Isaiah sees them repeatedly asking the watchman when the night will end. A strange question until we realise that the “night” they refer to is probably a time of oppression from a foreign nation, or some other continually-distressing event affecting them as a people. And they don’t receive a very cheery reply. It went something like, “Yes, the morning is coming, but don’t get too excited because night will soon return”. A rather bleak situation, but one that might resonate with us pilgrims at times. Perhaps we’re going through a tough time with an illness, and our prayers seem to be going no further than the ceiling above our sickbed. Or perhaps that applies to a loved one, a family member, or a friend. Or perhaps we are living in a war zone, such as in Ukraine, and every night we hear the drones coming, the desperate attempts to shoot them down, and then the sounds of explosions. We will get some peace during the day, but then the night will soon return, bringing with it more drones. 

A depressing time for the Edomites, with the people finding themselves on a merry ground of day and night, sadness and joy, bad and good. They eventually ask, “How long will this suffering last?” “When will the grief end?” and, finally, “Is there any hope?” As true then as now, life in this world remains a mixture of joy and sorrow until Christ returns. The ultimate morning has not yet arrived. But we pilgrims turn to the Word of God, and we open our Bibles to an encouraging Scripture, such as Lamentations 3:22-24, “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”” Or we might turn to Psalm 121:1-6, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.” 

God knows that at times we go through terrible times of distress. David knew that when he wrote Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me”. This “shadow of death” isn’t just for him because we all experience it at times. It is part of human life. But with God with us, we have no need to fear, because regardless of what happens in the valley, one day we will be in His presence. And then one day there will be no more night. Revelation 22:5, “There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” In the previous chapter we find, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away”. And so we pilgrims look forward to a time when we don’t dread the return of the night, a time when the Lord himself will be with us. We pilgrims keep looking up, regardless of our circumstances. We take the long view, as Peter wrote, “But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13). 

Dear Father God. In our earthly circumstances, we remember that You are sovereign, and You are the One who holds the key to our futures. Please help us to keep on keeping on in this life so that one day we will have no need to ask when the night will end. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Isaiah’s Nakedness: A Symbol of Obedience and Judgment

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“In the year when King Sargon of Assyria sent his commander in chief to capture the Philistine city of Ashdod, the Lord told Isaiah son of Amoz, “Take off the burlap you have been wearing, and remove your sandals.” Isaiah did as he was told and walked around naked and barefoot. Then the Lord said, “My servant Isaiah has been walking around naked and barefoot for the last three years. This is a sign—a symbol of the terrible troubles I will bring upon Egypt and Ethiopia. For the king of Assyria will take away the Egyptians and Ethiopians as prisoners. He will make them walk naked and barefoot, both young and old, their buttocks bared, to the shame of Egypt. Then the Philistines will be thrown into panic, for they counted on the power of Ethiopia and boasted of their allies in Egypt! They will say, ‘If this can happen to Egypt, what chance do we have? We were counting on Egypt to protect us from the king of Assyria.’””Isaiah 20:1-6 NLT

Here is a short but profound chapter in Isaiah, containing themes that, in many ways, continue the previous few chapters, containing as they do prophetic warnings of God’s judgment yet to come. It may be interesting to note for us Scottish readers that the name of King Sargon’s command-in-chief was “Tartan”. However, Isaiah was told to remove “the burlap” that he had been wearing, the idea being to imply shame. It’s highly likely the prophet kept a loincloth on, but nevertheless what he was wearing, or the lack of it, was seen as a humbling state of undress. Given the customs of the day, anyone who saw the prophet in public undressed in this manner would not forget the image.

This was an extraordinary command for the prophet, and he lived this way for three years, becoming a living illustration of God’s impending judgement. He probably endured embarrassment, ridicule, misunderstanding and criticism, yet he obeyed anyway. We pilgrims should note that faithfulness is not measured by public approval but by obedience to God. Sometimes God asks us to forgive when others demand revenge or He asks, even expects, us to remain honest when dishonesty would benefit us. We must speak the truth graciously and wait patiently rather than forcing events. Obedience to God often looks foolish before it proves wise. Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15). How often have we read that short verse without ever realising what it could mean in practice? And yet in our society, there are men and women who are prepared to stand on street corners, giving out tracts or Gospels, or preaching the Good News about Jesus. In the city of Dunfermline, where I live, occasionally a man walks around wearing what is called a sandwich board, displaying a number of Bible verses and encouraging people to turn to God before it is too late. But how would we respond if God asked us to do the same? We could also take note of the faith of men like Abraham and Noah. Hebrews 11:8, “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going”. That was a big ask in those days, to leave a place of comfort and head into the unknown to live in a tent. And then we have the story of Noah in the previous verse, “It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith”. Imagine the hassles he received! And then we have Samuel’s rebuke to Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22, “But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams””. Jesus’ command “If you love me, obey my commandments”is something we pilgrims must take seriously.

Isaiah’s near-nakedness symbolised humiliation and captivity, and that was the message that he took to people around him. It wasn’t a brief act carried out on a Saturday afternoon in a shopping mall somewhere. Isaiah’s message was in the public square for three years and his actions would have become well known in his nation, as the word spread around. The people had ample time to consider their positions and attitudes, their sins and evil acts, because God gave them the time. But the inhabitants had a false sense of security, thinking that the Egyptians would come and save them. In our verses today, we read, “they counted on the power of Ethiopia and boasted of their allies in Egypt”. But we find that the Assyrians and the Egyptians themselves would suffer the same fate as the inhabitants of Ashdod. At times like this, we pilgrims should stop and consider where we are placing our own security. 

The image of the near-naked Isaiah in a way points to Jesus. There on the cross we read that He was publicly humiliated as we read in John 19:23, “When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom”. Naked on the cross of execution, stripped of His garments, mocked and shamed, Jesus bore all of that for us, and it is the more remarkable that He knew what was coming. Unlike Isaiah, who merely portrayed judgement, Jesus actually bore our judgement.

Isaiah wore the sign of another nation’s shame, but Jesus carried our shame so that we might be clothed with His righteousness. In Hebrews 12:2, we read, “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne“. Similarly, we read in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ”. However, in both Isaiah’s and Jesus’ acts of obedience, something was demanded of the people. That was, they had to accept the message and be obedient to what God required before they could experience the benefits of His grace.

Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You for Your grace and mercy, and thank You for Jesus, who died so that we would not have to face the consequences of our sins. Now righteous before You, we offer up our praise and worship to You. Amen.

The Highway of Grace: God’s Redemption Plan

Posted on by Adrian Clark
Three riders on camels traveling a winding cobblestone road through desert landscape toward historic fortress near mountains at sunset

“In that day the Egyptians will be as weak as women. They will cower in fear beneath the upraised fist of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Just to speak the name of Israel will terrorise them, for the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has laid out his plans against them. …The Lord will strike Egypt, and then he will bring healing. For the Egyptians will turn to the Lord, and he will listen to their pleas and heal them. In that day Egypt and Assyria will be connected by a highway. The Egyptians and Assyrians will move freely between their lands, and they will both worship God. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth. For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will say, “Blessed be Egypt, my people. Blessed be Assyria, the land I have made. Blessed be Israel, my special possession!””
Isaiah 19:16-17, 22-25 NLT

In our verses today, as we bring Isaiah 19 to an end, we read the phrase “In that day” three times. It’s a day that hasn’t yet arrived, so the prophecy has still to be fulfilled. But it’s a day when Egypt will be blessed along with Assyria, and they both will join Israel in being a blessing to those around them. What an amazing picture of Godly stability in a region where, historically and currently, political instability is the norm. We pilgrims look on at current events in the Middle East and yearn for the days when God’s Kingdom will come to earth “as it is in Heaven”. 

In verse 22 today, we read that “The Lord will strike Egypt, and then he will bring healing”. Judgement will one day fall upon Egypt, but God is there with them, redemptively healing them as they turn to Him. Notice the order of events. God brings punishment to the people in Egypt for their sins, but they turn to Him in response. God then hears their pleas and listens to them, and He heals them. Was this judgment something that only the Egyptians suffered? Not really, because God sometimes has to punish all His children when they stray and behave in ungodly ways. The Bible refers to it as God disciplining His children. Proverbs 3:11-12, “My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights”. These verses were referred to by the writer to the Hebrews, and he wrote, “As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? … For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterwards there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way” (Hebrews 12:7, 10-11). God’s purposes are always redemptive. He does not hand out random punishments for minor mishaps just because He feels like it. Sometimes our greatest blessings come wrapped in painful circumstances.

There is another surprise in our verses today. We note that God has brought together Israel, Egypt and Assyria as fellow worshippers. And the surprise doesn’t end there. God refers to Egypt as being His people, a title normally retained for Israel alone. God’s grace will reach far beyond what we expect, but that is why we pilgrims are here. Gentiles by birth, we could never assume that we were God’s chosen people, but then Jesus came to this earth. Paul wrote, “In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us” (Ephesians 2:12-14). We have yet to see this Scripture fulfilled in the nation of Egypt, but, as Isaiah prophesied, it will come.

Isaiah 19:23 from the Amplified version of the Bible reads, “In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrians will come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria; and the Egyptians will worship and serve [the Lord] with the Assyrians”. We note that former enemies will be linked by a highway we might call the highway of grace. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet often used highways as symbols of salvation. We remember, of course, that Jesus, through the Cross, built a highway to God the Father, a highway that unites all who believe in Him with fellow believers, pilgrims like us, all over the world. And today we find that the same highway of grace will unite the Egyptians and the Assyrians. 

For us pilgrims today, there may be a message that explains the circumstances in our lives that are causing us some bother. There is always the thought that perhaps God is bringing some discipline into our lives. No one enjoys God’s discipline. Yet Scripture consistently teaches that His correction springs from love rather than anger. Isaiah revealed this beautifully through God’s future dealings with Egypt. God first exposes Egypt’s false securities. Their idols will fail them, their economy will collapse, and their wisdom will prove empty. Yet the story will not end there. The same God who strikes also heals. His purpose is restoration, not ruin. Many believers can trace God’s greatest work in their lives to seasons when cherished plans collapsed or trusted supports disappeared. What felt like judgment became the doorway to deeper faith. God never delights in pain for its own sake. He delights in bringing people back to Himself. So, dear fellow pilgrims, is there an area where God has been unsettling your confidence? Rather than asking only, “Why is this happening?” ask, “Lord, what are You drawing me toward?” Sometimes God removes our dependence on lesser things so we may discover that He alone is sufficient. Our response must be, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant listeneth”.

Dear Lord, when You allow painful circumstances into our lives, please help us to trust Your loving purposes. Please remove every false confidence and teach us to rely on You alone. Thank You that You are the God who not only wounds but also heals, disciplines but also restores. Amen.

Foolish Counsel: Lessons from Isaiah 19

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“What fools are the officials of Zoan! Their best counsel to the king of Egypt is stupid and wrong. Will they still boast to Pharaoh of their wisdom? Will they dare brag about all their wise ancestors? Where are your wise counsellors, Pharaoh? Let them tell you what God plans, what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is going to do to Egypt. The officials of Zoan are fools, and the officials of Memphis are deluded. The leaders of the people have led Egypt astray. The Lord has sent a spirit of foolishness on them, so all their suggestions are wrong. They cause Egypt to stagger like a drunk in his vomit. There is nothing Egypt can do. All are helpless— the head and the tail, the noble palm branch and the lowly reed.”
Isaiah 19:11-15 NLT

What we pilgrims know about the ancient nation of Egypt we obtain from the stories of Joseph and Moses. Joseph’s story commenced in Genesis 35, as the son of Jacob and Rachel. After some skulduggery by his brothers, he ended up in Egypt, initially as a slave of a senior military man in the Pharaoh’s army. From there, and via a prison sentence, Joseph became the first minister in Pharaoh’s government, an extremely important and powerful position. We read about the famine in that region, which extended as far as Canaan, and how Joseph saved the Egyptian people and his own family. The Israelites settled in Egypt, initially as shepherds, but they subsequently became slaves, building Pharaoh’s cities and tombs. It was during that period that Moses was born, and we all know the story of Moses and how he escaped the command of Pharaoh that all boys were to be killed at birth, a staple of children’s books of Bible stories. But the educated Moses got into trouble and was forced to run for his life to the land of Midian, where he married a daughter of the priest there. After about forty years of tending sheep, Moses came upon a burning bush, where God commissioned him to return to Egypt to lead God’s people out into the promised land. In the accounts of the conversations between Moses and Pharaoh, we find more background information that supports the verses we read today from Isaiah 19.

Isaiah’s prophecy refers to the foolish “official of Zoan”. Zoan was a major political and economic centre located in the northeastern Nile Delta region of Egypt. It served as a royal capital and a renowned seat of government, power, and ancient wisdom. So to call its officials “fools”, saying that “their best counsel to the king of Egypt is stupid and wrong”, indicated that there must have been wisdom available that was better than theirs. But of course there was, because God’s wisdom is perfect. James wrote, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere” (James 3:17). But the officials in Zoan had no chance because their human wisdom was lacking, and because “the Lord [had] sent a spirit of foolishness on them, so all their suggestions [were] wrong”. 

Perhaps, as we pause at this point, we look at the decisions our own governments are making in the central and devolved regions of the UK. Regardless of politics and parties, decision-making sometimes looks foolish when we try to view it through the eyes of God and His ways. Sadly, that accusation even extends to our national Christian denominations, but in the end, history will be the judge. In Isaiah’s prophecy, we read, “The leaders of the people have led Egypt astray”, and perhaps the same accusation will be levelled at our governments with the benefit of hindsight.

But the central thrust of the verses before us today is that human wisdom has its limitations. Paul wrote, “As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish” (1 Corinthians 1:19-20). Of course, Paul was referring to the Cross of Christ, considered foolish, offensive and nonsense by the Jews and the Greeks, “But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:24-25). But as we read on in the Isaiah 19 prophecy, we find that a day would come when the Egyptians would join with other enemies of God to worship Him, their foolishness replaced by the knowledge of the wisdom of the cross.

We pilgrims should know quite a bit about wisdom, because we need only open the pages of the Bible to find many references to God’s wisdom. For example, there is Proverbs 3:5-7, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil”. Sound advice, because we know that as we stay close to God, we are assured of living our lives the way He desires for us. There is plenty of “foolish counsel” available in the world today, mostly because a moral compass is lacking. We look on as the debates between different ideologies rage on, bringing much heat but little light into the lives of our fellow citizens. We look on as wars and conflicts blight our planet, bringing misery to so many people. We look on as the various “faiths” each claim its own solution to mankind’s woes. But quietly in God’s corner, kneeling at His footstool, we find the wisdom we need to make our way on our journey to glory. His Word is the only true source of the wisdom we need to counter the foolishness of the godless people around us.

Dear Father God. It is only in You that we can find the words of eternal life and the Source of true wisdom. The world around us may scoff and ridicule, but as we stand firm, we will weather the storms of life, coming into Glory worshipping and praising our wonderful Saviour, Jesus. Amen.

Finding Living Water in Times of Desperation

Posted on by Adrian Clark
Wildflowers growing through cracks in dry desert soil with mountains in background

“This message came to me concerning Egypt: Look! The Lord is advancing against Egypt, riding on a swift cloud. The idols of Egypt tremble. The hearts of the Egyptians melt with fear. “I will make Egyptian fight against Egyptian— brother against brother, neighbour against neighbour, city against city, province against province. 
The waters of the Nile will fail to rise and flood the fields. The riverbed will be parched and dry. The canals of the Nile will dry up, and the streams of Egypt will stink with rotting reeds and rushes. 
There will be no flax for the harvesters, no thread for the weavers. They will be in despair, and all the workers will be sick at heart.”
Isaiah 19:1-2, 5-6, 9-10 NLT

The woes spoken against Ethiopia are now behind us, as Isaiah moved on to a prophecy against Egypt. Isaiah wrote this around 710 BC, against the backdrop of the Assyrian period, and it portrays a country at war with itself, eventually conquered by a foreign power. But we remember that Egypt was a superpower in that region, famous for its military, wealth, wisdom, religion, and the Nile. We read in Genesis 47:27 about the time of Joseph and his family, “Meanwhile, the people of Israel settled in the region of Goshen in Egypt. There they acquired property, and they were fruitful, and their population grew rapidly”. Genesis ends with the death of Joseph, and the Israelites continue to live in Egypt. But the Egyptian nation was founded on idolatry and spiritualism, and in their distress, we read, “… They will plead with their idols for wisdom and call on spirits, mediums, and those who consult the spirits of the dead” (Isaiah 19:3). But to no avail, because the Lord advanced against them, and everything within their country started to shake. Their religious system was going to become ineffective, and social cohesion would start to break down. Worse, the Nile, their source of much wealth, would dry up. Sources of livelihood, such as fishing and weaving, would be severely affected. Overall, the prophecy foretold that God would shake their religion (idols) and their social unity, bringing civil war to their economy, government and impacting their security.

There may come a time when we pilgrims may experience times of shaking, in our own lives or the lives of our families. Sometimes God lovingly removes the things we depend on, things that displace our dependence on Him. Perhaps we might be made redundant, and financial security lost with it. Perhaps something happens that affects our relationships or reputation. Even our health may deteriorate. But in it all, is God shaking us out of our complacency, allowing things to happen to grab our attention and turn us back to Him? There is only one “rock” that cannot be shaken, and that is God Himself. Psalm 18:2, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my saviour; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety”. 

But returning to the prophecy about the Nile, it was Egypt’s life. Without it, crops would fail, affecting not just farmers but also the industries that depend on them for their very survival. As a result, businesses would collapse, bringing destitution and hardship. In fact, Egypt’s economy would collapse. Such a picture emphasises that anything we depend on more than God is also in danger of becoming like a “dried-up river”. We know the advice given by the Psalmist in the first Psalm. He speaks about those who “… delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night” (Psalm 1:2). But here’s the thing, the next verse reads, “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do”. The Psalm continues with the opposite case, condemning wicked people, who are compared with “worthless chaff, scattered by the wind”. People who are plugged into the things of God are fruitful and spiritually productive. Those who aren’t will end up spiritually withered and will eventually experience a spiritual death.

So, where do people go to find a water source that will never run dry? Of course, we are not referring to a physical water supply because the one that matters is the one Jesus referred to in John 4:13-14. Jesus was having a conversation with a Samaritan woman at a well near the village of Sychar. They were discussing how Jesus would obtain a drink from the well without a rope and bucket. But then, “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life’”. Jesus provides an endless supply of “living water” that will spiritually refresh those who believe in Him, now and for eternity. 

Not long after, Jesus was in the Temple when He said something that was foundational for pilgrims everywhere. We read, “On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory)” (John 7:37-39). Sadly, many Christians have neglected Jesus’ invitation to drink of His living water, and struggle through their Chriatian lives, dry and parched. If we turn to the last chapter in the Bible, we will find a verse that once again emphasises the importance of that “living water”. We read, “Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1). And we can find references in other parts of the Bible to this “living water”. The message is clear and uncompromising. The world offers streams and rivers that will eventually dry up. Only Jesus can offer “living water” that lasts forever, the “water” that refreshed His people.

Dear Lord Jesus. We look to You this morning for a fresh supply of the living water we need today. Only You can supply it, and only You can refresh us. There is no limit to Your supply, so please help us to share it with those around us, as they live their lives with dry and shrivelled spirits. In Your name. Amen.

Building a Life Without God

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“Even before you begin your attack, while your plans are ripening like grapes, the Lord will cut off your new growth with pruning shears. He will snip off and discard your spreading branches. Your mighty army will be left dead in the fields for the mountain vultures and wild animals. The vultures will tear at the corpses all summer. The wild animals will gnaw at the bones all winter. At that time the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will receive gifts from this land divided by rivers, from this tall, smooth-skinned people, who are feared far and wide for their conquests and destruction. They will bring the gifts to Jerusalem, where the Lord of Heaven’s Armies dwells.”
Isaiah 18:5-7 NLT

Imagine the scenario. An attacking army is amassing its troops on the border of the nation they intend to invade. The camp has been set up with fields full of tents. There is a lorry park with vehicles constantly coming and going, bringing supplies of food and ammunition for the impending invasion. Tank transporters arrive, unloading their heavy cargoes, ready for the war yet to come. There may be a river in the way, so the engineering squads are putting together temporary bridges ready to roll them into place. A huge amount of activity is putting fear into the weaker nation, one seemingly unable to protect itself. Towns and villages on the borders are being evacuated. The defensive troops are digging trenches, but despairing as they see the size of the army coming against them. And then a miracle happens. Just as the command to invade is about to be given, God intervenes. We read this morning, “Even before you begin your attack, while your plans are ripening like grapes, the Lord will cut off your new growth with pruning shears. He will snip off and discard your spreading branches” (Isaiah 18:5). Just when success seems certain, God does something that turns the situation on its head, and the invasion doesn’t happen. What could have happened to the invaders? Perhaps a change in political leadership. Perhaps a threat from an unexpected quarter, or another nation stronger than them, has made them reconsider their plans. Sometimes, nations believe they are becoming stronger, but God determines when kingdoms rise and fall. Why did God let the situation on the border develop to the extent that it did? Why did He not answer the prayers for protection immediately they were uttered, rather than waiting so long before He reversed the situation? God often waits until exactly the right moment so that all the pieces drop into place and those looking on suddenly realise how wise he has been. 

In the Bible, we can read the account of Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. But then Lazarus became ill, and his desperate sisters sent a message to Jesus, telling Him about the seriousness of the situation. We pick up the story in John 11: 5-7, “So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea””. Our prayers in that situation would have been for Jesus to heal him before the illness gets any worse. Surely that would have been the best course of action, saving Lazarus and his sisters from any more pain and suffering. But Jesus waited, and Lazarus died. What a tragedy, so people would have thought. Some even started to criticise Jesus, with comments such as, “ … This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?” (John 11:37). But then came those four words – “Roll the stone aside” – but we know what happened next. Jesus’ timing was perfect. People had seen Him heal the sick before, so there would have been nothing new if Jesus had healed Lazarus on his sickbed. After all, he might have been getting better anyway, or so they thought. But raising someone from the dead –  four days graveyard dead – was something that could not be rationalised away. The reason for the delay was for Jesus to give glory to His Father in Heaven. “Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”” (John 11:40). 

The verses from Isaiah 18 today paint a picture of a life or situation built without any reference to God Himself. Consider the process required to build a house. A person might have prepared the ground and planned how the project will be implemented. All the required materials have been ordered. The contractors have been appointed. Planning permission has been granted. And then something goes wrong. Perhaps the project failed to plan a ground survey, and subsidence was discovered. There may have been another cause that stopped the housebuilding in its tracks. But stop it did. Empires, careers, reputations and wealth can appear secure, yet they remain fragile if they are built independently of God. Psalm 127 commences, “Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good”. And it continues, “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones”. 

One final thought from Isaiah 18. The last verse reads, “At that time the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will receive gifts from this land divided by rivers, from this tall, smooth-skinned people, who are feared far and wide for their conquests and destruction. They will bring the gifts to Jerusalem, where the Lord of Heaven’s Armies dwells”. The chapter begins with distant nations, and it ends with those same nations bringing worship to God. In Revelation 7:9-10, we read, “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”” One day all the nations in the world will come together to worship God. There will be no exceptions. No lost tribes far away from civilisation. No languages forgotten. All that has ever been or is to come will be there, worshipping God. 

We note that the chapter begins with a foreign nation outside God’s covenant, but it ends with that nation bringing gifts to the Lord. What begins as judgment ends in worship, and this is the pattern of redemption that we find throughout Scripture. We remember the Apostle Paul, who persecuted the church until he had the vision of the risen Jesus on the Damascus Road and subsequently became its greatest missionary. The thief on the cross lived a life of sin but died worshipping Christ. Then, as now, many who once opposed the gospel now proclaim it.

We pilgrims may look at the media reports of global conflicts with deep concern, seeing one international crisis after another. Yet our emphasis must not be on politics but on God’s perspective. We are called to interpret world events through the lens of God’s sovereignty rather than fear. News changes daily, but God’s kingdom never changes. Our peace comes not from understanding every event, but from trusting the One who rules over them all.

Dear Father God. It is only by trusting in You that we can find the peace “that surpasses all understanding”. We look around us through Your eyes of sovereignty and feel our anxious thoughts dissipate. Thank You. Amen.

God’s Sovereignty in Isaiah 18: A Message for Today

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“Listen, Ethiopia—land of fluttering sails that lies at the headwaters of the Nile, that sends ambassadors in swift boats down the river. Go, swift messengers! Take a message to a tall, smooth-skinned people, who are feared far and wide for their conquests and destruction, and whose land is divided by rivers. All you people of the world, everyone who lives on the earth— when I raise my battle flag on the mountain, look! When I blow the ram’s horn, listen! For the Lord has told me this: “I will watch quietly from my dwelling place— as quietly as the heat rises on a summer day, or as the morning dew forms during the harvest.””
Isaiah 18:1-4 NLT

The heading to this chapter in my Bible is “A Message about Ethiopia”: the Hebrew translation refers to “Cush”, which encompasses regions of Southern Egypt, Sudan, and parts of Ethiopia. The chapter starts with a reference to the source of the Nile, the “headwaters” of a navigable part able to send messengers in “swift boats”. But the source of the Nile is two rivers, one starting thousands of miles away in East Africa, and the other in Lake Victoria in Uganda. But Isaiah’s reference to “Cush” brings to mind “swift messengers” delivering a message to a “tall, smooth-skinned people”. These were the Cushites (ancient Nubians or Ethiopians). In Biblical times, they were renowned for their remarkable stature and sleek, dark skin. In Isaiah 18:2, we read that these people were “feared far and wide for their conquests and destruction”. 

Isaiah 18:3 starts with “All you people of the world, everyone who lives on the earth”, so the scope of the prophecy extends to all nations on earth. And it is a warning to take note when God said, “When I raise my battle flag on the mountain, look! When I blow the ram’s horn, listen!” A message was coming that would impact all the nations. For us pilgrims today, it is easy to become overwhelmed by world events, and in this prophecy, Isaiah is reminding us that God has never surrendered His throne. Kings and governments may change, and as I write, another prime minister in the UK parliament is due to take office. Some fear the change, viewing it negatively as yet another opportunity to increase taxes on hard-working people. Others look at it as an opportunity for something positive to happen, something to improve the lot of the common man. History will decide, of course. But the important thing to note is that the Lord remains King forever.

There is something else worthy of note in the next verse that follows on from God being sovereign and still on His throne. He “will watch quietly from [His] dwelling place— as quietly as the heat rises on a summer day, or as the morning dew forms during the harvest”. God watches from heaven, and nothing escapes His attention. We might see wars, political movements and changes. We fret when we see evil men at war for egotistic purposes. We read of societal challenges, gender wars and so on, but, and here’s the thing, God sees hearts, motives and future consequences. People might think they can get away with their evil behaviour, but God is taking note and writing down all the misdeeds, and even evil thoughts, in one of the books that will be opened on the Day of Judgement (Revelation 20). Nothing, absolutely nothing, will escape God’s gaze. Hebrews 4:12-13, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable”. 

Sometimes, we pilgrims feel that God is strangely quiet when we are going through some crisis or particular life challenge. We pray, but the Heavens appear to be made of brass, and our prayers bounce back unanswered. We read the Word, and we might even find some revelation or a few crumbs of comfort that will sustain us, but the problem is still with us. It could be ill-health or a financial challenge. It could be a relational problem with a neighbour or a family member. We might even be at our wits’ end, not knowing what to do. But God is watching quietly “from His dwelling place”. Psalm 27 finishes, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord”. Psalm 121:3, “He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber”. God’s timing is always perfect, and He will act in answer to our prayers at just the right time. We might want to hurry Him along a bit, but we should take a lesson from Abraham, who waited twenty-five years before He saw the promise of God in the birth of Isaac. In Psalm 27:14, we read, “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord“.

Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You for Your promises, Your provision and Your presence. We worship You today. Amen.

The Roaring Armies: God’s Sovereignty Amidst Chaos

Posted on by Adrian Clark

“Listen! The armies of many nations roar like the roaring of the sea. Hear the thunder of the mighty forces as they rush forward like thundering waves. But though they thunder like breakers on a beach, God will silence them, and they will run away. They will flee like chaff scattered by the wind, like a tumbleweed whirling before a storm. In the evening, Israel waits in terror, but by dawn, its enemies are dead. This is the just reward of those who plunder us, a fitting end for those who destroy us.”
Isaiah 17:12-14 NLT

Do these verses sound familiar this morning? There seems to be so many “roaring armies” around the world. Closest to home here in the UK is the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. But further afield, we have the wars in the Middle East, most notably between the US and Iran. Sudan has experienced internal conflict for many years. Even further away, there are “wars” in parts of Latin America and Myanmar. I suppose the difference today is that there are no two armies facing each other; instead, there are more technological wars, particularly in the use of unmanned devices such as drones. But there is certainly much “roaring” going on, with belligerent leaders and politicians shouting at each other. 

In Biblical days, the armies did face each other, and success on the battlefield was then followed by the subjugation of the losing nation. There was a famous battle in 1 Samuel 17, and we read, “The Philistines now mustered their army for battle and camped between Socoh in Judah and Azekah at Ephes-dammim. Saul countered by gathering his Israelite troops near the valley of Elah. So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them”. We know the rest of that story, involving as it did Goliath and David. 

But in our verses today from Isaiah 17, we read, “But though [the armies] thunder like breakers on a beach, God will silence them, and they will run away”. Then, as now, amid all the noise from armies and politicians, when God speaks, the belligerent disappear. Psalm 2 commences, “Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one”. Today, there may not be the same religious reasoning behind the wars fought. In most, if not all, cases today, it is one evil nation or faction fighting against another of the same persuasion. In the UK, there is much political chatter about the size of the defence budget and how to fund an increase. Our wayward and Godless politicians have missed the obvious solution: if the whole nation turned to God, we would experience His protection from our enemies, real or imagined, without spending money to achieve the same aim in our own strength. Sadly, it seems that such a solution is decreasing almost by the day in our increasingly secular nation. But is that an unrealistic expectation? It probably is, but then we think about Ephesians 3:20, where we read what can be achieved through God’s power within us.

In all the roaring, though, one fact, one truth, shines out like a beacon – God is still sovereign. He is still sitting on His throne, and taking an active interest in what is going on in the world today. We pilgrims turn to Psalm 46 and read, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. … The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress” (Psalm 46:1-2, 6-7). We remember the time when Jesus was sleeping in a boat caught up in the middle of a storm. In all the roaring of the waves and wind, he spoke, as we read in Mark 4:39-40, “When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly, the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”” The God who can silence the waves and wind can also silence the roaring of the nations. God, through His righteousness, will prevail over the forces of evil. Revelation 17:14, “Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all Lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him”.

One last thought from Isaiah 17, and this time in the last verse. We read, “In the evening Israel waits in terror, but by dawn its enemies are dead”. Many believers know what it is to go to bed anxious and wake to discover that God has already been at work. Sometimes God’s greatest victories happen while His people are resting. Psalm 30:5, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning”. Then we have Psalm 121:4-5, “Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade”. 

We pilgrims worship and follow a God of love, grace and righteousness. We are His children, and when we hear the roaring of evil in our ears and see the impact on our screens, we remember that God is still in control. Yesterday, today, and forever. We know how history will end, but in the meantime, with the Psalmist, we say, “The Lord keeps watch over [us] as [we] come and go, both now and forever”. 

Dear Lord. Thank You for Your love and grace. Whenever we hear the roaring of Your enemies, we remember that You are our refuge and strength, as we continue our life journey day by day. Amen.