His Hand is Still Stretched Out

This vision and prophecy the LORD gave to Isaiah concerning the virgin with child and the downfall of Aram and Israel extends from chapter 7 all the way to chapter 19. Isaiah’s own wife has a child, and they give him a prophetic name, writing it down in front of reliable witnesses. Uriah the High Priest and Zechariah son of Jeberechiah hear these many words of Isaiah, as do the peoples coming and going in the Temple, but not everyone gives them heed. The enemies of Judah will fall, Judah itself will be affected, and specific message are given to the various nations that will be involved. This first specific message is to Israel.

The Lord sends a message against Jacob, falling specifically on the northern kingdom of Israel, who is being led by the pride of Ephraim and Samaria. Their arrogance and pride have brought on themselves the judgment of God. As they look around at how far they have already fallen into ruin, they believe they will be able to rebuild again, better than it ever was. So the LORD raised up adversaries against them from Rezin in Aram in the east, and the Philistines on the west, to devour the land of Israel with gaping jaws. These enemies gobble up their territory, reducing it to scraps. In spite of this, the sons of Israel do not repent and do not seek the LORD.

Because the people do not return to God, His Han of judgment remains outstretched and His anger does not turn away. God turns up the heat against His people, bringing the promised calamity against them, found in the Law and covenant they all agreed to. God strikes them with judgment, but they do not return. So God tells them He is going to cut off any remaining leaders from their midst. No more prophets to mislead them, no more elders to guide them, no more honorable men. Those who lead them astray and bring them to confusion will continue to do so in even worse ways. The judgment of God is pronounced against the young men, the orphans, and the widows. All of the sons of Israel had become wicked evildoers, speaking lies and foolishness. This too is a judgment from God, yet it is not finished. His hand is still outstretched.

So the fury of the LORD burned against the land He promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. His rollers had rejected Him, so He would destroy the land and exile His people to the nations. Fire would burn everywhere, consuming thorns and thistles, men and women alike, and consume them all. They would fight against each other, there would be no peace. They would know hunger and famine and sword. It would get so bad that people would even turn to cannibalism before they were exiled. 

God is righteous in His judgments against Israel and Judah. They had turned from obeyed His Word, so the curses of the Law fell on them. The more they sinned pridefully, the harsher the judgment and calamities came. All they had to do was truly repent and these things would be removed, but they refused. So God’s hand was still outstretched and his anger would not turn away. The people had brought this on themselves through their willful sin, although they knew what judgments God had promised.