Christian Blogs, Millpond Ink Musing
Millpond Ink Musing, 2015 – Of Knowing and Hearing, Sobriety and the Color Green
“Hast thou not known? Hast though not heard?” This, God asks of Judah and Israel through His prophet at the beginning of Isaiah 40:28. Isaiah then finishes the chapter explaining what they should have known and heard, and what their Lord was capable of empowering them to do; e.g., “and they shall walk and not faint.”
I wonder though, was it a case that they didn’t know or hadn’t heard? Or, had Judah and Israel heard and known, forgot, and God was reminding them through this affliction? There’s nothing more sobering than a harsh affliction but what good is sobriety when looking back? If only we were more sober minded going forward.
The next question is, ‘What brought God to ask this?’ I suppose He did because they were grousing about the fact their lives weren’t going all that well (they were captives in a foreign land), and they thought their way was hidden from God, and He disregarded them.
Yeah, yeah, yeah; it was all about them. Well, I don’t mind telling you but as a people go; so goes the nation. Judah and Israel were riding high; blessed by God in ways unimaginable, but they went on in their sin. God warned them, but no, what they knew and heard was warning after warning…yes, and for how many generations? But now that what God had warned them would happen happened? Oh, they wailed and complained that God was hidden, and He dissed them. Amazing.
What is more amazing? Fast forward a few thousand years. We in America are playing the sound track that immediately preceded Judah’s captivity. We’re going merrily along in our sin; half-heartedly serving Him, and if we do hear something about Him coming again, we reply, ‘What? How long have we heard that?’ Most Americans, as Judah and Israel did back then, proudly announced that they’re a most ‘spiritual’ nation and people! Yes, every man and woman are worshipping something; somewhere under their own green tree. What is it about the color green? It denotes earth doesn’t it?
Anyway, our country today is as foreign to me, and us ‘older fire and brimstone’ folk, as Judah was for the Prophet Daniel after taken to Babylon. As Robert Bork’s book title, America is well past ‘Slouching Towards Gomorrah.’ We’re pretty much on the floor now and the few who know, as Lot knew, they are praying and holding their doors shut at night.
Do I believe there’s hope? Yes, but there is a difference between Israel and America. God didn’t make a direct covenant with us as a people. He only said that He would bless those who blessed Israel, and curse those who did not. I fear that even in this we’re a foreign nation; a nation foreign to God, but thankfully, He’s not altogether hidden; therein I hope. As for everything green? It may be lush now but seasons change and it seems that we’re at a turn.
Now you too know this and you’ve heard….again.
