“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 ESV
Reflection: why is the Christian walk so hard at times?
Isaiah 30:19-26 is an amazing section of scripture. It is yet another vision and prophecy that we can look at from a least two perspectives – both physical and spiritual. Bible scholars and commentators differ some here, but most agree that it can be seen first as a prophecy to be interpreted for the Israelites as literal events in history, as some of them returned from Babylonian captivity. But when you read it more carefully, you may start to see like some Bible commentators that there is a lot more here than can be explained as physical events, that this is perhaps much more relevant as a spiritual prophecy for God’s people coming out of the “spiritual Babylon”. With that in mind, we might even look at these verses as a vision for the Christian life and walk with God; and someday being in His presence forever. So let’s take a look at it together.
The whole section starts out with the following interesting promise by the Lord “For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you.”Isaiah 30:19 ESV. This reference to Zion and Jerusalem one can imagine this to be the return of the people to the physical land promised to Abraham. And with all the current events in the Middle East, that might be a tempting conclusion. But, we can see from the second part of this verse that this is really about restoring a relationship with the Lord “He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you.” Isaiah 30:19b ESV. So while it might have had some relevance to the original return to Judea from Babylonian captivity, it seems even more relevant to the Messianic kingdom for all of God’s people, dwelling in Zion. In fact, we can even get a glimpse here of the eternal kingdom, as He promises His people “you shall weep no more” as we read from Revelation “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”” Revelation 21:4 ESV
And while all God’s people have this promise of the future, we are quickly reminded that we are still walking through a fallen world full of temptations, and that the Lord himself is lovingly leading His children. “And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher.” Isaiah 30:20 ESV. Wait a minute, is the Lord giving “bread of adversity” and “water of affliction” to His children? As parents we are familiar with the need to teach our children wisdom, and consequences of actions, including correction when they are defiant and making bad choices. While that is difficult to do towards a child you love, providing correction and guidance might be one of the most important responsibilities for a parent to do. We see through the vision of Isaiah that the Lord does the same as a Teacher, guiding and correcting His children.
And, then we learn about His ongoing council in the focus verse today. “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 ESV. Did you notice that the voice of the Lord is “from behind”, telling us which way to walk on? Bible commentator Benson mentioned that shepherds would walk behind their sheep, guiding and guarding them. They would be comforted by his voice. And although we get tempted to take a different road, perhaps a simpler road “to the right or to the left” that the world is providing, He tells us “This is the way, walk in it”. It is not necessarily a simple way, but it is a good way because it is the way of the Lord.
And as we learn and see that His ways are so much better than those of the world, that all the “gods” of the world are just dead images and idols “Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, “Be gone!”” Isaiah 30:22 ESV. We serve a living and Almighty God, who desires to have such an intimate relationship with us, guarding us and as our Everlasting Father, our Prince of Peace and our Wonderful Councilor. I encourage you today to spend some time in study of these verses, Isaiah 30:19-26, to see Him and be blessed by how active our Lord is in our lives. And, thank Him, for leading us to His ways.