Through the Bible: IsaiahSample

Don’t Forget God

You have forgotten God your Saviour; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress. Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines, though on the day you set them out, you make them grow, and on the morning when you plant them, you bring them to bud, yet the harvest will be nothing in the day of disease and incurable pain.

Isaiah 17: 10, 11 (ESV)

Chapters 15 to 19 of Isaiah concern the judgment of Israel’s enemies, in particular Moab, Damascus (Syria), Cush (Ethiopia) and Egypt. All these enemies have one thing in common – they were countries which Israel had made an alliance with. Eventually, they were all destroyed by the Assyrians – Moab by King Sargon in 715 BC, Damascus by King Tiglath-pileser in 732 BC, Cush by King Sennacherib in 701 BC and Egypt by King Esarhaddon in 671 BC. 

Isaiah 17: 10, 11 remind us not to forsake God who is our Saviour and our Fortress. Judgement occurs when we seek our own way or false gods. While we may have joy for a season and may even see our works grow in stature, the result will be grief and sorrow when we forget God. 

Set not our hearts on “finest plants” (material success) or plant “imported” vines (relying on “foreign” helps) “but seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33).

Prayer

Our Heavenly Father, today I choose to put You first. I acknowledge that without You, I can do nothing. I invite You to have Your way in my life as I seek You first in all that I do in Jesus’ name. Amen.