The Real Meaning of Life

The next nine chapters of Isaiah concern prophesy against the upcoming invasion of Israel and how the people will be carried off. And you’ll hear more about how angry and furious God is with the children of Israel and how He will turn against them causing Babylon to invade Israel, destroy it, and carry all of the people off into captivity.

But again, does that sound something that Jesus would do? The Pharisees were, much like today, picking and choosing which laws to follow, following the traditions of man over the word of God; did Jesus get angry with them and cause some foreign country to come in and carry them off? No, He didn’t. And even as He hung on the cross after being persecuted by the same Pharisees, dying along with two other thieves, what did Jesus do? “Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.”

So, when I read the books of the prophets, I use common sense. I choose to believe that God was sending warnings, not threats. God sees the future, and He was warning the children of Israel and Judah what was to come if they continued their life of sin. Because most people hear the word of God through Spirit, and still choose to ignore it, He had to send prophets to warn the people of their ways.

But these prophet talk about an angry and wrathful God who is punishing the people of Israel. Remember the story of the 19th Century Parson who was confronted with the truth about hell? “I know there’s no hell, but if I don’t stand at the pulpit and preach hell fire, I can’t fill the pews!” How do we know that some of the things the prophets said weren’t just to try to “scare” the people into being good. It’s really no difference today; modern theology talks about sinners burning in hell forever, and the result is more people attend church out of a fear of God than out of a love for Him.

And the fact of the matter is that we don’t know. We can read the Bible and take it word for word without taking into consideration the emotion and mindset the author was in and be confused, or we can use common sense, knowing that the character of God is no different than the character of Jesus.

Is there anywhere in scripture where God talks about His “good servant Jeremiah”, or his “good servant Isaiah”? That’s not a rhetorical question, I truly don’t know. I DO know that God talked about His “good servant Job”, but what about the others? And we know Satan has been lying about God since he was the choirmaster in heaven, so why would we not think he was lying to us through scripture? The prophets were tempted just like you and I.

Sorry to get on my tirade, but I tire of hearing how angry and wrathful God is when I know He is a God of love, not hate. That said, any time a prophet, as Isaiah does here, talks about God’s wrath and punishment, I choose to look at it differently. I would rather live my life thinking that God is love rather than a tyrant.

One last mention, if what you are reading is confusing, join the crowd. I suggest that after you read about how Babylon come and invaded Israel and took most everyone captive for 70 years, then released the captives to return to Israel and rebuild, that you come back and reread the prophets. The things God is warning about will be easier to understand then. Again, every time you read the Bible you will fine something new you didn’t catch the first time, so keep reading the Bible until the end of time.

Just think, the times of Israel were no different than today. People had drifted away from God, were doing what they pleased rather than what pleased God. They were rebellious, just like today’s people who are rebellious against God. God sent prophets to warn them about the consequences of their behavior. Today God sends prophet to warn us about the consequences of our behavior. I don’t know who those prophets are, but I know they exist as the Bible warns against “false prophets”. And just like the children of Israel who didn’t listen, are we listening now? Are we heeding the warnings?

Father, thank you for this Sabbath Day of rest. I pray that as today goes on, we stop and think about the consequences of our actions, that if we do not repent and turn back to You, You will have no control to protect us. End the end, we will not be able to withstand your Glory, and we will perish rather than having eternal life with You in Heaven. I pray for all of the host souls, and I pray for those who, like the Pharisees, think they have it all under control but who, instead, are following false prophets. In Jesus Name, Amen!