Isaiah 21:11-12, Message for Edom

For Edom…

“Morning is coming. But the night will return.”

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In this great metaphor Isaiah is a night watchman among the nations of the world and responds to inquiries about when the night might be over. The questions don’t bother Isaiah. In fact he says “If you want to ask again, come back and ask.”

 Keil and Delitzsch tell us the answer is intentional and pathetic: even if the morning dawns, it will be swallowed up again directly by night…the night being a metaphor for political domination by foreign powers. History agrees. The Assyrian period of judgment was followed by the Chaldean, and the Chaldean by the Persian, and the Persian by the Grecian, and the Grecian by the Roman. Again and again there was a glimmer of morning dawn for Edom but it was swallowed up directly by another night

And on, and on, forever…

Yet, if our watchman is a metaphor for God, in Christ, we see a blessed promise in the middle of our darkness. Then the watchman says “you can come back and inquire later” he uses the word shūbū (turn back) offering a hint at the idea of “repentance” (turn around).

We are forever dead in our sins…in spite of periods of relief. We can choose to accept the truth and walk away…in despair. Or, we can “turn around” and ask the watchman again. Perhaps the answer will change. Ironically, the key to salvation is acknowledging that God has the answer but…we may have to go back a number of times before we get the answer we seek. The way to salvation for everybody is just the same as for Israel - namely, the way of repentance.

And still its night. God doesn’t mind us asking how long it will last. He encourages to keep coming back…for a different answer. Whatever night you are facing…keep in touch with the watchman.

Live boldly out there…