Isaiah 24

See, the Lord is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants—it will be the same for priest as for people, for the master as for his servant, for the mistress as for her servant, for seller as for buyer, for borrower as for lender, for debtor as for creditor. The earth will be completely laid waste and totally plundered. The Lord has spoken this word.

(BACKGROUND) Chapters twenty-four through twenty-seven form one continuous poetical prophecy:

Chapter 24 is descriptive of the dispersion and successive calamities of the Jews...the preaching of the Gospel by the first Hebrew converts throughout the world...and the judgments on the adversaries of the Church and its final triumph.

Chapter 25 expresses thanksgiving for the overthrow of the apostate faction...and

Chapter 26 prophecies the establishment of the righteous in lasting peace

Chapter 27 prophecies judgment on leviathan (sea monster) and purging of the Church

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

To this point, Isaiah has referenced several nations in particular--Babylon, Philistia, Moab, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Edom, and Tyre. Commentaries suggest this group is intended to represent the entirety of creation. The next four chapters offer a "Big Picture" of God's intent for His creation and, it's not all good.

Chapter 24 addresses Judah specifically but is a general prophesy concerning the last days of our world. It should wake us up. Many of us prefer to believe the final judgment will come after Christ takes his church. When we read the first three verses of Chapter 24 we clearly see that judgment will come on all, regardless of station in life. This is an important distinction because we, as believers (if we aren't careful), often tend to believe that we have lived a life worthy of notice...so much so that the possiblity of judgment doesn't seem likely. After all, why would God destroy a life as accomplished as mine?

Why? Earth is polluted by its very own people, who have broken its laws, disrupted its order,
violated the sacred and eternal covenant. Therefore a curse, like a cancer, ravages the earth.
This judgment is God's "attention step". It's not about vengeance. It's about shaking our lives until we pay attention. So, when we face a challenge...spiritually, emotionally, physically or relationally...we shouldn't get "put out" with God as though He is treating us unfairly. We need to see it as God speaking.

And...it will be the same for priest as for people.

So...how are we going to respond? Will we "curse God and die?" or, will we respond to our trouble with righteousness? Some will. They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they acclaim the Lord’s majesty. Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. From the ends of the earth we hear singing: "Glory to the Righteous One.”

I realize many believe themselves so spiritually actualized that they don't need God to shake them up. Apparently they would be wrong. How do you respond to trouble?

Live boldly out there today...