LIKE A FLOOD

 

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

 

LIKE A FLOOD

 

Isa 59:18-20

18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.

19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. KJV

 

          I fear that some have misunderstood, misapplied, and therefore misappropriated verse 19. In the desire to bring a disciple into an appropriate lifestyle, this verse has been used to preach “standards.” By that, I mean that it has been used to judge aberrant behavior and even fashion. That is not what it means. A standard is a flag that goes before an army and not a strict code of behavior. Nevertheless, we should not abandon a godly code of behavior.

 

          As for verse 18, Adam Clarke uses two full paragraphs to explain that it is nearly impossible to understand. He quotes two obscure scholars to prove this and finally concludes that the nearest accurate meaning is “The Lord of retributions, he The Lord of retributions shall repay.” He further suggests that verse 19 refers to the signs pointing to the coming of Messiah. He says “If ye see a generation which endures much tribulation, then (say they) expect him.”

 

          This brings me to my own observation and that is that this generation seems to be “enduring much tribulation.” Moreover, we seem to have lost our moral compass. We are lost in a dangerous land. We respond to trouble by causing yet more trouble and we respond to crazy things with yet more lunacy. I, therefore, am looking for Messiah.

 

          One final thought is that it is not our responsibility to lift the STANDARD. It is the Lord, himself, that will mount resistance, set up His standard and confront the evil.

 

Lord, surely if my blurred vision can discern an increase in evil, then you must see it as well. Please come and lift up your standard against it. AMEN