Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation"
Text: Isaiah 17:10
THE DANGER OF FORGETTING THE LORD
It was Moses who had warned Israel of the danger of forgetting God (Deuteronomy 8:11-20). Whenever there were difficult times, Israel clung to God fervently. But when the nation settled down and had become prosperous, God was conveniently forgotten. This problem persisted for many, many years!
“Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation,
And have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold,
Therefore you will plant pleasant plants
And set out foreign seedlings;
In the day you will make your plant to grow,
And in the morning you will make your seed to flourish;
But the harvest will be a heap of ruins
In the day of grief and desperate sorrow.”
Isaiah 17:10-11
1. Two things Israel forgot.
a) How God gave them salvation (deliverance):
i) From Egypt.
ii) From hostile nations in Canaan.
iii) God had rescued and delivered Israel numerous times.
iv) But the nation had not been grateful.
b) How God had been the Rock of their stronghold.
i) Israel had believed in the strength of their fortresses.
ii) Worse, they had believed that the idols they worshipped had blessed them.
iii) They had forgotten that the LORD was their Rock.
iv) It was the LORD who had protected them from all harm and danger.
2. The Focus of Israel.
a) They sought wealth.
b) They bought all kinds of seeds from foreign nations.
c) They were told that the seeds they had planted would yield a great harvest.
d) Israel planted their seeds with hope of a significant harvest.
i) They planted diligently.
ii) They worked very hard.
iii) They were hopeful for a harvest that would make them richer.
3. A Fatal error.
a) They did not remember that ultimately, it was God who could bless them.
b) They believed in themselves and the idols they worshipped fervently.
i) The fertility goddesses.
ii) The deity of the sky.
iii) The deity that would bring a good harvest.
c) When it came to harvest time.
i) The harvest was a heap of ruins.
ii) Harvest was a time of grief and great sorrow.
iii) Their crops had failed.
iv) The gods they had worshipped could do nothing for them.
d) The price they paid for not regarding God was a very high one!
i) The nation would starve.
ii) Many would face hardship.
iii) Others would be ruined.