Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"Removed their hearts far from Me"
Text: Isaiah 29:13
THE CONSEQUENCES OF REJECTING GOD
Israel had failed to comprehend the power of the LORD. God exposed the true state of the heart of the nation.
“Therefore the Lord said:
‘Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths
And honor Me with their lips,
But have removed their hearts far from Me,
And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,
Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work
Among this people,
A marvelous work and a wonder;
For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish,
And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.'”
Isaiah 29:13-14
1. The reality of the heart exposed.
a) The excuses of the people were rejected.
b) The reality of the heart was revealed for all to see.
i) The people continued to offer worship.
ii) But their heart was not in their worship of God.
iii) They had removed their hearts far from the LORD
though they appear to draw near to Him.
iv) Whatever “fear of the LORD” they practised was man-made.
v) They did not, in fact, fear God, in any real sense of the word.
2. God will perform.
a) A marvellous work.
b) A work of wonder.
c) But this time round, the work of God would not result in a blessing.
3. Serious consequences.
a) The wisdom of the so-called wise people would perish.
b) The so-called understanding of the prudent would now become obscure (hidden).
c) The nation of Judah had relied heavily on:
i) The wisdom of the wisemen.
ii) The understanding of the prudent.
d) But the wisemen and the prudent had failed:
i) The necessity of heeding the LORD.
ii) The danger of imminent invasion.
iii) The folly of man-made doctrine versus the pure word of God.
e) Because of their ignorance and foolishness.
The nation of Judah would face grave consequences!