Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"The LORD has called you"
Text: Isaiah 54:6
ISRAEL’S ESTRANGED RELATIONSHIP
Sadly, Israel had been drawn towards idolatry from the days of King Solomon. When the united monarchy became a divided kingdom things became worse. The Northern Kingdom of Israel had forsaken God completely. The Southern Kingdom of Judah had a mix of good and bad kings. The bad ones caused Judah to follow the ways of Israel.
“‘For the LORD has called you
Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit,
Like a youthful wife when you were refused,’
Says your God.”
Isaiah 54:6
1. A candid description of Israel.
a) She was compared to a woman who was forsaken.
b) She became one grieved in spirit.
c) She was compared to a youthful wife:
i) But she had followed wicked ways.
ii) She was walking on the wrong paths of life.
2. The LORD as her Husband.
a) Israel was refused by the LORD.
b) She could not speak of belonging to the Lord and also worshipping idols.
c) Israel was severely estranged from God.
3. Historically
a) Israel was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BC and exiled from their homeland.
b) Judah was conquered by the Babylonians in 586 BC and was exiled to live in Babylon.
4. In captivity
a) Israel was surrounded by the idols she used to love and worship.
b) She began to realise the folly of her idolatrous ways.
c) It was when Israel was feeling lost and forlorn that the LORD called out to her:
i) In compassion.
ii) In gentleness.
iii) In forgiveness.