Monday, September 12: Isaiah 16- Justice and Righteousness.

Proverb 16:18, Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall came to mind as I read this morning. Moab, sadly, is a living example. Pride and conceit filled her words yet… her boasts are empty (6) but now as Assyria approaches, Moab begs for Jerusalem’s (i.e. King Hezekiah’s ) help. But help will not come. Moab will be destroyed, as God meets out His judgment.

All around Israel God wreaks havoc.  We have been reading of this for a few days now.  Yet as terrible as those days will be, God offers a glimmer of hope for days yet to come.

The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it-- one from the house of David-- one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness (4b-5). God’s punishment will last a season, then is grace will reappear and God will lift of up His people, renewed in heart and vision, for the things of the Lord… in faithfulness a man will sit on it-- one from the house of David-- one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

Two words stand as the pillars of this coming time, justice and faithfulness. This will intimately be fulfilled in the Messiah, but likely Hezekiah was to exhibit these messianic qualities as well…

My meditation turns.  Would that those words characterized my life as a son of the Savior and Messiah, Jesus. As a follower of Jesus and a son of faith, does my life exude faithfulness and justice? Faithfulness in my living unto the Lord?? Justice in my actions toward those in need???

O Lord, may it be so.  May I live a faithful, justice seeking life on Your behalf and for Your kingdom’s sake. Amen.