January 15 - Isaiah 9-10:4

*A extra 4 verses because this section actually ends at 10:4

9:1-7 [based on Oswalt, 2003] The people are still searching for salvation in the human beings around them. And they fear the nations around them more than God. And, again, Isaiah is pleading with Israel to look to God because when this king is born - there will be no end to his peace (v. 7). No more conquering, being taken over... everlasting peace.

9:8-10:4 Four reasons why God's anger is against them...
9:8-12 - Arrogance. No matter what happens, "We will rebuild." There is no dependence on God and a complete dependence upon themselves. We can take care of it. We don't need God's help.
9:13-17 The people look to prominent leaders - elders, prophets who teach lies - instead of looking to God.
9:18-21 No love for one another. You even cheat the brothers and sisters whom you call family.
10:1-4 Social injustice - Everyone is looking out for themselves.

If God is love, then is He allowed to get angry?
If we look at the beginning of Isaiah 9, we see God's heart. He created us for Himself. What does that mean? He is a God of love (among other things like justice) and He wants to show us love. He wants to love us. So, when we say He created us for Himself or for His glory. We were created to be loved and to experience all that this love entails. Yet, we, like the Israelites, search elsewhere for love or for protection or peace and we do not find it. And as His creation we have broken the rules and because God is a just God - He must punish us.

Even in the midst of the gloom and doom of Isaiah - God's love is soooo evident. Even in his anger, his love is evident. Do your parents get angry with you but for some reason you can sense their love in all of their anger? It's almost like an angry-sad-love thing at the same time.

Look at the four accusations above and try to seek God's heart. How does God feel when He sees His creation, and even moreso His chosen people act this way?

Sometimes we want to think of our devotions or QT as a time to get advice or directives from God. Sometimes, yes. But, it's really a date time with God where you get to know Him and interestingly enough you get to know yourself even more.

Let us seek to know Him today. Let us seek to know His heart and respond to His love for us.