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3 May. Isaiah chapter 18-22
These chapters continue the series of political oracles of previous ones, and as I mentioned in yesterday’s post, it really needs a proper commentary to understand them. But the gist of them is that Judah should not rely on any of these foreign nations, even Egypt, for protection against Assyria, for all of them would fall to Assyria in due course. Judah was better being independent.
In this ‘Brexit era’ in Britain it would be easy to see in this a message that we should be proud to be self-reliant (“strong and stable” in our Prime Minister’s words). But time and again God warns his people that self-reliance, even reliance on the gifts that God has given, are actually a recipe for disaster just as much as relying on others for help. The Lord alone is our refuge, strength rock and so on. If Britain has a prosperous future then, just as for Judah in Isaiah’s day, it will only be if we turn to God. That does not mean declaring ourselves a “Christian country” in some neo-Crusader sense and tearing down mosques. Rather it means being continuing to be open, tolerant, generous in foreign aid, welcoming of strangers (especially those in need such as refugees), and committed to trade justice rather than “free trade” or damaging trade barriers.
The last of these oracles in chapter 22 is directed at two particular government ministers – the commentary explains that these were real men. One of them was self-seeking and corrupt, and would be deposed and replaced by the other who was God-fearing and like a father to his people. Nevertheless he too would be brought down by the unrealistic expectations placed upon him. Neither should we expect too much from our own leaders at this politically difficult time. But as an election looms we should ask ourselves, “who would lead this country in the most unselfish, generous ways?”