THEY ARE SMALL YET EXTREMELY WISE!

Theme: living with wisdom.

Passage: proverbs 30: 24 – 28^{Pr 30:24} “Four things on earth are small,
Yet they are extremely wise:^{Pr 30:25} Ants are creatures of little strength,
Yet they store up their food in the summer;^{Pr 30:26} coneys are creatures of little power,
Yet they make their home in the crags;^{Pr 30:27} locusts have no king,
Yet they advance together in ranks;^{Pr 30:28} a lizard can be caught with the hand,
Yet it is found in kings’ palaces.

Introduction:The Hebrew word ‘Mashal’ which means ‘Proverbs’ are the sayings of the wise. Teaching moral and ethical principles is the essence of proverbs and it gives insights and instructions about life and living it the sensible way. In one sentence it is ‘the skill of living for a responsible, productive and prosperous life’. As for the authorship there are many arguments but most of the part is ascribed to Solomon, the wise that is considered as the patron of the wisdom Movement in Israel.         Proverbs 30 comes under numerical sayings and is the sayings of Agur, son of Jakeh, who longs after the knowledge of God and confesses his utter ignorance like the rest of the mankind. He was reflected on the immensity of the natural forces, and stood amazed at the one behind them. He specifies four things that seem great and yet are really contemptible, and then he specifies 4 things that are little and yet are very admirable, great in miniature. God says we can learn from the animal world, those of them we consider insignificant are in reality very significant for they have lessons of wisdom which humankind can observe and practice.
Exposition of the passage:V.24. small, yet they are exceedingly wise: The four small things on earth ants, badgers, locusts and lizard are described here as exceedingly wise because for their intellectual size outweighs their physical size. It is so because they possess attributes that serve as a source for humankind and exert a disproportionately large influence and nevertheless arouse wonder because of their cleverness. Let us examine what wisdom we can draw from them.
1. Labor for futurity (v.25)The ants are hard-working creature, and perhaps the busiest ones next to bees. Generally we know that ants gather their foods during summer which is the best time for them; as such they have enough during the harsh chilly winter. This portrays their wisdom of being prepared for the future time. Then what do they teach us? They model the advisability of carefully planning ahead for the future, and for the believers the future here is of the future glory. What God demand from us is to be labor and be prepared for that “glorious future”. Laboring daily to grow in Him must be our first priority then comes our service). Working hard each day to live for Him, desiring to do good and never grow weary in the faith we hold on to.Let us therefore not be lazy sluggards (cf.6:6-8) rather let us be like the ants active, hard workers, and be prepared for our future eternity with our Lord.2. The Lord our Refuge (v.26)The badgers are also known as coneys and are as big as rabbit, but they have soft feet and cannot burrow as rabbit can. They were considered as unclean in Mosaic Law. They live in the cleft of rocks and mountains, a resourcefulness that gains for them a high degree of security. They are feeble, weak, vulnerable and defenseless, yet with their weakness they unite the wisdom and establish themselves among the rocks where they are well guarded in those natural strong fortifications. So, we see here the wisdom as the arranging of accessible dwellings. Now, let us make some comparison between the badgers and we humans.The badgers were considered as unclean and likewise we are also unclean because we are sinful.
The badgers are weak and vulnerable and so we are in some or the other area may be weak in gossiping about other, judging others, uncontrollable temper, jealousy and so and so forth. They are defenseless and so we are without our Lord. Therefore as the badgers took shelter in the rocks we should draw their wisdom and take refuge in our Lord, the ‘solid rock’. Like the badgers let us recognize our own weakness, drive ourselves and take shelter and support in our Lord. Let us not allow our weakness to cover up, rather let us allow us our Lord to cover us up and take refuge in Him, for He is a rock much higher than anything else, in fact the “ solid and the highest rock” where we can find the safest shelter and security.3. Disciplined Life (v.27)The locusts in their appearance look insignificant but their attributes are of great significance. Not only do they portray organization and discipline, but they also portray their intellectuality. When we observe at how much they March on we can see them marching in rank, so organized and so disciplined despite of the absence of a king or a leader. They go forth like soldiers in their respective regiments (cf.joel2:7). They move so methodically that they seem to be acting under definite instructions and strict discipline.Looking at the locusts, we the believers must to have a discipline life. They do not have any leader, but if we are wise we can see that we have an invisible yet visible leader and king, He is our Lord. When we surrender our self and let our Lord be the leader of our life, we will have instructions and disciplines to adhere to and undoubtedly will have an organized and disciplined life like the locusts. This willed each one of us to strengthen and encourage one another and further make God’s people too march forward like an army in Him.
4. Availing oneself (v.28)Lizards are generally found almost everywhere. They are available and are present not only in poor men’s hut, but in king’s palaces not withstanding all the care that is taken to destroy them. They can actually hold on to a marble wall or a tessellated ceiling.Now, what wisdom do we have to gain from the lizard? Here, we have three important lessons. Firstly, as they are available let us avail our self for the Lord anywhere and anytime without any complain. Let us also avail our self for the needs of the people too. Secondly, as the lizard withstood all the care to destroy them, so we as God’s people let us withstand all the difficulties and discouragements that we face in our life’s journey, and be available, thirdly, as the lizard hold firmly onto marble wall and ceiling without falling off, let us also hold firmly on our faith in the Lord, never falling off, whatever the circumstances may be.CONCLUSION Looking at these four insignificant yet very significant creatures we can see that we have lots of wisdom to learn from them which will help us in living a life with wisdom. As the ants let us be prepared for our eternal future, as the badgers let us take refuge in our Lord, as the locusts let us lead a disciplined life as the lizards let us be available every time for the Lord. May our Lord, the wisdom provider, pour down on us the discernment and wisdom from above to lead a life with wisdom, and thus glorify His name.

LOOKING AHEAD

New Year greetings to all the readers and as you visit this page it is my humble prayer and I assure you that God will lead you all the way through (2014).

In Isaiah 43: 18 – 19 we read “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new things up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

The year 2013 could have been a year of success or failure, joy or sad, prosper or distress, the scripture is clear that we have to look ahead.

 Even if you have been prospering in 2013 you should not remain there with your contentedness because God still have a better promise and better place for you.

Have you been failures, discouraged, distress etc. in 2013? Come on forget them. Our God is God who provides manna in the desert, who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters. Yes He really is, and He has a promise for you to prosper in 2014. Only thing you need to do is just ‘Trust Him’.

Apostle Paul said “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize.”(Phil. 3:13 – 14).

Jeremiah 42: 17 “ Indeed, all who are determined to go to Egypt to settle there will die by sword, famine and plague; not one of them will survive or escape the disaster I will bring on them.” God remind Israelite not to go back to Egypt i.e. past, not even to think about it.

Do not let the past things holds you back but press on towards future. The old is gone, behold the new has come (2 Cor. 5: 17). We have entered into a New Year; let Christ rule in our lives, in our daily path. Walk with him. Forget the past and look ahead. God bless you. Amen and Amen.

The other side of Christmas

Finally Christmas season has come where every young and old enjoys this seasons of greetings. I am constrained to share a few thoughts which we seldom realize or question ourselves during this season. It may sound silly for some people but the other side of Christmas is practical and we need to ponder over it. Christmas is the season to share our love, concerns, care, peace, joy, etc. etc every good tiding. Let us see what happens on the other side of Christmas.

1.      Widows, widowers, orphans: During this festive season their only wish is “IF”. They wish for if their husband is there to comfort them, their wife is there to prepare best meal for them, their parents were there to buy them new cloths. They do not expect big things either. What do we do for them during this season? Yes, surely we cannot replace their loved ones yet we can still show our love to them. My dear wealthy people this is just for your information that these poor kids they admire the colorful package of gifts that you exchange among you, and most of all your beautiful decorated house, walls, trees within your campus. They don’t expect expensive gifts. Church, what do we really do for these people? Jesus mission is for the upliftment of the poor and down trodden but the paradox is on his (Jesus) birthday we fail to recognize the needs of the needy.

2.      Hospitals, Jail, Orphanage etc.: There are so many people who spend their Christmas in despair. They too wanted to enjoy but the circumstances do not permit. How many of us give thoughts to visit these people. There are some people and organizations that do commendable jobs and I appreciate for that, but in common it is seldom practiced. During Christmas many people especially youths and children go around caroling and raise funds. One day I asked to a certain group what was the purpose of raising fund, then they replied that it is for their picnic. “Oh my God” I wonder, if at all fund raising is necessary why don’t we raise fund and comfort these people in hospitals, jails and share the love of God? These are the people who need someone to come to their places, they cannot come to us. Jesus came to heal the sick, to give comfort to the destitute, to release the captives. What are we doing on his birthday?

3.      Poor neighbors and poor people in the church: God purposefully let coexist of both rich and poor in the society and it is God’s politics that the rich people can receive God’s blessing by helping the poor and needy (Mat. 19:21). Once I met one aunty who was collecting the used cloths from the relatives to give to some people. I appreciate her altruistic work but I asked her why not new cloths or at least good ones because some cloths were beyond repairable, she said “itu bi taikhan nimite khub ase” (This is good enough for them). My question is “is it taboo for the poor children to wear new cloths?” Just imagine the cost of the fire crackers (bomb) that you spend just to burst in the air. Yes it’s your money your wish, but have you ever give thoughts what kind of cloths is your neighbors children are wearing. Church, what have we done for the poor people in the church? Unfortunately they are the one who gets least share even during Christmas feast. No one bothers about their presence and absence rather we have more concern about the rich and influential people whether they are enjoying or not, what an irony it is?

4.      Servants and helpers at home: Jesus came to this earth to release the captives and freed the bondage of slavery. Christmas message is the message of liberty (Luke 4:18). On the other hand Christmas is the most hectic and most boredom seasons for the servants at home, why? You gather your family, friends, and loved ones and enjoy the feast but you never give thoughts that your servants are being pressurized. Yes, I do not demand for equal status but at least on this occasion why don’t you give a try to see how is your preparation taste like? Giving some rest to your servants on Christmas will be a great sermon on your part.

5.      Pollution: The fireworks, crackers, bomb gives much pollution. We do not see and touch the air therefore we do not realize how much we inhale it. It is a great threat not only for the human beings but all livestock’s and plants too. God assigned us to be the good stewards towards His creation (Gen. 1:26-30) but we instead of guarding them we are destroying them.

6.      Tragedy: Every year on the eve of Christmas accident takes place and most of the cases are recorded of rash driving with the influences of alcohol. Jesus came to give life but we took life, what is it? The worst tragedy is again loosing of souls especially youth. Many youth during this season get involves in unwanted activities, immoralities and go astray from God. The paradox here is Jesus came to save the lost souls but we lost the saved souls. My dear church leaders why don’t you do something to save both lives and souls of this generation.

The message of Christmas is expected to be full of love, joy, peace, etc. The sermon delivered in the church alone is not a Christmas message but we as Christians our life itself is a message. If we are for Christ where is the message of Christ in us? Just remember the other side of Christmas is always bitter. Let us not think only for ourselves but see what is going on besides us. Had Jesus not been born the world would have been still under the bondage of darkness but is he who changed the world history, let us be the agent of change. 

Strongest weakness, wisest foolishness, most determined undermined

1.      God gives strength to Samson

From the book of Judges throughout chapter 13 to 16 we can see the life of Samson whom God raised him to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of Philistine. He was raised as the Nazirite. Samson is believed to be the strongest man ever whom God had special anointing.

Samson's weakness and strength at Gaza 16:1-3

Gaza lay on the sunny Mediterranean coast in the heart of Philistine territory. It was probably a popular vacation site for compromising Israelites as well as the Philistines. Perhaps Samson went there to enjoy the amusements that flourish in such places and to show off his physique on the "muscle beach" of his day. As the judge assigned to destroy the Philistines, his presence there for recreational purposes was inappropriate to say the least. It also reveals his great self-confidence since after 20 years of judging Israel he was undoubtedly a wanted man in Philistia. In contrast, Samuel, who was only a few years younger than Samson, was at this time ministering as a faithful circuit-riding judge in Israel's heartland (1 Sam. 7:15-17). Samson's weakness for women stands out in the record of his evening with the Gaza prostitute (v. 1). This was unquestionably inappropriate behavior for a Nazirite whom God had called to deliver Israel from the very enemy he was romancing. Any reference to the leading of the Lord is notably absent here (cf. 14:4). Samson's weakness contrasts with his strength throughout this chapter. Here we see his moral and spiritual weakness.

Samson and Delilah 16:4-21

The first three verses present Samson sowing "wild oats." Verses 4-21 picture him reaping a bitter harvest (cf. Gal. 6:7). Samson allowed a woman to seduce him again. She lived in the Sorek Valley between Samson's home area of Zorah and Eshtaol and the Philistine town of Timnah. The place itself was a compromise between Israelite and Philistine territory. Delilah is evidently Jewish and probably means "devotee" or "worshipper." However she seems to have been a Philistine, possibly a temple prostitute. Her devotion to the Philistines is obvious in the text, and her devotion to their gods may well have motivated her actions in this instance. Evidently she and her family had chosen to live among the attractive and advanced enemies of God's people.

 "It is strange that Samson's three loves should have been numbered amongst his inveterate enemies, the Philistines.” Samson posed a great threat to the Philistines. The leading lords of the Philistines initiated the plan to capture him, and they offered a reward that would have made Delilah rich (v. 5). "Eleven hundred . . . of silver" was a fortune since a person could live comfortably on "10 . . . of silver" a year (17:10). Samson may not have possessed an abnormally muscular physique since the Philistines did not know where he got his great strength.

"The Philistine princes thought that Samson's supernatural strength arose from something external, which he wore or carried about with him as an amulet."

Moral compromise always makes one vulnerable to temptation. We see this in Samson's case and in Delilah's in these verses. Temptation usually comes in attractive packages. The wrong companions can lead us into temptation (cf. 1 Cor. 15:33). Temptation is persistent (cf. Matt. 4). Yielding to temptation starts us on a toboggan slide. We find ourselves going faster and faster downhill, and soon we can get off only with great personal pain.

2.      Solomon's wisdom from God (1 Kings 3 and 2 Chronicles)

This chapter emphasizes one of the chief blessings God bestowed on Solomon for his commitment and submission to Yahweh. By giving Solomon unusual wisdom God also blessed the nation he served as king.

God promised to bless Solomon for putting His interests before Solomon's (cf. Matt.

6:33). He gave him much more than he asked (v. 13). This incident demonstrates that God did indeed give Solomon the unusual wisdom He had promised (v. 28).

Solomon’s foolishness (1 Kings 11)

The other side of Solomon life is quite contrast to the wisdom which God gave him. He failed to maintain the decree of the Lord and married foreign wives. Solomon had sown some seeds of departure from God and His Word early in his reign. They bore bitter fruit as he grew older.

Solomon did not abandon Yahweh, but he worshipped the gods of the nations along with Him (syncretism; vv. 4, 6). His sin was that his heart (affections) went after false gods (v. 4). He did not follow Yahweh fully (exclusively, v. 6; cf. Exod. 20:3; Deut. 30:15-20). Solomon was noteworthy for his love for God when he began reigning (3:3), but at the end of his reign love for women characterized him. Solomon's sin in going after other gods was the quintessence of covenant infidelity. David had sinned against God deliberately (2 Sam. 11), but his heart remained devoted to Yahweh. His sin was not as serious as Solomon's was (cf. Deut. 6:5). The one tribe Solomon's heir would retain was Judah. Judah had absorbed the tribe of

Simeon almost entirely by this time, though some Israelites from Simeon had moved north (2 Chron. 15:9; 34:6).

3.      Determination of Peter’s faith

Among the disciples, Simon Peter is considered to be one of the most determined. He is the first disciples to call Jesus as Lord when they had experienced the mystery fishing (Luke 5:8).

When there were many different opinions about who Jesus was, some says he is Herod Antipas, some believed He was the resurrected John the Baptist (14:2). Others believed He was the fulfillment of the Elijah prophecy, namely, the forerunner of the Messiah (Mal. 4:5-6; cf. Matt. 3:1-3; 11:9-10; 17:10-13). Some concluded that Jesus was the resurrected Jeremiah probably because of similarities between the men and their ministries. Among the disciples too there was confusion but Peter was the only one who boldly answered “You are the Christ, the son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). This is a more definite identification of Jesus as deity than "God's Son" or "a son of God" (14:33). That title leaves a question open about the sense in which Jesus was God's Son.

Peter's denials of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:55-62; John 18:15-18,

25-27)

All four evangelists recorded three denials, but the details differ slightly. From Matthew’s account we see that:

1.      26:69-70 Peter was warming himself near the fire in the center of the courtyard (Mark 14:65; Luke 22:55; John 18:18). The servant girl's words expressed both curiosity and accusation. She referred to Jesus derogatorily as "the Galilean" (cf. Mark 14:67). Residents of Judea, and especially Jerusalem, regarded Galileans as inferior to themselves because the area was mainly rural. Evidently several people overheard her comment and may have joined in her questioning. Peter replied with words similar to a formal legal oath.

2.      26:71-72 Peter withdrew to the gateway leading from the street into the courtyard perhaps because that area was darker and there were fewer people there. There another girl pointed him out to others standing about as one who had been with Jesus "of Nazareth," another derogatory slur in view of the bad reputation of Nazareth. Peter denied her accusation this time with an oath. Matthew did not mean that Peter used profanity, but he invoked a curse on himself if he was lying. He appealed to something sacred to confirm his truthfulness (cf. 5:33-34; 23:16-22).

3.      26:73-75 A third person, one of the high priest's servants who was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off in Gethsemane (John 18:26), approached Peter with some bystanders about an hour later (Luke 22:59). They accusingly asked Peter again if he was not one of Jesus' disciples since he was a Galilean. Galileans had an accent that set them off as distinctive. This shows how thoroughly residents of Jerusalem connected Jesus' ministry with Galilee since it was the site of most of His activity. Most if not all of His disciples were Galileans.  Peter denied that he knew Jesus a third time using more oaths to confirm his testimony. Immediately a rooster crowed. Peter heard it and remembered Jesus' prediction that he would deny Jesus before the cock crowed (v. 34). Peter left the courtyard and wept bitterly over his cowardice and failure. This is Matthew's last reference to Peter. At this point of time how Peter undermined his faith is rather a fatality.

From the above discussions we see three different personalities. Considering these people how strong, wise, and determined they are yet they have their weaknesses as well. If these people whom God has chosen had their weakness how weak we are to be is the big question here. This discussion is not to justify our weakness but to rediscover ourselves in our daily walk with God. There are so many valid ways to lead us astray and there comes the temptations but God is faithful and He opens a way to escape from them (1 Cor. 10:13). 

LITTLE IS MUCH

LITTLE IS MUCH

As I woke up this morning, a song “Little is much” came to my mind time and again. Therefore I have decided to share a little thought on the topic “Little is much.”

Yes many a times we felt so insecure of ourselves or not content with what we have, we fail to trust in God in spite of knowing the fact that He can do great things in our lives. There is enough evidence in the Bible where God used the least in a mighty way. For instance, Moses and Aaron had nothing with them except Aaron staff when they approached Pharaoh, but we see that with that staff God performed miracles (Exodus 7:8-13). David was just a boy when he fought Goliath, all he had is just five smooth stones and a sling in his hand (1 Sam. 17: 40) but he struck down Goliath. When Jesus feeds 5000 people all they had was just  five loaves and two fish (Jn.6:1-15). A widow dropped two small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny but the Lord accepted her offering (Mark 12: 41-44). There are many more such testimonies in the Bible.

I am sure we will excel in our work if we do things according to the will of God with what we have. God does not look at the quantity of what we have or the ability of men but He always look into our heart. Once a Pastor delivered message from Mark 12:41 – 44 regarding the offering of a widow and said that God did not accept the offerings those who brought in a huge quantity but accept the least one. As a result from that day onward all the church members begin to bring their tithes and other offerings at the least. I don’t know whether the preacher failed to convey it properly or the church members failed to comprehend the real message but sometimes it happen. A story about the widow offering says that she gave away all that she had. NIV translation says she put everything – all she had to ‘live on’ which means she is not only having that coins to ‘live in’ but she had no other source even in future. God accepted her offering because she gave it away with full heartedly. No matter how big or small is our gift God does not ask what we don’t have (2Cor. 8:12) but he cherished what we give from our heart.

Likewise, not only in offering but in every aspect of our lives all we need to do is just surrender ourselves to God and He will use us mightily even as He uses His people in the Bible. I love the line in the song Little is much where it says “Little is much when God is in it, labor not for wealth or fame, there is a crown and you can win it, if you go in Jesus name.” When Jesus fed 5000 people the duty of the disciples is just to bring those five loaves and two fish, also when Jesus turned water into wind on the wedding at Cana his disciples’ duty is just to bring water and the rest of the great miracles were done by Jesus. All we need to do is just surrender to Jesus with what we have or what we can, then he will do the rest. Great things can happen in our lives if we surrender it to the Lord because little is much when God is in it.

Wake up Call

Isaiah 51:9 “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?”

Isaiah 51:17  “Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.”

Isaiah 52:1 “Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.”

Author of the book of Isaiah

The book of Isaiah is claims to have come from Isaiah (1:1; 2:1; 7:3; 13:1; 20:2; 37:2, 6, 21; 38:1, 4, 21; 39:3, 5, 8). The name of Isaiah, the son of Amoz, is the only one connected with the book in any of the Hebrew manuscripts or ancient versions. Isaiah ministered during the reigns of four Judean kings (1:1): Uzziah (792-740 B.C.), Jotham (750-732 B.C.), Ahaz (735-715 B.C.), and Hezekiah (715-686 B.C.). The prophet began his ministry in the year that King Uzziah (or Azariah) died, namely, 740 or 739 B.C. (6:1).

Context

Isaiah exercised his prophetic ministry at a time of unique significance, a time in which it was of utmost importance to realize that salvation could not be obtained by reliance upon man but only from God Himself. For Israel it was the central or pivotal point of history between Moses and Christ. The old world was passing and an entirely new order of things was beginning to make its appearance. Where would Israel stand in that new world? Would she be the true theocracy, the light to lighten the Gentiles, or would she fall into the shadow by turning for help to the nations which were about her?"

Purpose

Isaiah ministered and wrote to the people of Jerusalem and Judah. His task was to explain to these chosen people that the old world order was passing away and that the new order, controlled by Gentile world empires that sought to swallow Judah up, required a new commitment to trust and obey Yahweh as His servant. The Assyrian threat called for this new dedication. This was a theological even more than a historical and political crisis for Judah. It raised many questions that Isaiah addressed.

"Is God truly the Sovereign of history if the godless nations are stronger than God's nation? Does might make right? What is the role of God's people in the world? Does divine judgment mean divine rejection? What is the nature of trust? What is the future of the Davidic monarchy?"

"The purpose of Isaiah is to display God's glory and holiness through His judgment of sin and His deliverance and blessing of a righteous remnant."

Concerning God’s atonement for Israel there are three wake up calls which we can see from Chapter 51:9 – 52:1.

First call: A call for deliverance

Isaiah 51:9 “Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?”

Israel's call for God to awake assumes that He had not been active in helping His people recently. Isaiah, speaking for the Israelites, described the Lord's delivering power in action for His people as His arm (cf. v. 5; 53:1). His arm had defeated the Egyptians and Pharaoh in the Exodus in the past, here described respectively as Rahab literally known as proud one, (cf. Is. 30:7; Ps. 87:4) and the dragon the monster (cf. Ezek. 29:3). Rahab and the dragon were also part of the mythological lore of the ancient Near East. By using these names, Isaiah was undoubtedly stressing Yahweh's ability to overcome all the pagan gods and every other power opposing their salvation.

Second call: A call from drunkenness

Isaiah 51:17  “Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.”

God now turned the tables on His people and called on them to awake. They needed to wake up to the fact that He would comfort them and punish their oppressors (cf. 40:2; Lam. 1- 2). The fact that the Babylonian captivity continues to lie unmentioned specifically in the text strengthens the impression that God had more than that historic deliverance in view in what He promised. A greater future redemption is also in view, namely, the one that the Servant would affect. 51:17 Jerusalem had drunk a powerful liquid at the hand of her God. He had given her punishment to drink for her sins (cf. Mark 10:38). She now lay in a state of stupor but needed to arise because the Lord had a future for her.

Third call: A call to released Zion

Isaiah 52:1 “Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.”

God called Israel to awake and to be strong (in the strength that God provides). The Israelites did not need to call on Him to awake and to be strong, as they had done (51:9). He was ready to save them. But were they ready to trust Him for their salvation (cf. 40:27-31). The Lord called the people of Zion to put on the beautiful garments of salvation that God would provide for them. God saw His people as composing a holy city, and they needed to view themselves that way too, as holy people (cf. 4:2- 6; 1 Cor. 1:2). The Lord would forbid any uncommitted and unclean people from having a part in His future for them. "Notwithstanding the priestly house of Aaron and the royal house of David, the ideal of a royal, priestly people (Ex. 19:4-6) had never been realized, but while Zion slept a marvel occurred so that on waking she finds new garments laid out, expressive of a new status of holiness.

Application

The presence and repetition of the call to awake (51:9, 17; 52:1) identifies this unit of prophetic material as one. The Israelites were to wake up to the power of God that had not changed (51:9-16) and to the purpose of God, namely, His plan for their life (51:17- 23). They should also wake up to the peace of God since He would not abandon them (52:1-12). The question of whether God can and will save His people from their enemies (51:9-16) is answered that He will cause Israel's enemies to suffer (51:17-23) and that He will deliver Israel from her enemies (52:1-12). Our sovereign God who is unchanging and He is always ready to redeem and deliver His people from the clutches of sin. What enslaves us today? There could be many possible reasons why we need to wake up. No matter what the circumstance is, our sovereign God is always faithful and He is always ready to come to our rescue. God called His people to prepare to receive the salvation that He would provide for them. They would have to lay hold of it by faith for it to benefit them. It is also command not only to wake up but to dress up! It is not enough for us to put off our stupor (51:17-23); we must also put on glorious garments." He is knocking at our door (Rev.3:20), why don’t we respond Him now. We need to wake up.

Do we need another Josiah?

Brief historical background

After the division of Israel kingdom into northern and southern kingdom (Israel and Judah), the Israelites went astray from God beginning from the reign of Rehoboam to Ahaz (922-715 B.C) more than 200 years. But when Hezekiah came to rule over Judah he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done (2 Kings 18:3).

After the death of Hezekiah his son Manasseh came to power but he did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. He erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole. His evil work provoked God to anger (2 Kings21:1-18). He reigned for fifty-five years. After his death, his son Amon reigned for two years but he too did evil (2 Kings 21:19-25). Josiah became king when he was just eight years old but reformation took place only after the 18^th year of his reign, which means till that time Israelites were worshipping idols. Manasseh reign 55 yrs + Amon 2yrs + Josiah found the book of Law in the 18^th yrs of his reign (55+2+18=75 yrs). After the death of Hezekiah another 75 years Israelites went astray.  

Josiah method of reformation

During the eighteenth years of Josiah’s reign the book of law was found in the temple of the Lord by Hilkiah the high priest, he gave it to Shaphan the secretary and Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. When the king heard it he torn his robes and seek for God’s favor (2 Kings 22:3-11). The king’s responsive to the word of God does not end the story but he brought reformation and renews the covenant with God. Let us look at some of the methods of Josiah in the process of reformation from 2Kings 23.

1.       At the outset the King did not take decision himself but consulted the elders and mass participation was held in the temple of the Lord (vv.1-3). The king humbled himself, seeking to do the will of God. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant. How the king moved the people? He did not simply order or made decision from his luxurious Palace. He left his palace and went up to the temple. He is a man of both word and action. When the leaders humbled themselves and seek to do the will of God their people will surely follow them.

2.      The king smashed down Baal, Asherah, and Ashtoreth (v.4 & 13): These gods are known to be the fertility gods of Canaanites. What does these gods mean to us? People are too materialistic; the contemporary idols are wealth, fame, pride, position, selfish, nepotism etc. Whether we like it or not these things are prevailing in our society. Who will destroy them?

3.      The king desecrated Topheth (v.10): Topheth is ascribed to human sacrifice. No doubt that we don’t practice human sacrifice yet, killings, extortions, prevails. There are assassinations of the basic rights of others by way of unfair means, and many isms. Do not respect the moral values of others, discriminate down trodden, unequal distributions of share, and many more which equalizes the human sacrifices.

4.      The king did away with the pagan priests appointed by the kings (v.5): Those days the pagan priests were appointed by the kings so that they can perform burnt offering in favor of the kings not God. Today many church leaders’ falls prey in the hands of rich and influential people. Priorities are given to them and there is no justice in the church. Giving much importance to those in the power. Follow their decree rather than what the Bible or God says.

5.      The king tore down the quarters of the shrine-prostitutes (v.7): Sexual immorality is one of the common practiced to this day. It is totally against the will of God and highly condemnable. We talk so much of abstinence, but do our society today free from sexual immorality. In contrary most leaders are the victims of sexual immorality.

6.      The king burnt all the idols and shrines from the Kidron valley and brought the ashes to Bethel (v.4). ‘Bethel’ in Hebrew is “House of the Lord”, which means all the cleansing is done in the House of the Lord only. The Church should be the place to cleanse all sorts of social evils.

7.      The king ordered the people to celebrate Passover (v.21-23) which was stopped ever since from judges to the kings. Israelites were observing Passover for the deliverance when the angel of death passed over Israelite homes in Egypt. This is the annual festival to commemorate the deliverance from Egypt. Today are we free from all kinds of evil? Can anyone boldly say we are corruption free society? Is there any reason for us to celebrate? They have a reason to celebrate because they did what is right in the eyes of God. We celebrate so many festivals but ironically during festivals we do all kinds of evil. King Josiah ordered his people to rejoice because they have cleansed all the evil things in the society. They removed the idols and pledged to do the will of God.

Josiah took so seriously its injunctions and threats that he initiated the most sweeping reforms in the Hebrew history – indeed, a veritable revolution – which lasted until his death. Josiah’s reforms often interpreted solely in religious terms. They were more than the re-establishment of the supremacy of Yaweh worship and the uprooting of idolatrous practices in Jerusalem and all over Judah. Josiah did not only demolish the Assyrian altars but also dared to carry his crusade into northern Israel (vv.15 &19).

Josiah like leadership is needed in our society today. Many leaders can speak better but cannot do well. Beginning from individual to family and to society at large we find corruption everywhere. People are crying for justice, and peace. Some are struggling for square meal a day. There is a huge gap between haves and haves not. Who is going to fill the gap? Where are our leaders? Can anyone come to rescue? How long are we going to suffer?

Should we expect another Josiah to bring reformation in our society? After a gap of 75 years Josiah reformed the society, reaffirm the covenant with God. Dear friends how long have we been away from God? We proclaim Nagaland for Christ but how far is it true in reality? We really need reformation. Let us reaffirm our commitment. Let us not wait for another Josiah but let us be the agent of change. Josiah is you and me.