Turn To God Not Flesh

2007 March 18, 2007

Turn to God Not Flesh

Kathleen Maples

Isa 30:1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: Isa 30:2 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

When Judah got in trouble, and their enemies were coming against them, and had captured many of their cities, including the whole northern kingdom of Israel, and the Assyrians meant business. They had carried Israel away in exile, and now, were turning on Judah. Judah had sought protection from Assyria, and sought to hire Egypt and the Pharaoh's army to help them. Judah sent a group of people to Egypt with camels and animals, loaded with riches, intended to buy the help of Egypt. They sought to once again, set up someone else over them, as their defender, and bring themselves into debt to another king, rather than turning to God. God wanted to pour out His protection on them, and He wanted His children's first response to be one of turning to HIM for help-not the world and human flesh. When we get in trouble, and we turn anywhere but the Lord, we sin against Him. When we get on the phone and ask a person for help instead of going to God and waiting on Him for the answer, we sin against Him. Egypt is typical of the world, the tendency of flesh to run to flesh for help. Isa 31:1 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

Woe is an expression of grief or indignation. It's the cry of one who is mourning, afflicted in misery. It hurts God's heart when His children don't run to Him for help but would rather run to the world. This misery and affliction is what the Lord is saying awaits all those who would rather turn to this world and human flesh to help them rather than Him. Israel was in rebellion against God, they had for so long run after the world and the world's idolatry. They had grown proud under the blessing of the Lord and forgotten where their strength and provision came from. They grew rebellious, much like a teenager does when they reach that age they think they can take care of themselves and no longer need parental 'interference' or authority. Israel saw the vast numbers of these Egyptian armies, and their strong horses, and decided they could place their confidence in them, and was not mindful of the Holy One and the great miracles he had done for them. They forgot how He had destroyed nations for their sake. They forgot all His wonderful works. In Isa_29:13 the Lord says this people draw near Him with their mouths but their heart is far from Him. They were tired of the warnings of the prophet of God about coming judgment for their sins. They didn't want to hear it. They didn't believe it and wouldn't receive it. The Lord said if they would return to Him and rest in His ability to save and secure them, they could be quietly confident of victory and protection but they wouldn't listen. They would not let Him help them. They determined to do it their way. They wanted to get on their horses and flee, and God said they would be unable to escape their pursuers. But the Lord, so

merciful, seeing their rebellion, knowing where it would lead said this: Isa 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. Isa 30:19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.

How merciful He is...and how badly He has been treated by those He created and loves so much. Isa 30:20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: Isa 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

This is what we need-His direction and guidance. Sometimes the Lord has to let adversity and trouble come to cause those of His children who have drifted from Him dangerously, or who have become infected with pride and a false sense of security in their own ability to return to true safety-His presence.