Revelling Rather Than Repenting – Isa 22
“And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, And to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:And behold joy and gladness, Slaying oxen, and killing sheep,
As a young person, I remember being taught that there is a time and place for fun and a time and place for reverence. For example, jokes and fun are not appropriate at a funeral.
Isaiah 22 talks about the people of Jerusalem partying and feasting when they should have been weeping and mourning. Outside their gates were enemies soldiers ready to break down the walls and storm the gates. But instead of calling out to the Lord for help, they strengthen their own defences and partied
The tragedy of this situation is seen in the lives of two men. Shebna (v.15-19), a leader in the city, was focused on building himself a tomb that would bear his name. God said he would be humbled and forgotten. Eliakim (v.29-25), on the other hand, would be given Shebna’s position and be remembered. No doubt, their change of fortunes were connected to their attitudes toward the Lord.
So, the question for us is:
- Do we have the right attitude to the Lord and toward the situation in our world?
- Are we serious about sin and serious about what the Lord is doing?
- Or do we have a light-hearted attitude that focused on our own abilities and enjoyments?
- Do we party while the enemy is at the gates?
- Do we foolishly try to do things our own way instead of trusting in God?
May God help us to get serious about spiritual things, to turn to the Lord with our whole heart, and to realise how important it is to get the gospel to the world!