Isaiah 10:1-4 – Maximizing our stewardship

In Isaiah 9:8-21, Isaiah described three of the four flaws that Israel had committed and warned them of their outcomes. Firstly in verses 8-12, God pointed out their pride and arrogance which He warned would lead to humiliation. Secondly, in verses 13-17, God revealed how they had shown a careless disregard for their waywardness. There was not even the slightest hint of regret or remorse. That, God warned, would make them especially their leaders irresponsible. Thirdly, in verses 18-21, God showed them how their self-serving ways would lead to self-destruction.

Now in Isaiah 10:1-4, we come to the fourth flaw. People who were tasked to administer justice were not only unjust but oppressive toward the poor and needy. Caring and not exploiting the poor and the less fortunate was one area that the Old Testament constantly addresses. God has a heart of compassion for the poor and needy and had a strong objection in seeing them being mistreated. Here Isaiah pronounced woe upon the administrators who constantly made bad and unjust decisions against the poor, the widows, and orphans. The plight of these needy ones was being exploited and unjust decisions in courts were made against them. God warned them that in the impending judgment, they would find themselves helpless. He said that they would be devastated by the foreign forces which He would use to execute His judgment. There would be no one whom they could turn to. And they would be no place that they could store their ill-gained wealth. God guaranteed that when judgment fell, nothing they had gained would remain as they were. Everything would be carried away by their captors. Eventually, all these came to pass. Israel was conquered and decimated by the Assyrians. And all that was once theirs were carried away by their captives.     

 

There is something about the questions that God asked in verse 3, that should cause us to pause and ponder. Allow me to rephrase the questions and make it relevant to us. What would we reply on that day when we are called to give an account of the resources God has entrusted to us? To whom can we seek help when we have not clearly discharged our obligations? What will happen with whatever we have hoarded that should have been used to help the needy and less fortunate? Beloved, we are God’s stewards. First Corinthians 4:2 said that “…it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.” We are all called to wisely steward the resources God has entrusted to us. How have we been using our treasures, our time, and our talents? Let us maximize whatever we still have, to fulfill God’s purpose for His glory!