Isaiah 9:13-17 – Living responsibly

In Isaiah 9:8-12, Isaiah saw how the pride and arrogance of Israel would bring utter humiliation. They resisted the love of God extended to them even through His harsh dealings. Instead of turning to God, they went further away from Him. God through the prophet was telling them that humiliation was inevitable.

Isaiah 9:13-17 brings us to the second flaw of Israel. The people were nonchalant about God’s dealings with them. There was not the slightest smidgen of regret detected in waywardness. In not regretting their wrong, everyone would become recklessly irresponsible, especially the leaders. “Head and tail”, “palm branch and bulrush” are terms referring to the whole nation. What these terms suggest is that the nation from the leadership to the ordinary citizen was corrupt. The unruliness was not only seen at the leader’s level but also among the ordinary citizenry of Israel. There was clearly a disconnect. So persistent in their errant ways the leaders became wild and reckless. False prophets were teaching falsehood, leading the people astray and into confusion.  From top to bottom, from young to old, from men to women, and etc, everyone became unacceptable before God.

 

When facing relentless problems and crises, where or who do we normally run to? We need to know that the only safe direction to run to is Godward. The only sensible thing to do is return to God, evaluate, and repent. Not to do so would be utter foolishness that would lead us into further confusion. Note also, that when leaders become recklessly irresponsible, the people become unhinged. It behooves us, leaders or otherwise, to be sensitive to God and to keep short accounts with Him. This will allow us to keep making needful adjustments in our walk with God so that we can build a life that will please Him. It will also help us to be sensitive to His dealings with us.