When you start reading this portion of Isaiah, you see destruction, Tyre is fallen and there is a call for people to mourn. It gets no more rosy as the next chapter begins by describing God's judgement of the earth, and yet, there's a change.
Following verse about an outcry of things that are gone, comes Is 24:14, "They raise their voices, they shout for joy; They cry out from the west concerning the majesty of the Lord." What is it, what about any of that makes sense? It's stories of judgement, sorrow, death, kingdoms falling, and yet..."they shout for joy"
The book of Isaiah is one of my favorites, because it showcases how this works, this is Gospel. Throughout all of this judgement and punishment, righteousness can be restored. The evil are put down and the good may rise. Isaiah makes no attempt to make it sound happy or easy though, because it's not easy.
The idea that wicked will be punished so that the righteous can live is not just confined to nations, though we can certainly pull out many examples, it is also found on smaller scales, in organizations, office spaces and the very heart of each person.
There is a punishment for sin, whether is pride followed by a downfall, financial poverty after foolish spending, or being worn down by trying to bear the weight of your own sin. See though, how in Isaiah the praising of God comes after the judgement. It is much the same with us, when we sin, we set ourselves up for our own punishment, the punishment brings pain, the pain brings a choice.
The choice is God or not God. This is why so many conversion stories begin with a description of rock-bottom, the punishment for sin is felt and a choice is made.
Following verse about an outcry of things that are gone, comes Is 24:14, "They raise their voices, they shout for joy; They cry out from the west concerning the majesty of the Lord." What is it, what about any of that makes sense? It's stories of judgement, sorrow, death, kingdoms falling, and yet..."they shout for joy"
The book of Isaiah is one of my favorites, because it showcases how this works, this is Gospel. Throughout all of this judgement and punishment, righteousness can be restored. The evil are put down and the good may rise. Isaiah makes no attempt to make it sound happy or easy though, because it's not easy.
The idea that wicked will be punished so that the righteous can live is not just confined to nations, though we can certainly pull out many examples, it is also found on smaller scales, in organizations, office spaces and the very heart of each person.
There is a punishment for sin, whether is pride followed by a downfall, financial poverty after foolish spending, or being worn down by trying to bear the weight of your own sin. See though, how in Isaiah the praising of God comes after the judgement. It is much the same with us, when we sin, we set ourselves up for our own punishment, the punishment brings pain, the pain brings a choice.
The choice is God or not God. This is why so many conversion stories begin with a description of rock-bottom, the punishment for sin is felt and a choice is made.
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