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09 May Fri, 2008

In God alone…

♬ Today's Praise : 사랑하는 이들에게 (앨범 : 손영진 collection 1983-2000)
♬ Today's ANM Praise : 기쁨의 노래를 부르며 (앨범 : 새노래2000)

▧ Today's Passage / Isaiah 20:1 - 20:6

1. In the year that the supreme commander, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it-

2. at that time the LORD spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said to him, "Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet." And he did so, going around stripped and barefoot.

3. Then the LORD said, "Just as my servant Isaiah has gone stripped and barefoot for three years, as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush,

4. so the king of Assyria will lead away stripped and barefoot the Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles, young and old, with buttocks bared--to Egypt's shame.

5. Those who trusted in Cush and boasted in Egypt will be afraid and put to shame.

6. In that day the people who live on this coast will say, 'See what has happened to those we relied on, those we fled to for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How then can we escape?' "

▧ Reflection

This passage is hard to understand. Hundreds of theologians over hundreds of years have had difficult time with this particular passage. The prophet is told to strip and go around exposing himself. This is a bizarre behavior but as with some traditions of prophetic literature, symbolic acts were not uncommon. The prophet’s bizarre yet powerful actions were a symbolic representation of what was to happen in Egypt; this sent a loud and effective message to the listeners and readers as actions speak louder than words. Just as the prophet took of his clothes and shoes exposing himself and making himself vulnerable, the people of Egypt and Ethiopia (Cush) will be put to shame, humiliated, and exiled.

The message the prophet brings through his behavior reveals more than what seems to be on the surface; the Lord speaks of the shame on those who trusts in Cush and Egypt. The destruction that is brought on Egypt and Cush is directly related to those who rely on them for protection; therefore the warning for these nations applies to these other nations that are under their protection. We also see in the last verse that not only those who are involved in the matters of Egypt and Cush receive this message, but those who were observing this situation also receive this message. God kills three birds with one stone: the symbolic act of Isaiah reaches out to three different groups of people warning them of God’s judgment.

The main warning we see in this passage is made on the reliance on others for protection, supply of life, and security. God has clearly given his people what he desires from them: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Despite God’s commandments, many idols and gods reign our lives. Some of us may say that we never bow down to an idol or worship any other gods, but according to the passage, relying on anything other than God is in fact bowing down and worshipping another god.

Worshiping God alone means that we put our trust in God in every situation we face whether it has to do with protection, wealth, or national security. One of the major issues the Old Testament mentions over and over is military protection and national security. Isn't it interesting? After thousands of years, we are still talking about national security and military protection of our countries. What we must remember and even learn from these warnings of judgment is that no matter how powerful or mighty the enemy is, it is our God who protects us.

Ultimately, protection of any kind comes from God – and when we rely on the national military or a strong leader to protect us from the physical threat, we are in fact violating the first commandment. The world tells us that we need to strengthen the military and make alliances with stronger nations so that we may be under their full protection and somehow we became heavily influenced by these voices. Shake off these false voices and let us take bold steps in trusting God and God alone.

▧ Application

- How has God spoken to you through the warnings for Egypt and Cush? Has God ever shown himself to you in such a way that made no sense whatsoever? In these moments, we ought to meditate and listen carefully at what God is revealing to us: Sit quietly and listen to the still small voice from this passage and enjoy the message God is revealing to you.

- We have many gods in our lives that compete for your full and undivided devotion – may it be money, security (emotionally or physically), fame and honor or worries of the future. Draw a diagram of your life and the gods that are in your life. God demands us to give Him full and undivided devotion and worship God alone; in what ways will you devote yourself to God as you are told to worship with all your heart, mind, and strength?

▧ Daily Prayer

Almighty and Powerful God,
You have called us to worship You and You alone. You alone are worthy of our worship and praise but we often fall into the traps that make us not worthy to even praise Your name. Forgive us as we have turned our backs against You and have followed the things of the earth. Guide our hearts, mouths, and feet so that we may fully and utterly devote ourselves to You. You alone is our God and You alone can come and reside in the most inner parts of our being. We praise You! In Your Son’s name we pray. Amen.