Exposition by Max A Forsythe
At school we have been experimenting with crime scenarios in the law enforcement program. In these situations, we establish a scene, a crime and then introduce two law students to deal with the situation. The outcome is generally predictable, according to the abilities of the students. And hopefully, we get enough paperwork to reach a mock court room where justice may be dispensed. Just getting a case to court where I can play the judge is no mean feat. I am certainly learning about the frustrations of the criminal justice system and the frailties of human ability
At first the students are hesitant. They want more information; they want a planned script. Once they learn that they have only to stay within certain perimeters, the process becomes easy; they have only to be themselves and keep in mind the desired outcome. Then, we can program specific scenarios to challenge their particular weaknesses and thus encourage them to consider what they must really learn before we can trust them as peace officers
"All the world's a stage", Shakespeare noted almost four centuries ago. And so it is! Parents may well reflect on that matter as they plan the education of their children. At this point in time, I believe it is fairly safe to admit that very many of my sons lessons were more controlled than they thought at the time. I remember one lesson that I almost ruined. One of our little toddlers wanted a pumpkin from the garden. He was allowed to hurry off to get one. We watched from the house. Of course, you know children, they want the biggest pumpkin they can lay their hands on. Such was the case. The pumpkin chosen was half his size. He couldn't lift it and carry it. So, the responsible parent would rush out and pick it up, right? Well, I waited. My little one rushed off to get his wagon. He tugged, he pulled, he rolled, but he couldn't get it up and into the wagon. Time to help? I waited, he rushed off to the barn and got a board. Then he rolled the pumpkin up to the rear of the wagon, it tilted and everything rolled over. Life is frustrating, isn't it. Obviously he was on the right track, the second time he put the board to the middle of the wagon and rolled the pumpkin up from the side
Finally, success. He grabbed the tongue of the wagon and rolled his prize right up to the back door, where his mother took charge of the knife and the pumpkin project was completed. The only thing left for a parent to do was to go out and pick up the board from the barn! Picking things up is always a parent's responsiblity, isn't it? But perhaps that is the followup scenario that God allows our little ones to challenge us with as he reminds us that there is much picking up after we have learned our own hard won lessons in life
Isn't it interesting to consider as Shakespeare did that "all the world's a stage" indeed. And that point is the consideration before us today in this short portion of Isaiah. Of course we must appreciate that Isaiah was given a visionary glimpse at the outline of several scenarios to be played out in the near and far future. Here in verse twenty-four God declares His authorship of the past, present and future. History is after all only His-story being worked out in the affairs of mankind
As proof of this fact, Isaiah promises that Assyria will be trampled soon, just as assuredly as Babylon would be later. The scenario for Assyrian destruction is laid out carefully. In God's own land, on His own mountains the destruction of Assyria is proposed. In chapter thirty-seven we will see this very prophecy enacted. The heavy yoke of the Assyrians will be lifted not only from Israel but from all the nations as well. In the same way will Babylon be cut off and all future conquerors as well. Thus says the Lord, Isaiah would have us know. "For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" The Lord may have opened the way for Assyria to lay heavy hands on His own people, to call them back to Himself, but in time the Assyrian hands will be held back. And not only would Israel benefit, but also her near neighbors as well
But those neighbors should be cautious, Isaiah reminds them. "Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken". This oracle came in the year 715 BC, Ahaz died, almost immediately Sargon II of Assyria attacked and the cities of Philistia which soon came under their domination. But this was not to be the worst of it; a century later in 604 BC Nebuchadnezzar came through Palestine and wiped Philistia off the map for good.
As we know from history's later records, Assyria, Philistia and Babylon all come to sad ends. Yet in the regular tottering of nations, God has a plan for those who are His own people. "The poorest of the poor" as His people are called in verse thirty will be blessed and will finally be safe when all earthly powers who oppose God are destroyed
But what of those who belong not to our Lord and Savior? Look back again to verse twenty-nine; there is something interesting here. Dr Young translates it this way: "Rejoice not, O Philistia, all of thee, because the rod that smote thee is broken, for from the root of the serpent there will go out a poisonous snake, and its fruits will be a flying fiery serpent." Isaiah's message here is that the enemies of Philistia will be intensified in wickedness. The movement from serpent to poisonous snake and finally to a flying fiery serpent is significant indeed. Increased wickedness is certainly symbolized here. Assyria may be bad, but Babylon will be worse and the power behind both is worse indeed!
This image of a flying fiery serpent is world wide. The ancient Chinese word picture for devil includes a flying snake in a tree. The much more modern Aztec culture also worshiped a winged serpent. One "ancient tradition" of dubious authority has it that when the snake in the garden was cursed to crawl in the dust, it gave up its wings. We may well doubt that early report worthy of the National Enquirer; however the image as understood in the time of the Aztecs and as demonstrated by the ungodly Babylonians may justifiably be credited to the power behind the wickedness of mankind, to the prime opposer of God and Christ, old Lucifer himself. Into his evil hands will the way of the wicked be given for a time, until all wickedness goes the way of the Philistine cities and even Babylon itself.
"What answer shall be given to the envoy" of Philistia and all other worldly powers? "The Lord has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge". The same Lord who holds the course of His story in His own hands will also collect the afflicted peoples from the hands of His enemy and give these elect a refuge for eternity. May we count it all joy that we have been found by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. For a time we may witness the ongoing rampage of the worldly. May we learn from these scenarios of history that the God of heaven is indeed in control and would have us learn that we are to be part of His kingdom and that we may serve His purpose. Amen.
Resources Used:
Ellis, Charles..
The Wells of Salvation.
Thomas, Derek..
Welwyn Commentery Series: God Delivers.
Young, Edward J.
The Book of Isaiah.
The Holy Bible.
New International Version (1984 Edition)
NOTE: I am not able to automatically
recommend any future editions.
Christ Covenant Reformed (Presbyterian Church in America) -
Box 13926 - Columbus, OH 43213
(c) 2001
16 January 1994 Permission granted to redistribute unedited versions with this notice.