Rock Solid?

Isaiah’s disciples are to record and pass on his countercultural message. Three curiously named children, “Stump-returns,” “With-us-God” and “Spoil-Speeds-Plunder-Hurries,” signify the coming destruction of both Israel and her enemies. The prophet’s vision and understanding of his people’s history goes against conventional wisdom, political expediency, diplomacy and negotiation. As he warned Ahaz, he now warns the people of Judah: do not bother with political alliances to assure your survival; focus on God! Despite his choice of you as a people and his granting to you of his protection, blessing and prosperity, the very rock that is your security (Deut. 32:4,15,18; Psa. 28:1; 2 Sam. 22:2)  is now a stone of stumbling, an obstacle in your path (Rom. 9:32,33). 

God’s judgment seems harsh, but it conveys an oblique hope (17) of future redemption. His passionate commitment to his people means that he cannot ultimately give them up, either to their sin or their enemies. Isaiah’s message is so countercultural and counter-intuitive that scholars are at a loss how exactly to interpret it. The repeated phrases of distress, anguish and darkness convey judgment, despair and loss of hope. Yet it is clear that God himself is bringing them about. Israel, as God’s chosen, is to suffer God’s condemnation and punishment more intensely, as he himself commands the nations to do his will.

The Lord of hosts (13,18, NRSV), the God of armies, holds our lives, churches and nations in his hands, but how is his providence to be understood? The Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard (1813-55) wrote, “Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards.” We live in this world, but in the light of the eternal. Isaiah warns that the very God who can be trusted will be a stumbling block to those who do not receive him in obedience and faith.

How does God show you his purposes today? What can you do to share his message to those around you?