Slices
Prepare
As you settle your heart and mind to read God’s Word, picture his throne room: the gold, jewels and rich fabrics; the angels worshipping. Drink in the glorious sight.
Bible passage
They raise their voices, they shout for joy;
from the west they acclaim the Lord’s majesty.
15 Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord;
exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel,
in the islands of the sea.
16 From the ends of the earth we hear singing:
‘Glory to the Righteous One.’
But I said, ‘I waste away, I waste away!
Woe to me!
The treacherous betray!
With treachery the treacherous betray!’
17 Terror and pit and snare await you,
people of the earth.
18 Whoever flees at the sound of terror
will fall into a pit;
whoever climbs out of the pit
will be caught in a snare.
The floodgates of the heavens are opened,
the foundations of the earth shake.
19 The earth is broken up,
the earth is split asunder,
the earth is violently shaken.
20 The earth reels like a drunkard,
it sways like a hut in the wind;
so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion
that it falls – never to rise again.
21 In that day the Lord will punish
the powers in the heavens above
and the kings on the earth below.
22 They will be herded together
like prisoners bound in a dungeon;
they will be shut up in prison
and be punished after many days.
23 The moon will be dismayed,
the sun ashamed;
for the Lord Almighty will reign
on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem,
and before its elders – with great glory.
Explore
After yesterday’s terrible images of the devastation brought on the earth as a result of our sin, today’s passage starts with a sharp change of tone. It is unclear who verse 14 refers to – perhaps to the ‘gleanings’ of the grape harvest of verse 13. A grapevine is a common image of God’s people throughout the Bible, so these ‘gleanings’ could be the remnant of faithful followers of God mentioned elsewhere in Isaiah.
The point is that, when we understand the earth’s condition correctly, we will respond by giving glory to God. Even the greatest destruction and devastation cannot stop him from being worthy of praise. His punishments are just. All his ways are good.
It is hard for us to get our heads around. We naturally assume he will be glorified when everything is going right, not amid suffering and trouble. Yet as Jesus told the Pharisees on Palm Sunday, if his people do not glorify him, the rocks and stones themselves will sing his praises (Luke 19:37–40).
Yet at the end of time he will rule – with great glory – in the sight of all people. Hallelujah!
Respond
Whatever your circumstances today, remember that God is still worthy of praise. Praise him for his righteousness, justice, holiness and all his other glorious attributes.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Numbers 32,33; Acts 24
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for the staff in our Mission Events team, as they prepare for a busy time approving volunteer applications for the mission and holiday season. Last year there were over 1,200 volunteers to see through the crucial task of DBS clearance and secure reference checks.