They hatch adders’ eggs; they weave the spider’s web; he who eats their eggs dies, and from one that is crushed a viper is hatched. (Isaiah 59:5)
Isaiah is a tough book to read. It's especially hard, as in my Reading Plan, you're supposed to read 4 or 5 chapters of Isaiah at once. You're drinking doom from a fire hose. The relentless pronouncements of judgments against an idolatrous and sinful nation makes me mourn not only for Israel past and present, but my own sin and my own nation. Tough stuff.
The verse above caught my attention for its poetic quality and for its theme. It seems that Israel had passed the point of no return when not only did so many citizens sinned but they drew others into sin and applauded it. False prophets abounded. This reminds me of the verse in Romans 1:32, the end of the progression of a society's downward spiral
Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
How then shall America escape? When a nation delights in sin, corrupts for the sake of corrupting, ensnares others for the maniacal delight of pouring evil upon another...how long until His patience expires and His hand moves over the shamefully fruited plain? He who eats the snake's egg dies, and when one is crushed another is hatched in his place. /shudder/. How long O Lord, will we suffer with these vermin?
On the one hand it is terrible to read these things and to wonder at our own nation's evil. On the other hand it is a relief to read that in the US we are not unique, we're just as sinful as any other society. It's also a relief to rejoice at His patience and long-suffering.
Below are two GREAT sermons on the state of America and the hope we have in Christ and His kingdom. We are salt and light, but not forever. There is a place where ALL is Light, all are preserved by the blood of the Lamb, in glory and in holiness. The brood of vipers will not live forever, and the snake's head will be crushed.
Even better than that, until the Lord in His sovereignty ends all things, many will cry out for relief from their sin, and He will hear them.
Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to a city to dwell in;
hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way
till they reached a city to dwell in.
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
(Psalm 107:4-9)
Homosexuality and the Campaign for Immorality
Abortion and the Campaign for Immorality
Hold fast and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. . Until He comes and crushes the serpent...persevere.
