Isaiah 14-16; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Today we come to Psalm 106, verses 1-15, and we see that, like the previous one, this Psalm reviews part of the history of Israel. Reading this Psalm, we also recognize that we are also a rebellious people, and we have all sinned (verse 6). However, despite our own willful rebellion, we can agree with the Psalmist that “God is good, He loves us forever, and He is to be praised” (verse 1). A little over a month ago (cf., August 6, Day 218 – Not Big Enough), we mentioned that “some people are foolishly content to perish in their sins.” However, I am not content to take that path – especially when God in His mercy has provided a better and safer way for us. Like the Psalmist, I desire to experience and “enjoy the prosperity of His chosen ones, to share in His joy, to join His inheritance, and to receive God’s favor” (verses 4-5). I want God to “remember me and to come to my aid” (verse 4). These are not the selfish cravings or covetous desires of a spoiled child. To desire the same things that God aspires for us is not selfish. According to the Word of God, it is prudent, wise, and sensible, and it is grounded in an eternal perspective. Here, we see examples of God’s provision of good things for man in spite of man’s contempt for God’s good gifts. Notice – “the fathers gave no thought to God’s miracles; they forgot his kindnesses; they rebelled by the sea; and they soon forgot what He had done” (verses 7-13). God wants to save us (verses 4, 8, and 10), but we must want to be saved. We cannot fathom His gifts to us, and only a fool would reject them!
In Isaiah 14-16, we read about God’s compassion for Israel and the Gentile nations which will freely join with His people (verses 1-2). In this passage, we see God’s “taunt against the king of Babylon” (verse 4). This prophecy is twofold. [1] It is a song that foresees Israel’s restoration after the exile (and again in the distant future), as well as God’s denunciation of the last human king over Babylon – the man of sin (cf., 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8). The man of sin will emerge in the restored Roman Empire of the future (cf., Revelation 13:1-18). [2] In verses 12-27, we see the prophetic expression of God’s disdain and condemnation of the one who invisibly empowers and is personified by the king of Babylon – Satan – in his willful fall. Five times, the devil expressed his intent – “I will …” – rise above God (14:13-14). However, God promises to bring down Satan and his agents (14:14-15), even as Isaiah contemplates the extensive damage that Satan has wrought on the whole universe (verses 16-23). This is followed by Isaiah’s prophecies against Assyria, Philistia, and Moab (cf., 14:24-16:14). These idolatrous nations all symbolized mythical, apostate, fraudulent, and dead belief systems respectively.
In 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, we see Paul’s further thoughts about sowing generously, giving generously, and sharing generously (i.e., “overflowing,” verse 12) toward those in need. We cannot out-give God. God gives generously beyond all our comprehension. By His love, mercy, and grace, He has given us life and all that is necessary to sustain it. In addition, He offers us everlasting life, salvation from sin and death, and the promise of a future with Him in heaven. As a result, it is only fitting that we ourselves – as God’s children – should emulate our Father’s generous character by being generous givers as well. Unfortunately, however, sin has robbed us of His attitudes – leaving us to be naturally selfish and greedy. Thus, to give like God gives, we must learn to be generous – both spiritually and deliberately – so that our “generosity will result in thanksgiving [and praise] to God” (verse 11). Paul ends this chapter on a lofty, exalted level – “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (verse 15). Amen!
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