Today’s passage: Isaiah 32:9-20
Helpful thoughts:
- In many previous chapters, God has rebuked the leaders and people of Judah for trusting in Egypt for their protection instead of turning in faith to Him. Now, the Lord speaks specifically to the women. Their leadership had told them they were going to be fine. The king had given them reason to rest. But instead of resting under their crooked leadership, they needed to be mourning instead.
- The reason for lamenting had already come.
- They were not to lament only when they were defeated by an enemy.
- They were to lament the failure of their leaders and nation to trust in God.
- The reason for lamenting had already come.
- God’s righteous rule will bring peace, justice, quietness, security and rest.
Questions to consider:
- Why does lamenting exist? What is happening around us (or inside of us) that causes us to lament?
- What would these women have been wise to do after hearing the opinions of the leaders (“We’re just fine, Egypt will save us”) and the Word of God (“You’re leaders are wrong, turn to me”)? Which “disagreements” between God and the world might you be struggling to reconcile in your heart?
- In what ways did Christ’s sacrifice on the cross provide you with peace, justice, quietness, security, and rest?