Once in a while something so wonderful happens in our life that we just feel like singing, maybe even dancing. We can’t help but shout out and share the good news of what happened to us. All of our other problems just fade into the background. Our brief Scripture passage from the prophet Isaiah reminds us of a joyous event of deliverance that occurred to the Hebrew people that would bring singing and praise even centuries after it happened. As Christians and followers of the Lord Jesus, we too have something so wonderful that He brought to us, that we can sing and shout for joy, as well.
As our Scripture opens, we read a brief prayer that the prophet Isaiah made. The people of Judah needed God’s help. Things were looking rather grim for them, and the Lord didn’t seem to be around. He was silent, and Isaiah cried out to Him to wake up, so to speak (vs. 9). Naturally God doesn’t ever sleep. He is not a human, and doesn’t need to rest. However, when He wasn’t answering their prayers, He might have seemed like a parent or spouse whose help you need, but you find them napping instead of helping. Wake up! Help me! That was the people’s cry.
Isaiah reminded God of the times in the past when He came to His people’s aid. He reminded God that it was He who had defeated Rahab and the serpent (vs. 9). Again, God is not human, and He doesn’t need to be reminded of anything. His memory is perfect. It is us who need the reminding, and though Isaiah was speaking to the Lord, he was in essence reminding the people and himself of all that the Lord had done for them in the past.
Who or what is this Rahab and serpent that Isaiah was speaking of here? Rahab was the name of a mythological sea monster, and was frequently spoken of by the Israelites and in Scripture to refer to the nation of Egypt. The serpent, or as some versions of the Bible say, the dragon, is a reference to Satan, the enemy of all of God’s people. In the Book of Genesis we read of Jacob’s family going into Egypt to escape a famine. There they grew in number, and the Egyptian rulers grew suspicious of them, forcing them into servitude. No one enjoys being a slave, and the Hebrews cried out to God. He heard their cry, and brought them a mighty deliverance! God broke the arm of Rahab, the nation of Egypt and their ruler, Pharaoh, when He brought the people out from bondage.
As we read further in verse 10, we are reminded of that great deliverance, when God parted the waters of the Red Sea, and led the people forth out of Egypt, saving them from the armies of Pharaoh. All throughout Scripture we read about this great deliverance. This was something so wonderful and memorable, that for centuries to come the people would remember with singing and rejoicing (vs. 11).
The people of Israel are not the only ones who have reason to sing and rejoice in the Lord. Every believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ do, as well. We have an even greater reason to sing for joy than the Israelites did, as we have been delivered from the bondage of Satan, from sin, and from death. Just this past week we remembered the sacrifice that Jesus made with His death on the cross for our sins. All those who accept Him as their Savior have their sins forgiven. His resurrection from the dead destroyed the power of death, and we need fear that no more. Jesus destroyed the power of Satan, that serpent, setting us free from his bondage. We are the ransomed of the Lord, and we can sing with everlasting joy. All of our sorrow and sighing can flee (vs. 11).
Is there something that is holding you in bondage? Is there some “Rahab” in your life? Is your life still held captive by sin and Satan, that evil serpent? Cry out to the Lord Jesus, and give your life over to Him. He delivered the descendants of Jacob from bondage to Egypt by His powerful arm. The death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus destroyed the power of Satan, and when we call upon Him, He will set us free from Satan’s kingdom of darkness. Call upon Him today, and come to Zion with singing and everlasting joy!
No comments:
Post a Comment