II Corinthians 6: 14-16, exhorts the believers in Christ, that is the New Testament church, to stay away from 'any unholy alliance.' Whatever St.Paul told the church at Corinth, applies very well to Christians down the centuries. The passage warns the readers, of letting anything or anyone unacceptable to Christ, being let into the lives of believers and to take control, be it personal or public lives. The Christian believer, is the abode of God's Holy Spirit now, and we are expected to keep holiness our prime concern, so that we do not get defiled in spirit, soul and body.
As I was studying Isaiah chapter 8: 1-20, I was led by the Holy Spirit, to learn some truths which clarify our minds about the Biblical passage cited in II Corinthians. In this blog post I am sharing these. The truth revealed is much applicable to us, at this point in time also. In fact things are not very different from the historical times that are referred to in this Bible passage found in the book of Isaiah.
The main character seen in this portion of the prophecy is King Ahaz of the nation of Judah, who ruled the nation for sixteen years, during the eighth century before the Christian era, BCE. This king was the grandson of King Uzziah, and the father of King Hezekiah, both well known to most Bible readers! Ahaz was not serving the LORD, unlike his father and his son. He was much walking away from the ways of King David and brought in Baal worship that led Judah to sin against the LORD. Ahaz caused Judah to follow the bad example of the northern kingdom of Israel, that later led to the nation being captured by Assyria. The LORD holds King Ahaz of Judah, and his people guilty on certain counts which caused the fall of Judah, just like
its sister nation, Israel.
The reign of Ahaz is detailed in II Kings 16 : 1-20 and rewritten by the Chronicler in II Chronicles 28 .
" He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and also made cast idols for worshiping the Baals.... he sacrificed his sons in the fire, following the detestable ways of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. He offered sacrifices and burned incense at the high places.... Therefore the LORD his God handed him over to the king of Aram ( Syria). .... He was also given into the hands of the king of Israel, who inflicted heavy casualties on him." ( II Chro 28: 2-5).
When Ahaz was devastated, he " sent to the king of Assyria for help." (v.16). " Tiglat - Pileser, king of Assyria came to him, but he gave trouble instead of help." (v. 20). Ahaz even took a lot of gold and silver from the temple of the LORD and from the royal palace, and presented it to him, but that did not help. "In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD." ( v.22). Ahaz sacrificed to the gods of Damascus, thinking they will help him. "They were his downfall and the downfall of all Israel.... He shut the doors of the LORD's temple and set up altars at every street corner in Jerusalem.... and provoked the LORD, the God of his fathers to anger." (v.23-25). II Kings chapter 16, details the whole scheme of Ahaz, to appease the heathen gods.
To Isaiah comes the word of the LORD, at this juncture. It is found in Isaiah 8:5-20. Three challenges are placed by the prophet, to the house of Judah. At every point of defeat, we find that the king and his people have made wrong choices deliberately. How sad Ahaz never followed the example of his father King Jotham, who followed the LORD faithfully all his days!! Praise be to the LORD, who raised up Ahaz's son, King Hezekiah, the faithful one, to open the doors of the temple of the LORD and to revive the worship there and to renew the offering of sacrifices on the altar!!
'CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY '.... Either ....Or
1. Isa 8:6-10 Two rivers, Shiloah of Judah or Euphrates of Assyria?
The river Shiloah was gently flowing from the Gihon spring into Jerusalem. king Hezekiah later constructed the water tunnel around this open river. It may be alluded to the 'quiet waters' referred to in Psalms 23:2. The LORD is offering the people of Judah, His quiet help from above, which is steadfast and unchanging. They however, under the leadership of King Ahaz were running behind Assyria for help. Though river Euphrates of Assyria, is mighty and rushes forth, it is not to be relied upon by God's chosen generation! The same Euphrates will be running over them, to destroy them in the future and cover the whole land. It happened that in the following years, the nations of both Israel and Judah were invaded by the Assyrians. Though Samaria fell first, Jerusalem did fall very quickly and devastated.What is it for us now? How many times we reject the Lord from whom comes our help at all times, and run after people who are unbelievers and lead us to fall away from God's ways! How often than not we are let down by people on whom we put our whole weight and trust?
The Psalmist reminds us that "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust man. It is better to to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes." (Psa 118:8,9). God's kingdom is first in the life of a Christian. Then follows every good thing or people.(Matt 6:33 paraphrased)
Jesus has told us ,"He would give us the living water ." (Jn 4:10). On the last day of the feast of Tabernacles, Jesus made a loud declaration that," If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive."(Jn 7:37,38).The Holy Spirit of Christ is ever resident in the hearts of Christ's disciples, to satisfy any thirst and we do not need to choose other brooks which will run dry at man's wish.
2. Isa 8: 11-15 Two fears, fear of man or reverential fear of God?
The LORD spoke to Isaiah, and," Warned him, 'do not to fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, and he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." (Isa 8: 12 -14). The same thought is reflected by the apostle Peter, in his letter , " See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame. " (I Pet 2:6).The people of Judah were so afraid of the king of Assyria, on whom they relied to escape the armies of the kings of Syria and Ephraim / Samaria /Israel.
The reverential fear of the LORD is liberating, strengthening and empowering. It is the fear that springs up from the love and devotion of his disciples. It builds us up! The fear of man, is intimidating, limiting and destructive. It results in bondage.
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe." (Prov 26:25). " The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." (Prov 1:7).The awesome fear of God clears our heart and mind from all unwanted stuff and protects us from the wiles of the enemy, Satan.
Our Lord Jesus told, " Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt 10:28).
At the worst, what harm can happen to us on earth, is the slaying of our bodies. Jesus assures us that he will be with us until the end of time.
We too can join the Psalmist and "Say with confidence, the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Heb 13:6 ; Psa 27:1).
3. Isa 8: 16-20 Two counsels .... Word of the LORD God or witches/ whisperers
" Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psa 119:105). "Blessed are they who walk according to the law of the LORD." (Psa 119:1).The central chapter of the Bible, is about the magnificence of the Word of the Lord. Every verse of Psalm 119, provides a 'name' for the word of God.
Jesus was 'the Word made flesh and dwelt among us.' (John 1:14).Jesus is given the name ' Word of God' in the book of Revelation. We read that ,"The word of God is living and powerful..." (Heb 4:12).
Prophet Isaiah is directed by the LORD to "Bind up the testimony and seal up the law among his disciples. The term 'disciples' is used here for the first time in the Bible. " When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn." (Isa 8: 19, 20).II Kings 1:3,4 tells us of Elijah the prophet,being sent by the LORD to admonish King Ahaziah of Israel, for consulting Baal- Zebub to inquire whether he will live or die. The LORD pronounces his death. The Lord hates the counsel of Belial, the devil, the liar and the accuser of the brethren. When we leave the Word of God and seek other unholy sources for counsel, we sure will have only utter darkness and be out of God's light.
The church of Christ has the 'wonderful Counselor, the Holy Spirit', walking along with believers
( Gk. parakletos), to dwell among and within us now.
Lord Jesus, in his last discourse with the disciples, encouraged them saying, " But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." ( John 14:26).
We need not seek the 'counsel of the ungodly' (Psa 1:1,2); or "Conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind." (Rom 12:2).We serve a living God, who reigns still and will be the King to come, the King of kings and Lord of lords. No dead intermediary is needed. His word 'abides forever.'
" The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." (Psa 119:130).What more do we need to guide and counsel us whenever we need one?
May we take the caution served by the Lord, as we learnt from the passage, Isaiah 8: 5-20, and walk as 'children of light' and be diligently following the leading of the Holy Spirit of our Lord, to be witnesses to the saving and resurrecting power of God.
Let us never be UNEQUALLY YOKED or indulge in unholy alliance, that the Lord detests!!
I cannot but recall and sing the chorus of a hymn, I learnt as a child. We used to enjoy singing it in our church.
'We have an anchor that keeps the soul,
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love.'
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