Isaiah 30 - The Lord Longs to Be Gracious to You

LINK: Isaiah 30

BACKGROUND

This fourth “woe” was pronounced against Judah because Hezekiah had been seeking an alliance with Egypt against Sennacherib of Assyria (2 Kings 18:21). They would carry their bribes through the Negev desert on their way to Egypt, but Egypt was “utterly useless “and “Rahab the Do-Nothing” (30:7). In Ugaritic mythological literature, Rahab was a female sea monster associated with Leviathan (27:1; Job 9:13; 26:12). It is thought that this is referring to the hippopotamuses that looked like Rehab, sat on the Nile River, and did nothing. Rahab was a poetic synonym for Egypt.

Like obstinate children, Judah did not want to listen to God’s warnings through Isaiah. So, Isaiah had them write it down so they could not claim that they never heard the message. The scrolls would bear witness to Isaiah’s central message:

For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, 

“In repentance and rest you will be saved, 

In quietness and trust is your strength.” 

But you were not willing. 

(Isaiah 30:15)

Consequently, they would experience God’s judgment. When Assyria invaded the land, Egypt really did “do nothing”! Yet, God stepped in and rescued His covenant people (37:35-36).

Amid the judgment, God’s message through Isaiah is one of love because of His covenant relationship with them:

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, 

And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. 

For the Lord is a God of justice; 

How blessed are all those who long for Him. 

(Isaiah 30:18)

And at some future date, they would be restored to their land and enjoy the blessings that God intended for them:

O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left. (Isaiah 30:19-21, NASB)

REFLECTION

Sharon, a dear college friend, shared Isaiah 30:18-21 with me when I was feeling afraid about my future after college. God truly is: 

• Gracious (18, 19)
• Compassionate (18)
• Just (18)
• Our Guide (20, 21)

These verses tell us our part is to . . .  

• Repent (15) – "In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength." 
• Rest (15) - You can do this because He is gracious, compassionate, and just (18). We have the ultimate rest because of Jesus's finished work (See the post on Hebrews 4). 
• Long (18) – "How blessed is the one who longs for Him."
• Look and Listen (20-21a) - "Your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,'
• Respond (21b) - "'Walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right or the left."

     "The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord God has opened My ear; and I was not disobedient nor did I turn back" (Isaiah 50:4-5).

APPLICATION/TOOL TIME - Lectio Divina and Immanuel Journaling 

The reflection above is the result of my Lectio Divina in the passage. Lectio Divina has four steps and "listening as a disciple" is part of the rhythm of this practice. It is a way to slow down and interact with God more deeply. Here is a podcast interview about Lectio Divina that I did with my friend, Paul:

Lectio Divina Podcast Interview

Here are the steps. They are not "set in stone" though! Don't get caught up with doing it "right" and just enjoy interacting with God over the passage. 

Recenter and Relax Yourself

Recenter your scattered senses on the presence of God. Still your mind, heart, and body. Let go of all other distractions. Relax in His presence and attend to Him. I usually read it again at the beginning of each step.

Read the Passage (Lectio)

Read slowly and attentively, followed by a time of silence.

Read it again and...

Reflect on it (Meditatio)

Listen for a word or phrase that shimmers for you. In what way does it touch your life? Let thoughts surface that connect the text to your life.

Read it again and...

Respond to God (Oratio)

Converse with God about the word or phrase and what it has triggered. Think of God in the second person (“you”). Tell God what you are thinking and feeling. Be honest! What do you want of God? What help do you need?'

Read it again and...

Rest in Him (Contemplatio)

Rest in God’s presence. Be silent and without words. Move on when you are ready. 

(Note: Praying Scripture has nothing to do with “getting through” passages; it has everything to do with letting the meaning sink into your life.)

Take a word or phrase with you and repeat it as you perform your daily activities.

Take time to listen to God’s voice and journal something so you will remember the encounter. We often have our time with God and forget to "listen as a disciple" (Isaiah 50:5). Make sure you write down what He tells you, so you do not forget! 

Immanuel Journaling

The foundation of Immanuel Journaling is that God sees you, hears you, understands you, is glad to be with you, and can do something about what you are going through. This passage in Isaiah 30 exemplifies this perfectly!

God wants to guide you. Here are two books I heartily recommend to help You understand that He does speak to us today:

Hearing God by Dallas Willard 
God Guides by Mary Geegh

PRAYER

Lord, we praise You for Your grace and compassion toward us in the person of Jesus Christ; who satisfied Your justice by His death on the cross. Thank You that we can rest in His life. Teach us to walk according to Your will all the days of our life, and we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.