Today’s scripture: Isaiah 3:1-4:1 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (John Seksay):
For anyone who has been in complete isolation for the past year, we are in the midst of a presidential election process that seems outright chaotic. When I read today’s passage, this verse leapt out:
“O my people, your leaders mislead you,
and confuse the course of your paths.”
During this period of the Biblical story, the kingdom of Judah finds itself in contention with its neighbors, Israel and others, as to which superpower they should be courting as their protector. Should it be Assyria? Should it be Egypt? Does the day’s choice make this neighbor an ally or an enemy?
The people of God were supposed to look to God and the prophets for direction. The kings of Judah were supposedly appointed by God and anointed to the office by God’s prophets. Israel believed the same principle, but at this point in the history had a different line of kings and operated as a separate state. Why was there so much attention given to the kings of Assyria and Egypt? Why did Judah and Israel have different rulers? Would today’s friend be tomorrow’s enemy, and vice versa?
No man with authority was free from the influence of those whom he perceived as the sustaining source of his power. A leader who allied with the “wrong” side would find his authority undermined or swept away. So each king, local or regional, did all he could to feather his own nest at the expense of his neighbors. If your status (or possible survival) depended on the approval of such a king, what actions would you be taking?
“The Lord enters into judgment with the elders and princes of his people: It is you who have devoured the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.”
The behavior of the king seemed to have trickled down to those who served him as well. Sound familiar? Before anointing Saul as the very first temporal king of an initially united Israel, the prophet Samuel had warned that kings would take much while not necessarily supplying the leadership or security the people expected!
All this reminds me very much how the each political hopeful of the current race is busy courting rich donors while trying to appear as the one true representative of the common voter. These old forces are still very much alive and at work. How do we get above or beyond all this?
Our behaviors will often be the product of the company we keep and the leadership we choose to follow. Whom are the “authorities” we look to for the source of our own personal strength? Are the things we do of our own choice, or because someone else is doing them and we want to follow along? Do we use meditations like Be Still and Know to keep company with the Holy Spirit each day? Do we seek fellowship with a spiritual family? It all does make a difference over time.
“Tell the innocent how fortunate they are,
for they shall eat the fruit of their labors.
Woe to the guilty! How unfortunate they are, for what their hands
Have done shall be done to them!”
As for the upcoming election, we should definitely evaluate and participate, but not become consumed or misdirected by the show. Listen to everything you hear with a wholesome grain of salt and a large dash of the Holy Spirit. Speak with your own voice! Rely on the compass you have nurtured within you!
Thought for the day: Elections seem important, but we make the choice of whom we truly follow every day in small, but significant, actions. Whom do we really seek to lead our lives?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.