““What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,” says the LORD. “You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins.”” (Isaiah 30:1, NLT)
After studying the above scripture for Isaiah 30:1, John D. Barry penned the following bit of wisdom:
“I’m a planner. I love schedules. The trouble is I sometimes make plans without consulting God. While I often think of this as a modern problem, I’ve discovered that, like many other modern issues, the Bible regularly addresses it. For example, in Isaiah 30:1 Yahweh declares, “Oh rebellious children!… to make a plan, but not from me, and pour out a libation, but not from my Spirit, so as to add sin to sin.”
Apparently, God’s people had been offering libations—a type of drink offering—in the ways of the Egyptians rather than in the ways of Yahweh. We make the same mistake in our lives. We seek wisdom in books or from people before consulting Yahweh. We ask our colleagues what they think before turning to our God. We look to our parents or friends instead of waiting patiently on God’s resolve. We look to our own strength or influence instead of relying on the God who created us.” (Connect the Testaments).
Does this sound like you? Are you one to make plans, set dates in the calendar, and make friends according to your own will, not seeking God’s wisdom first? Doing so tells God that you know better; that you are fully aware of the ramifications. Spending time with God in prayer can clarify so much. In prayer, the Holy Spirit can make things clearer, open up new possibilities, help you to discern spiritual forces, and direct your steps. Going headfirst without consulting God is a recipe for disaster. Have you ever found yourself mired knee-deep in a problem, because you didn’t fully comprehend what you were getting yourself into?
In the days of Isaiah, the Israelites thought it very wise to make military alliances with the Egyptians. They treated the Egyptians with respect and honor. They rushed to establish alliances with them, though God had never wished it. What was the result? Two powerful nations with powerful armies (Babylon and Assyria) saw this as a sign of Egypt exerting influence to the north. These two powerful nations decided to go after Israel and thus weaken Egypt’s expanding influences. Thus, Israel became a battleground between these large forces. Egypt never did come to aid Israel against either Babylon or Assyria. In the end, the military alliance with Egypt only caused war to hasten toward Israel and Judah.
The Israelites thought their alliances with Egypt were wise and prudent and would bring security to their nation. They were wrong. Isaiah, the prophet, had warned them. God threatened Israel with these words from Isaiah 30:1, “You make plans that are not mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins.” In their “rebellion”, Israel went full speed ahead with military alliances and secret pacts. God knew it was a terrible mistake. God knew the people of Isarel were not leaning on HIS strength but instead on Egyptian chariots to ensure safety for the future. It was a disastrous series of blunders made by Israel in opposition to God.
It is so easy to fall into the trap where you think you can plan your future without God’s input. It won’t work. You will never be wise enough to out-think God. Your plans can never be secure without God’s input.
After eight years of marriage, Karyn felt stifled with her life. Her two young children made her days hectic. Her part-time job was stressful. She didn’t hate her husband. She just felt she could do better. With her friends’ urging, Karyn separated from her husband, after having a fling with a co-worker. After three months with her new boyfriend, she decided to divorce her husband and move in with her new boyfriend. Karyn counted on alimony and child-support payments to put her in a good financial position for the future. She went deep into debt to get the best divorce lawyer. She bought a new car. She maxed out her credit cards, hoping for a payday when the divorce was finalized.
Three years after the divorce, Karyn’s life was in shambles. Her ex-husband had remarried and was enjoying his new family. Karyn’s boyfriend was long gone. The alimony and child support checks didn’t cover everything she had hoped. Now, she worked two jobs and six days a week, paid for childcare, her house was a mess, and her life was a mess. Not a day goes by she doesn’t long for life before her divorce.
Before the divorce, Karyn’s ex-husband had never cheated on her. Her extended family was supportive. Her children seemed so happy then. Now, life was a grind, twenty-four hours, every day. Sleep was a luxury she couldn’t afford. She had bouts of depression and anxiety. She hadn’t been to worship in five years.
Karyn was raised in a loving home. She grew up with Sunday dinners at Granny’s house after church and Sunday School classes. Now, her children were growing up without extended family, without church, and with chaos at home.
Karyn did not listen to God long before the divorce. She stopped relying on God for direction. She followed her feelings. She was influenced by social media and feminism. She thought she could do better than her “boring” husband. She now pays for all those decisions and plans that never included God or God’s wisdom.
I wish I could say that Karyn’s life is abnormal, that her regrets are unusual. Karyn’s situation is becoming the lot of many women. When Karyn chose to follow her feelings and worldly influences, it seemed prudent at the time. How wrong she was. Today, she and her family pay the price for her indiscretions. The Israelites also did not rely on Godly wisdom. They did not pursue God’s plan nor follow God’s law. They listened to military-minded men. They ignored God’s Spirit. They also paid a deadly price.
Be careful which voices you heed. Don’t follow the wisdom of the world. Seek God’s direction. Listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Trust God’s word. Obey God’s commands. I don’t want you to be another casualty in costly spiritual battles.
“I’m a planner. I love schedules. The trouble is I sometimes make plans without consulting God. While I often think of this as a modern problem, I’ve discovered that, like many other modern issues, the Bible regularly addresses it. For example, in Isaiah 30:1 Yahweh declares, “Oh rebellious children!… to make a plan, but not from me, and pour out a libation, but not from my Spirit, so as to add sin to sin.”
Apparently, God’s people had been offering libations—a type of drink offering—in the ways of the Egyptians rather than in the ways of Yahweh. We make the same mistake in our lives. We seek wisdom in books or from people before consulting Yahweh. We ask our colleagues what they think before turning to our God. We look to our parents or friends instead of waiting patiently on God’s resolve. We look to our own strength or influence instead of relying on the God who created us.” (Connect the Testaments).
Does this sound like you? Are you one to make plans, set dates in the calendar, and make friends according to your own will, not seeking God’s wisdom first? Doing so tells God that you know better; that you are fully aware of the ramifications. Spending time with God in prayer can clarify so much. In prayer, the Holy Spirit can make things clearer, open up new possibilities, help you to discern spiritual forces, and direct your steps. Going headfirst without consulting God is a recipe for disaster. Have you ever found yourself mired knee-deep in a problem, because you didn’t fully comprehend what you were getting yourself into?
In the days of Isaiah, the Israelites thought it very wise to make military alliances with the Egyptians. They treated the Egyptians with respect and honor. They rushed to establish alliances with them, though God had never wished it. What was the result? Two powerful nations with powerful armies (Babylon and Assyria) saw this as a sign of Egypt exerting influence to the north. These two powerful nations decided to go after Israel and thus weaken Egypt’s expanding influences. Thus, Israel became a battleground between these large forces. Egypt never did come to aid Israel against either Babylon or Assyria. In the end, the military alliance with Egypt only caused war to hasten toward Israel and Judah.
The Israelites thought their alliances with Egypt were wise and prudent and would bring security to their nation. They were wrong. Isaiah, the prophet, had warned them. God threatened Israel with these words from Isaiah 30:1, “You make plans that are not mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins.” In their “rebellion”, Israel went full speed ahead with military alliances and secret pacts. God knew it was a terrible mistake. God knew the people of Isarel were not leaning on HIS strength but instead on Egyptian chariots to ensure safety for the future. It was a disastrous series of blunders made by Israel in opposition to God.
It is so easy to fall into the trap where you think you can plan your future without God’s input. It won’t work. You will never be wise enough to out-think God. Your plans can never be secure without God’s input.
After eight years of marriage, Karyn felt stifled with her life. Her two young children made her days hectic. Her part-time job was stressful. She didn’t hate her husband. She just felt she could do better. With her friends’ urging, Karyn separated from her husband, after having a fling with a co-worker. After three months with her new boyfriend, she decided to divorce her husband and move in with her new boyfriend. Karyn counted on alimony and child-support payments to put her in a good financial position for the future. She went deep into debt to get the best divorce lawyer. She bought a new car. She maxed out her credit cards, hoping for a payday when the divorce was finalized.
Three years after the divorce, Karyn’s life was in shambles. Her ex-husband had remarried and was enjoying his new family. Karyn’s boyfriend was long gone. The alimony and child support checks didn’t cover everything she had hoped. Now, she worked two jobs and six days a week, paid for childcare, her house was a mess, and her life was a mess. Not a day goes by she doesn’t long for life before her divorce.
Before the divorce, Karyn’s ex-husband had never cheated on her. Her extended family was supportive. Her children seemed so happy then. Now, life was a grind, twenty-four hours, every day. Sleep was a luxury she couldn’t afford. She had bouts of depression and anxiety. She hadn’t been to worship in five years.
Karyn was raised in a loving home. She grew up with Sunday dinners at Granny’s house after church and Sunday School classes. Now, her children were growing up without extended family, without church, and with chaos at home.
Karyn did not listen to God long before the divorce. She stopped relying on God for direction. She followed her feelings. She was influenced by social media and feminism. She thought she could do better than her “boring” husband. She now pays for all those decisions and plans that never included God or God’s wisdom.
I wish I could say that Karyn’s life is abnormal, that her regrets are unusual. Karyn’s situation is becoming the lot of many women. When Karyn chose to follow her feelings and worldly influences, it seemed prudent at the time. How wrong she was. Today, she and her family pay the price for her indiscretions. The Israelites also did not rely on Godly wisdom. They did not pursue God’s plan nor follow God’s law. They listened to military-minded men. They ignored God’s Spirit. They also paid a deadly price.
Be careful which voices you heed. Don’t follow the wisdom of the world. Seek God’s direction. Listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Trust God’s word. Obey God’s commands. I don’t want you to be another casualty in costly spiritual battles.