The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Isaiah 1:1
Isaiah was a person whom God had called as a prophet for Himself. This of course is not an easy calling or a thing that is easily accepted by an individual. And Isaiah was a prophet through four Kings. It is estimated that Isaiah’s time as a prophet had to have been at least 48 years to possibly as long as 70 years and the kingdom was now divided between Israel (north) and Judah (south). Isaiah most likely walked into the role of prophet towards the end of Uzziah’s reign. It was a tumultuous time for kingdom of Judah. But even more so for the kingdom of Israel for they were destroyed during Isaiah’s life. Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah was attacked by Israel also during time. Isaiah eventually chronicled his entire ministry into a book we now carry and read in our Bible. It is considered a ‘major’ prophetic book. Isaiah’s ministry is remarkable and valuable for inspiration and learning especially if you are bent towards the prophetic.
Now that’s the background set up for what I’m about to explain. The setting I was in when I received this ‘word’ from the Lord was that I was in another state (Georgia) on vacation visiting my son and his little family (wife and our first granddaughter), and with the time difference and my tendency to waken early I got up very early to sit and spend some time with the Lord. Almost immediately when I sat down I was told “Isaiah 3 – The state of our country”, which led me to begin to ask the Lord / Holy Spirit questions after reading the 3rd chapter of Isaiah. I obviously needed to understand the context Isaiah, Jerusalem, and the kingdom of Judah were in when the Word of the Lord in chapter 3 was declared over them. Also, obviously chapters 1 & 2 do that to an extent. But historical context is only important for understanding to a point – for what the Lord was trying to let me know about the state of our country currently. Sitting with the Holy Spirit and trying to absorb what He is trying to get me to understand is often not an easy thing to take in, for it often comes with so many things coming from the heart of the Father and Jesus as well. Emotions and feelings are not easily translated into words, especially from the spiritual dimensions. Reading chapter one you learn that the Lord sees the ‘faithful’ city of Jerusalem as a … whore. That’s a pretty strong accusation and description. The Lord was about to do some ‘refining’ of Jerusalem. Which was the point I think the Lord was making about ‘our country’. What have been the reasons our country has gotten into the state that it is in currently? Where does our country currently sit in it’s love for the Lord? Or in our faithfulness to Him? What really do we love the most? Where are most of our efforts put towards? Have we as a nation truly forsaken God? Are we really a post-Christian nation? Why? What factors have led to our demise? What will be the consequences for our wicked actions and indulgent lethargy towards the things of God’s heart? Then … Lord what exactly am I also responsible for in this ‘word’ from you? What am I to do with this … ‘word’ through me? Those are important questions to get answers from Him, so as to not steward this thing wrongly He is trying to get me to understand. I often ‘wrestle’ with these ‘encounters’ and ‘messages’ I receive from Him. They often send me deep into the scriptures and prayer asking for understanding and answers. So, if you want to continue reading and wrestling with me, you’ll want to continue to read this 4-5 part series, after reading Isaiah 3 for yourselves. I invite you to comment and ask questions as well. And I can’t guarantee I’ll have any answers. But I do believe the Lord wants us to learn what the consequences could be and are if we continue to dismiss His instructions and warnings to us individually and to us collectively as a country.
As a ‘prophetic’ community – your perspective is helpful to get a fuller picture of the situation. So, your contribution is truly invited. I just ask you ask and wrestle with Him before just inputting your ‘opinion’.