To the law! To the testimony!

Scripture:

Isaiah 8:11-13 The LORD spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said:

¹² "Do not call conspiracy

everything that these people call conspiracy;

do not fear what they fear and do not dread it.

¹³ The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy,

he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread,

Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

Observation: The words "with his strong hand upon me." make it clear that when God gave this warning to Isaiah he was doing it with force, as if to guide Isaiah firmly in his will during a time where he could be easily mislead. This chapter is clearly a continuation of the message of judgement God is placing on the people of Israel and Judah. Why is he judging them? for not relying on his sustaining power and placing trust in the things of the world such as their own work, wisdom, and riches. God tells Isaiah to not follow the way of the people, to not place his trust in the work of his hands, the worldly knowledge he has received or the material things he owns. He instead commands Isaiah to consult the "law and testimony" for answers.

Application: I think that the whole conspiracy of the world ending in 2012 is silly and false. Why? because I know the Word and that it says that no dates or times can be known. If this whole conspiracy was true would I be afraid of death? No I do not fear it. Why? because I know the Word and that it says I will receive eternal life with Jesus when I die. By consulting the Law and testimony for answers rather than following the way of the people and believing what they say I will be walking in Gods truth. Israels whole problem was caused the second they thought that their own ideas were better than Gods. Ever heard of the New Age movement? Its exactly the same thing that God is talking about in Isaiah 19. "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?" With all of these new religions promising to make you a "happier, better, spiritual, and more whole person." it can be easy to get confused. What is the piece of wisdom God imparts to me and you so that we do not stray away or get mislead? Go to the tesstimony and the law!

Prayer: Jesus please direct everything I do back to your Word. It can be easy to believe the things the worlds claims but I know they do not sustain. Help me to test what I believe, how I act, and what I value according to your law. Help me to rely on you for everything I need and not to rely on my own work, wisdom, or wealth. Amen

Tess