Isaiah 20-22 What Happens When You Keep Saying No

God gave Isaiah news for Jerusalem and for neighboring nations.  Assyria would defeat Egypt and Cush.  Edom would soon be no more.  Though the Assyrians would eventually leave them alone, the Babylonians would finish the job on Jerusalem.  The trading caravans of Arabia would end up hiding from the attacking armies as well.

"The people of Judah were behaving like their pagan neighbors ... in His mercy, the Lord would deliver Jerusalem from the Assyrian army, but He would not deliver them from Babylon.  Isaiah pointed out two particular sins that would cause Judah to decline and ultimately go into captivity in Babylon:  The unbelief of the people and the unfaithfulness of the leaders," my commentary said.  "God had sent the nation many prophets to warn them, but the people would not listen.  Now it was too late; their sins could not be forgiven because their hearts were hard.  Judah would go into captivity, and God's word to Isaiah would be fulfilled."

Father, when we fail to seek You, turn to You in repentance, and return to You, we also fail to understand that our continued disobedience further hardens our hearts, making it even more difficult for us to turn back to You.  Please don't give up on those I love!  Though their hearts are hardened, continue to draw them to You.  Remove the blinders Satan has used on them, and call them to repentance and offer them Your forgiveness!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford