Doing What is Right

O. T. #1613  "Doing What is Right"
Jan. 23, 2020
Isaiah 33-Part 2
Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? (verse 14b)
He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil. (verse 15)

LET IT GLOW

Assyria, the brutal enemy of Judah, was at the gates of Jerusalem. They demanded King Hezekiah to pay tribute to Assyria (See 2 Kings 18.) and he did. He used the gold and silver in the Temple. When all looked hopeless and Judah could not save herself, nor could she depend on her alliance, it was time for God to move in.

In verse 10, God is speaking, Now will I rise, now will I be exalted, now will I lift up my self.

What word is repeated three times? It is the word now, which means at this time.
It was time for God to:

• rise, get up, make to stand up, strengthen, succeed;
• be exalted, to be high, exalt self;
• lift up myself.

As I said before, the angel of God slew 185,000 Assyrians. God was Judah's Deliverer and He can be ours, too.
Jesus stood up when deacon Stephen was stoned to death, for he was speaking truth.

It could refer to a time in the distant future when the Antichrist attacks Israel during the Tribulation Period. While in a period of inactivity, God will stand up to act in history. Jesus will come as King of His millennial kingdom and bind up Satan for that time.

LET IT GROW

The sinners in Jerusalem shook with fear. Terror seized the godless. Who can live with this devouring fire?
It is the person of God Himself who is the devouring fire. So awesome is the judgment of God that only the righteous shall be spared (Matthew 24:22). (Falwell)

What will the character of the remnant be like?

• He walks righteously. He renders all their due, to God His due, as well as to men theirs.
• He speaks uprightly-what is true and right with an honest intention.
• He is honest and fair, refusing to profit by fraud.
• He stays far away from bribes. He despises gain that is not come by honestly. 
• He turns a deaf ear to those who are plotting cruelty or murder, war, or revenge.
• He shuts his eyes to all enticement to do wrong, sin.

Wouldn't you like to have a friend like the one described above?
This person does not think one thing and speak another, nor look one way and then another.
Are we careful as to what our eyes watch and our ears listen to? Do we keep a standard for our children and grandchildren that honors God?

LET IT GO
I exalt Thee, King Jesus.
May my intentions be honest and true.
May I live right with You.
Remind me to guard my eyes and ears from temptations of sin.