Rebellious Children

Isaiah 30:1
“Woe to the rebellious children, ” declares the LORD,
“Who execute a plan, but not Mine,
And make an alliance, but not of My Spirit,
In order to add sin to sin.”

—New American Standard Bible

The book of Isaiah isn’t always filled with inspiring prophecies about the Messiah to come. Much of Isaiah is a strong rebuke of the Nation of Israel of that time.

Nearly at the book’s mid-point, Isaiah puts it all out before the people by declaring — “Woe to the rebellious children.”

Their name was normally called “the children of Israel.” There was an honor to bearing that name. But to God, the honor was worthless if they were living lives of rebellion.

God’s rebellious children.

In today’s Christianity there isn’t a lot of pulpits calling their audience “Rebellious!” They used to call these kind, fire-and-brimstone preachers or gloom-and-doom prophets.

That is probably how the people felt about Isaiah. Isaiah wasn’t writing his thoughts down and then publishing them on papyrus for everyone to read. He stood outside, in front of the towns and palaces and people and he cried out with a loud voice. There were no public address systems, speakers or bull horns.

The people were going about their daily business and then they are blasted by this guy, yelling at the top of his lungs, YOU REBELLIOUS CHILDREN!

When you are living in rebellion, any words that point out your rebellion becomes annoying to you. This set of criticism was directed at a particular kind of rebellion.

This rebel, created and executed plans, but these plans were lacking.

In God’s eyes, the people were leaving Him out of the planning stages. Worse, they were willingly over looking the plan that He had already set out before them. He had a Life Plan that would bring them purpose and hope. Even more than that, He had a Life Plan that would bring Himself into their lives.

They were making alliances with other nations, but not with His Spirit. God was excluded, but that wasn’t the rebellious part. The nation was rebelling against what He had already spoken. They were rejecting His Sovereignty and replacing the God of the Universe with human made gods.

Some, in the image of animals, others in their own image. Others in the image of military might, politics and greed.

This was the opposite of God’s plan. It was an nsult to the One who made them mighty.

Their sinful and narrow thinking put out the fact that the same power that raised them up can — and is willing — to take them down.

Their end goal was to add sin to sin and the LORD’s ultimate goal was to gather to Himself a holy people.

Now this might come across very strong, but, do you find yourself working against God. Maybe you go to church, participate or even hold a position of leadership in church. Yet, are you adding sin to sin.

We don’t like to think about this when we are enjoying the atmosphere of worship or hearing the inspiring words of the preacher.

Maybe you switch the radio station whenever a preacher comes on that points his finger at you and cries out, “Repent!”

If you’ve made a heart commitment to serve Jesus Christ, then you must be warned — follow His plan.

He has given us a plan to live by and if you aren’t following it, then you are living as a rebellious child.

If these words are hitting you hard, then it’s time to take action: stop rebelling.

Rebellion is a choice and you can speak to God and confess your rebellion to Him and He will forgive you.

Then, start spending time in God’s Word, the Bible. Read about all that He will do to those who follow and obey Him. Learn more about His plan. Start writing the plan down and make it your plan.

Prayer

Father, forgive me for not doing what you said in Your Word. Maybe I don’t really know what you’ve said, I’m sorry for not spending time in Your Word. Help me to learn Your plan!

Help me to join up with others who want to follow and obey You and not be rebellious children. I believe Your Spirit lives in me and by His power I can do all things. I believe that Your One and Only Son, Jesus the Christ, has saved me from rebellion and sin so that I won’t have to live in sins power and grip.

Thank you for Your Word, in Jesus Name I pray. Amen.