Day 87: Isaiah 15- Knowing God-Justice & Love

An oracle concerning Moab. Because Ar of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is undone; because Kir of Moab is laid waste in a night, Moab is undone. 2 He has gone up to the temple, and to Dibon, to the high places to weep; over Nebo and over Medeba Moab wails. On every head is baldness; every beard is shorn; 3 in the streets they wear sackcloth; on the housetops and in the squares  everyone wails and melts in tears.
4 Heshbon and Elealeh cry out; their voice is heard as far as Jahaz; therefore the armed men of Moab cry aloud; his soul trembles. 5 My heart cries out for Moab; her fugitives flee to Zoar, to Eglath-shelishiyah.For at the ascent of Luhith they go up weeping; on the road to Horonaim they raise a cry of destruction; 6 the waters of Nimrim are a desolation; the grass is withered, the vegetation fails, the greenery is no more. 7 Therefore the abundance they have gained and what they have laid up
they carry away over the Brook of the Willows.8 For a cry has gone around the land of Moab; her wailing reaches to Eglaim; her wailing reaches to Beer-elim. 9 For the waters of Dibon are full of blood; for I will bring upon Dibon even more, a lion for those of Moab who escape, for the remnant of the land.
 
Meditation
When you read about the early church heretics you will come across  Marcion. Marcion formed his own “bible” by removing parts of the Old and New Testament that depict the justice of God.  Unintentionally, Christians today follow suite through only reading parts of the Bible focusing on what feels good. In the process, we miss both the power of God’s grace and who God has revealed Himself to be.
 
Isaiah reveals both the judgment of God and His compassionate love.  The Lord must bring the blood of judgment (9) while His heart cries out with compassion for Moab, the object of judgment. (5) A just God must judge evil and those who perpetrate injustice. A loving God must show compassion. God is both without contradiction.
 
The cross of Christ is where the compassionate love and justice of God meet.  Jesus took our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) and satisfied the wrath of God. (1 John 2:2) The cross demonstrates both God’s justice AND His compassion to justify those who believe, (Romans 3:21-26) offering forgiveness through the finished work of Jesus Christ. This is hope for all nations, even Moabites!
 
The cross is how a holy and just God can love His enemies (Romans 5:8) and welcome murderers like Saul into relationship. (Acts 9) God is not angry with you. His wrath has been satisfied! And realizing this truth is how His grace and love begin to transform us, empowering us to return to Him and His love.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Take a few moments to listen to this song by Sovereign Grace. The power of the cross comes through knowing the satisfaction of the wrath and justice of God. 
 
-The Lord poured His wrath on Christ so He can pour His grace on those who believe. How does this deepen your gratitude for the love and work of God in Christ?
 
-God is not angry with you. How do you live a life of moral performance seeking to earn God’s love? Get to know God- His wrath and justice have been satisfied.  Will you return to His love?
 
Key Verse
5 My heart cries out for Moab…