"Return, You People"

Jehovah now reminds his people that they have sinned and encourages them to abandon their erring ways: "Return, you people, to the One against whom the sons of Israel have gone deep in their revolt."  (Isaiah 31:6)  The ten-tribe kingdom of Israel has not been alone in her rebellion.  The people of Judah, also "sons of Israel," have gone "deep in their revolt."  This will be especially evident when, shortly after Isaiah concludes his prophetic message, Hezekiah's son Manasseh becomes king. According to the Bible record, "Manasseh kept seducing Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to do worse than the nations that Jehovah had annihilated. (2 Chronicles 33:9)  Imagine  that!  Jehovah annihilates pagan nations because they are disgusting in their filth, yet the inhabitants of Judah, in a covenant relationship with Jehovah, are even worse than the people  of those nations. 

At the dawn of the 21st century, condition s are similar in many respects to those in Judah in the days of Manasseh.  The world is increasingly polarized by religious, racial, and ethnic hatreds. Horrific acts of murder, torture, rape, and so-called ethnic cleansing have victimized millions.  Without a doubt, people and nations-especially the nations of Christendom -have gone "deep in their revolt." We can be certain, however that Jehovah will not allow wickedness to continue indefinitely.  Why?  Because of what took place in Isaiah's day.

Next time: Jerusalem Delivered

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000