"You Continued Sending Your Envoys"

Judah's transgression goes beyond serving false gods.  Using Isaiah as his mouthpiece, Jehovah says:  "You proceeded to descend toward Melech with oil, and kept making your ointments abundant. And you continued sending your envoys far off, so that you lowered matters to Sheol." (Isaiah 57:9)  The unfaithful kingdom of Judah goes down to "Melech,"  "the king" in Hebrew-likely the king of a foreign power- offering him expensive and appealing gifts, symbolized by oil and perfumed ointments.  Judah sends emissaries to faraway places.  Why?   To persuade Gentile nations to make political alliances with her trust in foreign kings.

 

One example of this is in the days of King Ahaz. Feeling threatened  by an alliance between Israel and Syria, that unfaithful king of Judah sends messengers to Tiglath-pilser III of Assyria, saying:  "I am your servant and your son.  Come up and save me out of the palm of the king of Syria and out of the palm of the king of Israel, who are rising up against  me."  Ahaz sends silver and gold as a bribe to the king of Assyria, and the king responds, launching a devastating attack on Syria.  (2 Kings 16:7-9)  In her dealings with the Gentile nations, Judah stoops to "the depths of Sheol."  (An American Translation) Because of those dealings, she will die, or cease to exist  as an independent nation with a king. 

Jehovah continues to address Judah:   "You have not said,' It is hopeless!"  You have found a revival of your own power. That is why you have not grown sick."  (Isaiah 57:10)  Yes, the nations has labored hard in her apostate ways, and she fails to see the hopelessness of her endeavors.  To the contrary, she deludes herself into believing that she is succeeding  in her own power.  she feels invigorated and healthy.  How foolish!

Today there is an organization whose conduct is reminiscent of that of Judah in Isaiah's day.  Christendom uses the name of Jesus, but she pursues alliances with the nations and has filled her places of worship with idols.  Her adherents even set up idolatrous images in tier private homes.  Christendom has sacrificed her young people   in the wars of the nations.  How offensive  all of this must be to the true God, who commands Christians  "Flee from idolatry"!  (1 Corinthians 10:14)  By involving herself in politics, Christendom has 'committed fornication with the kings of the earth.' (Revelation 17:1, 2)  She is, in fact, a major supporter of the United Nations.  What lies ahead for this religious harlot?  Well, what does Jehovah say to her prototype, unfaithful Judah, especially as represented by her capital city, Jerusalem? 

Next time: 'Your Collection Will Not Deliver You'

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001