Isaiah-Caution When All Goes Well

By Mary Vee
II Chronicles 31, Isaiah 22, 28, 33

From the Journals of Isaiah

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King Hezekiah did a good job bringing God's people back to worship. He did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he tried to do in the service of God's temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he asked God and worked wholeheartedly.

Because of this, he and Judah have prospered.

Still, God gave me messages to warn the people. Prosperity tends to make men and women think they will always have blessings. And they will, if they continue to obey the laws of God and worship Him. But, if the people spend all their time enjoying the good things God has given them and forget to worship the God who gave them those things, they will receive a punishment.

God spoke to me and told me that Israel would turn from worshiping Him. They would spend all their time with the good things they have. 

Because God loves His people, He sent me to warn them. To give them a chance to change. Even though He knows what they will do in the future.

I went to the city and villages warning the people of what would happen to them. The people would not listen. Sometimes I felt like I didn't say the words right. But God told me the people chose by themselves to turn away from Him and not me. 

From Isaiah 22

And you looked in that day to the weapons in the Palace of the Forest;

You saw that the City of David had many breaches in its defenses;

You stored up water in the Lower Pool.

You counted the buildings in Jerusalem and tore down houses to strengthen the wall.

You build a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool,

  but you did not look to the One who made it, 

or have regard for the One who planned it long ago.

The Lord, the Lord Almighty called you on that day to weep and to wail,

to tear out your hair and put on sackcloth.

But see, there is joy and revelry, killing of cattle and of sheep,

eating of meat and drinking of wine!

"Let us eat and drink," you say, 

"for tomorrow we die!"

After the warnings, the Lord gave the people these encouraging words, because He loves them: The Lord will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

I only wish the people would listen to God's warning.

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1.  What kind of king was Hezekiah?
2.  What reward did God give the people for following Him?
3.  What warning did Isaiah the prophet give the people?
4.  What encouragement did God give the people?