THE FIST OF GOD (Isaiah 9-10)

Even after all this, God is still angry, his fist still raised, ready to hit them again. (Isaiah 10:10)

Yesterday I looked at the Rock of God--either a hiding place of refuge or an immoveable obstacle.

Today Isaiah talked about God's fist.

Strangely enough, one of the most-often quoted prophecies about the coming Messiah lies between the two passages: Isaiah 9:6. Say it with me: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting father, the Prince of Peace.

But instead of the healing, encouraging Prince of Peace (the Message uses the word "wholeness"), verse 8 talks about the "Master." God is depicted as a harsh school headmaster, trying to discipline the rebellion out of Israel, fighting fire with fire and with fist still raised, ready to strike agtoain.

God sent them prophets but they were too arrogant to listen (if anyone is interested, this passage includes the verse that the Cahn's The Harbinger is based on but I won't get into political rhetoric, for or against.)God used the Philistines to punish them. God's fist was still raised.

Next, God went after the leaders, chopping off the head and tail. The people got the leaders they deserved. God's fist was still raised.

The people indulged insatiable lusts--food, drugs, power, things, you name it. Civil war ensued. God's fist was still raised.

Lastly, they legislated evil. God's fist was still raised.

It is tempting to apply this to America, but I'm not sure we should.

What I do think is truth-for-any-age from this passage?

God is angry when we go from sin to sin. The Bible tells us He disciplines us because He loves us. That punishment may reach greater and greater levels.

It is by God's mercy that we are not consumed by His holy fire or crushed underneath His rock.

Instead, His rock shelters and His fire purifies us and provides comfort.








Even after all this, God is still angry,
his fist still raised, ready to hit them again.