"Do not prophesy about these things;
disgrace will not overtake us."
7 House of Jacob, should it be said,
"Does the LORD become impatient?
Does he do such things?"
"Do not my words do good
to those whose ways are upright?
8 Lately my people have risen up
like an enemy.
You strip off the rich robe
from those who pass by without a care,
like men returning from battle.
9 You drive the women of my people
from their pleasant homes.
You take away my blessing
from their children forever.
10 Get up, go away!
For this is not your resting place,
because it is defiled,
it is ruined, beyond all remedy.
11 If liars and deceivers come and say,
'We will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,'
they would be just the prophets for this people!
12 "I will surely gather all of you, Jacob;
I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel.
I will bring them together like sheep in a pen,
like a flock in its pasture;
the place will throng with people.
13 One who breaks open the way will go up before them;
they will break through the gate and go out.
Their King will pass through before them,
the LORD at their head."
Questions to consider:
- To what extent do you speak out against religious and socio-economic injustice?
- What is the response of the people to the prophet’s message?
- What does the response reveal about their attitude toward God?
- What promises does the Lord make to Israel?
Possibilities for prayer:
Look! Remember how yesterday we talked about the need to push through to see the good things--rescue, redemption, and the like--on the other side. In verse 12 God promises to gather all of the people that just a few verses before were going to be subjected to disaster. Today, let’s take some time to praise God for the way that He always comes through, even when it seems like things are taking longer than expected...or desired.
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