Read: Isaiah 56:9-12
All you beasts of the field, come to devour—all you beasts in the forest. (v. 9)
At times, it can feel like we are surrounded by beasts; natural and man-made calamities that threaten us. Peter even warned the early church, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). However, today’s reading suggests an intense warning: there are times when the beasts are summoned by God himself.
Isaiah warned the people that the leaders of Israel were like blind watchmen, lacking knowledge (Isa. 56:10). Like hungry dogs, they only sought personal gain (v. 11). For them, leadership was a way to make a fortune for themselves, not to serve the people. In verse 12, leaders of Israel are accused of being hedonistic gluttons: “ ‘Come,’ they say, ‘let me get wine.’ ” They lacked a vision beyond what served them in the moment. The arrival of the beasts of calamity brings to light the weakness of these leaders and the people who unthinkingly followed them.
Is this true in our churches and in our society today? We see in our country that leaders only have power because the majority of the population is either silent or agrees with them. When calamity comes, we may need to ask ourselves: have we been following the way of Jesus? Jesus told a parable that shows how he wants us to live: not focused on the pleasures of the moment, but working faithfully for the kingdom to come (see Luke 12:16-21).
As you pray, ask God to keep you awake, focused on him.
Words of Hope’s South Asia Ministry field leader is based in India and works with more than 70 team members sharing the hope of the gospel in more than 20 languages. Because of security concerns, we have chosen not to share his name.
