Since there is much to read each day, I choose not to comment on every verse, word, or thought that comes to mind as I read. Instead, I monitor for which verse, word, or thought in the day's reading seems to have the most impact or attraction in me. I choose to meditate on and write about that image. Anyway, that's my aim.
Readers, what is your approach to reading the specified scripture passages, day in and day out?
The scripture is unrelenting in declaring the Israeli people as thoroughly corrupted: They forsook all the commands of the Lord their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. The bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal. They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, provoking him to anger. (2 Kings 17:16-17)
The tipping point seems to be Israel's desire to turn to Egypt in a military-political alliance against Assyria. Working through Moses, God had liberated the Israelis from slavery in Egypt. Turning again to Egypt for support seems to be an affront to God's person and purposes.
Isaiah's declaration seems appropriate both to his own era, his own people, and to people of all eras and locales:
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. (Isaiah 5:20)
This echoes the sinful desire described in the creation story--Adam's desire and Eve's desire not to accept all things as God had created them--blessed and good--but to be "wise," like God, and thereby to declare for themselves what is good and what is evil. (Genesis 3:4-6)
Today, my prayer is to rely on God's wisdom more and my own sense of judgment less.
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