“As for all the hills once cultivated by the hoe, you will no longer go there for fear of the briers and the thorns: they will become places where cattle are turned loose and sheep run.” (Isaiah 7:25 NIV)
God had been warning King Ahaz about the coming invasions: flies from Egypt and bees from Assyria. Flies are annoying but bees are painful. God was letting Ahaz know: foreign troops would fill every ravine and crevice of Judea. The nation would be laid bare and embarrassed. And the land would go to seed.
I read a book once, where a house and land unattended was described as ‘taking on a widow’s look.’ Historically, a husband would look after a home’s infrastructure and fence line, fields and lawn. When a husband went absent, by infirmity, infidelity, war declaration or death, his property quickly bore witness.
Today’s passage mad me think: the nation of Judah would take on a widow’s look. Not because God was absent, but because Judah had rejected Him. Judah had been adulterous with other gods, driving away her true Husband. Judah needed to sit in her repercussions and stew awhile. She needed to recognize and appreciate God’s power, provision and protection in her life.
As a former homeowner, I know it is far easier and cheaper to maintain than repair. The second law of thermal dynamics is so evident in our world: any system left to itself moves toward disorder. We call this entropy or decay.
I think about entropy and I wonder, why are we so bent on doing it by ourselves? Life with God is infinitely better! Our house can have a married look: well-cared for, tended to and treasured.
God longs to live with and for His people. It is His stated desire from Genesis to Revelation. That being said, He will not tolerate spiritual adultery. We cannot bow before Him and other gods, also. We must choose: marriage or widowhood. Divine presence or the paper-thin illusion of independence. (Independence from God is slavery to sin.)
“Then the people of Israel will no longer stray from Me, nor will they defile themselves anymore with all their sins. They will be my people and I will be their God, declares the sovereign Lord.” (Ezekiel 14:11 NIV)
Lord, we want to be a well-kept people. May we only ever bow before You. Reign in our hearts and lives alike. Have Your way in our homes. We are glad to belong to You. Amen.