Articles
“You Have Not Brought” (Isaiah 43:16, 19-24)
In Isaiah 43:16, God recounts to the nation of Israel how he had taken them out of the bondage of Egypt and opened the Red Sea for them in days gone by. Isaiah 43:16, “Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, And a path through the mighty waters…”
With the thought of God’s abundant generosity firmly planted in their minds, God poetically reminds the captives, through Isaiah, He is still able to rescue and deliver!
“19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.
20 The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen.
21 This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise”.
(Isaiah 43:19-21)
However, there is a problem. While God is capable of unfathomable gifts out of the depths of His mercy, His people do not seem as willing to give and sacrifice to Him!
“22 But you have not called upon Me, O Jacob; And you have been weary of Me, O Israel.
23 You have not brought Me the sheep for your burnt offerings, Nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices...
24 You have bought Me no sweet cane with money, Nor have you satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices; But you have burdened Me with your sins, You have wearied Me with your iniquities”.
(Isaiah 43:22-24)
How often are we like selfish Israel? We want the blessings of God, but we do not want to be a blessing for God? As we consider our offerings, both private and collective, please remember God will know if “you have not brought” to Him! Let us not be cheap with a God who has been so rich towards us.
