Labored in Vain
Isa 17:7 At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.
In that day of the Assyrian invasion, then a man shall call upon the LORD and have respect for His might and power. When we are without help, then we seek the LORD? Why not trust him always, before the times of trouble?
Isa 17:8 And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.
Their altars to false gods have no help for them, they fall apart and are seen for what they are; a man made false hope. Their fingers carved idols and make believe god and goddesses, religious things to make them feel good, a way to feel good about sinning. The trees they worshipped could not help them. They were worshipping the creation and not the creator.
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Isa 17:9 In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.
Uppermost branches are unreachable. We have a cherry tree that is old and has grown very tall. We can see the fruit but cannot reach it. The birds, invade and feast on the uppermost branches. They also knock some on the ground.
The cities will be empty and desolate, perhaps as the cities in Japan, after the Atom bombs were dropped. They trusted in idols and man made gods, human gods. Now our country is going after false gods and idols. Only the remnant of God's people has prevented desolation in our cities.
Isa 17:10 Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:
Isa 17:11 In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.
They had hopes of better times, enjoying the fruit of their labor, but they forgot God. The God of their salvation allowed wrath to come in, because they did not hide in him, but left his protection and trusted in things of their own design and making.
Hag 1:5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
Hag 1:6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
Hag 1:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
Isa 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Isa 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
Isa 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Serving God has eternal rewards.
Phil 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
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