Day 12: Isaiah 5:16-21

But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.
Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.
Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:
That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

 Because God is a God of covenant, covenant curses will follow those who are in covenant with Him and yet break that covenant. One of the covenant curses falls upon those who live purposely contrary to the inherent holy and true nature of God: calling evil good, good evil, darkness light, light darkness, bitter sweet, and sweet bitter.

Why is this so significant? Not only is it against God’s character of truth, it abuses the power of words that God has given to us. Did you know that spoken words have power to change the physical realm?

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)

By calling good evil and evil good, we are reversing the very power, order, and system as created by God. By putting darkness for light and light for darkness, we are equating the blackness of sin to the purity of Jesus Christ. We are turning God’s world upside down in the worst possible way.

Unfortunately, this is all too common in our culture. Actions that God has declared are contrary to who He is (and are sin) are tolerated and even encouraged. Attitudes that are diametrically opposed to God’s nature are exalted and promoted.

This isn’t limited to blatant toleration of sin in our culture, however. Perhaps your motives are praiseworthy but your methods run contrary to God’s law. This, too, is calling evil good and good evil, putting light for darkness and darkness for light.

In the New Testament, Jesus condemned the Pharisees for dedicating all of their resources to the temple and leaving none to assist their parents – in direct opposition of the fifth commandment. The action itself may have normally been commendable – giving resources to God’s work is generally in harmony with God’s law – but the circumstances that included breaking God’s law rendered the gift despicable.

By muddying the waters between light and darkness, we create a personal darkness for ourselves as well as for all those around us. The light is dimmed, and the work and word of God are not able to shine into our lives and the lives of those around us.

Instead, let us fix our eyes firmly on our Father, the Source of Light itself. By beholding only Him, we are changed into His image, and our actions, words, and motives reflect only His light. Light causes darkness to flee, and in the glorious light of His presence, all is transformed into stunning brilliance that only His face can bring.