5/27/26

Isaiah 22:12 NASB95 Therefore in that day the Lord GOD of hosts called you to weeping, to wailing, to shaving the head, and to wearing sackcloth.

Isaiah writes of the destruction of Jerusalem. It is awful and he even says in verse 4 "Turn your eyes away from me, Let me weep bitterly, Do not try to comfort me concerning the destruction of the daughter of my people.”

He is broken over the prophetic vision he is seeing. In our text today he explains that there was a time when the people were called to repentance. They were called to turn back. To leave their sin and seek to follow the Lord.

Isaiah says "In that day the Lord GOD of hosts, called you to weeping, to wailing, To shaving the head and to wearing sackcloth." Notice Isaiah refers to God, as the Lord (Master, Father) GOD (YHWH, Self-Existent One) of hosts, (heaven's armies). He is our Father and Master, needing no one or anything to exist, and controls all of heaven's spiritual beings which He created. This person has called you to weeping and wailing. Why? Because people are not living according to God's desire.

I want to be completely open with you today. I feel like Isaiah in verse 4 "Turn your eyes away from me, Let me weep bitterly, Do not try to comfort me concerning the destruction of the daughter of my people.”

I feel like weeping bitterly, because we (myself included) the children of our Father, the servants of our Lord, the creation of the Creator, the object of the Savior, are heading toward a time just like the inhabitants of Jerusalem, when heaven's armies are sent to punish us for our lives. We have been called just like them, to passionately weep, wail, and repent. There should be a visible action to our repentance, they were called to shaving the head and to wearing sackcloth.

We are called to:

Matthew 28:19-20 NASB95 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

We are called to:

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 NASB95 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.

We are called to:

Hebrews 10:22-25 NASB95 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Are we following are calling?

Are we following Jesus?

Because the people of Jerusalem refused to repent, the Lord revealed this to Isaiah.

Isaiah 22:13-14 NASB95 Instead, there is gaiety and gladness, Killing of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, Eating of meat and drinking of wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die.” But the LORD of hosts revealed Himself to me, “Surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you Until you die,” says the Lord GOD of hosts.

Will we continue in the sinful gaiety and gladness? I pray not. Because He said if so then, "Surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you Until you die!"

Jesus says, Revelation 3:19 NASB95 ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

I weep the words to you, let's repent and follow Christ.

Love Bro. Scott