Faulty Independence

The prophet Isaiah has already warned of dependence upon the Assyrians for the help of Judah.  Yet, Ahaz refuses to relent, and depends on them anyway.  That rebellion on God is really based on a “Faulty Independence”.  Anything but depending on the only one who can truly help us.

Due to the rebellion of Ahaz, the Word of the LORD comes to Isaiah once again, and here is what we read:

“The LORD spoke to me again: ‘Because this people have refused the waters of Shiloah that flow gently, and rejoice over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, therefore, behold, the LORD is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory.  And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks, and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.’

‘Be broken, you peoples, and be shattered; give ear, all you far countries; strap on your armor and be shattered; strap on your armor and be shattered.  Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us.”  Isaiah 8:5-10 (ESV).

Ahaz was independent, or so he thought.  He was independent of God, the LORD.  He was however, very dependent upon the Assyrians.  He truly had a faulty independence.

Many citizens of the United States of America believe themselves to be independent, yet they are in slavery, and dependence upon things which basically control their lives.  Like debt.  There is the debt on their house they live in.  They are in debt for the cars they drive.  Some are even indebted to their children.  They trust in these things to get them through life.  Too many are not depending on God.

The people of Judah had refused the refreshing water that flowed from Shiloah.  The “Waters of Shiloah ” was the stream which flowed from the Gihon spring outside Jeruslem’s wall which flowed to the  Pool of Siloam which supplied the city’s water.  It was a symbol of the people’s dependence upon the LORD, but they, through king Ahaz were forsaking it for the overflow of Assyria.

The prophet likens the Assyria as the banks of the Euphrates River overflowing and coming and conquering the land of Judah, and Israel.  “O Immanuel” is a sadness because the land of Immanuel was about to be stripped of her glory.  “What a pity that He who owns and will someday possess the land must see it in such a devastated condition!”  MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE p.967.

“Be broken you peoples” God says to the Assyrians who are full of pride because of their conquest of the land.  “Your time is coming” seems to be God’s warning to them in their arrogance.  Your armor, your vast army will be shattered.  And, God states this twice as though to give them double damage.  The plotting and scheming of the counsel of men cannot stand against the Almighty God.  Their words, their plans will fall to nothing, and so will those of the world leaders today.  They will come to naught.  God is with us.

God is with us, or “Immanuel”.  He is still with Israel, and will fulfill all His promises to them.  He will never fail to fulfill His Word.  His promise is “God is with us”.  That is not “Faulty Independence”; that is Godly dependence.