Lesson on Isaiah 3:10-11

In the previous lesson, we examined how Judah has caused its own distress. In this lesson, we will see the same principle unfold a little further. The people sow what they reap.

Isaiah 3:10-11. (NIV)(NASB)(NKJV)(NCV)

This next passage from Isaiah contains both a contrast and a comparison. Both use the same subjects.

By the very terms righteous and wicked, we may presume that these people are opposites. In some senses, this assumption may be true. Isaiah proclaims good for the righteous and woe for the wicked. That's about as sharp a contrast as we can find.

However, Isaiah also says the righteous and wicked have something in common. They both earn the results of their actions. Isaiah isn't talking about people who earn salvation. Rather, he is talking about the consequences of the people's choices, both bad and good.

The majority of the message from Isaiah and the rest of the Lord's prophets addresses the wicked because the majority of the nation has chosen wickedness. But at all times, we find a faithful remnant.

For instance, near the beginning of the Babylonian exile, we read the accounts of Daniel and his friends. More than once, these men refuse to participate as expected in certain activities, based on their religious convictions. God honors them by rewarding them wisdom and abilities that in turn earn advancements in the kingdom. God also miraculously delivers them from execution on multiple occasions. (See the book of Daniel for their stories.)

We should notice that these men don't escape the exile. They lose their homes and families, too. But God's favor clearly rests with these men, and God uses them as witnesses to His glory in a foreign land. Surely, they "enjoy the fruit of their deeds" (Isaiah 3:10), but not in their homeland.

We reap what we sow. But we don't always understand this statement's truth because we look at part of our circumstances and conclude that we see the whole picture. We may think, "Well, I did what God wanted me to do, and look where it got me! This is what happens when I obey God?" Sometimes the fruit of our actions isn't immediate or doesn't look as we expect.

Galatians 6:7-10 says:

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Paul doesn't say we will reap the harvest when we want it, or when we think we need it, or when we think we've worked long enough. No, he says the harvest arrives at the proper time. And God determines the proper time because only He can see the entire picture.

Paul encourages us to continue doing good, both to "all people" and to those "who belong to the family of believers." Doing good can take a thousand different forms. I think the best place for us each to start is to take the passions and skills we already have and find ways to use those to help other people.

Knitters can make clothing and toys for pregnancy centers, charities, or clothing drives. Shoppers can hunt down good deals for needy families at Christmas. Cooks can make food for families dealing with death and sickness. Sports fans can organize outreaches at games. Whatever our interests, God can use them to do good and show love to other people. But what we reap from these interests depends upon how we sow them, to gratify ourselves or to please the Spirit. We will reap what we have sown.

To read the previous lesson from Isaiah, click here.
To read the next lesson from Isaiah, click here.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.