*Scripture: Isaiah 32:1-20 (NKJV)* 1 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. 2 A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a cover from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. 3 The eyes of those who see will not be dim, and the ears of those who hear will listen. 4 Also the heart of the rash will understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly. 5 The foolish person will no longer be called generous, nor the miser said to be bountiful; 6 For the foolish person will speak foolishness, and his heart will work iniquity: To practice ungodliness, to utter error against the LORD, to keep the hungry unsatisfied, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. 7 Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; He devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks justice. 8 But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand.
9 Rise up, you women who are at ease, Hear my voice; You complacent daughters, Give ear to my speech. 10 In a year and some days you will be troubled, you complacent women; For the vintage will fail, the gathering will not come. 11 Tremble, you women who are at ease; Be troubled, you complacent ones; Strip yourselves, make yourselves bare, and gird sackcloth on your waists. 12 People shall mourn upon their breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. 13 On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers, yes, on all the happy homes in the joyous city; 14 Because the palaces will be forsaken, the bustling city will be deserted. The forts and towers will become lairs forever, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks—15 until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest. 16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. 17 The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. 18 My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, 19 though hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation. 20 Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey. *Devotion* In Isaiah 32:9-14, the Prophet Isaiah speaks to those Israelites who are secure in their sins. They are "at ease," "complacent," and untroubled. Isaiah rightly preaches harsh words of God's Law in order that they would realize their sin, become troubled over it and come to repentance. The meaning to the Close of the Commandments in the Small Catechism says, "God threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not do anything against them." God's Word threatening punishment is sincere, but when the people's response is repentance, our merciful God does not give us what we deserve. We find out in Jeremiah 26:18-19, that Isaiah's word given during the first year of Hezekiah's reign was heeded, so that the Israelites did repent. In response, Jerusalem was not besieged, as was threatened, but the Lord defeated the Assyrians Himself. (Isa. 37:34-35) The meaning of the Close continues, "But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands." The Gospel is spoken to the repentant. The Lord pours out His Spirit upon His believers so that they are declared righteous because of the coming King Jesus. With forgiveness upon them, they receive the fruits of righteousness: peace, quietness and assurance forever. Through the confession of our sin, God has promised mercy and good gifts. 1 John 1:9-10, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
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