Taming The Monster

ISAIAH 27:1-13

Key Verse:
"In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea" (Isaiah 27:1).

History is dotted with accounts of men who wielded absolute power – totalitarian dictators who shattered the destinies of millions of fellow human beings. Notable among this class is Josef Stalin who presided over USSR, the biggest empire of all times. At the peak of his power, he was said to have taken the lives of his subjects at the rate of 1500 per day. Such men were dreadful and formidable like leviathan (a fierce sea monster). Isaiah chapter 27 is a prophecy about God’s plan and care for His people – Israel and the Church. Israel had very formidable enemies and, at the time, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria was bent on destroying Jerusalem. The Lord interposed and decided that He would deliver Israel and inflict punishment on their leviathan-like enemies. Israel has had to contend with many despots, including the fierce Egyptian Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and Antiochus of Syria. And on each occasion, the Lord tamed these ferocious "leviathans." God’s people are here referred to as "a vineyard of red wine" depicting God’s love for them, their purity and fruitfulness. It describes the glorious state of the Church, especially after its fierce enemies have been destroyed. The Lord promised to pardon, protect, purify and prosper His people, restoring them from sin-inflicted afflictions to favour. The divine preservation of the Jewish nation till date, despite centuries of hostility against her, is a testimony of God’s faithfulness to His promises. The Church which enjoys the grace of the gospel of Christ and a fuller ministry of the Holy Spirit stands even a better chance of fulfilling these divine promises. Today, the world may be filled with anti-christs pitched against God’s people. Powerful rulers that have the trappings of leviathan may persecute the Church. Satan, the great dragon and archenemy of the Church may spit fire. But, in the end, the Lord will destroy them all and cause the Church to triumph. If, as a Christian, you are agonizingly bothered by the wicked audacity issuing from the camp of

Thought for the day: God has the final word. That word is in favour of His people.

Bible Reading in one Year: MATTHEW 26