Suddenly. Instantly.
The Unexpected
Surely you have experienced an unexpected "breakage" of some fragile item in your home. Perhaps you were occupied with some task and you suddenly heard a great crash from another room. Or maybe you were simply not paying close enough attention to what you were doing and a glass or breakable dish slips off a table, shattering into tiny bits. It is always a shock and a surprise because it is the farthest thing from your mind at that moment.
The Surprise Attack
A word has been tumbling over in my mind since yesterday (does this happen with you, too?). I suppose it was the reference to the messenger sent ahead of the LORD, who will then "suddenly" come to his temple (Mal. 3:1).
A good number of times that this Hebrew word is used in the Old Testament, the topic has to do with surprise attacks. Sometimes my NIV uses the word "suddenly" as translation for a different Hebrew word that elsewhere is translated "instantly" or "in an instant." Interestingly, there are two places where both words are used together: Is 29:5-6 and Is 30:13. For any who are interested, these words are pith'owm [H6597, suddenly] and petha' [H6621, instantly]. The second word carries the idea of the eyes opening up -- a blink of an eye.
If we had known something like our present circumstance was on the way, would we have changed our course, done something differently?
We have all been looking back over the last six months or so wondering about the events in our world. "Who saw this coming?" we ask. How quickly things have changed! If we had known something like our present circumstance was on the way, would we have changed our course, done something differently?
Both of these chapters in Isaiah seem to be about God's arrival in judgment, coupled with salvation for his people. If you read through it, the prophetic words seem to vacillate from one to the other; it is almost hard to keep track. And it is a little ironic that we are "warned" that these things happen "without warning!"
The Take Away
What is my take away with this? We are not uninformed. We believe the Word of God and we do not shirk his commands or ignore his instruction. And we should not be afraid as though God were taken off guard.
From Thessalonians 5:4-9:
But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day...So then, let us not be like others who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled...For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
And Jesus gives us the following admonition: When you see these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28). He then tells a parable and instructs us to be careful that our hearts are not weighed down, but that we should watch and pray.
And God is good to us as a father has compassion on his children. Let us watch prayerfully and expectantly, and look again to the general themes of 1 Thessalonians 4 & 5: walk in love and holiness; lead a quiet life and work with our hands; anticipate Christ's second coming; be self-controlled; encourage and build each other up; honor those who work hard among us; "Live in peace with each other...be patient with everyone...Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (5:13-18).