Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation–Isaiah 2:22

Posted by Seth on Sep 11, 2009 in Bible Study, Daily Devotions |

Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation–Isaiah 2:22

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Welcome to today’s Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation covering Isaiah 2:22 wherein we are challenged to think more accurately about the nature of man.

Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?

This verse doesn’t sound very nice. In fact, it sounds down-right mean spirited! But it is meant to be taken in context. We are meant to read it and understand it in light of what has previously been said. The Lord prompted Isaiah to reveal His great anger against the idolatry and arrogance of mankind and the resulting judgment that He was about to bring, causing people to drop everything and hide in light of the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to terrify the earth (V. 21). It was in light of this glorious, mighty God that Isaiah could write, Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he? Many humanitarians will struggle here and understandably so; these words are discomforting. But here is what must be understood: There cannot be a correct view of man and his needs without a correct view of the God who made him. When there is no regarding of God or there exists terribly flawed perceptions of Him, man elevates himself to a place far higher than what is honest, resulting in foolishness of great variety and measure. The wording here is clear; there is a nostril-breathing, created being, and the Creator to whom he is accountable.

Although there are still difficult things to work through when we look at suffering in the world, we should not consider ourselves or anyone else worthy of relief or exaltation in any way. To be sure, the Scriptures are jam-packed with instruction on reaching out and helping others, but we must do this always ultimately out of love, grace and mercy, (and not simply in view of merit) for that is what we have received from the God who made us if there are any good things in our lives at all.

To help us understand the great difference between man and God, imagine that I painted a very nice picture of a stick-man with a pleasant smile–let’s say it’s a self-portrait. I even went ahead and traveled the extra mile giving myself fingers and toes. I then put a frame around my painting and hung it on the wall, boasted about it to my friends, and sat in front of it for hours in great admiration. Then somebody took me on a trip to Italy to tour the Sistine Chapel. Unable to part with my precious painting, I pack it for the journey, pull it out when we get there and ask the tour guide if I can hang it up over some of Michelangelo’s work on the Genesis account. At this point, all would know that something is tremendously out of order in my thinking. The tour guide would be completely right in saying to everyone there, Never regard a wannabe artist, for of what account is he?

Big and little, glorious and inglorious, let us see ourselves with the correct perspective, and humbly thank the Lord for His many undeserved kindnesses toward us.

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