Isaiah
30:28
28 And his breath [ruwach], as an overflowing [shataph] stream [nachal], shall reach to
the midst [chatsah] of the neck [tsavva'r], to sift [nuwph] the nations [gowy] with the sieve [naphah] of vanity [shav']: and there shall be a bridle [recen] in the jaws [lachiy] of the people [`am], causing them to err [ta`ah]. KJV-Interlinear
28 his breath is like an overflowing stream that
reaches up to the neck; to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction, and
to place on the jaws of the peoples a bridle that leads astray. ESV
The description of
God’s judgment, is that of an overwhelming judgment.
The breath,
carries the connotation of a powerful wind. The overflowing stream, describes a
powerful and fast-moving flooding stream. Reaching to the neck, describes the
overwhelming nature of the judgment and the ultimate powerlessness of the
individual.
The sieve, is
something that is typically used in an agricultural setting, wherein the good
grain is retained in the dust and chaff and bad stuff fall through.
Vanity, is a word
typically used for arrogance or emptiness or nothingness. These are all
synonyms describing the value, which is no value, of the individual who has no
truth within them.
And anyone, who
does not pursue a daily study of the word of God, or does not live their life
within the spiritual process mechanism, will by default, have nothing but
emptiness within them. Their life is meaningless and worthless and empty. And
they fall through the sieve, and are swept away.
But God will apply
this to nations, entire nations, which describes the state of the world in the
final days of history, but certainly could be used to describe the nations in
this world even today.
And the last
phrase is an interesting phrase. The bridle that leads astray.
The bridle is a
piece of equipment that is strapped around the neck of an animal, typically a
horse, thus allowing the horse, or the animal, to be led by someone else. The
bridle is typically attached to a bit, which is placed in the mouth of the
animal, giving the person leading it, more authority and control over the
animal.
When the bridle is
strapped on tight, and the person leading the animal is stronger than the animal,
then regardless of how much the animal resists or fights the bridle, they have
no choice but to follow, and go where they are led.
The animal is
symbolic. This describes the spiritually negative individual.
The bridle is
symbolic. This describes the volition of the individual, and the decisions they
make themselves.
And the one
leading them, which is implied within this verse, is their sin nature, which
they have subjected themselves voluntarily, through their own volition and
decisions, to lead themselves in the direction of the sin nature.
And the sin nature
always leads astray. Meaning, that they are led away from truth.
And God, who
controls everything, allows negative people to lead themselves astray. God
permits free will, and people are given the right to make their own decisions,
even if they are the wrong decisions.
Therefore, people
of their own choice, which includes indifference and apathy, and a defiant
attitude toward God, toward Christ, toward Bible doctrine, toward the
instruction of Bible doctrine, place themselves under the restraint of a bit
and bridle of their own making.
And when people
are indifferent towards learning truth, or resist learning truth for whatever
reason, they subject themselves to an overwhelming power and authority, which
is a sin nature.
And so they are
caught up, as it were, all the way to their neck, in a fast moving powerful flooding
stream, from which there is virtually no escape, due to their own effort.
The only way out,
is through the effort of God through Christ and doctrine.
And the only way
to get rid of the bit and bridle, is to change the attitude and start learning
Bible doctrine.
These
studies are a part of the massive daily study web site at DailyBibeStudy.Org,
and are written, so that you can come to Christ if you have not done so
already, and therefore not be lost forever.
And
if you have already believed in Christ, then these studies are written so you
can learn and understand and grow in your spiritual life, so that you can come
to the full knowledge of Christ, so that you can fulfill your meaning and
purpose in life as God intended for you, and so you can qualify for a phenomenal
eternal reward which you will have forever.
To
ignore this opportunity to pursue a daily study means you will be incomplete,
unfulfilled and you will lose out, big time.
The
Daily Bible Study is online, making it possible as never before in all of human
history, to advance in ones relationship with God, through Christ, and to
complete yourself beyond your imagination.
But
you have to decide to make that commitment.
No one else can study for you.
You have to do that yourself.
