A Message for Today?

In the latest installment of his Wall Watchers program, Bill Watson stated that the first chapter of Isaiah applies to the United States in our day! According to him, the United States is the modern representative of ancient Israel, and Isaiah's message is a warning for our people. Pastor Watson believes that these Old Testament prophecies have dual applications - one for ancient times and one for modern times. And, as the name he has chosen for his new program indicates, Watson believes that he is a watcher on the wall in the tradition of the prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 33:1-9). Is Bill right?

In the first chapter of Isaiah, we read: "The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah." (Verse 1, ESV) Notice that this is Isaiah's vision, NOT Bill's - NOT mine - NOT yours. Notice too, that his vision concerned JUDAH and JERUSALEM during the reigns of four of the ancient kings of Judah. In other words, the first verse clearly laid out whose vision was being recorded and for whom it was intended! Note too, that even if Bill was right about the United States and Israel, that this prophecy was NOT for Israel, Samaria, or Israel's leaders.

Moreover, if we bother to read ALL of the rest of this chapter of Isaiah, it becomes very clear that this was intended for a people living under the terms of God's covenant with the Israelites (Old Covenant - Torah). Later in this chapter, we read: "What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?' says the Lord; 'I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. When you come to appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them." (Isaiah 1:11-14, ESV) Just to be clear, the people of the United States have NEVER followed these tenets of God's covenant with Israel - NOT AT ANYTIME IN THEIR ENTIRE HISTORY AS A NATION!

Finally, for those who actually suffered through Bill's presentation, you may be wondering why the pastor spent so much time talking about immigration, Islam's influence, and homosexuality. Bill reads: "Your country lies desolate; your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence foreigners devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners" (verse 7) and thinks immigration. It apparently never occurred to him that Isaiah might be talking about Assyria's invasion of Israel and Judah which happened during King Hezekiah's reign! Likewise, Bill reads: "If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah. Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Give ear to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!" and thinks homosexuality! Once again, it appears that Bill doesn't see the obviously intended comparison between the rulers and people of Judah and the rulers of the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. And, just for the record, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah was about a whole lot more than the attempted homosexual gang rape of two angels (see Ezekiel 16:49-50). Now, as Mohammed hadn't even been born yet, I leave my readers to speculate about how Bill came up with a connection to Islam.

NO, Bill! The first chapter of Isaiah is NOT a message for our day! In fact, it has NOTHING to do with the United States, the Christian era, or the Twenty-first Century! That's a big swing and a miss - commonly known as "STRIKE ONE!"