… this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant. – Isaiah 30:13

Today’s Scripture Reading (December 3, 2013): Isaiah 30

On September 9, 1513, James IV, the reigning King of Scotland, died on the battlefield during the Battle of Flodden Field. The battle was between the armies of the Kingdom of Scotland and the armies of the Kingdom of England. The death of James IV marks the last time that a king of any of the British nations would die on the battlefield. It also marks the tragic end to what most observers saw as the reign of a Great King.

But the reason behind the Battle of Flodden Field was also tragic. As the conflict that has become known as the Italian Wars started to engulf the other nations of Europe, England and France found themselves on different sides of the conflict. All of which created a problem for James – he had treaties with both England and France. So as Henry VIII of England declares war on France, it is probable that James believed that if he declared war on the young Henry VIII that it might stretch the forces of England to the point where the nation would not be able to carry out its conflict with either nation. But that was a misstep on the part of James. The result of James’ decision was the meeting of the two armies at Flodden Field. Both the English and Scottish accounts of the battle agree that James seemed determined to fight – according to some it seemed as if James wanted to rush into the fight. It was as if once the course was set, James could see no longer see any other option. Some historians have questioned the Scottish Monarch’s capabilities at military strategist. A competent king in many other areas, his ability to understand and wage war was most likely James IV Achilles heel.

Judah’s sin was that they had placed their military trust in Egypt instead of in God. Their hope was that their Egyptian alliance would produce a wall which would keep the nation safe. But Isaiah says that that the wall they had built was doomed to bulge and fall suddenly – much like a wall that has been weakened by the steady pressure of water. Not only would the wall that Judah had built not save them, but when it fell the disaster would be much worse than it would have been otherwise. Not only would Judah be crushed by their enemies, but they will also would end up being crushed by the wall that they had built to defend them.

But Judah’s main problem was that they couldn’t see any other options. In their estimation, depending on Egypt was their only choice. Just as James was unable to see any other alternative to the Battle of Flodden Field, Judah could not see any other option than to depend on Egypt for their defense – even though a dependence on Egypt was against the stated will of God. In both cases the lack of vision would prove to be fatal. Lack of vision usually is. There is always an alternative action that in our times of distress that we need to consider. But to find it, we often need to be able to pause and look for it – and believe that God has really made an alternative available to us.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Isaiah 31

Note: The VantagePoint Community Church (Edmonton) message "Touching God" from the message series "Fall In ..." is now available on the VantagePoint website. You can find it here.