This is what the LORD says to me: "As a lion growls, a great lion over its prey— and though a whole band of shepherds is called together against it, it is not frightened by their shouts or disturbed by their clamor—so the LORD Almighty will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights. – Isaiah 31:4

Today's Scripture Reading (April 9, 2023): Isaiah 31

If you have ever tried to scare an animal away from something, you know there are a few different responses. I live in an area where several wild animals might be encountered if you are out for a stroll or a bike ride. Maybe one of the more common ones is a hare. Hares are fascinating animals, and there are significant differences between them and rabbits. I know of an area in the same city just south of where I live, populated with wild rabbits. Rabbits can be a bit skittish. If you chase after them, they will likely run away and disappear entirely from your sight. But a hare is a little more willing to stand its ground. It will run, but just far enough to stay away from you.

Geese are different. One park I like to ride through is populated with geese, and as I ride past them, I hope that they will just ignore me, keep going about their business, and let me go about mine. But sometimes, the geese are unwilling to let me ride peacefully by. Sometimes, as you draw near to them, they decide that it is time to chase you away from the area. Yell, scream, and try to intimidate them as you might; they are unmoved. You are moving through their territory, and they let you know that they are not afraid of you, and you should be afraid of them.

God speaks through Isaiah and lets Judah know he is willing to fight for Jerusalem if they will trust him. God is not a rabbit or even a hare. He does not get scared just because someone is yelling at him and waving their arms. Like a lion in the pasture, he doesn't care if a whole band of shepherds is waving their staffs and shouting, trying to scare him off. A lion might be content to ignore the shepherds unless they get too close, and the lions decide that you are a problem with which they have to deal. Then, the lion will attack. Similarly, God roams Mount Zion, ignoring all the enemies of Judah who are screaming to get his attention but willing to attack if those adversaries get too close.

However, he will not force his protection on the people. He is willing to protect, but if the people would rather live under the protection and oppression of Egypt, then he will step aside. The choice belongs to the people, and Isaiah hopes that Judah will understand that and make the choice that will set them in the best place to move into the future that God has for them; Isaiah hopes that they will choose God.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Isaiah 32