Day 179

2 Kings 17:5-41; 18:9-12; Isaiah 1:1-20; 28:1-29.  “Faithful Treatment”

Isaiah 28 closes with a wonderful poetic parable.  The parable describes how a farmer deals uniquely with each crop.  The farmer knows what each of his various sections of land will produce the most of a specific crop.  He knows what tools will prepare the land the best.  He knows what each crop will require in order to produce the highest yield.  
It is apparent that this passage is dealing with discipline that Israel is about to receive.  Israel is about to receive God’s punishment for centuries of ignoring His rules and refusing to serve Him alone. Yet, in the parable lies the beauty of God’s compassion.  God’s actions “will be as measured and as well-timed as a farmer’s.”  God will take into account the vulnerability and character of Israel.  He will deal with them as He knows best, so that in the end the harvest will be fruitful.
God does the same for us.  He knows what we need and what we can handle.  He knows how far He will need to stretch us in order to make us the most fruitful in the end.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?