“In that day the Lord God of hosts called for weeping and mourning, for baldness and wearing sackcloth; and behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine. ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.‘” (Isaiah 22:12–13, ESV)
Jerusalem was under siege. Biblical historians believe that this was most likely the Assyrian invasion of 701BC. Sennacherib of Assyria recorded that he had already captured 46 towns of Judah. Things looked dim. Imagine that you are one of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. What would you do?
We find that the inhabitants of Jerusalem prepared for battle. They fortified the walls of the city the best that they could. They armed themselves. Surprisingly, in the threat of the impending battle, they began celebrating. Isaiah records that they celebrated with “joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine.” He records their sentiment, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
Sadly, the one thing that the Lord called them to do, they did not do. They did not repent. Isaiah records, “In that day the Lord God of hosts called for weeping and mourning, for baldness and wearing sackcloth.” Instead of repenting and calling on the Lord, they celebrate in a fatalistic party.
We think that their actions seem quite foolish, ridiculous. However, are people today not doing the same thing? We see this self-centered attitude prevalent in our society today. People say, “We have one life to live so we need to live it up today.” Their sentiment is, “eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” Like Isaiah, we keep sounding the alarm and call them to consider eternity and they do not respond. However, it is not all futility. Some do listen and some do respond. Remember Jesus’ words, “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14, ESV).
Therefore, keep on sowing the seed. Keep on calling people to consider eternity and to repent. Realize that some of those to whom we preach will respond according to God’s sovereign purposes. Some will be saved.
Renewing the Heart 