Tall and Smooth Feared Near and Far

07.13.13

Isaiah 18.7 7 At that time tribute will be brought to the Lord of hosts

from a people tall and smooth,

from a people feared near and far,

a nation mighty and conquering,

whose land the rivers divide,

to Mount Zion, the place of the name of the Lord of hosts.

Things are not always as they seem. Often we jump to conclusions based upon what we think is going to happen and then, in the seeming twinkling of an eye, we find our conclusions were wrong and our assumptions were merely that: assumptions; what we feared never happens.

In the oracles of the prophets, specifically Isaiah’s, there are conclusions we can jump to based upon what they thought was going to happen. Isaiah’s oracle against Cush says they are going bring a tribute to the Lord instead of a feared invasion against the land. Cush, was a people who were feared because of their size, number, and ferocity – but God said He would bring them to a place where they would become subservient to His rule; they would bring tribute to Zion.

What happens when we fear the worst? Often our fear renders us ineffective in worship of the Living God, with Whom, the Cushites had not factored into their reality. Cushites and most others don’t factor God into their reality. God’s people, unfortunately, sometimes render God’s presence a small thing when faced with other big realities: sickness, poverty, relationships, war, etc.

When we fear the worst, our faith becomes small and useless. When we fear the worst, God’s arm becomes short – our joy flees, and our hope diminishes. But what happens when all of our imagined fears come to naught and the worst we feared never happens? Gotcha! We left ripped off with our cowardice and making excuses for small faith.

The tall and smooth feared near and far Cushites, would be tamed and bring, not war, but tribute to God’s people. When we moderns think the worst is about to happen and all our freedoms are going to fly away, God has a way of using what is formed against us to stymie the plans of those we see as tall and smooth, feared near and far who would intend to do us harm. Whatever we are facing today is not as tall and smooth and feared near and far as it (they, he, them) boasts, especially when compared to our God and His Name.

Today, I am learning not to jump to conclusions and my reminder is not to label someone or something tall and smooth feared near and far unless God gives me permission to do so – and when He does, then either I’m in real trouble or He will provide a way of escape. God controls the tall and smooth, those feared near and far…

I’m grateful for that!