Devotion: Earth’s End and God’s Glory
Isaiah 23-24 | July 13th, 2018
Prostitution is called the world’s oldest profession. Just as the act of prostitution trades the value of sex, which should be treasured in a marriage relationship, for the cheapness of money, the image or metaphor of prostitution is used to describe a person or institution that cheapens its value and resources for financial gain. Both literally and figuratively, prostitution exchanges something of value that should be protected for mere money.
The writers of the Old Testament use the prostitution metaphor to describe faithless Israel when she looked to the nations rather than the Lord for help in her crises (see Judges 2:17; Ps. 106:39; Isa. 1:21; Jer. 2:20; Ezek. 16:15–41; Hosea 4:15). Israel would woo other nations in order to gain their military partnerships or have their gods’ blessings, preferring foreign armies and deities to the blessing of her Husband, the Lord (see Isa. 54:5; Jer. 3:20; Ezek. 16:32).
Isaiah also indicted Tyre as a whore for the nations (23:15–17). Successful, prosperous Tyre thought they could trust in their wealth and trading partnerships for security. They adopted a value system that prized financial rewards over righteousness, and profits over obedience. They would learn that money cannot buy security, forgiveness, or peace with God; nor can financial reserves be hoarded into eternity. The only lasting wealth comes from a relationship with the Lord (23:18).
The wail for Tyre is the lament for those who would prostitute themselves for status or financial gain. It is tempting to sacrifice our obedience to Jesus in order to seek approval from the right social group or to placate family members. We must beware the dangers of spiritual prostitution and remember that Christ alone must be exalted.
APPLY THE WORD
Students and alumni of Moody Bible Institute have long had a heart to reach vulnerable populations such as prostitutes and victims of sex trafficking with the good news of the forgiveness and love found in the gospel of Christ. Thank God for His miraculous deeds of salvation and deliverance, and pray that they would find true worth in Jesus.
PRAYER | YEMEN
The country’s civil war continues to produce thousands of refugees and is helping extremists from al-Qaeda and Islamic State to move freely. Please pray for Yemeni refugees and the few thousand Christians in Yemen.
Today in the Word’s Devotion is a production of Moody Global Ministries
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