Isaiah 21:11-12 is interesting text, especially for the season we find ourselves in as a nation. And the words of the prophet come at a time of great need… while the Jews, the chosen people, were captives in Babylon. In the midst of crisis and chaos, Isaiah had a most glorious vision and a promise to declare over the hostage nation.
He says this in verse 11 and 12, “This message came to me concerning Edom: Someone from Edom keeps calling to me, ‘Watchman, how much longer until morning? When will the night be over?’ The watchman replies, ‘Morning is coming, but night will soon return. If you wish to ask again, then come back and ask.’” (NLT)
The KJV says verse 12 this way, “The watchman said, ‘The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: return, come.’”
Inquire, Return, Come.
It was a call for reconciliation. Redemption.
And this was a call to arise and awake out of sleep. It was a summons to stir, a call to action for the people of God.
After a long stillness and a slumber filled with sin and security, Isaiah was calling the promised people to inquire of the Lord, to improve of their conditions, to rise in obedience, to return to the Lord as their helper and security, and to labor faithfully while they waited in their wilderness.
I found these words to be so powerful in my commentary, “We must never be secure.”
Because they seem contradictory to all we know to be true of the Lord and of His promises.
But I believe he’s speaking to another type of security.
A security we find in sinful pleasures, worldly ways, and lukewarm tendencies.
Look back on verse 11. It says this, “This message came to me concerning Edom. Someone from Edom keeps calling to me.”
And I find it interesting that the Edom, while is was an oasis in the northern desert of Arabia, it's meaning in the Hebrew dictionary is “silence” or “stillness.” The word is Dumah, and it’s reference, can be translated to mean there was a call from those in silence… those who had become still and idle lacking faithful service.
The prophesy answered by Isaiah was a hard truth that the light of morning comes, and with it peace and opportunity. But that afterward comes a night of trouble and unrest.
But my eyes won’t let me accept that nighttime wins, and neither did our faithful Father. Because in His goodness, He teaches what it means to prepare in the problems so we can prosper in the promises. In His sovereignty God grants us the beauty of daylight, that ushers in tranquility, so that when the night arrives, we can endure victoriously.
You and I are to improve in the peaceful times so that we can preserve in the seasons of battle. My commentary suggests that, “It is our wisdom to improve the present morning, in preparation for the night that follows.”
Because it’s in the day time that we often neglect the state of our souls. When all is well, our inclination is to disregard self-scrutiny and underestimate our sinful manner. But the scriptures urge us to incline ourselves quickly to the improvement of our character, our condition, and our choices, because we have significant work to accomplish, but little time to do it. “As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4)
Isaiah saw an elevated vision and a morning coming in the middle of conflict. He saw a breaking day and foretold of the coming Savior who was to be, “the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
And the light that Isaiah saw was the the light he beckons us to fix our gaze upon.
The watchman gives us a promise in the raging war of night… that morning comes for all who willingly hear and obey the Gospel message. That the dawn will appear in the hearts of those who are attentive to the Lord. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3)
The question becomes how will I improve in the light of day?
May I refuse to grow secure in the darkness, always focused on the progress of my soul, clinging to Jesus and believing for a better day!
I see the morning coming! Time to rise and shine!
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