The Lodestar

Before taking off, the pilot announced that the cabin crew was responsible for our comfort and introduced himself and his co-pilot, who would safely take us to the destination on time. The passengers have the right to know who is in control.

The prophet Isaiah's mission was to remind his people who is really in charge of their lives—it is the Lord of Hosts, not the reigning monarch.

Isaiah served the Lord during a period of severe political turmoil in Judah. Assyria, the ambitious superpower, threatened the puny little nation of Judah with no military resources to match its own. Moreover, the alliance of the neighbouring countries had already weakened the nation by grabbing some of its territories.

The throne of Judah was not vacant during Isaiah’s period; he preached during the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah (Isaiah 1:1). But Isaiah’s vision was far above the occupant of the throne in Jerusalem.

When he saw the Lord “sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up” (Isa 6:1), he realised that the one who runs the world's affairs, including Assyria and Judah, is the Lord. To say “I saw the king” may sound anti-royalist in political terms, but that is what true faith affirms.

This conviction guided his ministry, though it was at loggerheads with the ruling party. But finally, he was vindicated, as the Lord proved that he was sovereign over the world. First, he forced the Assyrians to lift the siege on Jerusalem by one of his angels (Isa 37:36), giving up the unfaithful Judah into exile into the hands of the Babylonians, bringing back a remnant, and so on. The events unfolded as the Lord, the real king, had scripted.

While facing political uncertainties and tempted by political parties' false promises, we must remember that our Lord is sovereign, and that history will unfold as he has scripted. He alone controls our lives in seasons of tempest and breeze.

(The author elaborates on Isaiah’s life and ministry in his book, THE PRINCE AND THE EMPEROR: SELECTED THEMES FROM THE BOOK OF ISAIAH. Click here to buy.

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