· 33:12-19: The Blessing of this praise (Isaiah 30:1-17)
All of these “reasons for praise” bring the Psalmist to this point: Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD. Every nation had a “god” but the ones that would be truly happy (Heb. eser, the blessing of happy satisfaction) are those whose God is the LORD (YAHWEH) described in 33:4-11. That nation is full of “upright” people. As Psalm 1:6 indicates, the LORD knows the way of the righteous.
They are blessed because He looks from heaven (transcendent) and fashions their hearts individually (imminent). Further, they are blessed because the LORD can be trusted to keep His word in the face of large and mighty armies with ingenious weaponry. None of those things can stand against the blessed nation whose God is the LORD. And also, those things will not save the blessed nation, should they decide to trust in the weapons instead of the LORD. His eye is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy.
Here is something we need to consider. This “blessing” is not just for the nation of Israel. Here are three reasons for saying this. First, the promise is for the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. Israel was God’s inheritance. But the Father also promised the Son all the nations of the earth as His, the Son’s, inheritance (Ps. 2:6-9). Second, God looks down on all the sons of men, all the inhabitants of the earth, and considers their works. Whatever nation who declares their “God” to be “YAHWEH” will be blessed. Third, those who fear Him (v18) come from “all the earth” (v8).
Having said this, we need to recognize how this plays out in our world. We are writing this, as we noted, on Inauguration Day 2025 in the USA. Israel just signed on to a cease-fire agreement to bring a pause to the war against Hamas, and to bring home some of the hostages. The word is that Israel, and the government of Prime Minister Netanyahu (whom I have appreciated very much) made this seemingly unwise agreement under pressure from the incoming president of the US. We have mentioned this previously, but will say it again: Israel has a huge “America” problem. They care too much about what we think because they are convinced they cannot stand in this world without the support of the US. This is a repeat of the sin that brought Israel down in the days of the Babylonians: they trusted in that broken reed Egypt (Isa. 30:1-17; read this passage). The US has the greatest army in all the world, the most accurate and destructive bombs, and so forth. But Israel, and many people in the US, do not understand that no king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. Israel has been glorious with her defense systems (Iron Dome, Arrow, David’s Sling, and then added from the US the THAAD system to take down ballistic missiles) and exploding pagers and precision bombing to take out evil leaders. And yet, as the cease fire agreement began it was clear that after destroying much of the Gaza area, Hamas is still strong. In truth, who is Israel’s “god?” And who is “god” of the US?
· 33:20-22: Commitment to Praise
How should Israel praise the LORD? How should any nation praise the LORD? The problem is that nations see danger around them and, if they are not wise, they immediately consider what they should do to minimize the danger. So let us remember: King David had a great army, full of great men whom he described in detail (2 Sam. 23; 1 Chron. 11-12). But David lost the kingdom for a period of time because he was not upright. King Jehoshaphat had many fortified cities and a great army (2 Chron. 17) but he was defeated when he made a treaty with the wicked Ahab (2 Chron. 19:1-3). King Uzziah, Israel’s longest reigning king (52 years) had an amazing army, fortified cities, and devices … invented by skillful men … to shoot arrows and large stones (2 Chron. 26:1-15). But Scripture says he was marvelously helped till he became strong. Then he was brought down, struck by the LORD with leprosy until the day of his death, because of his pride.
When faced with powerful enemies, the question is, “in whom shall we put our hope?” In other words, will we panic and try to overcome with our own ingenuity and ability? Or will we WAIT for the LORD? The answer to this question tells us whether our God is us, the US, or the LORD! Earlier we read, the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. In v18 we read: the eye of the LORD is … on those who hope in His mercy (same word, checed, goodness). Therefore, the Psalmist, using the plural, commits and calls the nation to commit, to wait for the LORD. He is our help and our shield. King Hezekiah knew he was no match for the Assyrian army that had surrounded Jerusalem. He had first tried to buy himself out of trouble (2 Ki. 18:13-16), but to no avail. Then he did what was upright. He prayed (2 Ki. 19:15-19). He put his hope in the LORD. And what the LORD did for Jerusalem was the most amazing thing. Not only were they delivered from Assyria. The Assyrian king himself, who had spoken ill not only of Hezekiah but of Hezekiah’s God, was put to death. Even though not a single arrow was shot at or by Jerusalem.
What does Israel need? Leadership that will trust in the LORD, openly. And yes, Jesus Christ was and is the LORD who came to earth, the great I AM (John 8). What do we Americans need from our president? We need a man who will openly confess Jesus Christ as Lord and who will be upright, leading us in beautiful praise of the LORD! We need a man whose policies will reflect the word and work of God.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.
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