Who would have thought that we would find parenting lessons in Isaiah? But in Isaiah 28-30 there are some great parenting jewels. And that should make sense because God is the ultimate parent.
Here are some of the jewels that popped out at me--especially since I'm raising teenagers and am around their friends all the time. If I can somehow hold on to these truths, I hope I can steer these bright, young people in the right directions.
Quoting from the Living Bible--I really don't have to add much, but what I have added is in parenthesis:
Isaiah 28: 9-11
"Who does Isaiah (substitute "my mom or my dad" here) think he is...to speak to us like this! Are we little children, barely old enough to talk? He tells us everything over and over again, a line at a time and in such simple words! (translated--she/he nags)" But they won't listen; the only language they can understand is punishment!
Isaiah 28: 12 and 13
They could have rest in their own land (home) if they would obey him, if they were kind and good. He told them that, but they wouldn't listen to him. So the Lord (substitute "parent" here) will spell it out for them again, repeating it over and over (nagging) in simple words whenever he can; yet over this simple, straightforward message they will stumble and fall and be broken, trapped and captured (grounded!)
Isaiah 28: 20
The bed you have made is far too short to lie on; the blankets are too narrow to cover you. (Translation: you made this bed, now lie on it! seriously-it's right in the Bible, look it up!)
Isaiah 29: 2
I will send heavy judgment upon you and there will be weeping and sorrow. (You've seen it---they promise you the world, make deals, anything to shorten the punishment, right?)
Isaiah 29: 13
.....it amounts to mere words learned by rote (lip service)
Isaiah 29: 17, 24
Soon--and it will not be very long (but it will seem like an eternity to parent and child)--the wilderness of Lebanon (your home) will be a fruitful field again, a lush and fertile forest (all will be in order and happy).....Those in error will believe the truth and complainers will be willing to be taught!
(But not forever......problems will arise again!)
Isaiah 30: 1 and 2
Woe to my rebellious children, says the Lord (parent); you ask advice from everyone but me, and decide to do what I don't want you to do. You yoke yourselves with unbelievers, thus piling up your sins. For without consulting me you have gone down to Egypt (translated-hung out with your friends) to find aid and have put your trust in Pharaoh (translation-"friend's parents") for his protection. (Don't you hate it when they use their friends and their friends parents against you! But "Tommy's" parents said.....)
Isaiah 30: 8-11
(Sometimes you even have to make contracts to firm up the rules..)
Now go and write down this word of mine concerning Egypt, so that it will stand until the end of time, forever and forever, as an indictment of Israel's unbelief. For if you don't write it, they will claim I never warned them. "Oh, no," they'll say, "you never told us that!" For they are stubborn rebels. They tell my prophets (parent, again), "Shut up---(if they can get away with that!) we don't want any more of your reports!..."
Isaiah 30: 17
...You will be like lonely trees on the distant mountain tops. (This applies to the parent and the child, doesn't it? I don't think there is a lonelier feeling than when you are trying to do the right thing and your child is so angry with you and you have to "stick to your guns" and keep that wall up until everything gets back to "right".)
(Good--here comes the happy ending)
Isaiah 30: 18, 20-22
Yet the Lord (and the parents) still waits for you to come to him, so he can show you his love; he will conquer you to bless you.....Though he give you the bread of adversity and water of affliction, yet he will be with you to teach you--with your own eyes you will see your Teacher. And if you leave God's paths and go astray, you will hear a Voice behind you say, "No, this is the way; walk here." And you will destroy all your silver idols and gold images (substitute false ideas---"I can get something for nothing" "Mom will always be here to serve me" "I don't have to grow up"....) and cast them out like filthy things you hate to touch. "Ugh!" you'll say to them, "Be gone!" (I think this happens sometime after high school graduation!)
(And the grand finale'....)
Isaiah 30: 23
Then God will bless you.........
(Hang in there, parents! Blessings are there and more on the way!!)
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