About 1.2 million Russian troops have been killed, wounded or are missing since its invasion of Ukraine almost four years ago. This is according to the report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Two economic professors at the University of California summarize the economic impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine: “Professional forecasters suggested a staggering $2.4 trillion cost of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine not only for belligerent countries but also for their neighbors in the region. However, we argue that even this amount understates the full scale of economic harm.”
Russia and Ukraine are the biggest economic losers, but the impact has been felt among 29 neighboring regions.
The reason why I begin my article with these statistics is to feature the impact of a relatively small group of powerful on the larger population.
Suppose Putin had 100 influential people who authorized a four-year campaign against Ukraine. The decision of a small group of decision-makers brought great harm to 142 million Russians and 39 million Ukrainians – not to mention the European nations impacted by this harmful choice.
Seven hundred years before Jesus began His ministry, ordinary people in Judah suffered through the influence of a small group of corrupt leaders.
No doubt, the public was guilty to some degree because they followed the directions of kings and priests who had mixed the worship of God with false gods. Had the nation been led by faithful and just leaders, they would have probably imitated that behavior.
A Nation Reduced to a Remnant
The first words of our text today are “remnant” and “survivors.”
On that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer lean on the one who struck them but will lean on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth (Isaiah 10:20).
To learn that the majority of Russians and Ukrainians are still alive is little consolation for the parents and spouses of the 1.2 million Russian and 100,000 Ukrainian casualties of war. These countries have not reached the remnant stage, but the harm is tremendous all the same.
Why did God bring judgment on His people in Judah and Jerusalem?
(1) They worshiped God, but also the gods of the land.
This week, Pope Leo mused on whether Christian leaders who authorize the death of thousands in war should consider going to confession.
When leaders claim to worship God, but combine it with nationalism, materialism, and military might, they betray their true allegiance. It is not to the One True God, but to an empty substitute.
(2) They trusted alliances instead of God. The big question for God’s people was whether they would actually trust Him. The truth of their situation was that they trusted alliances with other nations and not their Lord.
(3) They became like the gods they served. Peasants were the lowest class of society in the ancient world. Even lower than the peasants were orphans, widows, and immigrants. Notice God’s word through His prophet.
“The princes of Israel in you, everyone according to his power, have been bent on shedding blood. Father and mother are treated with contempt in you; the alien residing within you suffers extortion; the orphan and the widow are wronged in you” (Ezekiel 22:6-7).
Idols are actually demons and like the devil they live only to serve themselves. When we give ourselves to idols, we become like them and serve ourselves at the expense of the less powerful.
Try filtering war that is started by a few powerful humans and adversely affecting millions through the lens of self-serving individuals who care little for the lives that are lost. Shouldn’t God judge such behavior?
Praying the Promises
You will remember from Isaiah 7 the name of Isaiah’s son, Shear-jashub. Like the son’s name, God promised a remnant would return to the land. This small composite of the nation would be different from those who came before them. They would cling in faithfulness to God.
A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. (Isaiah 10:21).
As we look at world events, I hope we will focus on greater issues than the price of gas at the pump. As Protestants, we may not go to confession, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t confess. Let’s fully return to the Lord and ask for His mercy.
Let’s pray for a time when God lifts the burden of oppression from the multitudes who suffer because of the choices made by leaders who are out of touch with God’s values.
On that day his burden will be removed from your shoulder, and his yoke will be destroyed from your neck (Isaiah 10:27).
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on the Bob Spradling YouTube channel today.
Real Voices 