The Hebrew faith was an exception to a common belief in the ancient world that viewed oceans and rivers as chaotic gods. In contrast, Yahweh was not a deity who fought the chaos gods. Instead, He was the Creator and ruler of the waters.
Rahab is another way of referring to Egypt. Isaiah uses the ancient mythological language about chaos monsters to describe God’s power over three aspects of Egyptian power:
- The forces of chaos
- Egypt’s defeat at the Red Sea
- Pharaoh’s armies
God’s people were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years, but God freed them and dried up the Red Sea so they could escape the Egyptian army.
Awake, awake, put on strength,
O arm of the Lord!
Awake, as in days of old,
the generations of long ago!
Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces,
who pierced the dragon?
Was it not you who dried up the sea,
the waters of the great deep;
who made the depths of the sea a way
for the redeemed to cross over?
So the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with rejoicing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 51:9-11)
With poetic imagery, Isaiah reminded his audience of God’s deliverance from Egypt. The exile had not yet occurred, but in later years, the exiles would read Isaiah’s words and hope for a similar release as that from Egypt.
Modern people don’t make offerings to rivers and oceans in order to appease their chaotic wrath. That doesn’t mean that humans don’t go to great efforts to secure their existence from the chaos of life.
- Americans spend approximately $100 billion each year to receive financial advice and gain security against economic collapse.
- Between 4.5 and 4.8 trillion dollars is spent on health care each year in America.
- To put a roof over our heads, Americans spend between 3.2 and 3.5 trillion dollars annually.
Not having shelter, good health, and adequate finances can be understood as modern-day chaos monsters. Without a doubt, I am a participant in working to gain victory over them.
Jesus outlined human preoccupation with food and clothing in the Sermon on the Mount.
He told us not to worry about these things, but to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
Let’s notice that Jesus didn’t tell us to be careless about finances, health, and housing. What He told us was to seek first God’s kingdom. We are to give first place to God’s rule in our lives and trust Him to take care of the surrounding chaos.
Don’t Forget
Jesus told us not to worry, but to seek God’s kingdom, yet that is sometimes a challenge. A doctor’s appointment, the soon-to-be insolvency of Social Security, wars on many continents, and daily issues can stress our faith.
It’s like the Lord knew what our days would be like and wrote a personal message to encourage our faith.
I, I am he who comforts you;
why then are you afraid of a mere mortal who must die,
a human being who fades like grass?
You have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,
who stretched out the heavens
and laid the foundations of the earth.
I have put my words in your mouth
and hidden you in the shadow of my hand,
stretching out the heavens
and laying the foundations of the earth
and saying to Zion, “You are my people.” (Isaiah 51:12-13, 16)
What I most remember after reading The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker is the title. How often do we want to deny our mortality? In the face of the fact that humans fade like grass, the Lord declares, “I, I AM He who comforts you.”
If we don’t forget the reality of the Lord, our Maker, who has created the heavens and earth, we will seek His kingdom and not be filled with worry for the future.
Not only has God said, “You are my people,” He has said, “I call you friends” (John 15:15).
May these words encourage us to fully rely on the Lord and seek first His rule in our lives.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 