Isaiah 47

Summary Babylon is beautiful, powerful, secure, and in charge. What they do with their power is corrupt. God challenges abuses of power. The chapter invites us to reflect: "What will I do with power?" We must also contemplate: "If Babylon abused power and was corrected, what will God do in our day against abuses of power?" What We Need If we sat in the seat of power, calling the shots, with the ability to change things how we want - would we use our power for good, or would we do the same thing others have done with the power? We long for power used correctly. However, power often is abused. Relationships can quickly become broken and soured by abuse. Societies struggle when those in power use it incorrectly. We desperately need power used appropriately. But like Babylon in this chapter we see that as power multiplies it is mismanaged and harmful. God challenges power and its abuse in this chapter. Through natural consequence or divine intervention - abuse of power will be corrected by God. Instead, he will exalt the humble and the vulnerable. God fights for the weak. God is working through those who stop corruption. Why We Can’t Power corrupts. With more power comes control and pushing of agendas. The vulnerable are ignored and oppressed. They think themselves invulnerable and above accountability and the need for transparency. “No one sees me.” Is used to give power abusive capabilities. Babylon believes, as all who hold the keys of power do, that they will withstand anything and succeed even if they are crooked and corrupt. Once power is taken from the powerful, they are torn apart just as they did to the vulnerable. Why Jesus Can Jesus gave up power. He had all power but he gave it up. He was not weak being put on the cross. He was so powerful that he didn’t retaliate and willingly went to the cross. This is a power we have never seen before in humanity. His disciples James and John mistook the true secret of power - Jesus taught them it was found in service. Now What? The way we treat the vulnerable is an indicator of our understanding of salvation and our relationship with God. With power, in any form - whether finances, position, reputation, or influence - we are called to relinquish it. By praying to God and giving up ourselves to him, we learn to live not by power, but by faith. Giving the power to God allows me to live in a way that doesn't take power from others. We now serve and live differently and proactively help those in need.