Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

May 26
Tuesday


CALLING EVIL
GOOD

READ
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Woe to those who call
evil good, and good
evil! __Isaiah 5:20
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The Wizard of Oz has remained popular for years. People of all ages have learned moral lessons from Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion as they traveled down the yellow brick road. Of course, in the plot line the great enemy to overcome is the Wicked Witch of the West. Evil is clearly depicted and overcome by good.

A new Broadway musical, however, turns the moral sense of the original story on its head. In this rewriting of the story, the wicked witch is presented as a sympathetic character. Born with green skin, she feels like an outsider. Major characters, plot lines, roles, and other details are altered so that the wicked witch is really just a misunderstood person. The audience might come away with the idea that evil is good and good is evil.

During the ministry of the prophet Isaiah, a reversal of moral values took place in Israel. Some actually lifted up the evils of murder, idolatry, and adultery as good. In response, Isaiah gave a stern warning: "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil!" (Isa. 5:20). In our relativistic world, popular culture constantly challenges biblical values. But studying, memorizing, and meditating on God's Word can ensure our discernment between good and evil. __Dennis Fisher
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``````````````````````In our day-to-day existence,```````````````
``````````````````````Evil sometimes wears a mask;``````````````
````````````````````Trust the Lord for true discernment--``````````
``````````````````He gives wisdom when we ask. __Hess``````````
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If we know the truth, we can discern what's false.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ Isaiah 5:18-23***********

18 Woe to those who draw
iniquity with cords of
vanity, and sin as if with a
cart rope; 19 that say, "Let
Him make speed and hasten
His work, that we may see
it; and let the counsel of the
Holy One of Israel draw
near and come, that we may
know it."

20 Woe to those who call
evil good, and good evil;
who put darkness for light,
and light for darkness; who
put bitter for sweet, and
sweet for bitter!

21 Woe to those who are
wise in their own eyes, and
prudent in their own sight!

22 Woe to men mighty at
drinking wine, woe to men
valiant for mixing
intoxicating drink, 23 who
justify the wicked for a
bribe, and take away justice
from the righteous man!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In Isaiah 5, the prophet indicted Israel (both the northern kingdom
of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah) for producing bad fruit
(vv. 4-5). Then he identified six specific sins, introduced by the word
"woe": covetousness and greed (v.8); hedonsim (vv.11-12); unbelief
(vv.18-19); immorality (v.20); self-sufficiency, arrogance, and pride
(v.21); and corruption of justice (vv.22-23). Three severe judgments
were pronounced (vv.9-10, 13-15, 24-25). God would raise foreign
nations (first the Assyrians and later the Babylonians) to discipline
Israel (vv.5-6, 25-30). The jews would be exiled (v.13), beginning
first with Israel (2 Kings 17:6; 18:11; 1 Chron. 5:26; 2 Chron. 33:11),
and some 100 years later, Judah (2 Kings 24:12-16; 25:10-11;
Dan. 1:1-3). Sim Kay Tee