Isaiah 5:20

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Today’s Bible verse is
Isaiah 5:20 (NIV)
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.

Let’s read the verse in context:
Isaiah 5:11-21 (NIV)
11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning to run after their drinks, who stay up late at night till they are inflamed with wine. 12 They have harps and lyres at their banquets, tambourines and flutes and wine, but they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD, no respect for the work of his hands. 13 Therefore my people will go into exile for lack of understanding; their men of rank will die of hunger and their masses will be parched with thirst. 14 Therefore the grave enlarges its appetite and opens its mouth without limit; into it will descend their nobles and masses with all their brawlers and revelers. 15 So man will be brought low and mankind humbled, the eyes of the arrogant humbled. 16 But the LORD Almighty will be exalted by his justice, and the holy God will show himself holy by his righteousness. 17 Then sheep will graze as in their own pasture; lambs will feed among the ruins of the rich. 18 Woe to those who draw sin along with cords of deceit, and wickedness as with cart ropes, 19 to those who say, “Let God hurry, let him hasten his work so we may see it. Let it approach, let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come, so 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 clever in their own sight.

Today’s Quiet Time with God

I think today’s verse applies to a lot of aspects of our society. Things that are evil are called good, while things that are good are called evil. Much is done in our society under the banner of “rights”. To suggest that the Bible is true is considered foolish or intolerant. Tolerance no longer means to treat people with different opinions respectfully. It now means that basically anything goes. There is no longer a standard. It is OK to lie if it is expedient because we value relativism more than truth. Relativism means that as long as something works its OK. Right and wrong are no longer the driving factors, it is all about what works. As I look at the world around us, it reminds me of how important it is to be salt and light in this world. To attempt to live life in a way that demonstrates there is still Truth, and His name is Jesus. I am also glad that God is still in control, and that my hope is found in Him. Ask God to give you opportunities to make a difference in the world today, one person at a time. You will be blessed as you do.

I want to encourage those of you who regularly read these posts on your email to visit the site and leave a comment from time to time. (To leave a comment, just scroll down to the bottom of the article and click on the comments tab next to my name and the date. The screen will probably reload and then when you scroll down to the bottom of the article again you will see a block to enter your comment. Type it in and click submit. It won’t show up on the site right away, but it will eventually) I would love to hear from you about some ways that you see today’s verse in action. Can you give some illustrations of evil being called good and good being called evil? I look forward to reading your comments!

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