Pain of a Prophet
“Therefore my loins are filled with pain. Pangs have taken hold of me, like the pangs of a woman in labor. I was distressed when I heard it; I was dismayed when I saw it.” Isaiah 21:3
W
hat made Isaiah to feel such intense pain? Impending destructions of Babylon! Actually Babylon has troubled Judah a lot. Invaded their land, made their people captive, robbed their temple etc. Yet Isaiah is distressed over the imminent invasion of Babylon by Media.
Isaiah is well aware of the horror that people will have to face as a result of the fall of Babylon. Apart from that he is also worried about the Jews in that country, who will have to go through extreme sufferings once Media invade that country.
Sufferings of our brethren should disturb us. As we see the pain and agony of people we must be moved with compassion. We must sympathize with those who struggle due to various reasons.
Just like Isaiah knew of the approaching judgment upon Babylon we know that the wrath of God is going to be poured upon mankind for rejecting the saviour and the eternal salvation. This understanding should trouble us and touch our conscience to do our best to communicate the gospel of Christ and snatch them away from the eternal hell-fire.
True Christian ministry is not just an entertainment programme. It is the result of pain and agony over the sufferings of the helpless fellow-being. Let us feel that pain, sympathize with people and warn them in time.
Concern and compassion do wonders in the lives of one another.
NTK
16/8/2010
