Isa 30:10

Isa 30:10  Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.                                                              Isaiah 30 is a rebuke to those in Judah who looked to Egypt for deliverance. God said: “Woe to the rebellious children….that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt” (v.1, 2). The Assyrian army was attacking Israel and Judah. The northern kingdom of Israel was conquered  and its people taken into exile (2 Kings 18:11). The reason for its destruction was given in the next verse: “Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them.” Disobedience was its sin. The Assyrians, after conquering northern Israel, set their eyes on Judah. 2 Kings 18:21 reveals that Judah appealed to Egypt for military aid during the conflict with Assyria. In looking to Egypt, Judah forsook the LORD. For Judah to trust Egypt was to “add sin to sin” (v.1). God said of Judah: “This is a rebellious people….that will not hear the law of the LORD” (v.9). It is NOT that they rejected the word of God in its totality but they were picky in what they wanted to hear: “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (v.10). Today's “churches” are filled with people who do not want to hear the truth but would rather listen to fables, lies, and deceits: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3, 4). The reason for this attitude towards God’s word is given: “after their own lusts.” It means, they will seek such kind of preaching as will accord with their carnal desires. They do not want to hear the truth because they know that it will condemn their ungodly lifestyles. Which drinker wants to be in a church that says drinking is sin? Which adulterer wants to be in a church that preaches the truth about adulterous marriage? Obviously they will search out preachers and "churches" that will not condemn their ungodly lifestyles. Our Lord says: “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:20). Sin is the reason that many object when they hear a preacher speaking about sin and worldliness. They hate the truth because they cannot face it. Because the truth condemns them and they don’t like it. So they look for “churches” that will endorse their sinful lifestyles. And, there are plenty of preachers in this world that just love to please them: “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:18). The pulpit has become a stage for “playing to the gallery” instead of the place where truth is preached and upheld. People go to “churches” to feel good. They want to hear “smooth things” and not about sin. It is the very reason few see anything wrong with the prosperity gospel and other false teachings. Since they only want to hear “smooth things” they will not hear the word of God (v.9). What about you? Do you love the truth? Do you prefer a preacher will tell you that you have sinned or one who approves of it? Remember, in the Judgment Day, God is the Judge. Think about it.