Prophet Isaiah was a balanced prophet. He was not the type of prophet with a sugarcoated tongue who only prophesied peace without condemning the iniquities of the people. This prophet was so bold as to let the Jewish people know that whatever they trusted for justification or protection, or for happiness or healing and deliverance, except for the righteousness of God and the influence and power of the Holy Ghost, would ultimately prove abortive and vain.

According to the text, the Jews believed in their works of righteousness, which God told them would not suffice. The text describes the bed as too short, and the covering too narrow. This tells us that trusting and resting on our own will and self management will result in regret and gross disappointment. Religion is not enough; true righteousness from Christ must be carefully sought and wisely husbanded.

Prophet Isaiah compares God’s work among the nations to those of a farmer on his soil. The husbandman (farmer) does his work with pains and prudence and handles the plants according to their nature. The Almighty God who gives men this great wisdom is wonderful in counsel and excellent in His working.

Afflictions are God’s threshing instruments to loosen us from the world, to part between us and our chaff, and to prepare us for use. As the occasion requires, the Lord warns, corrects, spares, shows mercy or executes vengeance. How we need to heed God’s warning today and not to trust in anything outside Christ. It takes trust and diligence to please God. It takes confidence and faith in His promises to appropriate His blessings, with a firm and unflagging resolve to abide in His will.