What lessons can we learn from the "year, as a hired worker counts"? Setting the Scene “Within one year, as a hired worker counts years, all the glory of Kedar will be gone.” (Isaiah 21:16) Spoken through Isaiah, these words target the nomadic Arab tribe of Kedar, famed for commerce and military prowess. Their downfall would arrive not at some vague future moment but on a schedule as exact as the pay cycle of a contracted laborer. What Does “as a hired worker counts” Mean? • A hired worker tallies days carefully—each sunset brings him closer to his agreed-upon wage. • There is no elasticity in his contract; the date is fixed, the payment sure. • God borrows that imagery to underline how precise His judgment will be. Lessons for Today • Time Is Precise, Not Elastic – God’s appointments never run late (Habakkuk 2:3). – We are stewards of clearly numbered days, not indefinite stretches (Psalm 90:12). • God Keeps Every Promise—Mercy or Judgment – Just as Kedar’s glory expired on schedule, Christ’s return will arrive “at the proper time” (1 Timothy 6:15). – The same reliability that toppled Kedar guarantees eternal life for all who believe (John 3:16). • Urgency of Repentance – Judgment fell within twelve months; delay was deadly (Isaiah 55:6-7). – “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15). • Earthly Glory Is Temporary – Kedar’s “glory” evaporated; so will every human achievement (1 John 2:17). – True security lies in treasure “stored up in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20). • God Rules Over Nations – From Kedar to modern superpowers, boundaries and fortunes rest in His hands (Acts 17:26). – He raises and removes rulers to advance His redemptive plan (Daniel 2:21). Connecting Dots with Other Scriptures • Isaiah 16:14 echoes the same phrase—Moab’s downfall “in three years, as a hired worker counts years”—reinforcing the theme of fixed timing. • James 4:14 reminds us our life is “a mist,” urging humble dependence. • Romans 6:23 contrasts wages of sin with God’s gift, spotlighting two certain paydays. Living It Out 1. Number your days—plan with eternity in view. 2. Act on conviction quickly; procrastination underestimates God’s schedule. 3. Hold earthly success loosely; pursue what cannot decay. 4. Trust God’s sovereignty in global affairs; pray, vote, serve, but rest in His control. |
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