In the United States there is a saying, “You made your bed, now lie in it.” This means that you put yourself into a situation purposely, now you must live with the consequences. You insisted on doing something, or on living a certain way, and now you must accept the results. Sometimes this is stated to individuals who are complaining about what they are undergoing in life. These individuals insisted on doing something even when others had warned them of the consequences. Now that the consequences have come, they want to complain, gripe and whine.
In Isaiah 28, Isaiah tells of the coming punishment of the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. In verse 20, we read, “For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.” This is Isaiah’s way of saying, “You made your bed, now lie in it.”
Israel and Judah had been warned by God numerous times. God had spoken through Judges and Prophets. The people had been told by Moses long ago that they must live for God or reap the consequences. But, the people of God had refused to listen. They even attempted to make covenants with evil rulers to save themselves from destruction.
God, through Isaiah, tells them that their discipline is coming. He will make both kingdoms go into slavery. Many will be killed. Many will die in a foreign land. Only a few will return to the promised land.
Do not be like the northern kingdom, Israel and the southern kingdom, Judah. Do not ignore the Word of God. Study your Bible. Learn what you must do to obey God. Then always obey him and serve him. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
