Bible Reading: Isaiah 37:1-end
“And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward” – Isaiah 37: 31 (KJV).
When God’s anger is kindled against Israel due to sin and disobedience, most times He uses another nation as a rod of correction. However, in His mercy, God will always ensure that a remnant is preserved for posterity. In the above instance, the remnant that escaped of the house of Judah were prophesied to, to take root downwards and to bear fruit upward. When the root of a tree dies, it ceases to bear fruit. For a tree to be productive its roots must be healthy. The root is like the factory (kitchen) where the product of the tree (fruits) are produce. In order words, God was speaking life and productivity to the remnant that came forth out of Jerusalem, those who escaped His judgment out of mount Zion. This will be accomplished by the zeal of the LORD of hosts.
The reason for always preserving a remnant was to ensure that covenants and prophecies are kept and fulfilled. Prophecies and covenants, such as was made with David, that his lineage shall sit on the throne of Israel for ever. “For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel; …Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne;…” – Isaiah 33: 17&21 (KJV). God’s prophetic utterance cannot be altered. Through covenants and prophecies God preserved the chosen race for the redemption of humanity.
In the same vein, from generation to generation, God has preserved His children through prophetic declarations (Word) and His covenant with man that was sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Christ has taken away the reproach of spiritual and material barrenness and has endowed us with his righteousness. He has obtained for us a better covenant. “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” – Hebrew 8:6 (KJV). Having obtained this excellent covenant for us he went further to fortify us with His word. “And now brethren , I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” – Acts 20:32(KJV). God’s word is prophetic; it provides, protects and guides us. God, through His word, made provision for satisfying our needs. Among the millions of humanity, only a few accept Christ from generation to generation into their lives, and these are consequently sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. Having covenanted us to himself, He declared our abundance in Him. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” – 2 Corinthians 9:8 (KJV). God, through his exceedingly great and precious promises, has guaranteed our taking root downward, and bearing fruit upward, which is both our spiritual and material multiplication. He has by his word which are prophetic and sealed as a covenant, ensured that we are properly equipped to survive enemy threats* of extinction because, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” – 2 Peter 1:3(KJV).
God’s promise to his children is abundant supply and not lack, divine health and not sickness. We are sealed for proper spiritual identification. He has commanded that no weapon formed against us should prosper, so be rest assured that we are adequately fortified for continuous and ceaseless victory.
Prayer: Father keep me protected in you that I may take root downward and bear fruit upward.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo