The Secret of Spiritual Strength
The prophet Isaiah pronounced a woe upon Israel: "Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord" (Isaiah 30:1). The Hebrew word for woe here signifies a deep sorrow and grief. What had God's people done to hurt him so deeply? And why did he call them rebellious? After all, these weren't heathen; they were his own children. What awful sin did they commit that caused him to say they were rebellious?
The word Isaiah uses for rebellion in this verse means backsliding, stubbornness, a turning away. What, exactly, were God's people turning away from? And what caused their backsliding?