Privilege doesn’t count

Isaiah 17:7-9 is the basis for Step 3 of this week’s Explore the Bible lesson “Do you think you are unaccountable?”. The LifeWay material titled this step, “The Privileged are Accountable”. No doubt Israel/Judah had a priviledged position with God, but He did hold them accountable. I like James Adair’s summary discussion of the background passage Isaiah 13:1-23:18 because his challenge to Americans in our position of privilege to be responsible to love people and meet their needs.

As an object lesson to the people, Isaiah periodically stripped naked before the people of Judah over a three year period—see Isaiah 20:1-6. Like servants that could be forced to go naked, Isaiah demonstrated that the people of Judah would go naked in slavery to a conquering army God would use to hold them accountable. What symbolizes loss of privilege today?

You might take time to cover this list of seven Christian privileges (scroll down). Is there a Christian privilege that can be lost as a result of being held accountable? Watch this video and then discuss two questions: What are Americans on the hook for today? and Are there differences between Americans today and the Judahites?

Have you taught, or been taught that verses 13-15 refer to the Devil? What do you think of Adair’s explanation? Note: Adair’s discussion of Isaiah 14:3-23 answers the idle question I asked in Step 2.