“WOE to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness…How terrible for those who think they are really clever!” (Isa. 5:20-21) “Woe” is a term of judgment. Whenever a prophet uses the term it is to pronounce a BAD END for the person doing it.
Paul pronounces the “Woe” like this, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men…God’s invisible attributes are CLEARLY SEEN, so that the ungodly are without excuse, they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God…Professing to be wise, they became FOOLS, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image MADE LIKE CORRUPTIBLE MAN—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.” (Rom. 1:17, 20-23)
- BIRDS –As the eagle of Jupiter among the Romans, and the ibis and hawk among the Egyptians…
- FOUR–FOOTED BEASTS –As the apis or white ox among the Egyptians; from which the idolatrous Israelites took their golden calf. The goat, the monkey, and the dog, were also sacred animals among the same people.
- CREEPING THINGS –Such as the crocodile and scarabeus, or beetle, among the Egyptians.
This shows us how the Jewish people rejected God in the old Testament then Christ in the new Testament. So, it was prophesied, “God will lift up a banner to the nations (the gentile nations) from afar, And will whistle to them from the end of the earth; Surely they SHALL COME with speed, swiftly.” (Isa. 5:26)
The angel spoke to Cornelius, a gentile, “…he was afraid, and said, “What is it, Lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.” (Acts 10:4-5) God appeared to Peter and gave him a vision to help him see about going to the gentiles, “While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and GO WITH THEM, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” (Acts 10:19-20) Peter went to the house of Cornelius and he and all his house were saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit. Thus began the ministry to the gentiles.
-Bill Stockham