Isaiah’s prophetic proclamation of the Lord’s favor spoke not to the rulers and the wealthy, but the downtrodden and impoverished. The entitled would not experience God’s favor in the same way as those who had nothing. Isaiah spoke of a people who perhaps had lost hope as beloved of God, who perhaps accepted as their … Continue reading Isaiah 61: The Beatitudes
Isaiah 61: Year of the Jubilee
Have any of you ever met a warrior? There are many men and woman who really do have the “blood of justice on their garments,” soldiers, police officers, guards … warriors. Have you ever had an opportunity to listen to their stories, what it took to fulfill their mission, the heartache, the strength and courage, … Continue reading Isaiah 61: Year of the Jubilee
Share this:
Isaiah 60: A Better Country, A Beautiful City
The final part of Isaiah’s prophecy goes far beyond earthly brilliance. “The sun shall no longer be your light by day,nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night,but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.Your sun shall no more go down or your moon withdraw itself,for the Lord will be your everlasting … Continue reading Isaiah 60: A Better Country, A Beautiful City
Share this:
Isaiah 60: The Radiant City
God told Abraham to lift up his eyes and look at Canaan, because one day his offspring would fill the land and possess it. To the people of Isaiah’s day, this was a note of hope, knowing that someday they would return from exile, as a continuation of God’s ancient promise. This prophecy was partially … Continue reading Isaiah 60: The Radiant City
Share this:
Isaiah 60: From Darkness to Light
Light Has Dawned Imagine you’re sitting on a hill in the dark right before dawn, and then you see the sun rise over the horizon. Imagine that feeling, as the new day begins, and you begin to see the sky take on color, and the details of the landscape around you. That is something of … Continue reading Isaiah 60: From Darkness to Light
Share this:
Isaiah 59: The Armor of God
God is not indifferent to wrong, and God knows you and I cannot rescue ourselves. The Armor of God “He saw that there was no one and was appalled that there was no one to intervene,so his own arm brought him victory, and his righteousness upheld him.” Isaiah 59:16 (NRSVUE) God will redeem those who turn to … Continue reading Isaiah 59: The Armor of God
Share this:
Isaiah 59: Sin Separates
Why Are You Not Responding, God? In the previous chapter, Isaiah quoted the people imploring God, “Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?” Isaiah 58:3 (NRSVUE, italics added) Isaiah had much to say about their supplication in light of their lack of heeding God’s word. It … Continue reading Isaiah 59: Sin Separates
Share this:
Isaiah 58: The Enduring Wisdom of the Sabbath
Beginning of the Sabbath Because God Rested According to the Genesis account, God took six days to create the universe, everything that exists. When God was finished, God pronounced God’s work “very good,” and then the Lord rested. “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all their multitude. On the sixth day God … Continue reading Isaiah 58: The Enduring Wisdom of the Sabbath
Share this:
Isaiah 58: We Reap What We Sow
When you and I sow to the Spirit, in mercy and kindness and a willingness to serve, looking for ways to help others, that will also be our harvest in life. #Isaiah58 #GoodDeeds #ActsofMercy
Share this:
Isaiah 58: Dorian Gray Religion
The key is in the phrase “as if” in verse 2. The people may have had authentic religious fervor, but it was religion they loved, not God. #DorianGray #Piety #Isaiah58
