Isaiah – Page 7 – Be Still…

Isaiah 62:1-12 – A Prayer for Jerusalem

Jerusalem has been a popular city over the years. I was recently awakened to Jerusalem’s amazing history by watching the documentary series, “Christ Revealed.” I had never studied the history of Jerusalem, other than references in the Bible. Even though I didn’t take notes during the documentary, I remember enough to know the Jerusalem temple would be rebuilt after the Babylonian destruction. Then it would be demolished again by the Romans, a generation or so after Jesus predicted it and was crucified.

The people returning from exile were feeling like they were in over their heads. Seventy years had done a number on their blessed city. Those that did return didn’t have any memories of their own. They were simply following in the heritage of their ancestors. You know how it feels to have a huge task ahead. You can easily get stuck in frustration. To have Isaiah’s prayer for their city would have been comforting.

Isaiah 61:1-11 – Hope in the Darkness

Read Isaiah 61:1-11

Did you recognize this passage? It’s the one Jesus read to his hometown congregation. Jesus proclaimed to them that he was this prophecy fulfilled. I can see Jesus in these words, can’t you? “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.”

Again, for a people who were feeling lost, these words must have sounded like music to their ears. Such beautiful displays of God’s mercy being poured out on his people. Yet still today we have a hard time receiving gifts from the Lord. We often ignore them, fail to use them, and thus miss out on so many blessings intended for us.

Isaiah 60:1-22 – The Light is Coming

Read Isaiah 60:1-22

What a proclamation of light breaking through the darkness! It’s like hope raining down on God’s people at last! “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.”

These first 6 verses are often text used on Epiphany Sunday in our tradition. Epiphany is traditionally January 6, and we will be celebrating that this coming week. To Isaiah’s audience, they had been stuck in a pattern of darkness. These words would bring hope. They are being given a glimpse into the fullness of life that will happen during the restoration. Would they actually allow themselves to believe?

Isaiah 59:1-21 – Victory Over Sin

Read Isaiah 59:1-21

stick figures with arms raised overhead in victory

Do you ever feel like God isn’t listening? It seems the Israelites had a similar experience. They were questioning God. You can almost hear the “whining,” can’t you? Isaiah needed to set the record straight. “Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.” Our sinfulness does separate us from God.

As followers of Christ, we know what Christ did on our behalf. He endured so much so he could forgive our sins. Does that mean we won’t sin now? Unfortunately, no. Though we still sin, our relationship with God is restored by God’s gracious, undeserved love. We are forgiven sinners, justified by God’s grace alone through faith in Jesus the Messiah.

Isaiah 58:1-14 – Be a Light

Read Isaiah 58:1-14

Have you ever gotten in trouble when you thought you were doing the right thing? God can see our hearts. We can’t hide from God. This was an interesting passage of rebuke. “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins! Yet they act so pious!”

The Israelites truly didn’t understand what was wrong. They were fasting, praying, and showing up at the temple every day. It seemed they were doing everything they were “supposed to do” by going through the “holy motions.” But it was their hearts. They loved making a “show” of the behaviors, as it that would allow them to live the lives they wanted the rest of the time.