Isaiah 3:1-5:30; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 22:28-29
Esther mentioned yesterday that one of the themes Isaiah
will visit over and over is "the day of the Lord." We see that
in our reading today, in chapters 3 and 4. What's particularly
interesting about this section is the contrast present. One group of
people will experience the day of the Lord in one way, and another group will
experience it in a totally different (and much better) way.
Look first at 3:18. "In that day," Isaiah writes to begin this section, and the prophet then goes on to describe the great devastation that will come: loss of property (vs. 18-23), loss of dignity (vs. 24), loss of life (vs. 25), loss of security and protection (4:1). Later prophets, too, will describe the terror and destruction that comes with the day of the Lord (see Amos 5:18-20, for example). These are uncomfortable prophecies, and we tend to skim right over them. Truly, God's judgment is a fearsome thing. To stand on the unrepentant side of it is to incur great debt.
And, yet, right after expounding on the suffering of the haughty, Isaiah moves to a beautiful prose section on the redemption of God. Look at all the nouns and adjectives and verbs of hope and renewal in 4:2-6: beautiful; glorious, pride and glory; holy; wash away; cleanse; create; glow; "the glory will be a canopy;" shelter; shade, refuge; hiding place. Such incredible words! In the midst of the loss, God will work great gain.
I love to read that section; this year I read it several times. There's a tenderness along with the majesty, a protectiveness with the holiness. What an image of God! Is it not incredible that he can hold these great tensions within himself - to judge and yet extend mercy, to wound and yet bind up, to protect fiercely and yet love gently? Amazing.
Several years ago, I marked vs. 6 particularly. While recognizing the significance of the original context, I was struck with a desire to make these words true of the home I create and curate. I'm thinking today that these words might be equally true of my calling to live as a follower of Jesus in this world.
Lord, may your church and your people be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain. Thank you for being those things to us. Amen.
Look first at 3:18. "In that day," Isaiah writes to begin this section, and the prophet then goes on to describe the great devastation that will come: loss of property (vs. 18-23), loss of dignity (vs. 24), loss of life (vs. 25), loss of security and protection (4:1). Later prophets, too, will describe the terror and destruction that comes with the day of the Lord (see Amos 5:18-20, for example). These are uncomfortable prophecies, and we tend to skim right over them. Truly, God's judgment is a fearsome thing. To stand on the unrepentant side of it is to incur great debt.
And, yet, right after expounding on the suffering of the haughty, Isaiah moves to a beautiful prose section on the redemption of God. Look at all the nouns and adjectives and verbs of hope and renewal in 4:2-6: beautiful; glorious, pride and glory; holy; wash away; cleanse; create; glow; "the glory will be a canopy;" shelter; shade, refuge; hiding place. Such incredible words! In the midst of the loss, God will work great gain.
I love to read that section; this year I read it several times. There's a tenderness along with the majesty, a protectiveness with the holiness. What an image of God! Is it not incredible that he can hold these great tensions within himself - to judge and yet extend mercy, to wound and yet bind up, to protect fiercely and yet love gently? Amazing.
Several years ago, I marked vs. 6 particularly. While recognizing the significance of the original context, I was struck with a desire to make these words true of the home I create and curate. I'm thinking today that these words might be equally true of my calling to live as a follower of Jesus in this world.
Lord, may your church and your people be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain. Thank you for being those things to us. Amen.
- Sarah Marsh
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