Greetings on this Tuesday. It’s so good to be together in these tumultuous times.
As noted yesterday, this week we’ll be focusing in on the killing of George Floyd and the events of the aftermath. As we do that, we seek to hear a word from the Lord. The Scripture we’ve chosen is Isaiah 58:6-12. They are great prophetic words of Justice and Compassion.
On Tuesday we “walk through” the structure of the Scripture. We look for a “logic” in how the text brings forward the writer’s message. The translation I’ll be using for the message this week comes from the New King James version.
Here are my thoughts on how the verses advance the prophet’s call:
Verse 6 opens with seeking a word from God. “Is this not the fast that I have chosen…”
Fasting is a spiritual discipline traditionally employed when people are seeking a holy word. In this verse God speaks to those who are seeking and says that He has a particular idea on how to seek His will.
Verse 6 then continues with a “triplet of Justice” on what the “fast” of those seeking God would look like: “To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the [a]heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke.” We live in a day with “bonds of injustice”, the “heavy burdens” of poverty, and the “oppression” of racism --- these are “yokes” that need to be “broken”.
Verse 7 then calls for a “triplet of Compassion”. The prophet speaks to common “insecurities” of those trapped in poverty: hunger, housing, clothing. He says with the hungry, “share your bread”, with the homeless, provide housing for “ the poor who are [b]cast out”, and for “the naked, … cover him, And (do) not hide yourself from your own flesh?”
Verses 8 and 9a are a word of encouragement for those who seek God in this way. “Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ When we do these “things of God” we will shine light in the darkness and offer healing for the hurting.
Verses 9b through 11 invite us to think about how we view, think and talk about others in these days. “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The [c]pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10 If you extend your soul to the hungry, And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your [d]darkness shall be as the noonday.” Blaming others, speaking ill of those with whom we disagree will not move us forward. Instead of blaming, if we “extend our soul”, seek to listen, learn and respond to their hungers for justice, security, and respect (“satisfy the afflicted soul”) then God’s light will be shining through our witness.
Verse 12 is a powerful conclusion. We are to be God’s people among the general populace, “Those from among you”. We are to “build the old waste places”, reclaiming the seemingly forgotten foundations of our country. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (the opening of the Declaration of Independence).” We know these truths are the societal foundations of Justice for all. They are a blessing for all. As we live into them now, we shall raise up the foundations of many generations”. The coming generations will profit from our standing on these principles. With Justice (sharing in the struggles of those who are marginalized) and Compassion (sharing in the suffering of those who are hurting) we shall “be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of [e]Streets to Dwell In.”
As you can see there is a lot to think about and pray over. I invite you to be in the prophetic word and see how the logic of God’s love is advanced through the concern for human justice.
Blessings on your study today and I’ll look forward to being with you tomorrow in the Pastor’s Workshop.
Prayer: Gracious God, we thank you for your heart for all your children. In these tumultuous days always remind us that everyone we see, particularly those we don’t agree with, are your children. Help us to know that you have a desire for Justice and Peace for us all. Remind us how we see that heart in Jesus and are called to live into those truths through faith in him. In his holy name we pray. Amen