The reading today comes from the second chapter of Isaiah. You might notice a pattern as we listen to the opening chapters of Isaiah. There is a back and forth of diagnosis then the treatment, and the picture of healing—not always in this order. Today’s passage, for instance, begins with the picture of hope—the picture of what will be. The end game. The finale. And yet it’s a finale that is also a beginning. A new beginning.
Then this passage turns to a list of all the ways Israel has abandoned God… and, as it says, the reasons why God is abandoning them. They’ve traded faith for superstition, traded their culture and laws for those of their enemies; they are greedy for both wealth and for power, and they’ve chosen to worship things they made with their own hands rather than the God who made everything. As we said in yesterday’s passage, we might have a different culture today, but the temptations are the same.
As you listen to the passage the first time, take note of the temptation in that list that most challenges you or your faith community.
----------REFLECT----------
1. What other words or phrases stood out to you in this passage?
2. The Lord is giving Israel what they want. They’ve chosen to walk away from him, and he’s going to let them. Think of your faith community. Are there ways y’all are tempted to or perhaps living towards this kind of rebellion? Take a minute to pray about that.
3. The Prophets Isaiah speaks of a mountain that will gather all peoples to it where they will be at peace. A diverse, unified, shalom. This stands in contrast to the tower of Babel where there was unity, But no Diversity, and no Shalom. The people say, “come let us go up the mountain of the LORD.” Take a moment to pray that for you and your faith community, that you might experience a diverse, unified, Shalom.
----------GO DEEPER----------
Bible Project: Isaiah 1-39 >>
BP Exploring My Strange Bible Podcast: The Meaning of Hope >>
InterVarsity Press Selections: Isaiah >>
----------CONNECT----------
Find an InterVarsity Chapter >>
Start an InterVarsity Chapter >>
Learn More >>
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free