Monday 10 December 2007
- Bible Book:
- Isaiah
"And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the slave, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the creditor, so with the debtor." (v.2)
Background
Advent was traditionally a time of fasting and giving up, a timeof reflection upon the world and an anticipation of all thatChrist's birth brings. This passage from Isaiah is a reminder thisAdvent to sit up and take seriously the plight of our world.
The previous chapters of Isaiah are a catalogue of judgementsagainst the nations. (Isaiah then goes to speak about God'sblessing in the last days along with the victory over the forces ofevil.)
The prophet was speaking to a lost people who had forgotten the wayof God and was warning them of the pending judgement. The passagespeaks of the devastation of the earth that nobody can escape. Itwill be the same no matter who you are, priest and people, masterand servant - the list continues. The earth will be laid waste,plundered and withered.
Sometimes as we read the scriptures there is an immediate resonancewith issues facing us today. Our planet is on the brink ofdestruction because of our excesses. The earth that gives so muchis in danger and Isaiah's message is for us too.
The future looks bleak for us and all people with whom we sharethis planet; nobody will escape the effects of climate change. Wecannot go on living as we are and not face the consequences of ourpoor stewardship.
In this season when shelves are stacked high with gifts andChristmas trimmings, let us fight the temptation to consumeexcessively. Let Advent be the time that we consider and carry outall we can do to stop the devastation of this world and itsresources.
To Ponder
What can you do to help combat the stripping ofthe world's resources?
What can you give up at Advent as a sign of yourcommitment to God's ways?
How can you get others to take climate changeseriously?