Thursday 04 December 2008
- Bible Book:
- Isaiah
"Trust in the LORD for ever, for in the LORD GOD you have an everlasting rock. For he has brought low the inhabitants of the height; the lofty city he lays low. He lays it low to the ground, casts it to the dust. The foot tramples it, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy." (v.4-6)
Background
Isaiah was always looking for God to intervene in human affairs:expecting vindication, the restoring of right order, and indeed,righteous punishment for those who deserved it. Of course, ourexperience of history does not permit such a naïve view of howdivine justice works within the human sphere, yet the demand forjustice remains essential for meaningful faith.
Even some with no claim to religious faith view the financialcrises that have marked 2008 as the time when market practicesbased on rampant greed have shown to be disastrous. But those whohave suffered most have been the poorest in society: they are theones who have lost their homes and jobs without a nest egg to helpthem weather the storm. Justice, then, demands not only a 'bringingdown', but also a 'raising up'.
Those familiar with Advent themes might recognise echoes ofIsaiah's vision in Mary's song, the Magnificat (
"Holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty." (Luke 1:49b-53)
To Ponder
What does Isaiah mean when he calls God "aneverlasting rock"?
Some 20th century Christian writers spoke of Godhaving 'a bias to the poor'. What led them to suggest such athing?