Tuesday 04 September 2007
- Bible Book:
- Isaiah
"For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite". (v.15)
Background
The latter chapters of the book of Isaiah are addressed to apeople in exile. Jerusalem had been destroyed and most of itspopulation deported to Babylon. The prophet promises return fromexile, but also addresses what will stand in the way.
This passage refers back to an earlier phrase: "In the wildernessprepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highwayfor our God" (Isaiah 40:3). Here the barriers are not so much thephysical barriers to a nation on their way home to Jerusalem fromexile in Babylon, but rather the barriers to a right relationshipwith God. Those barriers are pride, greed, and the arrogance ofpreferring their own ways to God's way.
Whilst there is a theme of judgement in this passage, there is alsoa strong emphasis on the compassion of God, who offers peace andhealing. The writer again expresses the holiness of God in terms ofloftiness, and yet speaks of God coming down from those heights ofholiness to live with those who are humble and sorry for theirsins.
"Your glory and might are beyond us to tell,
And yet in the heart of the humble you dwell." (Hymns & Psalms699)
But whilst the contrite will receive their reward from God, theprophet reminds the people in no uncertain terms that those whocontinue in their wicked ways will find no peace.
To Ponder
"No peace for the wicked." Reflect on the truthof that statement in the light of your experience of life.
The prophet speaks of God as "high and lofty".What ideas would you use to describe the holiness of God to peopletoday, to whom air and space travel are commonplace?