Tuesday 29 November 2022

Psalm 25

Background

Today's reading continues God’s message to his people, through Isaiah. (For background see yesterday, 28 November.) Isaiah criticised and poured contempt on what the people of Israel, and specifically Judah, have been doing. Apparently they are offering gifts they believe are worthy to God,  but Isaiah says that such offerings are abhorrent. “Bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me.” (v. 13). However, not just the gifts, but the givers themselves are roundly criticised; they have clearly been unfaithful to the ways of God, unjust to those around them. “I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.”(v.15). Isaiah is not pulling any punches! There are few passages in our scriptures that match this outpouring of righteous indignation.

What to do? Isaiah’s advice concerning the key changes on the route to redemption of any kind are in verses 16-17. “Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed…”. God, through Isaiah’s vision, is simply stating the obvious: you can’t consistently do what is dreadful and unjust and then go to a place of worship with a few gifts and think that this somehow balances the books. A complete change of heart is needed, and by the whole nation.

 Then in verses 18-20 the whole tone changes. Using the language of the law courts, Isaiah’s vision is one of God laying out the possibilities open to the people. This is now the language of a loving God, however exasperated, saying to the people that God knows (and they know) that they have done wrong; but they can change, they can begin to walk in the light again: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow.”(v.18). The choices are laid out clearly and simply. Will they choose life? In echoes of Deuteronomy 30 (v.15ff) they can walk in the way of the Lord, keep the laws and be blessed, or turn away and be destroyed.

A key element in this reading is the need to act justly and to look after those who are vulnerable in society. It’s not just a lesson for the people of Israel in the 8th century BC; it is a timeless trait of any civilised community that those in greatest need should be treated with respect, care and love. Jesus returns to this theme of natural justice so often in his ministry.

 To Ponder:

• How do we react to those who are clearly struggling in our society, in our community? Do such people make it on to our prayer lists? And if so, how do we build on our prayers into practical action?
• The Advent hymn STF 173 contains the words, “Come with your love to make us whole, come with your light to lead us on.” Just as the people of Judah, perhaps we need an annual reminder about driving the darkness from our souls, both personally, in our communities and nationally.  Advent traditionally has been an important time of reflection and prayer.