Wednesday 16 March 2011

Background

The suffering and despair of the Jewish people in Exile willeventually come to an end and the people shall be restored and theTemple rebuilt. This is the hope that is now creeping onto theradar screens in Isaiah; a hope founded on the promises andfaithfulness of God.

These promises and that faithfulness are expressed, communicatedand indeed brought to fruition through God's word. When God speaksthings happen: "then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there waslight" (Genesis 1:3); "and God said, 'Let the earthbring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creepingthings and wild animals' ... and it was so" (Genesis 1:24). So when God says, 'I will makewith you an everlasting covenant' (Isaiah55:3), God does. The real miracle and revelation here of courseis the extraordinary assertion that God actually communicates withcreation and with human beings.

God's words are not empty words - far from it - they are purposefuland effective, an active expression of God in creation. In theChristian tradition, the 'Word' was in the beginning "and the Wordwas with God, and the Word was God" and "all things came into beingthrough him" (John 1:1,3). This 'active expression of God increation' is associated with Jesus Christ, the Word who, "becameflesh and lived among us ... full of grace and truth" (John1:14).

The verses we are considering today from Isaiah 55 do not suggestthat proclaiming God's word indiscriminately will automaticallyachieve God's purposes. Rather they encourage the view thatwherever change is effected which is consistent with God's natureas revealed in Christ, there God's word (and Word) is at work. Whenall is said and done, God is with us!

To Ponder

Using today's reading (or an alternative if youprefer) meditate on God's word by quietly and prayerfully readingthrough the passage several times and listening for God's word foryou today.

Can you recall a time when you have 'heard' Godspeaking to you? How would you describe this experience to someoneelse?