Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Isaiah 34:8-17

I had meant to read and blog on Isaiah 35 this morning, but instead I accidentally read chapter 34, and I am compelled to write on this chapter again. Reading these verses I am reminded of what the writer of Hebrews says about scripture: “For the word of God is living and active…” (Heb 4:12). You can never read the same words twice under the same circumstances. Each reading contributes and changes you a little, and over time, other events and situations in your life change your perception on things and affects your next reading of a text.

Verse 8 speaks of a day of vengeance and a year of recompense for the cause of Zion. The cause of Zion can be understood as the cause of the LORD and his eternal kingdom. God, the King of kings, is fighting for his kingdom. He will exact vengeance for his kingdom and will compensate or repay his kingdom the justice it deserves. But notice the time spent on each. Vengeance gets only a day whereas recompense get a year. As wrathful and angry as the LORD can get, and will get on those who continually disobey and disregard him and his law, his anger only last but a brief moment compared to his love and mercy.

And there is hope in the rest of this chapter. The verse speak of bleakness and desolation, of darkness and sadness. Yet within this there is hope. God provides a place of dwelling for creation. God gathers them up and cares for them. Verse 16 is an important command: “Seek and read from the book of the LORD.” It requires an active role on our part. We are to seek after God. Perhaps Jesus had these verses in mind when he gave his famous “Sermon on the Mount” (Mt 6:25-34). In verse 33, Christ says, “But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…”

In all his anger and wrath and judgment, there is love and mercy and hope for the one who seeks after God and read his Word and live by it, following in the footsteps of the Almighty.

"Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the river and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD"—Joshua 24:14-15 (ESV; Italics added).