Tag: Isaiah 49

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 20  Read: Isaiah 49 Listen: (4:55) Read: Psalm 119.1-24 Listen: (15:14)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 49.2-3, 6

2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, 
in the shadow of his hand he hid me; 
he made me into a polished arrow 
and concealed me in his quiver. 
3 He said to me, “You are my servant, 
Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” 
6 he says: 
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant 
to restore the tribes of Jacob 
and bring back those of Israel I have kept. 
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, 
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

Reflection: Secret Weapons

By John Tillman

In the Marvel universe, Hawkeye, the archer, doesn’t have enhanced strength, speed, or other “super” abilities but he does have some pretty “super” arrows. Some arrowheads explode, deliver electric shocks, or even hack into computers. When Hawkeye draws an arrow, you never know what might happen when he looses it.

In the Bible, archery symbolized a king’s strength. A broken bow meant the king, and usually the kingdom, was doomed (Hos 1.5). Job complained that God “unstrung” his bow, disarming and humiliating him (Job 30.11). When David mourned Jonathan’s death with the “Lament of the Bow,” he wasn’t mourning a literal weapon (2 Sam 1.17-27). He was mourning the defeat of Israel’s entire army, including Saul’s and Jonathan’s deaths.

God’s strength is often visualized as weaponry. Arrows display God’s power, defeat enemies, punish the wicked, and bring justice and judgment to the earth. God has piercing arrows, flaming arrows, and lightning arrows. He has arrows that cause floods and arrows that cause famine. (Ps 7.12-13, 64.7; Hab 3.9; Lam 3.12; Deut 32.23, 42; Eze 5.16). When God draws an arrow, you never know what might happen when he looses it.

God’s servant in Isaiah is described as a sword, hidden in God’s hand, and a specially formed arrow, concealed in his quiver. When revealed, this secret weapon displays God’s splendor.

Like most biblical prophecy, Isaiah’s servant psalms have multiple, layered meanings. However, New Testament authors recognized that they point ultimately, and most importantly, to Jesus (Luke 2.32; Acts 13.47, 26.23).

Like a secret weapon, Jesus was revealed at just the right time (Romans 5.6), to accomplish an unexpected purpose and display God’s splendor. Saving Israel was “too small of a thing” for Jesus. He was drawn from God’s quiver to draw humanity to himself. He was shot like an arrow, not to pierce with punishment but to be pierced in our place (Isaiah 53.4-6). Instead of killing sinners, he killed sin. Instead of sending enemies to death, he died for the unrighteous (1 Pet 3.18).

The time for concealment is over. The gospel, once a great mystery, is no longer a secret (Rom 16.25-27; 1 Cor 2.7-8; Eph 3:4-6). We, as the body of Christ, are God’s servant, his not-so-secret weapon. Remember, arrows have little strength on their own. The power comes from the bow. As God’s arrows, we are shaped and shot by God’s power, not our own.

Let God shape you as Jesus was shaped, not into weapons of harm, but healing, not hate but love, not lies but truth. Then he will loose you into the world to reveal the splendor of the gospel.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Let them know that this is your hand, that you, O Lord, have done it. — Psalm 109.26

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: The Unhidden Agenda

Christ’s secret ambition was to go to the cross, but now, his public command is to take the light of the gospel to all places.

The Unhidden Agenda

Read more: A Lifetime of Joy

It is in God’s written words, commands, prophecies, narratives, judgments, and songs that the psalmist sees God’s nature, will, and guidance.

A Lifetime of Joy — Joy of Advent

We are happy to welcome ministry-focused college and seminary students from around the country and overseas to write in June of 2020 for The Park Forum. Each of them is pursuing a career in ministry and received free coaching on their writing as a part of the program. For more information about the program and a profile of each of our student writers, visit our Student Writers Month page.

Today’s student writer is Morgan Fikkert, a student at Covenant Theological Seminary.

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 49:5-6
And now the Lord says—
    he who formed me in the womb to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
    and gather Israel to himself,
for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord
    and my God has been my strength—

he says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
    to restore the tribes of Jacob
    and bring back those of Israel I have kept.I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
    that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

Reflection: Beyond Self-Centered Religion
By Morgan Fikkert

Israel’s religion was fake, shallow, self-centered. They wanted God for what he could do for them, and God was deeply grieved. He wanted them to turn to him, but time and again they turned towards empty idol worship. 

But despite Israel’s insincerity, The Servant—Jesus himself—shows up and announces hope.

But who does he announce it to? To none other than the “islands” and the “distant nations”— not just Israel (Isaiah 49.1). Yahweh’s response to Israel’s sin is that he will extend salvation not just to Israel but to everyone. 

God’s whole-earth, every-nation, plan for all-time is unfolding before us! We are humbled and amazed that we are caught up in it. But how often do we, just like Israel, make the entire story about us as if God is only around to make us happy?

G.C. Berkouwer’s sobering term for this is “soteriological self-centeredness” (The Return of Christ). Satan has convinced us, like Israel, to believe the lie that God is our servant who fulfills our desires, makes us feel better, and enables self-actualization. The Christian life is not only about our personal relationship with Jesus.

God does absolutely care about every one of us—our needs and desires and hopes and dreams. But we, like Israel, have been invited into something much larger than our own, often selfish, worries and desires. We actually participate in this cosmic plan! 

Jesus didn’t save our souls and leave us waiting for heaven. He’s given us a mission now as his people, as members of his Body here. We, like The Servant, are a light for the nations. We proclaim His salvation to the ends of the earth. (Matthew 5.14; John 9.5)

This changes how we read the Bible. How we pray. How we treat that crazy person on Facebook. We are so small in God’s cosmic plan. And yet he calls us to action.

God is, even now, spreading his light throughout all the world. You are a first-hand witness to the incredible work he is doing. You have a part to play in a story much larger than your own. It is too small a thing to wait around for God to accomplish our purposes. Let’s choose instead to participate in his cosmic work of renewal in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our work.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
Show us the light of your countenance, O God, and come to us. — Psalm 67.1

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle

Today’s Readings
Isaiah 49 (Listen – 4:55) 
Revelation 19 (Listen – 3:47)

Read more about Ennobled by the Incarnation
Jesus did real things in the real world and calls us to be real human beings who act to benefit our world in real, tangible ways.

Ennobled by the Incarnation

Read more about Light Shines in the Darkness
It should be light which dispels darkness, not the other way around.

Light Shines in the Darkness :: Epiphany