Tag: Isaiah

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 1  Read: Isaiah 30 Listen: (5:52) Read: Acts 17 Listen: (5:28)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 30.20-21

20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Reflection: Worm Theology (a.k.a. Scrupulosity)

Erin Newton

I have a theory called “worm theology.” It is the way of thinking, living, believing, or preaching that needs me to always think, “I am a worm.” I use the phrase negatively when I want to emphasize my frustration about how God’s grace is often exchanged for scrupulosity. (Scrupulosity is defined as a psychological disorder primarily characterized by pathological guilt or obsession associated with moral or religious issues.) 

What if we are more than worms? 

Prophetic texts are used as warnings and correctives. The harsh statements and forecasts of destruction are meant to stir the heart toward change and are often needed. 

But I wonder if we place an odometer on our sanctification as a means of always tracking our gaining speed. More repentance. More correction. More introspection. More self-hate. The focus somehow shifts from learning to be Christ-like to trying to outpace other Christians or even our own spiritual state from the day before. 

The result can be that we forget God’s love and grace. 

Isaiah calls his community an obstinate people. God chides them for seeking help from Egypt and trusting in others. They need the wake-up call. But what is also needed, what interrupts Isaiah’s admonishment in chapter 30, is the reminder that God eagerly listens, responds, and loves. Verse 19 ends with “As soon as he hears, he will answer you.” Not as soon as you get your act together. Not even as soon as you perform some ritual. As soon as the cry of help passes your lips. I dare to say that as we pray so often in our hearts, without 

speech, the cry is heard when the innermost part of our souls groan. 

God loves you; let us remember that Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. 

Isaiah acknowledges that adversity and hardship come—even at the hand of God as a just consequence from our actions. Stopping here would be to adopt the “worm theology.” So Isaiah reminds everyone: You’re not alone. God has heard you. He’s sending rain to nurture your body. He’s sending helpers to guide you. 

We are not alone. Jesus reminded his disciples before his crucifixion: “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16.22). 

Listen to the Helper—the Spirit who guides us toward Christlikeness—in fullness of joy.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, for in his holy Name we put our trust. Let your loving-kindness, O LORD, be upon us, as we have put our trust in you. — Psalm 33.20-22

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

Read more: Prophets in Our Path

They sought convenient confirmations of what they already believed. But prophecy often holds inconvenient truths.

Prophets in Our Path

Read more: Gods in Our Image

When people say humans create gods in our own image, I agree with them. Human-created gods are easy to spot. They are like humans.

Gods in Our Image

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 26  Read: Isaiah 25 Listen: (1:59) Read: Acts 12 Listen: (3:49)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Jun 27  Read: Isaiah 26 Listen: (2:58) Read: Acts 13 Listen: (7:36)
Jun 28  Read: Isaiah 27 Listen: (2:16) Read: Acts 14 Listen: (3:54)

Reflection: A Garden City

By John Tillman

In the beginning, God made a garden. After the fall and rebellion, humans made cities. But that doesn’t mean cities are always evil and gardens are always good.

Cities are intended to provide shelter, protection, justice, and community. However, not every city is a “shining city on a hill.” (Matt 5.14) Cities often become places of cruelty, violence, corruption, and oppression. Places of darkness, wickedness, and death.

Cities of darkness and death are symbols of human rebellion against God and a declaration of independence and self-reliance. When Cain is cast out into the wilderness, he builds a city (Genesis 4.17). Cain’s city and his descendants become violent leaders and their cities known for violence (Genesis 4.19-24).

When humans began to rebuild society after the flood, they sought new technology to build a city with a tower that reached to the heavens, far above the threat of any flood. (Genesis 11.2-4) This city, Babylon, is both a historical city and a symbol of human pride, sin, and rebellion. Babylon appears historically and symbolically throughout the Bible, right to the very last pages (Rev 18.2). 

In the re-beginning, when God ends evil and restores the world, we will live with God, not in a garden as we did at the beginning, but in a heavenly city (Rev 21.2-3). God scattered the nations after Babel, in the re-beginning, he will gather all nations to his city to live with him forever (Rev 21.23-26). God’s city is a garden where good things grow. God’s garden is a city where every branch provides food, healing, and shelter (Rev 22.1-3).

In the meantime, what are we to do? Plant gardens? Build cities? Should we scatter into the wilderness? Or gather in concrete and glass canyons?

Whether in the city or the country, use scripture’s descriptions of the city of God, like in Isaiah, as examples of the communities we should build. Could we describe our communities the same way Isaiah describes God’s city (Isaiah 25.4-8)?

Is there refuge from the ruthless? Provision for the poor and needy? Peace for the distressed?

Shelter from the storm? Shade from the heat? Windbreaks for the windblown? Silence to escape uproar? Quiet that drowns songs of violence?

No human city or community can be perfect. We can’t build Heaven on earth, but we must not use that to excuse inaction, apathy, or greed. We are called to establish good things in God’s world. Let us strive toward a garden city without excuses.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

I will confess you among the peoples, O Lord; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens, and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. — Psalm 108.3-4

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

Read more: Of Temples and Gardens

Gardens are places where nature is maximized and brought to greater, more ordered, and more beautiful potential. Gardens…are places to meet with God.

Of Temples and Gardens—Readers’ Choice

Read more: What Kind of City on a Hill?

In Ezekiel 22, …what should be a shining city on a hill is a city of darkness, blood, and dross. What kind of “city on a hill” do we live in?

What Kind of City on a Hill?

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 24  Read: Isaiah 23 Listen: (2:50) Read: Acts 10 Listen: (5:49)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 23:12–13

12 He said, “No more of your reveling,
    Virgin Daughter Sidon, now crushed!

“Up, cross over to Cyprus;
    even there you will find no rest.”
13 Look at the land of the Babylonians,
    this people that is now of no account!
The Assyrians have made it
    a place for desert creatures;
they raised up their siege towers,
    they stripped its fortresses bare
    and turned it into a ruin.

Reflection: Abandoned at Sea

By Erin Newton

Much like the world today, political alliances were the means of survival for nations in the ancient world. Breaches in agreements resulted in war. When vassal nations wanted to shake off the yoke of submission, they often allied together against the ruling kingdom. Today we have international peace treaties, and there are alliances like the United Nations, NATO, and OSEAN. The understanding is that these nations will help one another through military aid, trade, or simple peace.

But what happens when all your allies are destroyed?

This is the situation that is prophesied against Tyre. Isaiah’s proclamation shows Tyre (Sidon) standing alone. No matter where they look, no one is there to help. Cyprus provides no rest. Babylon is powerless.

The message is bleak. Tyre was the kingdom of the sea, known for its naval power and ability to navigate along the coast and excel in trade. In the ancient world, “the sea” is also a mythic force of chaos. To control the chaos was a token of power. Now they are disowned by the sea, according to Isaiah—“For the sea has spoken: ‘I have neither been in labor nor given birth; I have neither reared sons nor brought up daughters’” (v. 4).

When we read this prophecy, we are invited to see ourselves in the place of Tyre. Our power might seem unshakeable, but Isaiah reminds us that all power will fall before the Lord. Even those we view as allies are not a match against God. So it challenges us to ensure our trust is planted in God alone. It cannot be weapons plus God. 

We also read this prophecy resting in the hope that the powers that oppress others will be torn down before the Lord. We persevere with the hope in the future—a future of God’s kingdom on earth.

We finally read this prophecy as a detached community thousands of years after its relevant audience. We read this as a study of God’s faithfulness to his people. Knowing that God does not change, the prophet’s trust in the future can also be our trust in the future.

No matter how dire things look now, how powerful nations may attempt to portray themselves, we trust in a God who controls the seas. We must lay down all that gives us a sense of power, lest we become like the ruined nations in Isaiah.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Protect my life and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I have trusted in you. — Psalm 25.19

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

Read more: Kingmakers Unmade

Theoretically, wealth is a neutral tool…But…as we shape our world with this tool, it is exceedingly rare that it does not also shape us.

Kingmakers Unmade

Read more: Knocking on Heaven’s Door

During his regular practice of prayer, God’s message came to Cornelius.
Cornelius knocked and Heaven’s door opened.

Knocking on Heaven’s Door

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 23  Read: Isaiah 22 Listen: (3:53) Read: Acts 9 Listen: (6:05)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 22.15-25

15 This is what the Lord, the Lord Almighty, says: 
“Go, say to this steward, 
to Shebna the palace administrator: 
16 What are you doing here and who gave you permission 
to cut out a grave for yourself here, 
hewing your grave on the height 
and chiseling your resting place in the rock? 
17 “Beware, the Lord is about to take firm hold of you 
and hurl you away, you mighty man. 
18 He will roll you up tightly like a ball 
and throw you into a large country. 
There you will die 
and there the chariots you were so proud of 
will become a disgrace to your master’s house. 
19 I will depose you from your office, 
and you will be ousted from your position. 

20 “In that day I will summon my servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah. 21 I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him and hand your authority over to him. He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the people of Judah. 22 I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 23 I will drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will become a seat of honor for the house of his father. 24 All the glory of his family will hang on him: its offspring and offshoots—all its lesser vessels, from the bowls to all the jars. 

25 “In that day,” declares the Lord Almighty, “the peg driven into the firm place will give way; it will be sheared off and will fall, and the load hanging on it will be cut down.” The Lord has spoken.

From John: We are sensitive (and wary) about politics at The Park Forum. We’ve witnessed the dangers. We’ve seen religious leaders become slaves of a politician instead of slaves of Christ. We’ve seen pastors become promoters of political agendas rather than the gospel. We’ve seen apologists go from defending theology to defending “Western Culture.” This post discusses the spiritual implications of politics without endorsing or condemning specific politicians or parties. See the resources linked at the end of this post for more encouragement about how Christians can faithfully engage in politics.

Reflection: Spiritual Practices for Politics

By John Tillman

Isaiah prophesied that a corrupt official, Shebna, would be thrown out and Eliakim would be brought in.

Shebna was proud of Judah’s Egyptian chariots, and foolishly ignored Isaiah’s warnings not to ally with Egypt. Corrupt and vain, he misused government resources to carve himself an ornate tomb like ones typically reserved for kings. His downfall was good news.

The people hung hopes, glory, and honor on Eliakim, like a peg in the wall. But the peg sheared off and everything crashed down. Eliakim couldn’t hold their hopes.

Scripture warns us not to trust in princes, (Psalm 146) but we keep doing it.

Many times, I’ve hung hopes on the unworthy pegs of political officials (and Christian leaders) whom I thought had character, principles, and class. It’s painful to watch everything crash down when leaders I supported betray what I thought they stood for. Whatever your political tribe, you probably know how this feels. It can make us cynical, jaded, or apathetic. I’ve felt that way.

However tainted we feel politics is, we can’t surrender to cynicism and apathy. We can’t hang all our hopes on the Eliakims of the world, but we can’t let the Shebnas of the world keep abusing their positions. If justice and righteousness are to be established, government and politics are one means God has given us to do so. Politics and politicians are important because policies either help or hurt people whom God loves. Isaiah, other prophets, and the faithful remnant had fewer options than we do. Yet they never stopped working, even in lost causes. Even in exile, Daniel and others were politically involved, seeking the public good. (Daniel 1.18-21)

Spiritual practices for politics should include 1) prayer, 2) principles, and 3) separating the common from the holy.

Through prayer, seek humility. Ask God to change hearts and provide wisdom. Changing leaders without changing hearts changes nothing. (Daniel 6.6-16)

Through scripture, identify defining principles of good communities. Start with the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7) and interpret the rest of scripture using Jesus’ lens.

Separate moral teachings from common goods. Don’t hang holy things on common pegs. Moral teaching must remain with the church. Good things may be enacted through governments. Secular governments can provide resources, educate, and protect from wrongdoing but they cannot and should not engage in moral instruction.

Engage in politics with the right attitude and with the proper understanding of the limits of human government.

Resources: Here are some resources we feel can be helpful in the topic and practice of politics.

• Podcasts: The Church Politics Podcast by the And (&) Campaign. Reimagining Christian Politics by Michael Rhodes and Marshall Teague (this is a new one to me but the first two episodes were very good…)
• Books: Spirit of Our Politics by Michael Wear. Compassion (&) Conviction by Justin Giboney, Michael R Wear, and Chris Butler. Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around by Justin Giboney (Haven’t read this one yet, but looking forward to it.)
• Organization: The Center for Christianity and Public Life
• News: The Pour Over, politically neutral, Christ-centered news

Divine Hours Prayer: The Small Verse

The Lord is my shepherd and nothing is wanting to me. In green pastures he has settled me. — The Short Breviary

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

Read more: Apotheosis of Politics

We must hold our patriotism and our political activism more lightly than our faith.

Apotheosis of Politics

Read more: Be Yoked to Christ, Not Politics

We vote with Christ’s hands and feet as we serve and care for image-bearers of God. What does this look like?

Be Yoked to Christ, Not Politics

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 19  Read: Isaiah 16 Listen: (2:32) Read: Acts 5 Listen: (6:49)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Jun 20  Read: Isaiah 17-18 Listen: (3:44) Read: Acts 6 Listen: (2:35)
Jun 21  Read: Isaiah 19-20 Listen: (4:49) Read: Acts 7 Listen: (8:49)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 16.1-5

Reflection: Enemy Love Starts With Outsiders

By John Tillman

Moab was Israel’s enemy. Isaiah prophesied the fall of Moab and portrayed their refugees as vulnerable birds shaken from the nest.

For centuries, when Israel was in distress or fleeing danger, Moab mistreated them. They mocked, robbed, enslaved, or killed them.

When Israel came out of slavery in Egypt, Moab opposed them, attempted to curse them (Numbers 23.7), and seduced them to worship their god Chemosh (Numbers 25.1-2), which became a recurring temptation Israel dealt with until the exile (2 Kings 23.13-14). Moab conquered and ruled harshly (Judges 3.13-15). They raided Israel and joined other armies to attack them. When others conquered Israel, Moab mocked and mistreated the survivors and refugees.

Yet, Isaiah’s prophetic poem commands Israel not to treat Moab’s refugees that way. Isaiah commanded them to help the refugees. Instead of mocking them, welcome them. Instead of robbing them, aid them. Instead of enslaving them or turning them over to be killed, hide them and shelter them from the oppressor.

Remember, these are not sympathetic refugees. These are historically violent, treacherous,  idol-worshiping foreigners who hated and mistreated God’s people. Still, God commanded Israel to welcome and protect them. No excuses. Israel must do unto Moab what Israel would have them do unto them (Luke 6.31).

Isaiah tied this treatment to the coming of a faithful ruler on a throne of love who would bring justice, and enact righteousness. Jesus is this ruler. He sits on a throne of love and does not withhold love from his enemies. He calls us to emulate him. Can we? Will we?

We naturally react with celebration when enemies suffer, and sometimes celebrating the fall of evil is good. But there are also moments when we are called, even commanded, to something else—enemy love.

Enemy love reflects the glory of Jesus in a way that nothing else does. It is unlike the anemic versions of showing kindness to enemies found in other belief systems. They are pragmatic and calculating, seeking selfish returns. There’s no pragmatism in the gospel. It is extravagant love that the pragmatic world calls foolish.

Enemy love’s little brother is love for the outsider. We’ll never graduate to loving true enemies if we can’t love those who are just different. The ones who worship different gods. The ones people claim are dangerous or violent. Stretch your heart to display the glory of Jesus through enemy love. Start loving the outsider and build up from there.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

God is a righteous judge; God sits in judgment every day. — Psalm 7.12

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

Read more: Grief for the Guilty

You can look at tragedies…and still your heart rends in grief…Because we see the goodness God created in each person

Grief for the Guilty

Read more: The Church of Acts

Acts is not a start-up handbook. But there’s a clue in Luke’s title—Acts. They will know we are Christians by our love. By our actions.

The Church of Acts