Isaiah 61 (résumé): The Year of the Lord's favour

Isaiah 61 is a messianic prophecy about preaching good news and freedom "in the year of the Lord's favour". This text was applied to himself by Jesus in Luke 4:17-21. The Messiah is anointed by the Spirit to preach good news to the poor and to comfort all who mourn. Then the rebuilding of ancient ruins is predicted renewing ruined cities and you will be called ministers of God enjoying everlasting joy. God then declares his love for justice and promises an everlasting covenant and their descendants will be known among the nations. The chapter concludes rejoicing for being clothed with righteousness, like bride and bridegroom, making righteousness and praise spring up before the nations.

Fire Drill

Last night we had a special session of training for volunteers who could act in the event of a fire in church or any other calamitous problem. Liz has long been saying that we have lots of fire extinguishers in church, but nobody knows how to use them! So last night our fireman Romildo trained a team of about 20 whom of course we hope we will never need to use. 

I have nearly finished my résumé of book number 23 of the Bible, Isaiah, having completed 60 of its 66 chapters.

Isaiah 60 (résumé): The Glory of Zion

Isaiah 60 is a prophetic message of hope declaring Jerusalem's dark days over saying that God's light had come. So it starts: "Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord rises upon you... Nations will come to your light... you will look and be radiant... and the riches of the nations will come... herds of camels will cover your land... and I will adorn my glorious temple... foreigners will rebuild your walls... the glory of Lebanon will come to you... all who despise you will bow at your feet... and will call you the city of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel... then you will know that I the Lord am your saviour... I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler... and the Lord will be your everlasting light... and they will possess the land forever... I am the Lord and I will do this swiftly!"

Isaiah 59 (résumé): Sin, Confession and Redemption

Isaiah 59 says "surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save... but the problem is your iniquities which have separated you from God... the way of peace they do not know... they are swift to shed innocent blood." The people then admit that "justice is far from us... like the blind we grope in the dark... we all growl like bears and moan mournfully like doves... for our offences are many... rebellion and treachery against the Lord... turning our backs on God... so truth has stumbled in the streets." Then the text says that God intervenes because there was no-one to solve the problem so he did it himself... He put on the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation and repaid wrath to his enemies... and the Redeemer will come to Zion for those who repent of their sins.... and God's spirit and word will be with his people for ever.

Isaiah 58 (résumé): True fasting

Isaiah 58 criticizes fasting and religiosity when it is just a façade for true spirituality. True sincere religion has to be inside and outside and not fasting and exploiting workers at the same time! Not fasting amidst quarrelling and strife. To fast with sincerity one has to loose the chains of injustice... you need to share your food with the hungry... provide the poor with shelter and the naked with clothes. Then, and only then will your righteousness go before you... then you will call and the Lord will answer. If you satisfy the needs of the oppressed then your night will become like noonday and you will be like a well-watered garden... and if you honour the sabbath then you will find your joy in the Lord.

Isaiah 57 (résumé): The righteous perish

Isaiah 57 condemns Israel's repeated idolatry, pagan practices and spiritual adultery. At the start the premature deaths of righteous people are mentioned as they go unnoticed by the wicked. Then Israel is condemned for spiritual adultery and rebellion, even sacrificing their children in pagan rituals! They have even put pagan signs on their doors. "You have been false to me and not remembered me... when you cry out for help let your collection of idols save you!... but the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land. Then God declares: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit... peace, peace to those far and near... and I will heal them... but there is no peace for the wicked."

Isaiah 56 (résumé): Salvation for others

Isaiah 56 points to a more inclusive message of salvation which includes foreigners and eunuchs and which encourages one and all keep the sabbath. "These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer... which will be a house of prayer for all nations". The chapter closes warning against corrupt leaders. These "watchmen" and "shepherds" are condemned for being lazy ("they lie around and dream") and are selfish ("each seeks his own gain").