Lent: He has Always Been He
I’m at home sick today. Conked out by a cold that set in sometime Sunday afternoon. By the time bedtime rolled around I was doped up on Benadryl and praying for sleep. Waking up this morning I was wondering if colds are the kinds of things that God allows - like a forced pause button. Whatever the case, I’m taking the day to rest, pray and be quiet (oh, and write this little reflection - but writing is a joy for me, not so much work). My body might not feel great, but my soul is thankful for the pause.
In the quiet I’ve been reflecting on this weeks Lent readings. I’m sure there’s a theme again, but my foggy brain is having trouble knitting it together. I blame the aforementioned Benadryl. (If you have other theories, I invite you to keep them to yourself.) Regardless, my heart this morning has settled on the reading from Isaiah.
Take the Shakles off my Feet...
Once again the prophet is anticipating Israel’s release from captivity, but as usual, through the fog of future history he has the sense that it’s not just Israel that needs release. In Israel’s case, they have a real shackle and chain captor - Assyria and then Babylon - but Isaiah understands that captivity amongst the nations comes in many forms and that all the nations are in need of release. And so, with bondage on his mind, he looks to the time when the God of Israel will intervene (ha! I just went to double check the reference and realize that I’ve been meditating on the wrong verses! Oh well. Let’s keep going):
I will say to the north, "Give them up!"
and to the south, "Do not hold them back."
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth,
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.
Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
All the nations gather together
and the peoples assemble.
Isaiah 43:6-8
Release
Release. That’s the word for this week. It’s the outcome of last weeks word: forgiveness. Together, the two sound like this: “Captive, your debts have been paid. You have been forgiven. Come out. Come out from your chains. Enter the light of grace and mercy. You’ve been released.”
Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones
I love that. But it’s what comes next that has me stirring this morning. In Isaiah’s day Israel had a major problem: other gods. This was a problem because Israel was a nation that had been born from Abraham to worship just one God. The other nations of the earth had many gods. Capricious and waring they were ever in need of being placated. But among all the nations, Israel was to be different. Israel was to serve Yahweh. He alone was their God. And he was good. He made them, even calling them his sons and daughters.
But by the time Isaiah hit the scene they had all but forgotten him. Worshipping at this high place or at that alter they had totally lost the plot. And what’s more, they didn’t have the wisdom to know that mighty Assyria was marching toward them and the god’s they were praying to for deliverance were really just sticks and stones. Idols, as Isaiah put it. And so as the story goes, and as Isaiah foretold, soon Assyria wiped them out leading they away in chains.
And yet, amidst their captivity God would be with his people. Though they had forgotten him, he had not forgotten them. Which is what Isaiah is telling us in this passage. His sons and daughters - the ones that have ears and eyes but are acting like they are deaf and blind - these ones he will come to and he will deliver them. And to what end? Listen to what Isaiah says:
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
I, even I, am the Lord,
and apart from me there is no savior.
I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
Isaiah 43:10-12
His sons and daughters had turned from him. Bowing down to other god’s they had become confused. But he had not turned from them. He would come to them and release them so they would know and give witness that from ancient days he had been their God, their Lord, their saviour.
I've Got My Own Gods
What have I turned to? The Lord has not turned from me. What false gods have captured my heart? The Lord still calls me son. And in his faithfulness, he will come. He will come again and again. He knows I have ears and eyes, but he also knows that I am deaf and blind and so he will come. He will come and release me. And as he comes, I will know and believe that he is he.
From ancient days, he has always been he.
This Weeks Readings:
Isaiah 43:16-21
Psalm 126
Philippians 3:4b-14
John 12:1-8