Week 3 - Tuesday

HOPE!

Reading:
Isaiah 58-59

Maybe it is just the weather, or because I stayed up to late last night, but this passage leaves me feeling weary.
Chapter 58 verses 1 through 5 point out that God is not answering the people's prayers or rewarding their fasts, because at the same time that they do these nominally good things, they also exploit their workers and pursue their self interests.  Can I see myself in them?  Am I sure that the sweatshirts I just bought on sale didn't come from a sweatshop?  Have I insulated myself from hurting people?

Verses 6 through 14 promise that the people will become glorious, healthy, and strong if they would only
-"loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"
- give up some of their wealth to feed and clothe the poor
- not turn away needy relatives
- stop all gossip, slander, and blame shifting.

Gee, is that all?

Oops, no.  There is also honoring the Sabbath by "not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words."

 Then we move into Chapter 59, where God tells the people that He has the power to save them, but they not only fail to meet the standards above (no kidding!) but their hearts pursue evil instead.  Our hearts pursue poisonous roads instead - because this wasn't just written for them.

In chapter 59 verses 15 through 21, God says that he will accomplish what the people cannot.  He will establish the justice and righteousness needed so that the people might be made whole.

The description is beautiful and terrible.
Am I ready?