Isaiah 9-12 Remember, See the Future, Rejoice

July 30th, Isaiah 9-12

       This is an up and down passage that really starts in chapter 8. Isaiah is living in the tension of honoring the Lord and people. People propose to him that he should inquire of mediums and necromancers and the response is as it should be..."should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?" Good question...now for the ride...
        Chapter 9, inquiring of the Lord brings hope. This is the famous passage about those walking in darkness have seen a great light...unto us a child is born, to us a son is given...he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His Kingdom will be rooted in justice and righteousness. Inquiring of the Lord brings hope.
        Hope is needed where there is no hope. Chapter 10 builds the case for the problem at hand. It burdens me how our happy "good news only about our personal world" can't stand to hear honest evaluations about ourselves. I think we also live in a world where we are hyper-critical about others and don't mind those evaluations at all (about others). But somehow when it comes to our own shortcomings we live in some fight or flight world that keeps us from walking the new way that would be better. This chapter is a reminder of why we've fallen from grace. To take this chapter out makes the rest of the story lack any sense, it's true in our life as well.
        But there is hope, and hope doesn't disappoint. Chapter 11-12 lets us know that even with only a stump of a tree left, there is a shoot that will spring forth and bear fruit. We will have a ruler who gets it right. Wolves and lambs, calves and lions led by little children. There is a future because God is good.
       Chapter 12 leaves us on a high note. 6 verses, go check it out, it starts off with..."In that day I will give thanks to you, O Lord..."