Hebrew Bible and Christian Scriptures

While the book of Isaiah is a rollercoaster of hope and condemnation I would like to focus on the first chapter of Isaiah, which I found to be one of the most frightening text in the bible. Jerusalem, the apex of Israel civilization and the home of the very temple where God dwelt is portrayed no longer as a righteous woman but as a hoar who is full of rot and death. The city of God is no longer the holy house of YHWH but a den of liars and thieves and now God warns the people that His fist is raised against them and His wrath is about to come down. However it is not the destruction of Jerusalem and the vengeful wrath of God that frightens me but the silence that comes before.
Prior to His message of Destruction God tells Israel, “What makes you think I want all yoru sacrifices…I am sick of your burnt offerings…I get no pleasure…Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts the incense and your offerings disgusts me!” Their hollow practices have pushed God to a point of silence. “When you lift up you hands in prayer I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for you hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims. The scariest part of Isaiah is the Idea that our sins could carry the weight, not of our correction, but of our isolation. That God in His Justice would eventually leave us to the full consequences of our sins. Isaiah may be remembered by it’s prophecies, imagery, and final message of hope, but the opening chapter clearly outlines the consequences of a life that in sin fully rejects the Glory and Goodness of God.

The Book of Isaiah is good. Real good.

I never realized how good until I went through it verse by verse in my Hebrew readings class last year with Dr. Reid. There are so many nuances and background stories that come into play and effect language use and subsequent interpretations…it’s a nerdy boy’s dream!

I think my favorite part is the part where Isaiah gets his lips cleaned off with the red hot coal. It’s really good because he is supposed to be a prophet. Now, prophets use what portion of themselves the most in their line of work? That’s right, their mouths. He needs his mouth cleaned! It’s as if he is saying, “God, the gifts you have given me already are not good enough to make things happen. I am completely inadequate even though you have equipped me.” He goes on to say that there is no way he can be good enough because he also dwells among people who are just as unclean as he is…so he has it extra bad! In response, God cleanses his lips and leaves him no room for excuses.

I think of this story from time to time when I don’t feel like doing the things that I know I should. Sometimes I don’t feel like I can make a difference, or that I am ever reaching the kids in my youth group, or that I am…you get the point. Because God uses people that feel inadequate. And I think God gets a special kick out of it somehow. Gideon. Moses. Esther. And so on.

I like knowing that God gets a kick out of me somehow. And I like knowing that somewhere a long time ago somebody else felt just as inadequate as I do sometimes today. But it worked out for them!

So, I guess it’ll work out for me.

During the call of Isaiah (Chapter 6), we witness the theophany and divine election of the prophet by God. Yet just as we are ready to give Isaiah a high five for stepping up to the plate and taking on the role of a messenger, God provides a twist to the story. The message God has in store for Isaiah to proclaim to the people of Israel will not be “heard” or “seen.” Imagine God calling you to his service and then informing you that “Oh, by the way no one will listen to what you have to say.” Truly the fact Isaiah continues to remain faithful to his call, speaks volumes to his motivation for carrying out the call. Serving God is not about being liked, well received or in Isaiah’s case even heard. Serving God involves dedication and motivation towards God, realizing the opportunity to serve the Creator of both heaven and earth is reward enough. Prehaps now is the time to take inventory of self by asking one’s self : What’s your motivation?