As we are approaching the Season of Advent, we are reflecting on what this year has brought us and what it has taken away. 2020 was marked by the most devastating pandemic of the last few decades. It has claimed many lives and caused fear, poverty, chaos, and disruption across nations. We do not rush into this season of celebration but rather stop and think about those who will not be at the Christmas dinner table and those who will no longer be with us. Still, Advent is a joyful time, but this joy is not excitement but rather hope for a new beginning and faith in Our Lord, Jesus Christ. This is why if you seek salvation, I am asking you to look inward and think about what God promised to all who walk with Him.
Today, I would like to focus on Chapter 2 from the Book of Isaiah, verses 1-5. In them, the Prophet holds out the promise that Jerusalem will become the holy city that will unite many nations: “[it] will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it (Isaiah 2:2).” However, for the prophecy to become true, Isaiah implores the house of Jacob to “walk in the light of the Lord (Isaiah 2:5).” The passage is filled with optimism and piety; Isaiah is confident in the coming of the Messiah and sends this message to all people.
To understand this passage better, I suggest we turn to the historical context first. The events of Chapter 2 take place around 740 BC around the time when Assyria became a military threat to Syria and Palestine. The Northern Kingdom of Israel entered a coalition with neighboring nations to resist the aggressor. Together, the coalition sought to convince the Southern Kingdom of Judah to join. Prophet Isaiah was vocal about his discontent with such a decision. He wanted to show people that the best way to resolve the conflict is to walk in God’s way and trust his judgment (Abernethy, 2016). This is why Isaiah paints such a vivid picture of our Lord in the passage (Childs, 2015). In his words, He will “judge between the nations, And will mediate for many peoples (Isaiah 2:4).” The prophet wants to offer the nation a new hope that there will be no deaths, no starvation, and no suffering.
Looking at this passage, we may draw a parallel between the military conflict described in the Book of Isaiah and the crisis that our world is going through at the moment. We too want the determination of Isaiah and a guarantee of a quick resolution that will put an end to the pandemic. However, I would like to remind you that in the Scripture, God did not come as a warrior or a mighty king. Jesus Christ came as a vulnerable and innocent child who has matured into a wise man capable of leading people, helping and teaching them the Word of God. The progress was slow but steady and led to the spread of the Christian faith and millions of people accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior. Therefore, I ask you to have patience, going through these hard times. What our world needs is a steadfast belief that good will conquer evil, and after pain will come joy and healing.
References
Abernethy, A. (2016). The Book of Isaiah and God’s Kingdom: A Thematic-theological approach. InterVarsity Press.
Childs, B. S. (2015). The struggle to Understand Isaiah as Christian scripture. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.