Daily Lesson for December 4, 2018

Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Isaiah chapter 1 verses 21 through 27:

21 How the faithful city

   has become a whore!

   She that was full of justice,

righteousness lodged in her—

   but now murderers! 

22 Your silver has become dross,

   your wine is mixed with water. 

23 Your princes are rebels

   and companions of thieves.

Everyone loves a bribe

   and runs after gifts.

They do not defend the orphan,

   and the widow’s cause does not come before them. 

24 Therefore says the Sovereign, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel:

Ah, I will pour out my wrath on my enemies,

   and avenge myself on my foes! 

25 I will turn my hand against you;

   I will smelt away your dross as with lye

   and remove all your alloy. 

26 And I will restore your judges as at the first,

   and your counsellors as at the beginning.

Afterwards you shall be called the city of righteousness,

   the faithful city. 

27 Zion shall be redeemed by justice,

   and those in her who repent, by righteousness.

We are in the Advent and the prophet Isaiah foretells the promise of coming deliverance. We shall hear his famous words of hope throughout the days ahead:

“And there shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.”

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.”

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

And as today’s Lesson says, “Zion shall be redeemed.” 

Redeemed by what?  By Justice, the Scripture says. 

And so with today’s Lesson we see the the need for redemption. It is a redemption which includes, but is not limited to, the personal sins of individuals. The whole community has fallen into unrighteousness; and the community itself is the victim. The community has failed to care for one another — especially for the most poor and vulnerable. And the leaders of the community consort with rogues and thieves. Even judges are crooked and partial. Everyone has a hustle.  Righteousness and justice have left the City.

It’s into this time and place that the Prophet speaks. God’s judgment comes. It is the day of wrath. It is also the day of salvation. 

 And, “Zion shall be redeemed by justice,

 and those in her who repent, by righteousness.”

Justice and righteousness are the people’s salvation. This is the way to redemption. It draws nigh. 

“And a voice is heard in the wilderness.”