Readings for the next few days: Sunday, August 11: Isaiah 64 – 66
As Isaiah comes to a close, the Prophet revisits a theme that has been woven in and out of his writing, as we hear again of the potter and the clay vessel.
It is a humbling and fitting description for who / what we are. Molded by the hand of God. Fragile. Easily broken. While we may have lost sight of the significance of pottery and the connections that Isaiah is making to the people at that time, we still have a great apperiaciate for what is being said. For pottery is temperamental in nature. Mold it too fast, make the walls to thin, add too much water, bake it too long or too hot, drop it, miss treat it, and on the list could go. For any one of these items the pottery may will crack into shards that cannot be put back together.
If we treat a clay vessel with care and dignity . . . shouldn’t we do the same to one another? I believe that is the heart of what Isaiah is trying to remind us. For all of us are the miraculous work of God’s hands. All of us are unique and precious in God’s sight. All of us deserve the care, compassion, respect, and support of one another. So let us, in embody the same care the God has given to us through Christ, by treating one another as clay vessels, fragile, precious creations of God.
Peace, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Monday, August 12: Jeremiah 1 – 3 Tuesday, August 13: Jeremiah 4 – 6 Wednesday, August 14: Jeremiah 7 – 9 Thursday, August 15: Jeremiah 10 – 13
In the 4th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus returns home and goes to the Temple as is his normal custom. Everyone is in awe as this young new prophet begins to speak. And what does he say? He quotes (for the most part) Isaiah . . .
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. (Isaiah 61:1-3)
The Spirit of the Lord is the breath of life that is visibly seen coming upon Jesus at his Baptism. It is the same Spirit that is poured out on the disciples/apostles at Pentecost. It is the same Spirit that calls us forth as the hands and feet of God. But what exactly does this Spirit call us towards? Isaiah helps us to understand that further . . . As we are all called to work toward justice and peace.
Think of life for those who live under the hand of oppression. For oppression comes in many forms because our our own definitions of who is in “entitled” based on their race, class, gender, sexual orientation, languages spoken, neighborhoods we live in, families that we come from, and many other social distinctions that you and I may put upon others. It is our human nature to want to place ourselves as better than someone one else. Can you sense that in Isaiah’s words? Can you place yourself in the shoes of someone that society has deemed as less than worthy? Even if we think we can, we really can’t. The best we can do is reflect on Isaiah’s words . . .
The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths. Their roads they have made crooked; no one who walks in them knows peace. Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us; we wait for light, and lo! there is darkness; and for brightness, but we walk in gloom. We grope like the blind along a wall, groping like those who have no eyes; we stumble at noon as in the twilight, among the vigorous as though we were dead. We all growl like bears; like doves we moan mournfully. We wait for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. (Isaiah 59:8-11)
While life for those on the fringe of society may be a struggle. While they are oppressed and peace and justice may seem far off . . . there is still hope. That hope comes through you and me, realizing what we are called to do on behalf of those in need. Just as the Spirit of the Lord filled Christ, it fills us. Therefore we should be agents of peace and justice for all. Yet I say that with caution and a challenge, because God’s justice is not like our justice. God’s justice treats all people the same, sinners made saints through the death and resurrection of Jesus. So our call, our challenge, filled with the the Spirit of God, we should be striving for the equality of all people. No matter why/how they have been defined as different, outcast, and oppressed, we are all the same in God. We are all loved by God. We are all welcomed by God.
While the world has a long way to go, let us set aside our differences from one another, take up our calling, and live in the words of Isaiah . . .
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. (Isaiah 62:1)
God’s blessings, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Sunday, August 11: Isaiah 64 – 66 Monday, August 12: Jeremiah 1 – 3 Tuesday, August 13: Jeremiah 4 – 6 Wednesday, August 14: Jeremiah 7 – 9
Our Churchwide Assembly came to a close on Saturday, with a festival worship service and the challenge to live in God’s peace and justice. A fitting challenge as we hear Isaiah’s words today!
Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. (Isaiah 55:1-3)
What an invitation! What generosity! What a model to life by as we are called to welcome everyone! No matter what race or ethnicity . . . Come! No matter the language you speak . . . Come! No matter how many treasures you may have stored up, or if you only live with the cloths on your back . . . Come! No matter what level of education you may have . . . Come! No matter what sexual orientation you may identify with . . . .Come! No matter how perfect, imperfect, right or wrong you may feel you are . . . Come!
Come . . . Because God accepts you just as you are! Come . . . Because God loves you just as you are! Come!
Therefore, as humble broken people longing to be in the arms of God we should . . .
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; (Isaiah 55:6)
And when we fail to seek him, know that God still seeks us, and claims us as his own through the death and Resurrection of Christ!
Peace, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Saturday, August 10: Isaiah 59 – 63 Sunday, August 11: Isaiah 64 – 66 Monday, August 12: Jeremiah 1 – 3 Tuesday, August 13: Jeremiah 4 – 6
During our last full day at our Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee, we elected Deacon Sue Rothmeyer as Secretary of the ELCA. May God’s blessings be with her as she begins her work in this capacity. We adopted amendments to the Constitution which now states that Deacons within the ELCA will be “ordained” into their various calls. This is a significant milestone especially as much of the the day was spent celebrating and reflecting upon the 50th anniversary of ordination for women in the ELCA, 40th anniversary of the ordination of a woman of color, and 10th anniversary of the ordination of individuals in same sex monogamous relationships. It was another exciting day to be Church together.
Isaiah 53 brings us a rich meaningful text that simply speaks for itself. If you haven’t read it yet, let me share it with you:
Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By a perversion of justice he was taken away. Who could have imagined his future? For he was cut off from the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people. They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain. When you make his life an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days; through him the will of the Lord shall prosper. Isaiah 53: 4-10
What more is there to say that, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Peace, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Friday, August 9: Isaiah 54 – 58 Saturday, August 10: Isaiah 59 – 63 Sunday, August 11: Isaiah 64 – 66 Monday, August 12: Jeremiah 1 – 3
Thursday was a busy day for our Churchwide Assembly. We started the election process for our Churchwide Secretary. We adopted a Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment. It was empowering to see the stage filled with thirty or more individuals from other denominations and faiths with whom the ELCA is in partnership and conversation with. Together we recognize our common interest in caring for those in need and the world that God made. One of our greatest signs of this commitment came in participating in the World Council of Church’s “Thursdays in Black”. It is a call and challenge to put to an end to violence, rape, and injustice towards women. As many of us personally know someone who has experienced violence and rape, this is a challenge that reaches far and wide, and like would have an impact on someone you know.
Readings for: Tuesday, August 6: Isaiah 42 – 44 Wednesday, August 7: Isaiah 45 – 48
Today, I’m going to turn our attention back to our friends at thebibleproject.com for their second video explanation of Isaiah:
As I enjoy this opportunity to serve the greater church at our Churchwide Assembly, some themes that Isaiah brings to light that seem fitting. “I am about to do a new thing” (Isaiah 43: 19), “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10), and the reoccurring image of being shards of clay. Let us remember that as people of God, we are fragile and molded like clay, and empowered to go out into the world. To speak and serve boldly as Jesus’ disciples, and to be a servant to the least of those among us. Together may we set aside our fears to go and do a new thing, as we work and witness in the world around us.
Peace, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Thursday, August 8: Isaiah 49 – 53 Friday, August 9: Isaiah 54 – 58 Saturday, August 10: Isaiah 59 – 63 Sunday, August 11: Isaiah 64 – 66
The order of business for our Churchwide Assembly for Tuesday and Wednesday has bee busy. Time has been spent introducing the Social Statement on “Faith, Sexism, and Justice” as well as the “Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment.” Both of these will be voted on later in the week. Our biggest news and accomplishment came in the reelection of Bishop Elizabeth Eaton on the first ballot as Presiding Bishop. May God’s blessings be upon her as she continues to faithfully lead this church.
We would have to turn back to the early part of June for the last time we had a “story” in sequence from one chapter to another. Back then we were reading the first chapters of Job, when all was taken from him as a “test” to see how faithful Job would be. These few chapters of Isaiah come across as a test as well. What will Hezekiah do? What will the people do? Who will cave in first to the pressure and power put upon the people by the Assyrian King, Sennacherib.
Long story short, Sennacherib boasts of his accomplishments in conquering the surrounding nations. Isaiah and Hezekiah remind the people to be strong in the Lord. Sennacherib flaunts total devastation to the people of God, and reports that no other “god” has been able to stand up to him. What will the people do? Amazingly, they choose to remain faithful, follow Hezekiah, and for that they are rewarded. The Assyrians are destroyed, and Israel restored!
Another test comes in Chapter 38, when Hezekiah falls ill and death looms near. Rather than lament, he relies on the Lord, and is rewarded with many more years of life. Finally, one more test comes as we turn to Chapter 39. Visitors arrive from Babylon, and here Hezekiah fails as he boast of his riches and shows them all off. The end result comes in the prediction that Jerusalem will fall to the hands of the Babylonians (although not for some time). Great words. Great story. And a refreshing change of pace from the Psalms, Proverbs, love songs, and Oracles that we have been reading for the past two months.
Peace, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Tuesday, August 6: Isaiah 42 – 44 Wednesday, August 7: Isaiah 45 – 48 Thursday, August 8: Isaiah 49 – 53 Friday, August 9: Isaiah 54 – 58
The events for Monday at Churchwide were mostly a matter or organization and introduction. The afternoon kicked off with opening worship, and it was one to remember. Especially for one who loves liturgy, it was great! The procession in and of it self was worth writing home about. It was complete with kites, flowing waters, and the bishops of the ELCA. It was certainly worthy of the theme “We are Church!”
I recalled Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem as I read part of chapter 32. Isaiah writes:
9 You women who are so complacent, rise up and listen to me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say! 10 In little more than a year you who feel secure will tremble; the grape harvest will fail, and the harvest of fruit will not come. 11 Tremble, you complacent women; shudder, you daughters who feel secure! Strip off your fine clothes and wrap yourselves in rags. 12 Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines 13 and for the land of my people, a land overgrown with thorns and briers— yes, mourn for all houses of merriment and for this city of revelry. (Isaiah 32:9-13)
Why they are not the same, there are some similarities between Luke 23, where Jesus is on the way to the cross:
27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then “‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’[b]31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:27-31)
As Isaiah reflects on the hardships that Israel will face, and as the people lament over the hardships Jesus is facing, the women mourn, but for all the wrong reasons. Wrong reasons because they fail to see the bigger picture. The bigger picture that says Israel’s pending fall in the days of the kings is due to the lack of the people’s faithfulness. Just as, the bigger picture says that Jesus went tot he cross because of our own unfaithfulness.
May we be blessed not to mourn, as the women once did, but rejoice knowing that God has interceded for us through Christ!
Peace, Pastor Bailey
I made it to Milwaukee last night and are looking forward to the events of our Churchwide Assembly. Please keep us in your prayers as we gather, worship, and reflect on God’s mission for the ELCA.
Chapter 29 is a wonderful reminder of what God’s people can do, when filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Its like an Old Testament of Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
Filled with the awe of God: Isaiah tells us:
“The meek shall obtain fresh join the Lord, and the neediest people shall exult in the Holy On of Israel. For the tyrant shall be no more,and the scoffer shall cease to be All those alert to do evil shall be cut off .“ Isaiah 29:19-20
Fitting words this morning as we wake to hear of two mass shootings, one in Dayton and one in El Paso. We need a world full of God’s Spirit. We need a world where all evil things are cut off. We need a world where the tyrant is no more. We need a world where the meek can inherit the earth. While we need all that, knowing that you and I are filled with the power and Spirit of God, remember that you and I are agents of change in a world that seems desperate for peace.
God’s Blessings and our heart felt prayers for those in Ohio and Texas! Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Sunday, August 4: Isaiah 31 – 35 Monday, August 5: Isaiah 36 – 41 Tuesday, August 6: Isaiah 42 – 44 Wednesday, August 7: Isaiah 45 – 48
PS: Today I begin my journey to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. I hope to keep up to date on my blog, however we have many long days of planning the mission, vision, and future of the church. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel, worship, reflect, and go about the business of the greater church.
Readings for the next few days: Friday, August 2: Isaiah 23 – 27
Picking up were we left off over our last few days, Isaiah has one more oracle for the nation of Tyre. Like the rest, doom and destruction is coming. However, as we shift to chapter 24, the wrath that has been forcasted for all the aggressor nations of Israel, now becomes a forcast of total Judgement and destruction for all the earth. Didn’t God promise Noah that wouldn’t happen again?? Well, yes, but God’s promise was not to flood the earth, so fire and brimstone is still an open option. Guess that means we all are all to live in fear until that day.
But not so fast . . . Even while destruction seems immanent according to Isaiah, there are two victory songs found in Chapter 25 and 26. Here is our reminder, for all the faithful, that with God there is still victory to be found for those who call upon God’s name. Like the nations surround Israel, all wicked things will come to an end, and in the end the upright with find full restoration with God.
Readings for the next few days: Saturday, August 3: Isaiah 28 – 30 Sunday, August 4: Isaiah 31 – 35 Monday, August 5: Isaiah 36 – 41 Tuesday, August 6: Isaiah 42 – 44
PS: I’m going to be attending the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in the coming week. I hope to keep up to date on my blog, however we have many long days of planning the mission, vision, and future of the church. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel, worship, reflect, and go about the business of the greater church.
Readings for: Wednesday, July 31: Isaiah 13 – 17 Thursday, August 1: Isaiah 18 – 22
Isaiah’s prophecy shifts away from the coming of “Immanuel” to words of regret, lament, longing, and warning to the nations surrounding the people of God. Take for instance the words spoken to:
Babylon (Chapters 13 & 14)
Assyria (Chapter 14:24-27)
Philistia (Chapter 14:29-32)
Moab (Chapters 15 & 16)
Damascus (Chapter 17)
Ethiopia (Chapter 18)
Egypt (Chapter 19)
Babylon, Edom, & Arabia (Chapter 21)
And yes, even against Jerusalem (Chapter 22)
Oddly enough, in the midst of all of these harsh warnings against the neighbors of Israel, Isaiah shares God’s word of compassion for Moab. But why Moab? What makes Moab so special?
To answer that we have to look back to the story of Abram and Lot in Genesis. Here we may remember that Moab was one of the sons born to Lot after his daughters had slept with him. Weird I know, but this is early Old Testament! As Abraham and Lot parted ways, so separation began. Eventually the nation of Moab was formed, and while they were an aggressor nation against Israel, these were still part of the family of God. Just as Abraham always wanted to reconcile with Lot, God has wanted to reconcile with this sister nation. They had many of the same customs. They had many of the same faith traditions. They had similar roots to God’s chosen people. They were simply “once-removed” and part of the extended family.
So, God speaks through Isaiah . . . words of warning to many . . . and words of hopeful reconciliation to others.
Peace, Pastor Bailey
Readings for the next few days: Friday, August 2: Isaiah 23 – 27 Saturday, August 3: Isaiah 28 – 30 Sunday, August 4: Isaiah 31 – 35 Monday, August 5: Isaiah 36 – 41
PS: I’m going to be attending the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in the coming week. I hope to keep up to date on my blog, however we have many long days of planning the mission, vision, and future of the church. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel, worship, reflect, and go about the business of the greater church.
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