I was reading thru these chapters, looking for something that resonates with me.
There is a lot of "woe to the........" portions of this reading, and I'm paroursing along, and then it hit me. I bet when Isaiah was recording and circulating these prophecies there was a much different feeling amoungst the people toward God. The Old Testament feels much more "fire and brimstone-ish". We have the benefit of looking back on the prophecy, and the benefit of being able to read the New Testament, which is much more based in love and grace and forgiveness. There seems to be more reverence for God in these passages. The people, or at least Isaiah, holds God in more of a position of wonder, and fear (in a good way). I like that approach. Although I strive to make God my friend and my closest relationship, its also important to put him in his proper place of reverence. There needs to be the personal relationship but at the same time the undestanding of who it is that relationship is with. Does that make sense? I tend to make God the proper size to fit into my pocket and take him with me.....when really I should be striving to make myself fit into his pocket, and go along for the ride on his mission.
Is that a stretch coming out of some chapters that are talking about the impending doom of some cities?
prolly
ch29
ReplyDelete13 The Lord says:
“These people come near to me with their mouth
and honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me
is based on merely human rules they have been taught.[b]
You need Him in your heart...not for show on the outside by 'looking' like a followers to others.