My Advent ponderings this year are inspired by my recent study of Isaiah and one of the most beloved descriptions of the character of the Messiah. We begin with "Wonderful Counselor."
Author: Eva Burkholder
Principles for Processing Judgment in Isaiah
When I began my study of Isaiah several months ago, I quickly became uncomfortable. This reaction surprised me because previously I've found this book to be comforting and encouraging. But this time it seemed all judgment and punishment. So I began to investigate how to process difficult passages of God’s judgment.
Righteousness and Justice in Isaiah
A major theme in Isaiah's message is righteousness and justice. These concepts bear studying because they mean different things to Isaiah than they do to us in the western, modern world. Furthermore, our Christian subculture associates righteousness with personal morality and justice with social political action. This is not how the Bible portrays them.
The Work of a Potter’s Hand
My sister is a potter. She has gifted me over the years with plates, bowls, mugs, pitchers, and a teapot. I love displaying her beautiful work and using them in my daily life. I am in awe that she can turn a wheel, shape an object, pour some glaze on it, apply extreme heat, and out comes a work of art as well as functionality. I can understand why Isaiah used a potter to describe God’s relationship with his people and with us.
Hard Hearts, Plugged Ears, and Closed Eyes
In writing circles, we are taught to identify and speak to our target audience. And when teaching, to aim for heart change, not merely information transfer. Since this is my goal, it’s frustrating when my communication doesn’t land or my message doesn’t stick. So I feel for Isaiah when God calls him to be his prophet with the warning that nobody will listen.
In That Day No More Tears and a Trumpet Call
Isaiah is replete with promises of a future time—in that day—when God will restore all things to his original design. One beautiful aspect of this future kingdom is the absence of death, mourning, and tears. Another is the trumpet call to signal the return of Jesus for his church.
You Are Invited to God’s Banquet
Isaiah foresees a great feast that all are invited to. This banquet (also called the marriage supper of the Lamb) is the glorious future celebration of all who are in the kingdom of God. There we will commemorate the final defeat of his enemies, but also the unifying (“marrying”) of Christ with his church (“his bride”).
Roots, Shoots, Stumps, and Branches
References to Jesus are smattered throughout the book of Isaiah. A primary designation is the tree metaphor complete with roots, shoots, stumps and branches.
