The Christian Classics Ethereal Library online (ccel.org) says, "A prophet of God was not primarily a future teller, but one who spoke God's word to the people of his day. The word "prophet" literally means 'to boil up like a fountain." Isaiah was a spokesman for God to the people of his day. Because he spoke so much about the coming of the Messiah, Isaiah is often referred to as the Messianic prophet.
Isaiah is quoted more than 40 times in the New Testament. Some refer to the Book of Isaiah as "the fifth gospel" or the "Gospel according to Isaiah." (www.dovercoc.org/Sermons/isaiah.html)
Before reading further in this blog, my friends, you would do well to read Isaiah Chapter 40.
In this chapter, we read God's words through Isaiah, a familiar passage: "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God," and "A voice of one calling in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord."
The whole chapter speaks of how God cares for his people. So beautifully is this written, and so great is the message of God's watching over his children like a shepherd, that it is a memorable read. We learn of God the Creator who never tires or grows weary in looking after us, our causes and concerns. Isaiah reminds us that God gives strength to the weary and that, when we hope in the Lord, he will renew our strength so we will soar on eagles' wings.
This being Advent, we await the celebration of Jesus coming to earth, where he became Emmanuel, or "God with us." Having accepted Christ's love, mercy, forgiveness, and salvation, it is incumbent on us to share this Good News in our writing and in our daily living. At the same time, we must prepare ourselves for Christ's second coming.
Today, just as in Isaiah's time there are wars, political instability, and clashes of ideology and religions. It was in times like this, that a voice said to Isaiah, "Cry out."
To this, Isaiah responded, "What shall I cry?" The rest of the chapter explains the message to be given, and it is to be given boldly. We are to go up on a high mountain and lift up our voice with a shout. We are not to be afraid to say, or to write, to the people, "Here is your God!"
What shall we cry? We believers in Christ have, through our faith, experienced love, hope, joy, and peace--attributes that are emphasized during Advent, attributes much needed in today's world. Should not God's working in our lives be something that causes us "to boil up like a fountain"?
Like Isaiah, we are commanded to prepare the way of the Lord. We are to comfort God's people and give them true hope in God. We are to straighten out as much as we can in this world and in our lives. By helping others, we make some of "the rough ground level" and the "rugged places plain." By living and sharing the good news of salvation, ". . . the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together."
Isaiah is quoted more than 40 times in the New Testament. Some refer to the Book of Isaiah as "the fifth gospel" or the "Gospel according to Isaiah." (www.dovercoc.org/Sermons/isaiah.html)
Before reading further in this blog, my friends, you would do well to read Isaiah Chapter 40.
In this chapter, we read God's words through Isaiah, a familiar passage: "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God," and "A voice of one calling in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord."
The whole chapter speaks of how God cares for his people. So beautifully is this written, and so great is the message of God's watching over his children like a shepherd, that it is a memorable read. We learn of God the Creator who never tires or grows weary in looking after us, our causes and concerns. Isaiah reminds us that God gives strength to the weary and that, when we hope in the Lord, he will renew our strength so we will soar on eagles' wings.
This being Advent, we await the celebration of Jesus coming to earth, where he became Emmanuel, or "God with us." Having accepted Christ's love, mercy, forgiveness, and salvation, it is incumbent on us to share this Good News in our writing and in our daily living. At the same time, we must prepare ourselves for Christ's second coming.
Today, just as in Isaiah's time there are wars, political instability, and clashes of ideology and religions. It was in times like this, that a voice said to Isaiah, "Cry out."
To this, Isaiah responded, "What shall I cry?" The rest of the chapter explains the message to be given, and it is to be given boldly. We are to go up on a high mountain and lift up our voice with a shout. We are not to be afraid to say, or to write, to the people, "Here is your God!"
What shall we cry? We believers in Christ have, through our faith, experienced love, hope, joy, and peace--attributes that are emphasized during Advent, attributes much needed in today's world. Should not God's working in our lives be something that causes us "to boil up like a fountain"?
Like Isaiah, we are commanded to prepare the way of the Lord. We are to comfort God's people and give them true hope in God. We are to straighten out as much as we can in this world and in our lives. By helping others, we make some of "the rough ground level" and the "rugged places plain." By living and sharing the good news of salvation, ". . . the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together."
