Explore the Bible Series for April 23: Effectiveness often necessitates change

Posted: 4/11/06

Explore the Bible Series for April 23

Effectiveness often necessitates change

• Isaiah 40:1-43:28

By James Adair

Baptist University of the Americas, San Antonio

A major shift in perspective from the earlier chapters of Isaiah occurs in chapter 40. Whereas chapters 1-39 are set in the days of Isaiah in Jerusalem, in the eighth century B.C., chapters 40-66 are set in the Babylonian exile and its aftermath, starting in the sixth century B.C., and many of the prophecies appear to have been delivered in Babylonia.

Most biblical scholars explain this phenomenon by proposing that chapters 40-55 preserve the words of a prophet who preached during the exile, while 56-66 are set a bit later, after many Jews returned from Babylonia.

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In addition to the shift in historical perspective, scholars point to differences in vocabulary, style and theological emphases in these chapters. From a compositional perspective, they also note chapters 36-39, a reprise of the history concerning Isaiah and King Hezekiah, would have formed a fitting ending to the oracles of the original Isaiah (Jeremiah 52).

I believe a setting during the Babylonian exile provides the best backdrop for the prophecies in these chapters, so my comments will assume that historical milieu.

Isaiah 40:1-11

At the time this prophecy was delivered, the Jews living in exile in Babylonia had been away from home as a group about 50 years. Though some undoubtedly adapted to their new surroundings well, others longed to return to the land of their ancestors.

It is to these people the prophet speaks his words of comfort, words of hope for a shattered people: “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”

The Jews in Babylonia looked back on their history and recognized many instances of rebellion and disobedience to God, and they interpreted their exile as God’s punishment for their sins. It was not sufficient, then, for them to hear they might have the opportunity to return to their homes. They needed to believe God had forgiven them for their sins.

Many people suffering today, rightly or wrongly, also interpret their troubles to be the result of their own sins. The joy many people experience in the routine of life only exacerbates their own feelings of sadness, magnified by guilt. For these people, the words of the prophet continue to provide comfort and forgiveness, if they just will listen and if the church will proclaim it faithfully.

Isaiah 40:21-31

“To whom then will you compare me?” asks God, through the mouth of the prophet. This passage celebrates the greatness of the Creator who gives strength to the weary. It is interesting to note in light of numerous global conflicts, God is described in verse 23 as one “who brings princes to naught and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.”

Why is there so much talk in the Bible, and particularly in the prophets, about God exalting the lowly and casting down erstwhile leaders? Maybe it’s because too many leaders let power go to their heads, caring more for their own legacies than the well-being of their fellow citizens, not to mention the citizens of other countries.

No matter where they reside, all leaders should remember they are temporal. Their nation, neighboring countries, and above all the God of the universe will continue long beyond their passing. They would do well, then, to abandon mad schemes of regional or even world domination and join with God in giving power to the faint and strength to the powerless.

As Abraham Lincoln said, “Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.” Right makes might, not the other way around.

Isaiah 42:1-9

These verses are the first of four “Servant Songs” many scholars recognize in this section of Isaiah. The prophet frequently refers to God’s servant in these chapters, but about whom is he talking?

The New Testament writers saw some of the passages as references to the public ministry of Jesus, and some of these verses may indeed be interpreted in reference to a single individual, but others seem to portray the nation of Israel in an idealized form.

The earliest translation of this passage into the Greek language (the Septuagint) explicitly identifies the servant in Isaiah 42 as the nation of Israel. If we take these verses as referring to a corporate entity rather than an individual, they remind us that God calls us to bring forth justice among the nations, to care for the weak in our world, and to be a light that shines God’s love on all those around us.

Isaiah 43:18-25

It has been said the seven last words of the church are, “We never did it that way before.” A few weeks ago, I met a young man who is the pastor of a church I attended as a child. At one time, the church was one of the premier churches in town, and Sunday services filled the sanctuary.

Over the years, the neighborhood around the church changed, but the church itself changed very little. The church continued to be predominantly Anglo in a neighborhood that was increasingly Hispanic. Still, the church did little to change, and eventually it died—well, almost.

When Sunday attendance had dwindled to just a handful of people, the remaining members handed control over to a Hispanic pastor and his son. Suddenly there were signs of life, and the church began to grow. It is nowhere near the size it was in its heyday, but it has recovered sufficiently to be considered off of life support.

Still, the young pastor informs me, the church is having a difficult time reaching the immediate neighborhood. Will it make the changes necessary to meet the needs of the community, or will it settle into an old pattern, comfortable with its present members and content to stay the course for the next several years?

No one knows for sure, but the spark of life the church has shown the past few years gives me reason to hope for the best.

When the prophet wrote to the Jews in exile, many of them felt that they had little reason to hope. The people had been living in Babylonia many years, and few saw any reason for optimism. They expected things to continue as they had, with no improvement, but the prophet had a different idea. “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing,” he said in the name of God.

I believe God is a God of new things; it is people who are stuck in the past. We get comfortable with our current surroundings, even when they aren’t very good, and we look askance at change. Change just for the sake of change isn’t good, but a change in outlook, a change in perspective or a change in attitude often can be helpful.

We live in a changing world, and if our ministries are to stay effective, we must change with the world, adopting new strategies to live out the good news that God has for us, and for the whole world.

Discussion questions

• In our Christian ministries, how do we know when people need to hear words of comfort and when they need to hear a call to repentance? Why do so many people have difficulty accepting God’s forgiveness?

• How do you evaluate Abraham Lincoln’s statement that “right makes might”? Do Christians today agree with Lincoln?

• Which references in Isaiah 40-43 to God’s servant seem to refer to a single individual, and which seem to refer to a group of people? Do all the references to the servant refer to the same person or group? Is it possible that a certain amount of ambiguity in these passages is intentional?

• How important is tradition in comparison with innovation in church life? Why are some people naturally resistant to change, while others embrace it?