The God Pause Daily in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 20 March 2018 - Isaiah 50:4-9a
Isaiah 50:4-9a 4 Adonai Elohim has given me
the ability to speak as a man well taught,
so that I, with my words,
know how to sustain the weary.
Each morning he awakens my ear
to hear like those who are taught.
5 Adonai Elohim has opened my ear,
and I neither rebelled nor turned away.
6 I offered my back to those who struck me,
my cheeks to those who plucked out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
7 For Adonai Elohim will help.
This is why no insult can wound me.
This is why I have set my face like flint,
knowing I will not be put to shame.
8 My vindicator is close by;
let whoever dares to accuse me
appear with me in court!
Let whoever has a case against me step forward!
9 Look, if Adonai Elohim helps me,
who will dare to condemn me?
Here, they are all falling apart
like old, moth-eaten clothes. (Complete Jewish Bible)
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Isaiah 50:4-9a 4 Adonai Elohim has given me
the ability to speak as a man well taught,
so that I, with my words,
know how to sustain the weary.
Each morning he awakens my ear
to hear like those who are taught.
5 Adonai Elohim has opened my ear,
and I neither rebelled nor turned away.
6 I offered my back to those who struck me,
my cheeks to those who plucked out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from insult and spitting.
7 For Adonai Elohim will help.
This is why no insult can wound me.
This is why I have set my face like flint,
knowing I will not be put to shame.
8 My vindicator is close by;
let whoever dares to accuse me
appear with me in court!
Let whoever has a case against me step forward!
9 Look, if Adonai Elohim helps me,
who will dare to condemn me?
Here, they are all falling apart
like old, moth-eaten clothes. (Complete Jewish Bible)
***
The prophet/teacher in today's reading is eloquent in poetry and firm in faith. If the original hearers were rejecting the individual's prediction of freedom from
bondage in Babylon--a release to be facilitated by the Persian king, Cyrus--we aren't surprised that the preacher leans on trust in God as solace. From a distance, we can wonder at the hearers' resistance to this promise, which we know from hind sight came to fruition. But think about it. How often have we resisted an invitation that implies change from what we know? Our embedded, established lives may not be perfect, but they are familiar.
We can hear in our own hearts the complaints of the people of Israel generations earlier--take us back to bondage in Egypt! At least we understood it! Yet now we stand on the cusp of Holy Week. What liberation is being
offered us? How will challenge and blessing walk hand in hand?
Jesus, your liberation is not easy. We will lose and we will gain. Enable our trust in you, that we may live in hope. Amen.
Catherine Malotky '86
Grant and Project Manager for the Center for Stewardship Leaders, Luther Seminary
Isaiah 50:4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens-- wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.
5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.
6 I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.
7 The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
8 he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.
9a It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? (New Revised Standard Version)
bondage in Babylon--a release to be facilitated by the Persian king, Cyrus--we aren't surprised that the preacher leans on trust in God as solace. From a distance, we can wonder at the hearers' resistance to this promise, which we know from hind sight came to fruition. But think about it. How often have we resisted an invitation that implies change from what we know? Our embedded, established lives may not be perfect, but they are familiar.
We can hear in our own hearts the complaints of the people of Israel generations earlier--take us back to bondage in Egypt! At least we understood it! Yet now we stand on the cusp of Holy Week. What liberation is being
offered us? How will challenge and blessing walk hand in hand?
Jesus, your liberation is not easy. We will lose and we will gain. Enable our trust in you, that we may live in hope. Amen.
Catherine Malotky '86
Grant and Project Manager for the Center for Stewardship Leaders, Luther Seminary
Isaiah 50:4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens-- wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.
5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward.
6 I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.
7 The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame;
8 he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.
9a It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? (New Revised Standard Version)
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Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
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