God reveals his plan for the world – surprise!

Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Bern Leckie:

What did I like about today’s passage?

Yesterday we looked at God judging Hezekiah for not crediting God for his provision. Today God seems to declare to the rest of the world, even nations far from Israel, that they too should have noticed God at work, and will be judged for preferring powerless idols.

So what kind of intervention would God make to command the attention of the world? How could everyone start to understand who God is, what he wants and how he works?

I love this passage for setting out God’s plan to bring “justice to the nations.” It’s not a new set of laws. It’s a person, with the surprising quality of gentleness. A servant. Who is this?

Full marks if you put your hand up and shouted “Jesus!” But while we know this now, how new and shocking would it have been to Jews in Jesus’ day? They expected God's kingdom coming to mean vindication for Israel against foreign oppressors, not salvation for the world outside of Israel.

I love the ways God tries to express the newness of what he is going to do through this section of Isaiah's prophecy, such as "Sing to the Lord a new song..." (chapter 42 verse 10), and "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" (43:18-19). But at the same time, God knows that new things aren't always received well, and that his people will not understand. "Who is blind like the one in covenant with me..." (42:19) and "Now it springs up, do you not perceive it?" (43:19) sum this up.

Nevertheless, God promises amazing things for people he has summoned - a calling, a value, safety and protection through intense trial, and a part in a glorious global assembly.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

"Apart from me there is no saviour," says God. This is a good reminder that Jesus cannot be just a good, wise, loving or well-meaning man. The work of bringing people to salvation is God's work, accomplished through Jesus but spread and gossiped by us as we recognise and praise God. We are his witnesses (43:10-12) of the reality of God and his unique power.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

Reflect more (myself and with others) on how I recognise God in action and praise him for it. If I only pray about my own issues, I'll miss the perspective God wants his people to gain by seeing him at work.

Who am I going to share this with?

People I pray with this week.