Scholars tell us that the book of Isaiah can be divided into different sections, each section written in a different time period, and probably by different authors.
The first section of Isaiah includes chapters 1 – 39. It is assumed that this section was, in fact, written by the prophet Isaiah. In this section, Isaiah condemns the social and economic injustice of the time, saying that it threatens the nation’s relationship with God. Thus, the nation is judged for forsaking God’s ways, for turning its back on the poor and vulnerable, for neglecting to do what is right.
The consequence for their lack of justice is captivity in a foreign land.
The second section of Isaiah includes chapters 40 – 55. The time is much later. The people’s exile into captivity has taken place, and in fact, it is almost over. There is joyful anticipation and hope of a return to their homeland and the restoration of their nation.
The author of this section sees their return as a sort of “second exodus.” In Chapter 43, Isaiah writes that “The Lord makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters…”
This is clearly a reference to the Exodus, when God led the people out of slavery in Egypt, through the Red Sea, on a journey to the promised land, where they would be free to live lives of wholeness; where their labor would produce fruits that they themselves could enjoy, rather than have all the results of their labor go to benefit only pharaoh.
Here, the prophet is saying that God is bringing about a new exodus, when the people who have been sent into captivity will be led back to their homeland.
Then, in chapter 49, God says to the prisoners, “Come out,” and to those who are in darkness, “Show yourselves.”
God says “you shall no longer hunger or thirst…”
And the prophet writes: “Sing for joy,... for the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones.”
Not only will the people be led back to their homeland, but they will experience comfort and joy and abundance.
I get the feeling that some who heard these words were skeptical. They didn’t believe that these things would actually come to pass. They thought that their restoration was nothing more than a dream that would never come true.
They had been forced to live in a land not their own for a long time. And perhaps they had been told too many lies. Perhaps those who had taken control of them, and forced their relocation, had made many promises to them, yet had not fulfilled any of those promises.
It was hard for them to get their hopes up.
So in chapter 55 we have this assurance:
The assurance that God’s word is a promise that will be fulfilled. It is true! There is no gap between what God speaks and what God does.
When God speaks of restoration, one doesn’t need to wonder if God will follow through on what God says; for as soon as God’s word is spoken, the thing that is spoken becomes a reality…
It makes me think of the creation story in Genesis 1, in addition to the exodus story. In Genesis 1, we hear repeatedly that God spoke… and it was so.
God said “let there be light,” and there was light.
God said “let there be waters on the earth and land on the earth, and let the land be filled with vegetation and with animals…” and it was so.
God spoke, and it was so.
That’s how it is with God! God’s word accomplishes its purpose. God’s promises are not empty promises. What God says, God will do!
The promises of God, and the fulfilment of those promises, are so connected, that anything spoken by God is synonymous with truth.
Oh that it were so with humans! People often speak, but their words mean nothing. Just because someone says something doesn’t make it real. People often say one thing and do another. Trust is broken. Words become cheap; meaningless.
Advances in AI make it even easier to lie. Photos and videos look real, but aren’t. It used to be said that a photo is worth 1,000 words, but now, we know, that a photo is often worth 1,000 lies.
I hope we are learning to never share anything on social media unless we verify it first. Make sure it is really real. Because otherwise our own credibility will be weakened.
There are some good uses of AI: I just heard about Edward Kang, a high school student in New Jersey, who developed an AI tool that diagnoses autism and ADHD using retinal images, allowing for earlier diagnoses that can help individuals receive helpful services and accommodations.
I’ve also heard of AI tools that can diagnose cancer earlier than other methods, enabling cancer patients to receive earlier treatment and increasing their chances of survival.
Those are great uses of AI!
But that is not how AI is mostly used. Too often, AI is used to try to get people to believe something that just isn’t true. For this and other reasons, I generally consider most uses of AI to be contrary to the kingdom of God.
God’s word is true. Once you know that a word has come from God, you know it’s true.
So when God says there will be restoration, that all that has been lost will be restored, you can count on it.
God’s word will not go out and return empty. It will accomplish what it sets out to do.
In this case, God’s word will cause the thorns and briers of the world to give way to cypresses and myrtles.
I like that image. It reminds me of something our youth like to do, when they meet here at church, or when they go to camp.
It’s called “thorns and roses.”
It usually happens at the end of a youth group meeting, or at the end of a small group session at camp, or at the end of the day in one’s cabin, just before lights out. Each youth is invited to share, briefly, one high and one low from their day. One thorn, and one rose.
It provides an opportunity for each youth to speak the truth about what they are experiencing. It’s not like the answer one gives when greeted with a perfunctory, “how are you?” The answer to that question is usually, “fine’ or ‘good.” such answers are polite, but they aren’t always true.
But in Thorns and Roses, there is the invitation to share something that is a little more true, a little more real…and to know that the truth you speak will be heard and received.
That’s a powerful thing.
At Camp Walter Scott last week, one of the most powerful moments came during a worship one evening, which took place after dark at the outdoor chapel.
The camper who was leading the worship invited all the other youth to share something true; they were invited to share a way in which they hoped God would help them grow during their week at camp.
And these prayers, shared out loud, were powerful. Emboldened by the darkness, The youth risked vulnerability, and the truth they spoke was raw and honest. And powerful.
TRUTH is powerful.
LIES can be powerful, too, but in a very negative way.
In fact, the words of many that speak lies are thorns and briers that choke out what is good in the world. Words of hate. Words of condemnation.
Maybe to some, these are “just words.” But words are never “just words.” The lies are not harmless. And words spoken against people carry consequences.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his followers to let their “yes” be “yes;” let your “no” be “no.” Anything else, Jesus says, is evil. [Matthew 5:37]
Jesus also says that words should never be used to insult or harm another. “Do not insult anyone,” he says in Matthew 5:22; “do not call anyone a “fool.”
Let your words be true, and let them be used for healing, and not for harm.
Yet many of the words we hear spoken—even by those who profess to be Christian—are lies meant to harm.
Words spoken against immigrants, who are labelled “criminals,” “thugs,” “animals,” even though they are human just like everyone else; humans made in the image of God, the vast majority of them seeking the same peace and security that we ourselves desire.
Words spoken against those who are transgender; lies meant to spread false rumors about how they are a threat to society, to deny rights and humanity, and cause harm.
Immigrants and Transgender people are just two categories of people who have been subjected to the lies, libel, and slander that take away their dignity and threaten their lives. Acts of hate and violence committed against these and other communities are often inspired by the words of politicians and other influencers.
That’s the power of words spoken falsely and maliciously. Words like that are contrary to God’s vision for the world.
We can remove the thorns of society; we can work with God to plant good, beautiful trees and plants.
By speaking only what is true.
By speaking only what uplifts.
By speaking and acting with kindness and love.
By working to let our nature be a reflection of God’s nature, for God is true, and God works toward restoration.
Let your words be true. Let your words be for healing and restoration. Let your words resemble the words spoken by God…so that all may go out in joy and be led back in peace, experiencing the restoration that God promises for all creation.
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