Epiphany 5: Old Testament, Isaiah 40:21-31                         

Isaiah 40:21-31

Well last week in our Old Testament meditation we considered what it means to get the message wrong. Moses gave warning in Deuteronomy to the covenant people that to give way to false proclamations about God was disastrous all around. To them certainly, but woe to the one who brings false messages and claims they are from the mouth of the Lord. So, how best to guard against the false? Easy. Know the truth. And to know the truth about who our God is, is the pinnacle of that knowledge. Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Knowing God and then allowing that knowledge to fill the mind and heart, that is life eternal.

So move from dire warning to the fortieth of Isaiah where the prophet gives voice to God teaching us about Himself. “”Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning?” (Isaiah 40:21a). The query is made and God expects a correct answer from His own. Moses highlighted the fact that false prophets are first and foremost false because they don’t really know the true God. Isaiah speaks and God gives His remedy. And God begins by contrasting Himself to those whom His people have begun to look for answers, namely, their human leaders. Oh my what a contrast God spills out. Isaiah’s God “brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness” (v. 23). Then … then God asks, “To whom then will you compare me?” (v.25) and the game is afoot. Keep reading now and take in the immensity of the God who in Jesus has become one of us that we might know Him. The LORD is the everlasting God, says Isaiah and this God is our Savior. Our Savior is this God. The only God.

Remember we are still in Epiphany and that means “unveiling.” We are still, or should be, learning about our God and in each step of our eyes opening a bit further we make connection to the babe in the manger. Are you getting a sense for why the false proclamations of false prophets were so grievous to Moses and should be to us? If we don’t know the true God we will call out to an idol. And an idol cannot save. Only the God who is true God can do that. And He wants us to know Him. God be praised!