Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Old Testament, Isaiah 29:11-19                

Isaiah 29:11-19

I know I have heard this idea expressed in several ways through the years. Distilling the thought comes down to this: “You can’t appreciate the light without walking in the dark.” The psalmist says it like this: “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (30:5).

Dark times are being prophesied in our reading this week. Isaiah is warning of a dark time coming to God’s people. But that will not be the end of His dealings with Jerusalem. The dark time has been a long time coming and will carry much heartache and pain to God’s children. But there will come a day when true repentance will be granted to them. And not only that, but a Guide, a Way-maker will be given to them as well. Listen to a portion of hope Isaiah seeks to deposit in the hearts of people who may be thinking “It’s all over.”

“In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of the gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel” (Is. 29:18-19).

Indeed, the Lord would allow suffering to come upon His disobedient people. But so very often God uses times of punishment as His catechism. A better day will come. A Prophet shall arise among you, said Moses. All God’s people’s hopes are to be founded in Him. All God’s people called to the Person and message of the Messiah. He has come once. He most certainly will come again. What a promise!