Written by By The Rev. Dr. Craven Williams
Isaiah 55:10-13 (NRSV) states:
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
“12 For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”
“A difficult task can be done immediately; an impossible task requires a bit more time.” (George Santayana)
Isaiah’s job description could have been written by the Spanish poet George Santayana. He speaks a word of hope when all else is negative. Isaiah conjures up a world where the impossible seems possible again. The prophet helps others look at their broken world with optimistic eyes.
Isaiah is sure of what he is saying. He all but bursts out in song. He uses imaginative words that conjure up a world where the mountains and the hills are alive in song and the trees of the fields clap their hands in joy. He envisions a world where the thorn trees and briers, usually symbols of judgment, will be transformed into luscious green myrtles and cypresses. This transformation serves as a symbol for the new life that lies ahead for the exiles after the devastation of the Babylonian exile.
The word of God will be an eternal sign that shall not be cut off. Isaiah reminds us of God’s reality, loyalty and steadfast love. With that love and support, maybe we can accomplish the impossible and bring our nation and world back together. Gracias Senor Santayana and thank you Mr. Isaiah.
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Dr. Craven E. Williams was a College/University President for 27 years, before retiring in June 2009. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Union Theological Seminary. In 1996 he was a Visiting Scholar at Oxford University, England, under the sponsorship of Duke Divinity School. He wrote bi-weekly columns for Methodist publications in several states. He is the author of three books on the life and times of John and Charles Wesley.
Image by My pictures are CC0. When doing composings: from Pixabay