Wednesday 26th April
Read Isaiah 40:6-8
“A voice says, ‘Cry out.’
And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’
‘All people are like grass,
and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
7 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
because the breath of the Lord blows on them.
Surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures for ever.’” (NIVUK)
A third voice says ‘Cry out’ and now Isaiah responds. He takes up his commission once more and accepts the responsibility to proclaim Yahweh’s word. The message originally given was one of judgement (Isaiah 6:9-13) but the remaining chapters of Isaiah speak of comfort. The question though is how these lines fit into that narrative of comfort? Perhaps they are a reference to the fragility of those who will oppress God’s people? Or perhaps they are a message of hope in line with the comfort he will proclaim?
Twice people are likened to grass and flowers (v6b, v7c). Promising fruitfulness but only in brief flashes (v6c). Twice we are told that grass withers and flowers fall (v7a, v8a). Drawing our attention to the brevity of life. The contrast in the final lines of each verse become all the more significant. The first triplet argues that life is brief and faithless because the ‘breath of the Lord blows on them’ (v7b). A breath like a scorching wind perhaps, echoing the thoughts of Psalm 90? Being in the close presence of a holy God, able to feel his breath, places our mortality in perspective! The second triplet contrasts this fragility with the enduring and permanent word of God (v8b). Flesh is inherently perishable, withering in the wind and shining only briefly, but God’s word is secure and permanent and trustworthy. How can one’s flesh become like God’s word? Is Isaiah’s message one of judgement or comfort? How do you read it?
I suspect Peter saw this message as one of comfort. He recognised in the cross and resurrection of Jesus the marvellous truth one’s perishable flesh can be imbued with the enduring qualities of the word of God.
“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
‘All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25 but the word of the Lord endures for ever.’
And this is the word that was preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:23-25) (NIVUK)
Transformed by Christ.
