Bible Study recap, Isaiah 64: 1-9

There is a lot to this text and Isaiah seems to be offering a lament, showing vulnerablity, rather than angrily prophesying or righteously taking the leaders to task. This selection moves from wondering where God is, berating the divine presence, to confessing collective sin, to offering committment to God's purpose, to beseeching mercy. It almost mirrors the grieving process of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.

We also found a chicken vs. egg situation: But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. Doesn't God get angry or withdraw because the people sinned? From this reading, the flock strayed because the shepherd was absent. We're very good at ascribing, delegating blame to other sources.

Recalling that no mortal being can see God face-to-face and survive, that God's divine magnificence was too great for Moses (Exodus 33: 20), we can only see God through the effects of God at work in the world. It was natural for the people to want God to assert the Holy Presence. In the context of the Babylonian exile and the ensuing turmoil, God's appearance would be a relief for the believers, vindication for the persecuted.

The world is conditioned to seek proof. As people of faith, we are asked to believe in things unseen, otherwise it wouldn't be faith. Yet how is that different from the unseen elements and effects of science? Holding to a particular theorem of quantum behaviours requires faith that certain principles are infallible and consistent.

And perhaps most practically from our session today, we transplant the essence of verse 9: Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people. These sentiments also apply to each of us in our dealings with one another: "let go of grudges, respect everyone."