Bible Study recap, Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11

Initially what seems to be a message of comfort and hope for the people of Israel, carries with it some questionable assumptions. It seems Isaiah is assuring the disappointed exiles who have returned home, that things will get better, they will start over and build up a great and powerful kingdom on this earth as God ordained.

What justification does a group have to enter another country and make broad sweeping changes? In this case, the promise and hope of restoration and rebuilding is less coercive than the imposition of democracy in Iraq, the Crusades of the Middle Ages, or European colonialism in Africa. Yet, because the people can claim God is on their side, according to Isaiah, are they entitled to their reconstruct projects? Does the fact that the exiles have been away from home for generations count against any claims of ownership?

At first glance, the violence and warfare of the Bible runs counter to Christ's call to simply love. God's people are not exempt or innocent: they were responsible for the genocidal takeover of the Promised Land, the killing of the Canaanites, excused by their faith. Our discussion about slavery and its place in biblical society remains difficult for us to understand, given our knowledge of history and awareness of the civil rights movement.

Yet we find nestled in the heart of the text the reminder that I, the LORD, love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing, perhaps to counter zealous efforts to overextend one's influence. So often we've seen that the oppressed, when liberated, have become the oppressors. How humble or just are we in our expression of faith? Yes, we will greatly rejoice in the LORD but that should be tempered with respect and willingness to listen as we await sprouting of righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.