Category Archives: Scripture

As we return to chapter 42 of Isaiah the surprise of v2 is that the servant will be loud, and will not be overbearing. Read the verses once more: 42 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,    my chosen one in whom I delight;I will put my Spirit on him,    and he will bring justice to the nations.2 He will not shout orContinue reading “Quiet and Gentle”

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,    my chosen one in whom I delight;I will put my Spirit on him,    and he will bring justice to the nations.2 He will not shout or cry out,    or raise his voice in the streets.3 A bruised reed he will not break,    and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.In faithfulness he willContinue reading “Spirit of justice”

Here, back to Isaiah 42 I come: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,    my chosen one in whom I delight;I will put my Spirit on him,    and he will bring justice to the nations.2 He will not shout or cry out,    or raise his voice in the streets.3 A bruised reed he will not break,    and a smoldering wick heContinue reading “God’s Delight”

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,    my chosen one in whom I delight;I will put my Spirit on him,    and he will bring justice to the nations.2 He will not shout or cry out,    or raise his voice in the streets.3 A bruised reed he will not break,    and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.In faithfulness he willContinue reading “Chosen”

I have at times past blogged each day of Lent. I’m not sure if this is achievable this year. But I want to start today in Isaiah, with the first of the so called ‘servant’ songs – about a mysterious figure who sometimes seems to be Israel, sometimes someone a bit like a prophet, andContinue reading “Lent 2022: The Servant of Yahweh”

It seems appropriate for the first blog of the new year to be about fear – especially in such turbulent times. Isaiah 41 continues like this: 5 The islands have seen it and fear;    the ends of the earth tremble.They approach and come forward;6     they help each other    and say to their companions, “Be strong!”7 The metalworker encourages the goldsmith,    andContinue reading “New Year: Do Not Fear”

Isaiah 41 is a much less well known passage than its predecessor, but it contains just as much rich theology. Since the days of long ago and far away when I was a student at university reading these chapters (Isaiah 40-55) for the first time and sensing the vastness of this God as I read,Continue reading “New Year: Surprising salvation”

And so we come to the final, soaring words of Isaiah 40: 27 Why do you complain, Jacob?    Why do you say, Israel,“My way is hidden from the Lord;    my cause is disregarded by my God”?28 Do you not know?    Have you not heard?The Lord is the everlasting God,    the Creator of the ends of the earth.He will not grow tired or weary,    and his understanding noContinue reading “Advent: Energising Sustainer”

In Isaiah 40 we have heard the call to “behold your God” – to pay attention to God. Reading Isaiah 40 is a great way to do this because it isn’t content with giving us the simple statement “God is powerful”. It isn’t content to unpack that in three clear distinct ways that tell usContinue reading “Advent: Strong Creator”

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 forever.” 9 You who bring good news to Zion,    goContinue reading “Advent: Tender Might”