Once again we will begin with Isaiah 35:8-10
A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people;
no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there. but the redeemed shall walk there.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and the sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
It is precisely life beyond the reach of the empire, given in the resolve of YHWH, that is the core claim of Israel's hope. In order to give specificity to that claim, the poets of Israel offer imaginative scenarios of homecoming. In this instance, it is traveling on a safe "Holy Way," safe from the treat of ravenous beasts, all made in joy. The possibility of a new beginning of life in a safe place of promise, beyond imperial coercion, is the long-term hope of Israel.
Again we hear of imaginative scenarios. Isn't that where all hope begins - out there beyond what we can see - out there where things are impossible and absurd - out there out of reach? And yet, God keeps calling into that which is not! What are we to do!? The prophets would poetically tell us to stop whining - stop being so turned-in-on-ourselves - stop crying long enough to look up and look beyond that which is in hand. Damn those prophets! Don't they know that we have convinced ourselves that we do best with what is in hand and that we should never venture out beyond what is prudent and sensible?! But prophets never listen to us. They listen to the God of all things who rattles their heads and hearts so that they will speak up even when they know they will be ridiculed and push away. I don't know how prophets do it, but it sure is necessary for all of us that they open their mouths and speak with the vision of God's Reign.
Connection: When will it happen today? When will a prophetic word move across your path? How will it touch us? Who will hear it with us - if anyone? Let's all listen and consider what may come.
You, O God, already have us moving in a new direction even when we are stuck in what is old and overwhelming. Open our ears and our hearts, O God. Amen.
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