The structure of the latter chapters of Isaiah is instructive
for this sermon. In chapters 60—62, the poet has envisioned the glorious
work of renewal that God intends to do among the exiles that have returned
home after their captivity. But in chapters 63 and 64, the poet turns to the
lament form in order to address God with Israel’s cries and unanswered
questions: “Where are your zeal and your might?” (63:15). “O
that you would tear open the heavens and come down[!]” (64:1). In other
words, “Do something, God!” This is classic lament language—accusing
God of abandonment, then asking Him for deliverance. This is bold, daring
speech that will not let God off easily.
Then God answers in chapter 65 with words of defense and some
accusations of His own. “I was there for you when you needed me!”
(vv. 1-2a). “But you have been a rebellious, disobedient people”
(vv. 2b-7). And so, once again, God’s word comes first as a word of judgment
(vv. 8-16), especially on those who are not identified as “my servants.”
The old cycles seem to be repeating themselves: God’s gracious gift,
Israel’s stiff-necked rebellion, God’s sure judgment. Isn’t
there anything new under the sun? Is there some way that this cycle can be
broken?
Our passage is God’s remedy for cycles of disillusionment
and defeat. We cannot break out of our patterns of addiction and rebellion
without a word from beyond ourselves. Isaiah once again announces gospel vision
for our hopeless condition, God’s gift of a new heaven and a new earth.
We are all familiar with cycles of addiction. Certainly we know
people who battle with drugs, alcohol, and other addictive behaviors. But
there are other narcotics that we have embraced to numb our anxiety and emptiness—spending
money on unnecessary consumer goods, entertainments that dull mind and spirit,
eating habits that transform emotional stress into heart problems. And typically,
we come to the New Year resolved to make changes in our lives—we will
get out of debt, read a book a month, start the diet regimen, or walk two
miles a day. Somehow we are comforted to think that we are in control, that
we can break ourselves free from the chains and stop the cycles. And yet,
year after year we return to the same discouraging patterns. We never really
change. None of us has the power to truly transform ourselves.
Into this cycle of despair comes the word of the poet. Isaiah
declares, “God is doing something new—creating new heavens and a
new earth.” This is breaking news, unheard of until now. This is the
turning point of the chapter. Jerusalem will be a joy, its people a delight.
And these people will be called “blessed of the Lord” (v. 23, KJV).
The poet says three things about these blessed people: (1) their
lives will be drenched in joy (vv. 18-19), (2) they will be filled with the
abundance of long days and productivity (vv. 20-23), and (3) their community
will be established in peace—with God and all creation (vv. 24-25). Quite
a vision of our life under the reign of God! And Jesus came preaching: “The
time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe
in the good news” (Mark 1:15); I want my disciples to “have the
full measure of my joy” (John 17:13, niv); “I came that they may
have life, and have it abundantly” (10:10); “Peace I leave with
you; my peace I give to you” (14:27, italics added).
Isaiah invites us to “be glad and rejoice forever in what
[God is] creating” (v. 18). We are given a vision of the real world—the
world as designed and intended by God. We are invited to see ourselves as
a people blessed, drenched with God’s joy, living out of God’s abundance,
and subject to God’s reign of peace. God has declared who we are and
has graced us with resources to live out this calling. Faith receives this
word of gospel and lives by the power of God, who is “able to accomplish
abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the
church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen”
(Ephesians 3:20-21).
(For a complete manuscript of this sermon, go to www.preachersmagazine.org.)
Open the sermon with the story of some failed resolution, perhaps
a New Year’s resolution. Connect those failed dreams to the situation
of God’s people who have returned from exile—so full of a hoped-for
homecoming, and now so disillusioned with present arrangements. Trace the
movement of Israel through the lament of chapter 63 and the prayer of chapter
64 for God to do something. The matter grows more complex as God answers (65:1-16)
about His available help that has been spurned again and again by the rebellious
people. Just like the addict who tries to kick the habit but finds no power
for such needed resolve.
The stage is set for gospel resolution. The blessing of God comes as promise—joy, abundance, and peace—a word of hope that redescribes the world. That word is to be received with gratitude and faith. God alone creates new heavens and new earth. We are summoned to an alternative vision of reality—the world is not a closed cycle of human effort and failure, but an open future of God’s blessing. This is the real world, given in speech and received in joyful gratitude!
